UGA blog finds new home
Morning all. As I’ve said a couple of times this week, we’re converting this blog over to a WordPress platform and it will be a permanent move the first of next week.
Those of you who are regulars probably know that I’m not what you’d call techno-wizard when it comes to these things. But from what I understand the technology offered in this new format should make the blogging and commenting experience better for all. Of course, I’ll be learning as we go along, too. But I’m hoping to provide more pictures and video and things like that which should bring the blog more to life.
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See at the new place!
AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2008 > November > 10 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USRicht defends defense, Martinez
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
OK, I get it. I’ve heard your constant complaints about Georgia’s defense. I’ve heard your incessant cries that coach Mark Richt fire defensive coordinator Willie Martinez.
Here’s a news flash: It’s not going to happen.
Never mind that Richt isn’t the firing type or that Martinez is his friend. The bottom line is Richt sincerely does not believe that Martinez is doing a bad job.
Richt’s not delusional about the defense. He’s aware of the dwindling performance this season. He knows that opponents’ points and yards are up and that takeaways are down. He knows SEC teams thus far are averaging 28.7 points a game against his Bulldogs. He just doesn’t believe Martinez is the problem. After all, Martinez is coaching the defense the way Richt wants it coached.
Richt spoke extensively on the subject of the defense — probably because he was asked about it so much — during his Sunday night teleconference with beat reporters. I’ll share most of it here:
Q: The defense has given up 125 points in the last three games. Don’t you have to get your opponents’ point totals down?
Richt: “Well we do but it does have to do with everybody. We’ve got some special teams issues that have put these guys in a bind. We’ve had turnover issues that have put these guys in a bind. It is a team game and it’s going to take the entire team to get the point total down. That’s the bottom line. It’s not just the defense.”
Would you say the poor defense this season has to do with scheme or execution?
Richt: “The bottom line is we’ve got to, the coaches have to, put the players in position to make plays and the players have got to make the play once that happens. Here’s the whole thing for me: We are a team and we’re not going to point fingers, certainly not in the media. We will always go back and look at the things we’ve got to do to make things better, whether it’s a coaching decision or whether it’s a player-execution situation. That’s just how we handle it.”
Q: Is it fair to say that it is, in fact, your defense, that Willie is only employing the tactics that you want him to? Couldn’t you direct him at any moment to be more aggressive, to “turn the defense loose” as so many fans are calling for and try to make some things happen?
Richt: “People don’t get it. People think they know but they don’t. I mean, if people really knew football, they’d know that we’ve been blitzing; they’d know that we’ve been playing zero coverage; they’d know we’ve been playing cover one; they’d know that we’ve been playing robber (coverage); we’ve been go fire-zone with cover three behind it; fire-zones with cover two behind it. So if they really knew football they wouldn’t be saying the things they say. But they don’t.
“It’s the same basic defensive scheme that we’ve had since we got here. You know, it’s not like a kind of philosophical issue. I mean, the philosophy of our defense hasn’t really changed hardly at all in eight years. And we’ve not been in this spot in the past. So that’s not the problem.”
Q: But there’s no denying the poor production. Are you surprised about that given the supposed high-pedigree of the personnel?
Richt: “Like I said, it takes the entire team to play good defense. It takes the offense, it takes lack of turnovers, it takes our special teams to play well, it takes our defense to play well. It takes us to not have penalties that, when you stop a drive, allows the drive keep going. It takes all those things. Like I said its a team game, buddy.”
So there you go. As you can tell, Richt is pretty, ah, defensive about his defense and his defensive coordinator. And the reality is this staff just won its 80th game in eight seasons with three more games to go. That’s an average of 10 wins per season.
I think what neither Richt nor Martinez is saying is some of their players simply aren’t as good as advertised or just not playing well for whatever the reason.
Rather than “curse the wind,” as my father always told me, let’s take a more constructive approach. Tell me what you would you have the Bulldogs do on defense? Would you flip around some personnel? Would you bench someone in favor of someone else? Would you just throw caution to the wind and all-out blitz every down?
Because what’s NOT going to happen is Martinez getting fired.
And remember, it’s Monday, so give me your questions for this week.
Permalink | Comments (401) | Post your comment | Categories: Football
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Comments
By quaildawg
November 10, 2008 1:05 AM | Link to this
Can we fire some of our “Fans” ??? Didn’t hear much b*** after FL,KY,AUB,TECH and Hawaii last year!!! Main difference has been inconsistent play from DE’s and by inconsistent I’m throwing in the injuries and down time of some within this group.
By BugKiller
November 10, 2008 1:41 AM | Link to this
I’m sorry, I’m simply not buying the explanation.
The defense has gotten progressively WORSE since BVG left and Martinez took over.
Look at the numbers. It’s there, in black and white.
Martinez is the “buck stops here” guy.
His defense isn’t getting it done.
Mark Richt may not fire him, but we all know there is an AD and a Puppet Master waiting in the wings who, and I cannot believe I’m saying this, have the proper perspective and objectivity needed to make the call on Martinez.
Mark Richt is far too close to his coaches. Willie Martinez is quickly becoming Jeff Bowden.
I think maybe he needs to be made aware of the stunning similarities to the Dawg’s declining defense under Martinez and the Seminole’s declining offense under Jeff Bowden.
Richt lacks any semblance of perspective. It’s isn’t about blitzing or not blitzing, Chip. You’re dancing around the issue and making us who do know a little something about football to be total idiots.
It’s about discipline, of which this defense under Martinez has none.
It’s about the little things, which the defense tends not to do very well on a consistent basis, such as wrapping up the ball carrier.
And you know what, Chip, how about you ask Mark Richt why the hell he has a kicker who can kick the ball out of the endzone attempt these ridiculously stupid corner kicks.
Why don’t you make Richt aware of Georgia’s opponent’s average starting field position on offense after kickoff, and then remind him where the opponent’s WOULD start if he and Fabris would just allow the kid to kick the damn ball into the endzone!
You know… the 20 yard line?!?!
Why don’t you go over that, Chip?
By innocent bystander
November 10, 2008 1:45 AM | Link to this
What if the employers of the fans screaming for the scalps of Martinez and (in some extreme cases) Coach Richt demanded the same standards?How long would those fans keep their jobs? Are there ten coaches in NCAA HISTORY who reached 80 wins in 8 years? Can a coach like that be trusted to determine who his Coordinators should be? I think the answer is yes. The defense has underperformed no doubt as have the special teams as did the offense against Florida. The reasons are complex. Most of us fans are not so sophisticated in our diagnostics. But let them (us) rant. It’s part of the culture of football for the fans to rant. But a man losing his job is a serious thing.I’d be much more disappointed in Coach Richt if he fired somebody because of ranters than if he retained a coach too long because he has a patient personality. The season is a disappointment. Fans are frustrated. Understandable. More frustrated than Coach Richt or Coach Martinez? I doubt it.
By BugKiller
November 10, 2008 2:24 AM | Link to this
And I do want to apologize for the adversarial tone. But we’re all not idiots. We know it’s not the matter of blitzing, not blitzing, etc. We can watch the game and see Martinez bringing 5 guys when he only has four linemen. We’re not stupid.
But the frustrating thing for a lot of Dawg fans is that we look at Martinez and we see Ed Donatell. His philosophy is predicated upon playing not to lose. And what’s worse, his philosophy has provided smaller and smaller gains every year.
The other thing that is humongously frustrating is watching a kid who can make every offense we play start from the 20 yard line being idiotically hamstrung by his special teams and head coach into kicking corner kicks when our kickoff coverage has been totally abysmal all year.
Einstein once said that the definition of insanity is doing something the same way, over and over again, and expect a different result every time.
Ladies and Gentleman, I present your 2008 Dawg Defense and Special Teams… still crazy after all these games!
By Willie Martinez=Our Weakest Link
November 10, 2008 2:42 AM | Link to this
Why didn’t you ask Richt about all the dumb penalties committed by Martinez’s DEFENSE?!!? The rare times that we do make a play on defense, it seems to be wiped out by a roughing the passer or facemask penalty. Our defense is simply not disciplined. That is not acceptable. That is Football 101.
You should also ask him why does Martinez insist on playing so much zone coverage? Is it because our DBs are not good at playing man coverage? Why does Willie insist on keeping a base formation against 3 or 4 receivers instead of going to a nickel or dime package? Why did it look like Willie had no gameplan for a true freshman QB who was only starting his 2nd game of the season? Why didnt we just put Rennie or another LB to spy on their QB? o i have a lotta questions…im not a football genius but im not stupid either…
I am tired of watching Prince Miller and Remarcus Brown get beat consistently. I wish Martinez would start Vance Cuff at the opposite corner just to see what he is made of…Miller also seems to shy away from contact. Asher Allen and Reshad Jones seem to be the only DBs that want to hit somebody.
By KJ
November 10, 2008 5:13 AM | Link to this
With all of the injuries on the lines, why isn’t DeAngelo Tyson getting any playing time? Wasn’t he one of the top DLs in the country?
By ............................................BuLLdawg
November 10, 2008 5:17 AM | Link to this
.
.
You can ask him why, or you can sit there like a bump on a log for all I care, since he has not had a single Defensive End all season long, and does not have one now either, that he does not employ the nickel package every play and have a man rush the quarterback for sacks. We cannot contain any corner with the over-matched personnel forced to play defensive end, and we have not sacked a quarterback all season long with them either.
So, change the scheme.
.
.
By ............................................BuLLdawg
November 10, 2008 5:48 AM | Link to this
You did name 1 aspect of the defense, and that is the starting position of the opponents’ offense.
But, only 1 time all season long have our kickoffs reached the goal line and never into the end zone, and that was Saturday with the wind behind his back that we kicked off to the goal line on a line drive that then was returned for 96 yards.
You say he can kick it into the end zone and that it’s all Coach Richt’s fault that he causes the kickoffs to be in the corner you say. Excuse me. We have kicked off every single time to the 8-yard line.
How that became somehow you don’t mention obvious to you that he can kick the ball off another 15 yards, is totally beyond me Tech fan.
As for Brian VanGorder, he Lost to Florida 3 of his 4 years.
Yet, you say because Willie has done the same, he must be fired and replaced by Brian VanGorder.
We leave our defense on the field.
It’s all we do.
We put them in short field situations.
It’s all we do.
I’m not defending the defense; I am telling you that you personally are (1) out of your mind, (2) don’t have a clue about college football, and (3) that you are a Tech fan.
We all saw the posts by the Tech fan earlier this year who in his handle called himself BUG.
By ............................................BuLLdawg
November 10, 2008 6:09 AM | Link to this
Tech fans have nothing to discuss on their blog.
So, they come in here as impartial observers.
Georgia Tech’s fans (both of them) are just MAD AS HELL because UGA is ranked in the Top 10 of the BCS and Georgia Tech is totally UNRANKED.
By spike
November 10, 2008 6:50 AM | Link to this
We need better defensive end play, keep Bryan Evans on the bench, and eliminate the stupid penalties. The special teams play against UK cost us two touchdowns. The blocked punt and the nineteen yarder were just embarrasing. Kudos to Mo Mass. That guy is THE BOMB.
By Lilburn Dawg
November 10, 2008 7:09 AM | Link to this
For the historians, when, in past years, is the last time a UGA team gave up 38 or more yards in three consecutive games? And who was the DC at the time? And what happened to him?
By Who cares
November 10, 2008 7:11 AM | Link to this
UGA is the new - oh, never mind - UGA is one poorly coached team, period!
The proof is 1) #23 trying to field a punt at the 3 yard line, instead of letting it go; 2). #23 NOT knowing that when he fumbled the attempt into the end zone that is a “muff” and he DOES NOT have to get it out of the end zone - just take a knee and we get the ball at the 20 - but no, he tries to run it out because he does not know this, and gets tackled at the 3! Just poor coaching!
By HH
November 10, 2008 7:16 AM | Link to this
If UGA fans want to get rid of Martinez, or Richt, for that matter, its very easy. Simply quit donating to the Hartman Fund and quit buying season tickets.
As old Vince used to say, Football is the goose that lays the golden egg. It and it alone pays for all the non-revenue producing,worthless sports programs under the aegis of the athletic department—-i.e., the equestrian team, female volleyball, etc.
For those of you that don’t believe this, simply look at Tennessee. The reason the powers that be at UT booted Fulmer so fast was because there started to be empty seats in the stands (even though they were already paid for this year), and all the big boys started to sweat that revenue from disgrunteled fans by way of the football program would start to decline unless they did what the fans wanted: boot Fulmer.
Michael Adams, with or without pretty-boy Damon Evans’ consent, which he doesn’t need anyway, and the others will get the message in a hurry and tell Richt to get rid of “Einstein” Martinez or hit the road himself. The same holds true for Bobo the Clown.
So,the UGA fan base controls its own destiny by way of the purse, and, if enough want Richt or Martinez or Bozo gone, then simply turn off the money spigot. I guarantee Richt will be gone sooner rather then later. You can take that to the bank.
HH
By Dan
November 10, 2008 7:19 AM | Link to this
We were beaten in two games because our offense either turned the ball over putting our defense in poor position or they drove all the way down the field and then could not score. Very rarely can a loss be blamed solely on offense or defense - it is a team game and every facet of every game has an effect on the outcome of the game. I’m not saying some things can’t be improved - more points and hanging onto the ball would mean our defense would be on the field less and we would have fewer 19 yard punts (and fewer 77 yard punts as well). Congratulations coach on your 80th win!
By VADAWG
November 10, 2008 7:20 AM | Link to this
I am not drinking your kool-aid. Georgia’s defensive problems rest primarily on the defensive coordinator. The facts clearly indicate that the quality of our defensive play has declined every year since Willie Martinez took over. Lack of discipline, flat, uninspired play and almost routine defensive collaspes against top tier opponents provide plenty of painful evidence. Does anybody remember that pathetic loss to West Virginia, blow-out back-to-back losses to Tennesee, and the beatings we took from Alabama and Florida this year? This is a worsening trend that shows no sign of ending. Coach Martinez is in his fourth year with nine returning starters and it continues to go downhill. Mark Richt is a fine coach, but if doesn’t get rid of Willie Martinez, both of them could be out of work and losing Mark Richt would be a disaster.
By tim
November 10, 2008 7:20 AM | Link to this
Ok Chip, I guess you answered my question. I think Prince Miller has under achieved big time. Reshad is better as a safety. The DE’s haven’t played up to par and we need to tackle much better. Ask him how he’s going to fix that.
By JB
November 10, 2008 7:25 AM | Link to this
Coach Richt, God love him, Will sink the ship before he fires a coach. Saban, Meyer, Tuberville,Miles, Spurrier…..will all fire one in a heart beat. Who’s right ?
By AltamahaDawg
November 10, 2008 7:31 AM | Link to this
I think you do what every team does. What we did in 2001-2002. What UF did. What ALA did. Continue to develop the horses you have and recruit to fill the needs. Irvin and Houston, do seem to have moments when they are improving. Couple on the way. It seems to me that most of our DE that end up playing great bloomed later in thier carreer. I wonder to what degree the loss of our unblockable NG on the inside, crippled our outside rush, and we just dont have the raw skills to accomodate right now.
I do know this, having an opinion is one thing. BUT grown men believing that posting in a newspaper sports blog in ALL CAPS the same darn thing 4 times a day for the rest of the year, all summer , and going into next year complaining, is somehow going to be helpful to thier college football team, is pretty silly. Hell I can’t understand how they ever makes them personally feel any better.
Go to the offseason “meet the coach”, write a letter, get an email addy, heck withhold some cash, boycott, whatever. Do something that matters. This is for fun, or used to be. This is a great outlet for info, ribbing, and FAN interaction. THIS is not the coaches meeting, or the Athletic departments contract negotiations.
By David
November 10, 2008 7:32 AM | Link to this
The strength of this defense is linebacker. Although we may not have the size for it up front, the Dawgs may want to employ more of a hybrid 3-4 scheme or 5-2 scheme where you have at least four linebackers on the field, three lineman, and 4 backs. You could swap a back for a linebacker in nickle situations. The bottom line is the Georgia front four, especially without Jeff Owens is very pedestrian for the SEC.
By AltamahaDawg
November 10, 2008 7:40 AM | Link to this
Lilburn, when you look that up, can you research when the last time our offence and special teams gave up 21 points to the other side in back to back weeks?
By "BEYOND THE HEDGES"
November 10, 2008 7:46 AM | Link to this
Chip,
In case you didn’t know if you are planning to get some inside skinny or real informative information from Auburn Beat writers; you are definitely barking up the wrong tree. From day one Tubby let all the beat writers know that they would be gone if they did not quote “get with the program”.
If you do not believe me just ask them about the current state of the football program and such.
Our Defense has three missing components:
By DAP01
November 10, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this
What about our punt formation? Is it not the easiest to fail and get the punt blocked. UGA is full of prime football players but something is not right. We are sloppy, we can stop NO one. The team, the coaches and everyone needs to tighten up and become a solid team again.
By Lowcountry Bulldawg
November 10, 2008 8:02 AM | Link to this
Chip,
What impact outside of recruiting does Rodney Gardner play on the coaching staff? With Garnder being the defensive line coach and essentially a director of recruiter this is an area CMR needs to review.
Also Chip ask CMR if he would ever consider contacting Coach Fulmer about joining the coaching staff as an Associate Head Coach and Director of Recruiting. While I do not like the “Big Pumpkin” he is a master recruiter. I still remember the year when he came in and stole Deon Grant, Jabari Davis and Cosey Coleman. Would be a great addition to the program.
By dawg fan
November 10, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this
The heck with all the excuse making!! What do you think Saban or Miles or Carrol would do with a defensive coordinator like Martinez? Bottom line is he is not getting it done.
By FAN
November 10, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this
Wow, Sweet Willie was lucky Saturday, but as CMR states it is not Sweet Willie’s fault, that is something I just can’t understand. Kentucky owned us, our defense is soft and they are a reflection of the coach. It is very frustrating watchng the DAWGS continue to eek by teams they should be dominating. CMR says he is not going to fire his good friend and that eveyone who questions Sweet Willie does not know football, so I assume everyone who has commented on our defense is not seeing what CMR sees. So let’s struggle through the next two so everyone can say well 11-2 is pretty good espcecially with Sweet Willie running the defense… and we will get ‘em next year…
By GeoffDawg
November 10, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this
Ok - off topic but Steak Shapiro on 790 this morning said that he would bet his reputation (such as it is) that Stafford is turning pro after this season because of some undisclosed source. Anything about this in the rumor mill Chip?
By connorsgp
November 10, 2008 8:35 AM | Link to this
I just love you puppy dogs..there was a little excuse making after Bama kicked your rear end..the excuses became louder and more detailed after getting your faces rubbed in crap by the Gators..then last Sat you crawled out of Lexington with a win that surely should have been anothe “L” Now all you NC wantabe dogs are calling for the D coordinators head. Face it girls the team is really not that good..you have a couple of players that will be drafted # 1, but in the big scheme of things the dogs are what they always are, a good team, but not a top shelf SEC power,,,,,like UF.
By Bulldawg
November 10, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
Who cares:
If a punt returner “muffs” the ball at the 3 yard line and the ball goes into the end zone, the returner HAS to bring the ball out. If he is tackled or downs the ball in the end zone, it’s a safety. If the other team recovers the ball in the end zone after a muff, it’s a touchdown.
By Pago Flyer
November 10, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this
Bama and the Gators will always be the “elite” of the SEC. The DAWGS will be “just above average” in the SEC.
By mark
November 10, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this
when a player has a “dumb” panalty pull him to the sideline for a play or two to show him and the others the seriousness of it!!
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
I’m with quaildawg. You look at UGA’s defenses in years past of the CMR era and you’ll notice that the years we are really good on defense we always have a good pass rush from the ends. We don’t have that this year.
I think the only thing I would do different is move a linebacker to end on passing downs, history shows that when we have a speed rusher on the end Willie’s defense works.
By 82DAWG
November 10, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this
I watched the Falcons yesterday, who are of course defensively coached by Brian Van Gorder, and saw the defense that UGA used to have under him. Aggressive and attacking. Soft Willie, please watch the game tapes of the Falcons, THAT is how you run a defense!
By GaDawg1
November 10, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
GeoffDawg: It’s called NFL rookie salary cap! I;m afraid Moreno will be gone as well.
By athensdawg
November 10, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
easy fix for the defense….
we have no killer instinct.
until we get a killer instinct, we will always be urban’s whipping boy.
By Scott
November 10, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this
Coach Richt IS a very smart coach and has, historically since at UGA, done a terrific job of hiring good coordinators and position coachee…his true job as a head coach in today’s college football. That said, Coach Martinez (who I understand is an oustanding person) is not getting the job done.
I have a deep football background myself and I’ve always been of the attitude that a DC needs to be somewhat of a SOB. Primarily because employing a successful defense has a lot to do with using emotion to your advantage on the field. It doesn’t appear that Coach Martinez is a fiery guy who will (literally) get up in a player’s face and challenge him. Sometimes, it needs to be done. More so, I’ve never seen a team line up incorrectly as many times as the Dawgs have in ‘08. That is directly linked to one of two things: 1) Poor coaching or 2) Lack of understanding by the players on the field. In either case, it’s the DC’s job to make sure that he has guys on the field who “get it.” Even a sub-par athlete can make up for a lack of talent by understanding the game of football and how to get in the right position(s). The end result is poor decision-making on the staff’s part for having inadequate players on the field…mentally.
The last part disappoints me more than anything: many of our “prized” recruits have not and are not panning out. With all due respect to them, Prince Miller and Bryan Evans should not be starting in today’s SEC. While they might very well be amazing athletes off of the field, they are simply inadequate on the field. Miller is a very good return man, but not at corner. Evans is neither and shouldn’t be playing in our talented conference. That said, we need to take a page out of Mickey Andrew’s (FSU) recruiting guide and look for some SOB’s to play on the defensive side of the ball. Worse yet, I’m not going to comment on our inability to generate a pass rush, a completely inacceptable state of affairs…
Go Dawgs - let’s right this ship!
By fred russo
November 10, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this
can anyone deny that this defensive team and talent is the worst we have had in 25 years. take away Currin and we have a 3rd rate D” I would like to know who is responsible for recrutting this bunch.
By elmo lewis
November 10, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this
Maybe our recruiting has been overrated. A few points here:
By David
November 10, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
Chip - I noticed something in the UK game and would have to go back and watch other games, but it looked like our defense was gassed. This wasn’t even in the second half, I noticed it in the first half. I am wondering if part of our problem this year is conditioning? I know Van Halanger is a great coach and the mat drills really bust the players, but what about when spring practice is over and it is up to the players to step up and prepare prior to August practice. With that said, it almost boils down to player leadership. It seems there is not a strong leader on this team. This is evident by the players getting into trouble in the offseason and not being focused on the potential for a great season. If anything, I think lessons have been learned, as great as a potential 11-2 season is, the way those two loses went and the overall play this season has been above average, but not great- certainly not championship caliber. Ask the coaches about conditioning and leadership among players. Thanks!
By GeezusDawg
November 10, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this
Hmmmm, let me see (according to Richt) 1) the special teams have issues and 2) the players are under-acheiving, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with the coaching or the scheme. Seems a bit like denial.
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this
Let’s take a vote of who thinks Bama can beat UF in the SEC Championship..
I vote Hell NO
By Top Dawg
November 10, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
Let’s make it simple then and focus on one issue: why do the corners give so much of a cushion to the receivers? Are they not talented enough to play tight coverage? I will not mention names, but one corner is always getting burned, and everyone knows who that is. How about the rest of the secondary? We’ve got some secondary guys that are freshmen now, and two or three secondary guys coming in next year. (Look out for Shawn Williams in the secondary: HUGE hitter.) Are they expected to have a big impact?
Also, I agree, Chip, that it sounds like CMR doesn’t want to blame the players, but deciphering the coach-speak, that sounds like the problem.
One note to other bloggers: Don’t anybody think I am not a supporter of CMR or the players. We are, as fans, entitled to ask critical questions. We are not disinterested by-standers. So, don’t give me any of that “you don’t support the team” non-sense.
By Florida Dawg
November 10, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
I certainly don’t have the answer but apparently that punk Urban Meyer and Nick Saban do. For whatever reason, they were ready for us and I’m still not over this Florida loss. It’s no coincidence that both teams that beat us and one that called two timeouts so that we understand how bad we were beat are in the SEC Championship game… the same teams that beat us on National TV.
By Big Easy Dawg
November 10, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
Chip, UGA is loaded with talent. I think we are all frustrated at the lack of performance of that talent. Ask CMR how a Nick Saban takes over a down and out Alabama team with NO talent, and in his second year has them playing like champions. How do we let UF beat us down so bad this year? That’s the problem I have with UGA’s football program…we are underachievers. Why? I’m not blaming any one person, but we are being outplayed, and most definitely outcoached on all sides of the ball. My fear is that if CMR continues with his complacent attitude, we will watch UF win championship after championship. But hey, I guess only two losses a year isn’t bad…if you like the view from second place.
By jeff
November 10, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this
We’re making ordinary defenses look explosive. We couldn’t defend Kentucky’s option….how are we going to defend Tech’s??
By In Enemy Territory
November 10, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this
QUESTION
Now that the Dawgs are back in the Top 10 of the BCS, what do you think the realistic chances are of UGA getting an outside bid to a BCS Bowl?? (keeping in Mind that the possible ACC and Big East champs are NOT in the Top 10)
By Randy
November 10, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
You Dawg Fans really don’t get it.
You have a sub par team at best and that is what really gets under your skin. Knowing you will not compete for an SEC Championship for years to come and it eats at you every single day. You are second tier to the likes of Alabama and Florida.
You scream for your coaches to get fired knowing very well there is no other coach who would want to come here and listen to your incessant whining.
The Georgia Whine in show after each game is the laughing stock of the nation, you should record it and listen to yourselves, it really is funny. It also makes for good dawg jokes.
At least you do have a coach who doesn’t cheat even though he was brought up under the infamous Bobby “I don’t care if their felons or not” Bowden.
Stafford has not turned out to be the hero you envisioned nor will he ever be, Moreno couldn’t carry Hershel’s tennis shoes.
The one player you do have is your senior wide receiver and he’s leaving.
Knowing that after all these years with the supposed best recruiting classes year after year you still are not up to the level of the Alabama’s or Florida’s of the SEC.
The fact is you may not ever make it there, you have virtually no competition here in this state as far as recruiting and yet you still suck.
You see Tech rising to the top of their conference and it eats at your guts and makes you sick to your stomach, all that trash talk and nothing to show for it.
Then you have to live here and listen as the media markets the two real teams in the SEC as they come into your back yard and play for the right to go on to the national championship.
So go on with your whining, screaming at your coaches and demanding everyone and their brother be fired while all the rest of college football laughs at your penny ante acts.
Go Puppies.
By Al Beeski
November 10, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this
Sorry Chip, I think you did a great job in that interview, and I think CMR is an outstanding coach. Our stats do not back up CMR’s argument. Our D is progressively getting worst, and you can tell when coaches are too defensive when they start that,”people who really know football argument.” This isn’t rocket science! But I’m not drinking the Kool-Aid on this one either, Martinez is screwing up big-time. Case in point; the Bama game when we made our slight comeback & had momentum and the Tide had a 3rd & 6, he was playing in a Charmin tissue zone, they converted & essentially put the game away. UF simply had more talent, but no way the elephants should have put up 31 in the 1st half on our horrible zone D. CMR IS REALLY a nice guy, who is doing what I expect him to do & that’s the honorable act & defend Willie, but like Jay-Z said,”People lie, men lie, women lie, numbers don’t lie.”
By JY
November 10, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
The reason Kentucky lost Saturday is the coach abandoned the run with plenty of time left to run the ball into the endzone. Instead he threw a screen pass that the defense read correctly. They were much better vs us with the run than the pass. Thanks to a bone head call by their head coach our defense stopped them in the end. Was that Martinez’s brilliance or was it their head coaches’ poor choice.
By dawgbreath
November 10, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
I am not by any means a football expert. I did grow up in Valdosta so in my long life I have watched more football games than the average person. That said, I have no idea how to “fix” our defense. The only thing I wonder is how Nick (or Little Nickie) and Urban (Preparedfor battle) can be so d* successful so early after taking over programs. Makes me crazy.
By scdawgfan
November 10, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this
“People don’t get it. They think they do, but they don’t,” Richt said during his weekly teleconference. “So I’d love to say if people really knew football they’d know we’ve been blitzing, we’ve been playing Cover-Zero, Cover-One, Robber, going from a Fire Zone to Cover-Three behind and Fire Zone with Cover-Two behind it. If they really knew football they wouldn’t say the things they say but they don’t.”
SO now we’re a bunch of dumba* fans? Gee, thanks coach we really appreciate that after all of the support. I’ve never been on the CWM bandwagon since he took over. The arguement that no one was b*ching last year holds no weight. We we’re winning but people still had concerns about his defense. Bottom line is he’s not going anywhere unless someone hires him away. Who in their right mind would do that? So guess what, we’re stuck with him. You don’t have to like it and believe I don’t but we have to live with it. Offense better bring it the next few games because if we don’t score 40 or more we’ll loose.
By AlphaDog
November 10, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this
I think it all starts with special teams, the kick-off game is inconsistent resulting in terrible field position. (the D starts out at a disadvantage)
The return game is the same, Fabris rotates players almost as a hunch as to who’ll have a good game, resulting in stupid mistakes because the return guys aren’t back there enough to gain that all important experince.
The D is lacking a solid anchor in the center. Owens was a huge loss. Maybe more so than Sturdivant.
The play with tons of emotion, but too little discipline(penalties), its a fine line to toe, but other teams manage just fine(Richt should call Vandy in the off-season and learn how they discipline players for stupid penalties)
By Rob
November 10, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
Defensive line play is terrible, no real pressure all season. The loss of Owens is huge, no doubt. But, the DE play has been really disappointing. Personally, I just don’t see a lot of talented players on the D. As for kickoffs, UGA needs to hold an open competition on campus to find someone who can kick the freaking ball out of the end-zone. Find that person and give them a shot. When Walsh tries to kick deep, it’s a line drive that results in long returns.
By ATLDawg
November 10, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this
We have a very lazy defense. Its the players. They do not give 110%. They do not tackle well. They do not execute. All the penalties are the result of a lazy mind. The only player that gives his all every single play is Rennie Curran. The others just mail it in. Often times the players are in position to make a play, they just don’t make the play. That’s not the coaches’ fault. He did his job. He got them in the right position. Its up to the player to do the rest. They haven’t been doing their job. I am amazed at how this has gone unnoticed among the fans. Richt is right. Most of you wouldn’t know your butt from a hole in the wall when it comes to football. You are absolutely clueless.
By the way, did anyone notice that we started a freakin’ WALK ON at defensive end against Kentucky? Geez people, what do you expect? We just don’t have the horses that we thought we had. I don’t think the depth was all it was cracked up to be. These guys play tired. They look exhausted. They just aren’t that good. This day had to come at some point. You can’t throw a top 10 defense out on the field every year. They’ll bounce back.
By pjohn
November 10, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
Chip,
I would agree with Richt that it’s stupid to change a defensive scheme that’s been succesful for 8 years after only 1 bad season.
My first question to Richt would be this:
Considering that little changed in personel on the defense from last year’s squad, which was playing at a very high level by the end of the season, what accounts for the dramatic decline?
Also, we’ve had some real game changing penalties this year on defense. Penalties that nullified early turn-overs in both the Alabama and Florida games. Those are momentum killers, and who knows where we’d be had the penalties not happened.
So my second question is this:
Is it not the coaching staff’s responsibility to teach good technique and the rules of the game to the players?
This may not be a Willie Martinez problem, but rather some position coaches.
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this
Randy - EAT MY NUTS
By Big Duluth Dawg
November 10, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this
I think we all get it that Richt and Martinez are good friends. Richt brings up the fact that the special teams play hurt them several times. Whose fault is that…players or a bad blocking scheme on punts? Have to fire the special teams as well!!!Martinez applys the same theory that most DC’s apply…space is your enemy on defense. However our corners are always 12-15 yards off of every receiver. Seems like he has forgotten that the space is our enenmy.That means he is underperforming in his job which means he either gets demoted or fired. Also Charlie Strong the DC at Flordia said after their game with Kentucky that they had a spy on Cobb to go where he went. What did Martinez do…nothing!!!!!!!!!!! Martinez needs to go NOW!!!!!!
By pjohn
November 10, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
To Randy,
By GeoffDawg
November 10, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
Randy sounds like a dork.
By DawginLex
November 10, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
Still breathing a sigh of relief after Saturday. I’m surprised by the points given up but I’m not ready to panic. I truly believe that Richt will evaluate after the season is over but right now, he has 3 more games to win and CANNOT throw WM or anyone else under the bus.
Dawgbreath, you have a short memory or what? What coach went 8-4 his 1st year and lost a bowl game but then went 13-1, won the SEC for the ist time in 20 years and ended up ranked 3rd in the country? That’s a pretty quick turnaround also………….
By Arkansas Dawg
November 10, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
Chip, Two questions -
How many times have we run the running back screen this year and what is our average gain?
What is the average starting position of our opponent after we kick-off to them.
Thanks
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this
Rob - Wait until a kid named Toby Jackson gets on campus. He went to Prep School this year to get his scores up. We’ll have at least on DE next year that will get after it….
By scdawgfan
November 10, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this
And another thing. If Richt doesn’t want to can Martinez then he can go too. I’m tired of watching this team with all this talent under perform. One question…If we had the Alabama or Florida coaching staff and our current roster what would our record be? I bet we would be undefeated just like bama. Those two teams beat us by a combined 50 points. Are those two teams 50 points more talented than ours? NO! Are their coaching staffs 50 points better than our? You’re D* RIGHT THEY ARE! So if Richt wants to go then let him go too. They’re too many coaches out there that can take this program to the next level and win a NC. We’ll never win one as long as Richt is here.
By srcdawgrome
November 10, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this
Good defenses wins NC’s and SUPER BOWLS. the old JUNKYARD DOGS of Coach Russell did a lot more with a lot less talented personnel. That was because Erk coached with heart and enthusiasm. Face it Martinez “D” plays like “BACKYARD POODLES” It’s time for him to go.
By Lowcountry Bulldawg
November 10, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this
Look CMR said before the season each team is different from seasons past. He tried to temper “our” expectations. The coaching staff just might have had a littlem ore insight than we did. Preseason publications spoke highly of Owens, Atkins and Ellerbe. Owens, while injured this season has not lived up to his billing. We “expected” him to take the next step. Atkins, while having size “seemed poised” to have a break-out season. Ellerbe while having the “tools” to be a elite MLB has been slowed by injury’s and again thus far during his stay in Athens has underachieved. You can say the same for Kade Weston and Darius Dewberry. Notice something? These are all part of the front seven!
You can blame Miller, Evans,Jones,Bryd and Allen all you want but when EVERY QB has all the time in the world it makes the scondarys job alittle bit tougher. This does not excuse there performance, some has been technique breakdowns,not locating the ball, etc. It starts up front and UGA has not had a difference maker in those positions for a while now. While Howard was good last season, he played over his head the last 5 games of his career.
Recruiting needs revamped, fresh blood brought in. Gotta go find the difference makers. Which has proven to be difficult on the defensive side of the ball for the staff. Go look the Strouds, Seymours, Pollacks,Davis’s, Witherspoons, Sullivans all were Donnan boys. What happened?
By Alpharetta Dawg
November 10, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this
Your question is a stupid one…we are fans not coaches. What would you do if someone had an irregular heart beat…equally stupid question. The point is as alumni, contributors, and ticket holders we do have the right to question the results which have been mostly poor defensively. The coaches are paid BIG $’s to produce good to great results much like they did the back half of last year. I don’t agree with the Tubberville idea of fire a coordinator every year but I also don’t agree with what appears to be a lack of accountability because he is “too nice” or “they are friends”…at least that is all we can assume based on what Richt says. I agree that there are other factors like turnovers that effect the D but it is simply ridiculous to call the D performance anything but poor especially in big games regardless of the other factors that contributed. UK has one of the worst offenses in the league coming into Saturday and WM & team made them look like world beaters. Bottom line is I am not suggesting they should fire WM but they should call the performance what it is which is terrible and make what ever changes are necessary to change the results. By the way, we should also give credit to Bobo for bouncing back by from a poor game against UF. Bobo called a great game against LSU and UK and without that we would have lost both those games!
Go Dawgs!
By Randy
November 10, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this
pjohn , GeoffDawg , WTF??? you guys just made my case. Typical dawg fans.
Go on whining this makes good internet fodder.
By FLA DAWG
November 10, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
Exactly what did you expect him to say - Yes, it is Martinez’s fault and I will fire him at the end of the season!? You can color Martinez gone - especially if we lose even one of the last two games.
If Richt really believes that Martinez is not the problem and we have this kind of issue next season then Dawg Nation will be calling for his resignation. Richt will have put the future of himself and all of the coaches on the line just to defend Martinez. I think he is too smart to do that.
Martinez should be a man and resign.
By gary
November 10, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this
How many of u bloggers have ever coached a college team? It is easy to set at home or in the stands and criticize the coaches. How would you like to have your lively hood depend on how 18-23 year old young men performed? Do your kids do everything u tell them to? It is a team game. The defensive players are not as good as we thought they were going to be. We have had to far to many turnovers and penalties. Stafford’s int’s killed us against Fl. WE WILL GET OVER THE HUMP. CMR is 1 of the best.
By Don
November 10, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this
Georgia lost two defensive ends to the NFL draft and then they lost their best defensive lineman the week before the season started. With the number of tackles the linebackers are racking up it is clear that he defensive line is the weak link here. Last year we saw constant improvement along the defensive line as the season went along especially the play of the defensive ends. None of the defensive ends this year have stepped up and played at the level required in the SEC. Georgia’s defensive ends have failed to get pressure on opposing QB’s and Kentucky ran around the ends the entire game until the fourth quarter. Do you bunch the linebackers up in the middle and let them run around the ends or do you spread the linebackers out and let the run up the middle? I’m not the coach. Figure it out Willie.
Go Dawgs!
By gary
November 10, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this
sc dawgfan u r full of crap.
By darren
November 10, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
Chip, please help ! Please ask WM or MR why we have our safetys 15 to 20 yards off the line when Kentucky has a one dimensional running QB. The goal is to make him throw !!!!! We are playing a D to try and prevent him from throwing while allowing him to gash on the run. I can only hope that WM will have 8 in the box against Auburn and hope they throw . WM just doesn’t understand FB. I know he is MR’s friend but if you have top 10 talent and less than top 10 defense it’s coaching. The special teams coach has been terrible since arriving and must be replaced.
By FLA DAWG
November 10, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
Hey Chip,
Why didn’t you point out the number of penalties our Defense has?
Why didn’t you point out the number of yards our Defense has given up this season?
You correctly asked him about the points - good. But the excuses he gives do not address the penalties and yardage this season.
By GeoffDawg
November 10, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this
Randy - you must have gotten your legal training from Judge Judy. You actually have to lay out some compelling evidence to convince others of your opinion. Delusions and bed wetting are not going to cut it.
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this
Randy, I’m not whining. I’m just making a statement.
UGA is terrible this year.
But with that being said, you can still eat my nuts.
By dc
November 10, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this
Could be the players are overated at some positions. Any what has worked for 8 yrs could be old now…Teams have figured out our tendency in ea situation. Could be lack of technique, discipline, tackling. I though Jones would step up and be a Thomas Davis type….hasn’t happend yet. We just need to get pressure and our guys seem to get pushed around….Need more strength and size..
By Who cares
November 10, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
Bulldawg -
Check the rule book on the “muffed” punt into the end zone. Even the announcers Saturday mentioned that the kid should have stayed in the end zone; it is NOT a safety if he does not get it out of the end zone. If he had run into the end zone on his own, then, yes, it is a safety. But he did not run in there on his own - the rules do not penalize you for a “muff” into the end zone, just like a “muffed” punt in the field cannot be advanced by the kicking team if they recover. It is the same as if the kid had caught the kick in the end zone but tried and failed to get out of the end zone - still no safety! You are correct, however, that if the other team had recovered the “muff” in the endzone that it is a touchdown.
By pjohn
November 10, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
To Randy,
Who’s whining? We’re asking questions, respectfully, about a team we care about.
Sounds to me like you have a chip on your shoulder.
Also, this idea of yours that Georgia fans are somehow different from all other college football fans proves to me that you’re the one who doesn’t “get it”.
By Phil
November 10, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this
Fire Willie!!! Hire Fat Fulmer as defensive Coach and tell him we have to have one of those Big * Tennesse defense’s like he used to have!!
By gdawginkalamazoo
November 10, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
First congrats to the team on the victory. This time of the year take what you can get. It is still a W and we moved to the top ten in the BCS. Still a lot to play for so keep it up. Like Richt said it is a team effort. We haven’t played a balanced total team game all year. It would be nice to see the next two be complete games. Probability is very low but we could work into another bcs game with the two losses. Regardless taking advantage of a down and out Auburn and beating ACC champs GT would be a nice end to the year.
Hell of a throw and catch for that final touchdown. The entire stadium knew where it was going, KY had 4 guys surrounding him like the secret service and Stafford made the throw and AJ made that catch. MoMass congrats on the awesome day you had. Nice INT by the big guy to end the game. Please don’t make me sweat the Auburn game, it is in the 20’s and 30’s here overnight and sweating in this weather is not good for me.
By Gene
November 10, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
I sat with my binoculars in the stands on Sat. and counted the number of UGA players on the field with criminal arrests. I believe there were 14 from the last two years. Richt’s attornies helped several beat the charges, but people who are obeying the law just do not get arrested. Richt’s players can’t behave off the field nor on the field. The stupid penalty in the final minute should have cost Georgia the game. Fans can blame whomever they wish, but the buck stops with Richt.
By Captain
November 10, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
I would expect Coach Richt to say exactly what he did about Coach Martinez. What else could he say? No Head coach is goint to disparage his assistants during the season, well unless they are Tommy Tubberville.
In my view the problem is two fold. 1) we do not have the talent that everyone thought we did. That much is evident. There is no DE on the roster, the secondary is talent poor. Our corner and safety play is dreadful, yet no freshmen are able to crack the lineup. That is a scarey thought, the guys playing are the best we have. 2) coaching is lacking this year. This defense is making the same coverage busts it made against Ga Southern, and they just played game 10. This team cannot tackle. They miss tackles time and time again. Tackling is a BASIC fundamental of defensive football. Hence, if you can’t cover and you can’t tackle, you are a fundamentally unsound defense. If the guys playing are uncoachable, if they cannot execute their assignments and play within the scheme, replace them in the lineup, otherwise the coaching will be and should be questioned.
Special teams play, especially kickoff coverage, is absolutely atrocious. Why? Why is it that we cannot get better play out of the kickoff team? Is it the guys on the coverage, is it the scheme, i.e. taking on blockers rather than avoiding them, what is the problem and why hasn’t it been corrected? We give the return team FAR, FAR too good field position.
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
Randy = North Avenue Nerd???
By IlliniBrave
November 10, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
Just got back from a professional conference in Tampa, where a group of about 20, representing just about every school in the SEC and several in the ACC, got to talking about coaches. Even included a former SID. We debated two questions: 1) how would you rank the coaches in the SEC; and 2) if any of these guys got fired who would replace them? Bottom line, even Dawg-hating Florida and Auburn and Clemson fans agreed that Richt is one of the top coaches in the SEC if not the country (only Saban, Meyer, and Spurrier were in the same conversation); and if Richt were to be fired, we’d have an impossible time finding someone better. The consenus of my colleagues: quit your griping Dawg fans, lay off the crack, and appreciate the caliber of coaching that we have. If Richt stands by Martinez, that should be good enough for all of us.
By DirtyDawg
November 10, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
You know it’s too bad that these posts are anonymous cause I don’t believe that this many people would dare ‘skin their ignorance’ if they had to put their names on it. Didn’t you read Mark Richt’s responses to the same, lame, questions? It’s a ‘team’ thing and every facet has a part to play. And guess what? The fans have a role to play as well. We can recognize that we don’t know a fraction of what they know and offer support…then again we can foul the atmosphere for the players, coaches and recruits with our stupidity…and a lot of stupidity is what I’m reading here…that’s not doing our job as fans. Lay the hell off.
By dawgfan1911
November 10, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
This article is the excat reason UGA will never win a national title. So fellow dawg fans get used to 9 or 10 win seasons and no national title. The difference between this years defense and last years defense is that last year the defense had great DE rushers and they made Willie look good. This year we dont have those type of rushers and so the importance on scheme and game planning becomes even more important. If you look at the games on defense, there are no in game adjustments on defense. Kentucky ran the option all day long and we never stopped it until the end of the game, where we still got a costly penalty. If the athletes are as good as they say they arse at UGA, they should play better than they are playing. I looked at all of the starting defensive ends and lineman before they came to UGA and they were all ranked as 4 or 5 star players. If you tell me that these players are living up to that rating right now, I would tell you that I thought you were crazy. Mark Richt will suffer in the end because right now we are looking at Willie, but next year when the same problems exist, everyone will start to look at him for not making any changes. The scary thing is that Florida, Alabama, LSU, Auburn, and even South Carolina are getting better players, but they have better coaches to coach the players, which gives them an advantage over us.
By UGA86
November 10, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
Chip, Everyone knows CMR is not going to fire Martinez. He is way to loyal, almost to a fault. However I do feel that our defense is very poorly coached. It’s not so much a scheme issue but more of a technique or fundamental issue. Our LB play has been espceially poor this year and has been bad since Vangorder left. They run around blocks, the play soft and play side to side rather than downhill. Ask him to address the LB play this year and don’t let him give you any garbage about injuries. Fundamentals don’t get hurt!
By ace
November 10, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
Richts remark that they haven’t changed the defensive scheme in eight years gives you an insight into how stupid his remarks are. Doesn’t he realize how much offenses have changed in the last eight years? That’s like saying we are playing a passing team but we are going to play eight in the box. All he is trying to do is protect his best man. If you remember this was the start of the demise of Donnan when he called the fans out and told them they didn’t know anything about football, but guess what the fan said to his face,”I have never coached football but I give this university $25,000 dollars a year and I would like some accountability for my money.” Amen.
By Demise
November 10, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
As much as I believe in Richt - I also believe that he is too close with his assistants. He will never fire anyone or even send the message that a coordinator’s job is on the line because he treats them all like family.
He needs to keep them all at arms length to ensure he can make a change when need be. This will lead to his demise: he’s not tough enough to pull the trigger and get rid of a guy.
By Left knee hurts
November 10, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this
I liked Dan’s positive comments.
I’m pulling for you Dawgs! Let’s keep these 2 rival games front and center the next few weeks. We knocked KY on the mat. To their credit, they got up and hit back. Good job KY coaches. Now it’s Dawgtime. I live in Columbus so we have to take care of business against the kitty cats.
I want to see the DBs tight on the WR at the line. We left a cushion at KY when their freshman QB couldn’t throw it more than 20 yards in the air. Make AU beat us with the fade down the sideline. I don’t think their QBs can do it. Against a run first team like KY, I liked seeing CJ Byrd sneak up to the box. He made a few plays early. Big Kade Weston needs to start tearing things apart. 6’5” 315 and can run. Come on big boy. You can do it.
By scdawgfan
November 10, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
Thanks Gary for your silly comment but it’s the truth. One more thing from me and I’m done. Who saw the Florida-Vandy game? The Florida staff constantly was “firing” their players up before they took the field. Their players show emotion and fire other team mates up. We don’t have that. Our team has the personality of it’s head coach. There’s no fire and it looks like we’re going to bible study not to play football and to knock somebodys head off. We need a Kelin Johnson, Tra Battle or David Pollack type guy out there on the field to fire up the team. We don’t have that and it shows by our lack of emotion.
By Gary
November 10, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this
Sorry coach, not buying this argument. Willie still has to go. 3 strait games of giving up 38+ points. 10 times since he has been DC the defense has given up 30+ points. Van Gorder’s defenses only did that one time. Also to those who said BVGs defenses lost three of four to Florida, go back and look at why we lost those games. It wasn’t the defense, it was the lack of offense. Van Gorder’s defenses consistently ranked in the top 10 nationally. Martinez’s defenses have ranked in the bottom half of the SEC in recent years and middle of the pack nationally. I don’t care what the offense is doing to put the defense in bad situations. There have been many times this season alone where the defense made a big play only to have it taken back because of a lack of discipline. That falls squarely on the DC. He may defend him now, but in the offseason he will be gone or the money will stop flowing in.
By Larry M
November 10, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
The whining on this blog is out of control….
Folks, the Dawgs’ problems this year begin and end with our lines. Yes, we have faced some major injuries (Sturdivant and Owens not to mention all the other guys). But our depth, youth, and plain ol’ mediocrity are responsible for most of our problems this year.
Part of it is coaching, yes. Our defense has played with a lack of discipline. Also, it is abundantly clear that we have not recruited well, particularly with respect to the o-line. Why in the hell are we starting so many freshmen? Because we haven’t recruited sufficiently. Too many players have simply “not panned out” due to various problems like injuries and personal issues. I love having all these great wide receivers and running backs, but winning and losing starts with the lines of scrimmage. We could have less talent at the skill positions and win more games if we just had a better, more experienced o-line.
Our defensive problems similarly come from weak defensive line play. Better DTs would prevent Coffee from running all over us in the Alabama game. Better DEs would have been able to put more pressure on the opposition QBs which would help out our mediocre DBs a great deal. Even when an average QB like John Parker Wilson has so much time to throw in the pocket he is going to find a hole. A guy like Colt McCoy, Harrell, or Bradford would KILL our D and maybe throw for 500 yards. Yes, our DBs are not that good, but we cannot get any pressure on the QB from our d-line.
Special teams are another matter. I think there has been some poor coaching there - look at the poor decisions on punt returns and poor return coverage.
By David
November 10, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
Read between the lines “We are a team and we’re not going to point fingers, certainly not in the media. “….This is the same approach that Bobby Cox takes. CMR is not going to throw anyone under the bus to the media…I am sure behind closed doors, hopefully things are different….
By Mobile Dawg
November 10, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this
Georgia has a great overall record in the Richt era, that we can’t deny.
The facts are we consistently have one or two defining games every year and there are always tons of excuses, offensive play, defensive play, lack of discipline, penalties, injuries, etc. Once again and everyone knows it “we get blown out”, i.e. we’re unprepared.
I’m not suggesting a coaching change, i’m suggesting a change of expectations among the fans. We’re going to consistently be the 3rd, 4th, or 5th best team in the SEC. Ocassionally we may be a little better or a little worse. I don’t like it but there’s not much I can do about it.
I respect Richt not criticizing his coaches or players in the press, but I would expect to see something done behind the scenes and see some of the problem areas cleaned up.
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this
Ace - You are talking about alignment, not scheme.
7 in the box vs 8 or 9 in the box is not a scheme….
It’s where you line up your safeties.
Example,
Opponent is lined up in a Power I on 3rd & short. We bring all the players in to stuff the run.
Opponent is lined up in a Power I on 3rd & 9, yet we are betting they are still going to throw the ball as the situation would suggest, you leave your safeties deep.
Martinez is a decent defensive coordinator, he just doesn’t have the linemen that he is used to having. I mean yeah, I wish we were 10-0 and still in the NC talks, but we’re not. Is it all Willies fault, absolutely not. I mean the defense wasn’t the problem against Florida, nor at Alabama. Penalties were the problem.
Emotion and momentum are everything in big games. UGA had penalties that negated early turnovers in both of them. And the UF game the referees had their penis in us the entire day with the calls. But oh well, woulda/shoulda/coulda…… It’s all done. We’ll win 10 games, go to a semi-decent bowl game (I’m hoping Capitol One vs OSU) and everything will be alright.
By MoDawg
November 10, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
Chip, CMR is correct in that we don’t understand football like he and his coaches do. Willie probably knows more about defense than I will ever know. What we can do, however is be free to question things when they just don’t look right.
Our defense should be getting progressively better, but it’s not. We seem to be regressing with each game. We are “smallish” up front and when Jeff Owens went down with an injury, we did well stuffing the run, but have not defended the pass very well. I think our DBs are very good (Allen and Miller), but our depth there is young. Our safties lack that killer instinct that we have had in the past and would make offensive coordinators pause before throwing passes over the middle. Our linebackers are our strength. Kudos to Jancek. Our DE’s are the weakest part of our defense. We don’t have the ends to force double teams thus opening up our quick, smallish interior D-linemen to put pressure on the QB from the inside. We are not collapsing pockets so the QB is able to survey the field and if any QB has the time we are letting them have, I could eventually get open and I am old and fat.
We also have issues with kickoffs. Guess what? DE’s and kickoffs are Jon Fabris’ responsibilities. I think we can see where we might need a change. Also, Willie might want to study some more film on our opponents because it’s fairly obvious he waits to see that the other team is doing and tries to make adjustments at halftime instead of studying film beforehand and finding tendencies in the other team and exploiting those early and often.
We need to face facts that until we get someone running the defense who lives, eats, breathes defense, we will never be an “elite” team. We are good. We are consistent, but we are the Braves of college football. We seem to do well during the year up to a certain point and then we fall into the same bad practices as the year before and we fail to reach the next level. Like the Braves, we’ve all seen this “movie” before and we know the ending already. It’s time to change the DVD, and it starts with Fabris and then Martinez.
It seems to me that we recruit well, but fail to “coach them up” on the defense. Charlie Strong at Florida gets it. I’m not sure Willie does. True, the offense and special teams have put them in some bad situations, but good defenses rise to the occasion, and ours doesn’t seem to be able to do that. That’s coaching, folks. Even someone with limited knowledge compared to CMR and his staff can see it.
By Concerned
November 10, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this
The productivity of the defense has delclined each year under Martinez. Currently Georgia is next to last in the SEC in scoring defense. The bend but not break mentality of the defense has progessed into the bend and break reality. The continuing defensive lapses, poor tackeling, and needless personal fouls is not a recipe for success. If defense wins championships then we must ask the question, are we really that close to a national championship?
By Big Dawg
November 10, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
If Willie is so great ask CMR “who wound hire him”? Nine returning starters and the D gets worse every year.Willie M. cound not come up with a D to hold of 5 women at a shoe sale at Dillard’s.
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
Larry - I tend to disagree with you on calling our defensive backs “mediocre”. Yes, they’ve gave up a ton of yards, BUT you hit it on the nail with this section of your post.
“Better DEs would have been able to put more pressure on the opposition QBs”
By Pdawg921
November 10, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
Coach,
I love you dearly; however, please don’t talk down to some of us. You might come off looking like the previous coach. I might not know all the defensive lingo you talked about but I do know these facts and they speak for themselves:Georgia ranks next-to-last in the SEC in scoring defense (24.9), 10th in sacks (17), eighth in total defense (308.9) and 10th in passing defense (206.3).
I Will be cheering wildly on Saturday just like always, but please keep the “just don’t get it” comments to yourself when the facts are staring all of us in the face.
By Mobile Dawg
November 10, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
Thanks for your positive comments and “lack of whinning” Larry M. Your comments however were right on target.
Coach Richt can have his cake and eat it too. If he wants to remain loyal to his assistants, he should demand the same of them. He doesn’t have to fire anyone, just bring in an understudy to the program and groom them to take over the OC and DC positions if need be. I haven’t talked to Pollack but I would bet he would jump at the opportunity to come back to the program. Boy, could we use his juice….
By jake
November 10, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
Here’s the problem, as phrased by Richt himself:
“It’s the same basic defensive scheme that we’ve had since we got here. You know, it’s not like a kind of philosophical issue. I mean, the philosophy of our defense hasn’t really changed hardly at all in eight years. And we’ve not been in this spot in the past. So that’s not the problem.”
Maybe he thinks the philosophy isn’t the problem, but the defense’s predictability sure LOOKs like the problem to those of us who’ve been watching for 8 years. And on offense, too: every team in the country knows Georgia’s going to run that tunnel screen, which was great when it was new and Hines Ward ran it, but it loses yardage and kills momentum now.
Same only more so with the defense: too predictable. Teams chart tendencies, and obviously they know what UGA is going to do and when they’re going to do it.
By Erk
November 10, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
What can we do to get more pressure from the defensive ends? We had no contain on the edges agaist Kentucky. If we leave the edges open against Tech they will rush for 500 yds against us. There were a couple of series there in the 2nd half where we missed the first tackle on almost every play. Is it possible that we’re not having as much contact during practice because of depth concerns?
Anyone who thinks the Auburn game will be easy doesn’t know the series history. When was the last time either team beat the other 3 consecutive years in this rivalry?
By Rick S
November 10, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
My question to Mark Richt is simple especially since he believes a Martinez lead defense is not a problem- my question to Coach Richt is in your opinion what will it take for Georgia to go from being a pretty good team to a National Championship caliber team?
By 2N4YEARS
November 10, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
This is the deal, Chip: Martinez has been riding the coat-tails of BVG, just as Larry Coker road Butch Davis’ at Miami. UGA’s has a couple ‘Good’ games a season, but the other 8-9 games they look awful. I realize that some of UGA’s players may not be as good as advertised —Heck, that happens everywhere! But to have the surplus of talent on UGA’s defense and compared to their production is just plain terrible. I think the bulk of us understand football, so I don’t know what the arrogance of Mark Richt is about (sure, we aren’t coaches, but a 5th grader can see the ease of scoring by opposing offences). I think Martinez IS a good teacher, I’m just not sure he can handle the Defensive Coordinator responsibilities. UGA’s defense is VERY predictable; they are consistently out of place; they consistently look as if they aren’t sure where they are supposed to be; you don’t have to be a NCAA coach to see that. I think Richt should keep Martinez, BUT I think he should bring in another Defensive coach to help. I think Richt should hire David Pollack as an assistant; He’s young so he would relate to the players well, and he’s a Great motivator, so I think the guys would play hard for him. This way he could keep Martinez and the same philosophy and improve the Defense.
By jfergNCdawg
November 10, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
Chip, I can understand CMR defending his staff—especially to the media. That’s the job of the head coach and is the right thing to do.
I’m sure they are having more ‘detailed’ conversations behind closed doors. Facts are facts.
Could it be that our personell is that much lower in talent than previous years? Would Jeff Owens have made a huge difference? I mean, if we had all-conf D-tackles…they would need more double teams, freeing up our DE’s. If they double of DE’s our DT’s could cause chaos. I believe it’s a perfect storm of average players at BOTH DT and DE. None require a double team block and so it’s their 5 OL versus our 4 DL and possible 1 blitzer. 5 on 5 equals a lot of time to pass the ball.
So, not really Martinez’s fault…more it’s our players up front aren’t as good as we need.
By mark
November 10, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
Geoffdawg- concerning 790 the Zone reporting Stafford to leave early…what would you do?? If you were Stafford, or Moreno, or Owens, or any other draft eligible player this year, and the possibility of a rookie signing cap being imposed next year, what would you do? Especially if you were a QB and a top 5 pick?? Let’s put it this way, I’ll be more surprised if any of those 3 come back than if they leave.
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
Man….. Can ya’ll not remember the days of Ray Goff & Jim Donnan?
Hell fire people, at least we beat Tennessee, Auburn, GT and occasionally even Floriduh now.
I wish to hell we would win the SEC and the BCS title every year for the next 100 years but it ain’t gonna happen!
Look at Florida last year, LSU this year, Bama for the last 10 yrs with the exception of this year.
Yeah, with all the talent we had we should be 10-0 but we’re not. Just like 2002, we shouldn’t have won the SEC if you want to base it on talent.
All I’m saying is this, when you win the SEC you’ve had a very special year…. And lord knows they can’t all be special in this league.
Quit bashing the coaches and the players. Don’t you think that there is a recruit out there reading this stuff thinking to himself “Hmmm… Maybe I shouldn’t go to UGA, look how the fans act toward their team.”
By Wanda
November 10, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
Amen to the guy’s comments about kickoffs! Maybe the defense would be better if they didn’t have to defend in the shadow of their own goal post after every kick off. HAVE THE KICKER KICK THE BALL THROUGHT THE END ZONE AND THEN GO OUT AND KICK SOME BUTT ON DEFENSE!
Also, why is it that when we win, the talking heads and sportswriters say, Oh, yeah, UGA won today but if we lose, then they pick us apart. Let’s face it, this team was way overrated!
By aaron
November 10, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
UGA’s recruiting gets the blame from me.
where has the thomas davis/greg blue types gone? where are the guys that put big hits on running backs and wide receivers coming over the middle? oh yeah that’s right, they’re at florida and bama and lsu! the problem started when we began emphasizing speed, instead of SIZE and speed.
when is the last time you saw a dawg completely bulldoze a guy? when? i can’t remember one solid, nasty takedown all year! so who do you blame for that? willie might really be coaching his heart out, but isn’t he still the main guy that makes the calls on who UGA recruits on D? i think so… so if he’s not make the right calls there, how can he make the right calls on the field?
By MR
November 10, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
You can make all the excuses for this years defense you want. Our defense has gotten worse in Willie’s 2nd, 3rd and now 4th year as the DC. How do you argue with that? You can blame one year on injuries, turnovers and poor special teams, but not three.
By I-DOG
November 10, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
I’m not so sure that Martinez’ job is safe just because Richt is defending him in the media. I think that Richt will let the season play out, but may make a move prior to the bowl game or just after it. Have we EVER seen him give a pep talk on the sidelines to the defense like that? He isn’t happy about the D’s performance. Just has to give platitudes to the press.
I like the fact that Richt has loyalty and our ranting and raving won’t have any affect on his decision (as it shouldn’t).
I understand that special teams has put the D in some tough positions this season including last Saturday and there are times when the offense has done the same.
I though Martinez did a pretty good job three seasons ago, remember the shutout of Spurrier in Columbia?
However, nobody can look at this year’s defensive situation and feel good about it. True the defensive ends aren’t getting pressure, but that is part of a defensive coordinator’s job.
This D has some serious talent and seems to be getting worse as the season moves along.
Saturday was an embarssment to the UGA program plain and simple. if KY’s QB had a few more starts under his belt… we would have lost the game.
We couldn’t stop the run against KY. Our D ends are good enough to stop the run against a team like this. There are no excuses. UGA has the talent to hold KY to 17 or 20 points. Even if they are put in a bad spot or two during the game.
When we scored with about 2 minutes left to go up 4… did ANYONE feel good about our chances to win the game? My only thought was… there is too much time, we can’t stop KY… KENTUCKY?
We didn’t deserve to win that game despite a pretty damn good performance by the offense (Mo Mass two fumbles notwithstanding)
By MATT
November 10, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
To me it’s not just a scheme thing with our D. This has been said before but this is a very undisciplined team. How many times this year have we hade a 3rd and long, turnover on downs, or a turnover negated because of a stupid penalty?? Do they look lost at times, yeah they do. Do they look good sometimes, yeah they do. I believe the injury to Owens is turning out to be a lot bigger than people originally thought. Whether it’s personnel problem, discipline problem, or a scheme problem, it all falls in Martinez’s responsibilities.
The flip side of all of this is that Bobo is WAY out of his league. Does anyone here actually think that Bobo is qualified to be an SEC play caller? How many times has the offense gone 3 and out and looked completely confused and inept. The D has to step up a little more than they do. However, you can’t say they haven’t been on the field a ton, and many times in poor field position because of the inept offense.
By GeoffDawg
November 10, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
I’m not saying that I’d be surprised if he left early, it was just made to sound like he had inside knowledge. The rookie salary cap isn’t a done deal and Stafford may believe that he needs some tutelage at the college level. If someone close to Stafford is making these statements though, I’d just like to get a source to judge their veracity.
By AltamahaDawg
November 10, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
Well 9 returning starter sure, but the ones we lost are at the positions we have struggled to replace. And 2 of the best returner were lost on injuries.
And folks come on, the man wasn’t talking down to anyone. If you are really going to sit here and get all ruffled because he doesnt say what you want to hear and insist that you REALY do know anymore about defensive football schemes than just a fan………….well. Maybe he should’nt even try to respond to anyone’s concern. I think the only real “insult” is that he doesn’t maybe see it as you do.
I beleive his comments were directed at specifically the lack of “aggression” which you know damn well has been the most common fan anaylsis. He was saying, its not from lack of trying or understanding of the concept. Wasnt insulting your football knowledge, just saying, maybe you don’t get to sit in meeting and watch the film from an objective professional standpoint. I suspect a lot of the response will be now to Morph the complaints from what many said was the absolute issue to (fill in blank).
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
Matt - In years past the three and outs haven’t been a problem thanks to our defense…..
We all know how the story goes this year though.
I think Bobo is fine in the OC position when our defense is playing to their capabilities. However, if this downward trend of our defensive play continues we’ll have to go to the Texas Tech offense just to win football games. And I’m still not a believer that Big 12 offense would cut the butter in the SEC.
By Chris
November 10, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
FIRE MARK RICHT.
By Frustration Dawg
November 10, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
The only thing left now is hope we can go out and win out which wont be easy.T hen hopefully we will have a good recruiting class which it should be if we get to keep the commitments. There are problems no doubt, we’ve seen rifts on the sideline between Willie and Coach John Fabris. Seems to me we need more athletic players or our strength and conditioning coach needs to reevaluate his program. Both Alabama and Florida weve very athlectic,big and fast. Well its the Capital one Bowl or Chik Filet Bowl, cant wait till next year.
By Thunderstrucked D
November 10, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
41,49,38,38=166 YOU’VE BEEN THUNDERSTRUCKED!!!!
By Kendawg
November 10, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
Regardless of what the dawg-haters say on this blog, CMR is one of the best coaches in the country and we would be stupid to run him off. He will have over 80 wins in eight seasons at the end of this season. Does anyone know how many coaches have done that? Less than ten is probably the answer. He is not going to say anything about firing one of his coaches during the season. We’ve had two bad games and our defense has had several bad games, three in a row. But CMR is right. Turnovers and special teams’ play has a lot to do with it. I don’t understand why we haven’t recruited a kicker who can put it deep in the endzone at least 50% of the time. After seeing the results of so many directional kicks, even a person of average intelligence would realize this simply isn’t working. Does this say something about the intelligence level of our coaching staff? And this isn’t a first year problem. People have been noting this for several years. In business, workers cannot keep repeating mistakes for several years in a row. Why do we accept it from our coaching staff? Also the kickoff returns have been poor for several years. Why can’t the coaches improve this. Finally, when will they realize that Prince Miller should NOT be the return man when they expect that a punt will be fielded inside our twenty-yard line? That is just stupid coaching.
By JW
November 10, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
It’s all about execution… 1. Offense ranks 22nd in total offense and 28th in scoring offense. Not as bad as I would have predicted given our anemic red-zone offense against good defenses. Our 3 worst offensive performances (2nd half Alabama really doesn’t count) have occurred against 3 teams ranked in the top 10 for scoring defense (Ala, USC, UF). So Bobo, appears to be doing a reasonable job. 2. As for the defense, 28th in total yards, but 63rd in scoring. Where’s the lesion? The argument that a defense given a short field is at a disadvantage is true, but imagine how many yards we’d give up if we gave the other guys a little more field? Recall that Bama had no problem driving the length of the field at will (they rate 59th in yards and 31st in scoring). 3. Can anyone name more than 3 coaches they’d rather have than CMR? Anyone remember our program from 1983 until…?
By Northdawg
November 10, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
was WM hit in the face with a forward pass as a child? Has any DC ever been so terrified by the prospect of a completed pass?? How can a defense that believes a 4-man line is the answer to every situation not be abused by bright OCs?? -Northdawg
By Chris
November 10, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this
Mark Richt is a nice guy. He is NOT a national championship caliber coach. Unlike Nick Saban, who presses to fix what went wrong (witness his comments after the UGA stomping), Richt works tirelessly to defend what went wrong and spin it. Pitiful and tired act.
Nick Saban = #1 ranking in 2nd season at AL, turned program around from misery, on track for SEC West title and possible NC game. Won NC in 4th season at LSU.
Les Miles = NC in 3rd season at LSU.
Steve Spurrier = You know the story. Turned UF into a powerhouse while the Bullpups turned into also-rans. Won NC in 7th season.
Philip Fulmer = Won a NC with Tennessee.
Why can’t we get a Nick Saban? Richt has had ample time and opportunity. If you want a Dooley/Fulmer like 17-25 year tenure with a possible NC if we can sign the next Herschel Walker, you’re more easily satisfied than I am.
By AltamahaDawg
November 10, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
I-Dog a Bad spot or two? Is the 4 and the 9 yr line a bad spot? Thats 14 points. Actually KY scored one time in 4 drives in the 4th quarter, and that was from the 4 yrd line. Their last drive that wasn’t the direct result of a special team gaff was halfway through the 2nd quarter.
By WildBill
November 10, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
I don’t buy CMR’s answer. Will he become concerned if the dawgs give up 48 to Auburn, or 50 to Tech? Next thing we hear will be CMR defending BO.
By michal
November 10, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
check out www.firemarkricht.net….people are starting to organize.
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
Ken Dawg - CMR is only the 6th coach to reach 80 wins in 8 seasons. I am afraid that some of our Bulldawg Brethren are turning into Alabama fans…
JW - Our defense has played awesome at times, awful at others. It is very disturbing. I can’t put a finger on it….
But yeah, people need to look at our record from 1983-2001 and be thankful we’re doing what we are.
By gomdawg
November 10, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
Damn b***, b***, b***. this is got to be kids grown Dagws fan are not this stupid I hope . We doont live in a perfect world.Yes our defense needs some work but 19 out of 20 teams in top 20 do too.
By AltamahaDawg
November 10, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
I see a lot of anger in here about points surendered in the past couple of games.
Somebody indulge me here: IF points surrendered against KY and FL is an issue, lets do this. I give you the power to change those scores. I give you 2-3 plays in each game to totally erase, or call something different, or reaaraange who is where. Any 2-3 plays in those games. And nothing else about the game chages.
NOW tell me specifically which plays would you use the magic eraser on that would directly affect the amount of points that those teams scored on us?
By RAMBLE ON!!!
November 10, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this
Even Awbarn will score on this defense.
By Larry M
November 10, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
jfergNCdawg and aaron - you guys have identified the major problem on the defensive side of the ball. It is personnel, folks.
Let me say first, I am no huge fan of CWM and if I felt like this was all on CWM I would certainly say so. But it’s not.
Those of you who want to see CWM gone keep saying “look at the numbers - they’ve gotton worse each year.” Yeah, those are what the numbers say. But now try to use some critical thinking skills and ask “why?” It could be that CWM is somehow becoming a worse and worse coach year after year, but does that make much sense? What is changing year after year? Not the coaches, not the schemes, not the philosophy as CMR pointed out. It’s the players. For pete’s sake people, use your noggin.
As aaron said, where are the Greg Blues, Thomas Davises, Charles Grants, David Pollacks, etc? Our recruiting - for whatever reason - has taken a hit, both on the o-line and the d-line. Is it because the coaches are focusing more on speedy players like some are saying? Is it because coaches are focusing more on skill position players? I don’t know the answer, but the evidence on the field is there.
I’m not slamming these kids out there playing their hearts out every Saturday, ok.
I’m sitting here saying maybe they are not as good as advertised but that does not make them any less of a human being and worthy of our support. They are doing the best they can, I believe that.
Having said all this, that the personnel are the issue, not the planning, the coaches do bear some responsibility here. With recruiting, as I explained above. But also good coaching can make a mediocre player a good player. Sometimes good coaching can also make a good player a great one. Some players, like Stafford and Moreno and Green and probably gonna be great no matter what kind of coaching they get. So maybe CWM and his assistants aren’t coaching these kids up as well as they could, I can concede that. But people please stop with the chicken little, knee jerk responses of “fire CWM”, etc.
By gdawginkalamazoo
November 10, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
Anybody remember our OL coach before Searles got here? Callaway? If I recall correctly we always seemed to lose 2 or 3 linemen a year to shoulder injuries. Never could figure that one out could we. Was it the coaching? Hmmmm. Since Searles has been here I don’t recall seeing any shoulder injuries. I might be wrong. Coaching does play a hugh part in how the unit performs.
These kids have been tackling since they first put on a uni well over a decade ago. They didn’t forget how to tackle. Nobody is making them tackle. What’s the punishment for missing one? Is there a punishment for the whole unit? That’s the thing with discipline, use the peer pressure. Same with the off field problems. Make the entire team run the steps or sprints when somebody steps out line, fumbles, misses tackles, drops a ball, commits a stupid penalty. Let the culprit sit in an easy chair and watch his team run because of his mistake. Bet he won’t like the crap he catches from his teammates when they are done. That’s why teams like Florida thrive, they seem to push each other to do better, make the play, hit hard as hell.
Erk, you are correct on this Auburn series. Doesn’t matter what the records are or how well or badly one team is playing it can go either way in a heartbeat.
I have said it before I wouldn’t trade Richt for any other coach out there. He has brought this program to it’s highest level ever. I trust his judgement to do what is needed to keep winning. Double digit wins every year, always contending for SECC. Every major program this year except for Bama has had a let down and theirs may be coming in the SECCG.
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
Chris - You know Nick Saban coaches for Alabama right?
You could go be an Alabama fan I suppose since it’s all the coach….
By elite teams?
November 10, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this
FLA and AL are elite teams and UGA is not? UGA is the ONLY 1A team to finish in the top 25 in the last 10 years (not FLA, USC, OSU etc). Under Richt the last 7 years UGA has finished in the top 10 5 times (including 2 and 3, FLA in the last 7 years once and AL once. UGA may not have won a champaionship yet, timing and luck involved there, but have been the most consistent SEC team in the last 7 years under Richt.
By Andy Harrison
November 10, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
We’ve gotten used to this bend-don’t-break defense and that just doesnt work in the SEC vs. the opponents we have to play. We do enough to get by, and if that’s what the coaches want then so be it, they just better have the offense ready to put up 30+ points a game to out-score the opposing team. With Tech coming up in two weeks with, let’s not lie to ourselves, a pretty high=powered offense, CMR and Martinez better put something together or its going to be a high scoring affair that may not go our way…
By Andy Harrison
November 10, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
We’ve gotten sued to this bend-don’t-break defense and that just doesnt work in the SEC vs. the opponents we have to play. We do enough to get by, and if that’s what the coaches want then so be it, they just better have the offense ready to put up 30+ points a game to out-score the opposing team. With Tech coming up in two weeks with, let’s not lie to ourselves, a pretty high=powered offense, CMR and Martinez better put something together or its going to be a high scoring affair that may not go our way…
By JMBIII
November 10, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this
I disagree with the explanation as well. You can throw out all the “defensive terminology” you want CMR, but when its 3rd and 4 and your D-backs are 12 yards off the receivers, you don’t really need to be a certified defensive coordinator to realize that that slack coverage is only going to yield 1st downs to the opponent. Press coverage and a blitzing linebacker have worked on several occasions this year, but we hardly ever use that tactic. I wouldn’t consider 3 down lineman rushing the QB and one lineman picking up a back out of their back field to solidify our famous bend but don’t break defense an effective attempt at a BLITZ!
By SC Dawg
November 10, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this
Young teams don’t handle pressure well, we are still young on both lines. We have had injuries that has forced even younger player into action. Bashing our coaches doesn’t help, from what I can see from stands is they want to win as bad as we all do. Lets not forget that CMR has put us in postion to complete for SEC title every year, something that wasn’t happening before he arrived.
By gdawginkalamazoo
November 10, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
RAMBLEON! Nice victory Saturday for you guys. Looks like ONV Johansson is getting you guys ready for the ACCCG, aka, “Where is Everybody game?” or the “Come dressed as a Blue Seat-Free Hotdog” game. Shellacked by the baby blues. Keep talking the smack it cracks me up.
By Dawg4Life
November 10, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
I didn’t blame the defense for the Florida loss. That was turnovers by the offense that were returned inside the 10 yd line. The Kentucky game is another monster. The frustrating thing to watch was the defense playing zone against a team that obviously had no intention of passing the ball. When your opponent runs the same 5 plays ALL GAME, you would think that the players and the coaches would make adjustments to stop these 5 plays. If they don’t learn to stop these 5 plays that Kentucky ran, Georgia Tech is going to eat them alive.
By Ben
November 10, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
I am writing “Replace Willie” in the comments section of my ticket order next year. Those who are of the same opinion are welcome to join me.
The guy mopes around like a little girl that lost her Barbie on the sideline after his defense screws the pooch over and over again. I agree with the person that listed that DCs need to be SOBs. The players tend to take on the personality of the coach, and I see a lack of confidence from all of the above.
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this
Andy, this defense has worked almost every season.. In the SEC….
Unless CMR or Slick Willie can pull a stud DE out of their arse there is no fixing it this year.
Hold your horses though guys… Like I posted earlier, Toby Jackson will be on campus next year and we’ll have the beast at DE we’ve been missing. Will win win the BCS title? SEC Title? I don’t know, but do you think Bama was expecting this year? Texas Tech? Penn State?
Good things happen when you least expect it…..
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this
Tech can’t beat Georgia dude…
We will show up for Tech.. Plus we get a week off…. =D
By Missman
November 10, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
Hey, Coach, isn’t it all as simple as blocking and tackling? Give up all that football coach-ese and start talking English. Fans care about one thing: The final score. Charlie Boy
By Dan
November 10, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
Come on, Pre season #1 and a defense that gives up 38 to KY? Someone has to go and you can’t fire college players. CMR needs to take the blinders off and get someone in here that can coach players up. Matt and the boys won’t be able to out score everyone look at FL. someone has to pay. Willie might need to take one for the team!
By larry
November 10, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
As much as I hate it because of I have the greatest affection for Mark Richt; but, if he won’t fire coaches who are undeniably not producing (i.e. Martinez and Fabris), then we need to fire Richt!
By AltamahaDawg
November 10, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
Chris, come on man, you are going to compare what Nick Saban has done over the cource of 2 year “fixing” his problem, with what Coach Richt did at a 30 minute press conference “makes excuses”. How silly is that?
Alabama has a senior QB that ownes all of that schools records, and 19 out of 22 starters are upperclassmen. And havent really had any major injuries, playing great football. Pretty favorable schedule can’t hurt. Saban didn’t fix a damn thing at a press conference.
You spend a lot of time with Coach Richt during the offseason do you?
By PNWDawg
November 10, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
I really like what CMR had to say. It takes a true man of character to stand by his staff the way he does. What a bunch of spoiled brats most of you are. Aside from three unbelievable years featuring the player of a lifetime this program has risen far from where it used to be. Let’s not forget this is Richt’s first head coaching job and he has done extremely well. He’s right, ya’ll know jack squat about football. That’s why he’s the coach and the rest of us post comments on the ajc. You all think you have valuable insight that he doesn’t. Can you imagine him taking advice from the fans. ‘Gee, thanks Bugkiller for that valuable insight on the kicking game. I’ve been the head coach for eight years and I would have never noticed that.’ Grow up, people! Here’s a question: What’s it like coaching for a top 10 team who’s fanbase questions your abilities?
By AltamahaDawg
November 10, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this
“Matt and the boys won’t be able to out score everyone look at FL.”
You do understand “Matt and the boys” scored ZERO Points against FL? And turned it over 4 times.
By Captain Edward Smith
November 10, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
I love Richt’s management style. Reminds me a lot of me.
By MoDawg
November 10, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this
Whoever is commenting to fire Mark Richt, please go back to your pitiful TechNerd blog and whine about your situation over there and leave the football talk to the adults. We’ll be sure to show you gnats how to play big boy football on Nov. 29th.
All I’m saying here is, CMR should sit down with his defensive coaches, specifically Fabris and Martinez and have a heart-to-heart with them. Other programs recruit just as well as we do, worse in some cases, yet their personnel is “coached up” to SEC caliber players. I wouldn’t trade Mark Richt for 10 Urban Meyers and I hope he stays at UGA long enough to retire as an old man. Martinez has shown he can handle it, he just needs to FOCUS. I know he has a hot wife, but come on, Willie. Let’s take “little Willie” out of the game for a few more weeks, okay? I like the idea of bringing in a young ex-dawg (like Pollack) to instill some fire in the bellies of these kids. We play too laid back, at times and rely on athleticism. The problem is that our opponents are just as athletic as we are. We need to find the “killer instinct” and impose our will on some upcoming offenses, starting Saturday.
Mrs. Martinez, please cut big Willie off for a month or two so he can coach “angry”!!
By Andy Harrison
November 10, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
This defense HASN’T worked…it started out well and as opposing coaches (ie Cutcliffe at UT) began to figure it out, it has progressively gotten worse. Come on, we win by OUTSCORING our opponents, not by stifling them with our defense back in the BVG days or early Martinez. Even when we won the SEC in ‘05 we had two losses where our bend-don’t-break and cover 2 defenses failed. Like JMBIII said, third and four or third and two and our defenders are playing 10-12 yards back??? That’s an EASY play against anybody. I’m tired of not being able to hold a team in a short yardage when the middle is always wide open along with the short play. Martinez needs to learn to adjust in the course of a game, not stick with the same scheme and hope we execute enough to win.
By BillyDrywall
November 10, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
GEORGIA FANS: Get use to 10-2 or 9-3 at GA, that is all you will get under the favorite son Mark Richt. His play calling was suspect at FSU and we witnessed this at GA and he has handed that over to below par caller Bobo. He has his best team this year, with stafford, moreno and all those aj green and mohammed M. He will never have and 123 combo like that again and they have been avg at best.
He better get fired up, due to Fl has coach that is a fighter, Al has a fighter, LSU has one, even though they were down this year, Tn will get one, Auburn will get one and READ this: GA Tech now has one.,These guys have one thing in commom, they Hate to lose…
READ This: Paul Johnson will win an ACC championship and or a National Championship at Tech, before Mark Richt will at GA….. wait and see… Mark is a great guy and coach, but he is too Soft…….
By georgia93
November 10, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
Gee - Richt’s response is now sounding like another Coach we had in the late 1990’s…”the fans don’t know anything”. Good call Mark.
Maybe he’s just keeping quiet until after the season. Unfortunately, there’s nothing constructive to offer Mark, especially if he refuses to see what is going on right before him.
Plan and simple: his responsibility is to the program, not his buddy. Otherwise, he puts ALL of his staff in harm’s way.
Go DAWGS!
By ace
November 10, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
Van Gorder probably left because he got tired of having to attend the prayer meetings with Richt or was it because he couldn’t say durn on the sidelines without first locating where the water girl or her daughter was. Richt needs to get his family off the sidelines and get back to coaching.
By ace
November 10, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
Do you notice that no one ever tries to hire UGAs assistant coaches. UAB did UGA the biggest favor ever when they took Callaway off our hands, boy they went brain dead on that one. They will fire him and Richt will probably let Searles coach the field goal kickers and hire Callaway back to take over the offensive lines.
By Andy Harrison
November 10, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
Ok Tech may be having an above 6-6 season and maybe just maybe get out of playing at their home blue field up in Boise for their bowl game, but they will NEVER win a NC under Johnson…they are consistently behind VT and with teams like UNC, Wake, Miami, Virginia, Maryland, BC and FSU consistently in their way and getting better, they will have enough trouble getting to the ACCCG…and even if they were to win that, the ACC is so bad that on a national level, they would get hammered by anyone who would be in the other spot in the NC- like a USC, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida…please, be mad and vent, but don’t stray too far from reality buddy
By bulldawg2
November 10, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
Who do we need to fire? No one and you can’t fire the players. The players have to perform and on any given day thats not going to happen. They’re young and learning give them time,Its not win at all cost.* Willie is doing a good job and Richt knows whats going on.* Sometimes we the fans forget the players are human and not pros .The Coach has to work with what players he has and right now we are hurting. GO dogs!!
By TheItaliandawg
November 10, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
Richt explanation and some of your opinions here are jut truck full of Bull Crap!!! Defense is not only about blitzing or not or zone coverage or cover 2, it is about heart, discipline and execution. a good DC is the one who can fire up his players make them hungry and teach them discipline before teaching them schemes. BVG was a good DC, because his players were disciplined, good tacklers and play with passion and these 3 things do not exist with the current defense and its not the players fault its Martinez fault. a very simple example look at Alabama defense and ours, I think everybody agrees that we probably have better athletes on D, but boy Alabama’s D is very well coached. I’m sorry Richt but Willie martinez is not a good coach, and lack the ability of making adjustments when necessary, maybe a good solution that can make everybody happy is by hiring a co-defensive coordinator who can at least teach the players to tackle well or how to stop the short passes which Martinez is still struggling with. God help us
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
Billy Drywall -
FSU with CMR
1990 10-2 1991 11-2 1992 11-1 ACC Champions 1993 12-1 ACC Champions; National Champions 1994 10-1-1 ACC Champions 1995 10-2 ACC Co-Champions 1996 11-1 ACC Champions 1997 11-1 ACC Champions 1998 11-2 ACC Champions 1999 12-0 ACC Champions; National Champions 2000 11-2 ACC Champions
FSU without CMR
2001 8-4 2002 9-5 2003 10-3 2004 9-3 2005 8-5 2006 7-6 ACC Champions 2007 7-6
Bobby Bowden coached from 1976 - 1993 before winning a National Championship.
Notice, he won two with Richt as an OCC.
So his play calling was suspect at FSU yet he never won less than 10 games? 9 conference titles? Two National Championships?
Whatever dude, go back to drywall….
By JoseyWhales
November 10, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
I am sick of our entire team playing with no emotion, playing flat. Especially the defense. Remember Erk? He had his defense fired up and ready to go every game. We don’t have that on a consistent basis. That is coaching.
By Blackberry Cobbler
November 10, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this
The numbers and UGA’s defensive ranking speak for themselves… loud and clear.
There are no excuses.
UGA’s defense was manhandled and shoved all over the field by the UK OL. The secondary, as has been all season, is completely inept against the pass…… it might help if they weren’t 5 to 10 yards off the receiver on just about every catch.
The DL gets pushed around too much, there is no rush, and the secondary plays too soft. And it’s not getting any better. I don’t want to hear excuses….. I want to know what’s the hell’s being done about it. Obviously nothing since CMR doesn’t think there’s a problem and thinks WM is doing a good job!!
If you’re a great high school talent and want to make sure you don’t get coached up to your potential, come on to UGA.
By dawgfan1911
November 10, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this
I think Mark Richt is a good man. As a football fan, I do understand that in order to be great you have to kick lsome but whether its your assistants or even some players. Look at what Urban did in his second year. look at what Saban is doing at Alabama. Yes the great record Mark carries is due to the fact that he out recruited those school he has beaten, but schools who recruit just as well as UGA seems to get better results. There is a reason why Florida dominates Georgia every year, It’s called coaching!!!!! After Georgia beat Alabama last year, Saban knew after that game that he would dominate Georgia this year. Next year LSU will be back with a 5 star QB is is going to be great and how will we counter that. It’s sad, becasue Richt really is a good guy, but if we are ok with winning 9 or 10 games with no championskhip he is our guy. He cant win those one or 2 games a year thats important to having a shot at a national championship. Last year it was SC and Tenn, we had better teams than those school last year and still lost. THose are the games that Florida wins. Keep Rict as a hhead coach and fire the other guys like Martinez and Fabris. Go Dagws against Auburn, its always great to beat them!!!!!!!
By Tom
November 10, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
The coach is what he is. He will always have one two losses in him each year. He is not the type of coach that can motivate a team to 12 victories.
By TheItaliandawg
November 10, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
Bulldawg2, I’m sorry but you are an ignorant and a typical football moron
By Sue
November 10, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
Let’s be fair about all of this. First of all everyone that is out there crying would not be saying a word if we had beat AL and LSU and in the top 2. Because we lost those two games you are coming out of the woodwork like termites. I am worried about our defensive just like the next person but I believe the players have to want it just as bad and they have to play with determination and want to really hit someone. You can’t get down when special teams give up big yards you have to come in and play like “Superman” and save the day. Players like Pollack don’t come around very often. You can watch the Falcons and see the difference VG is making with that team so I am sure we are missing a little of that spark not having him but give Martinez a break. My only complaint is it takes us too long to adjust to different offensive sets and we can’t always be fighting from behind. GO DAWGS………….this fan loves you no mater what!
By AltamahaDawg
November 10, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
So to recap. Coach declares that maybe IF we knew more about football we might not just repeat the same worn out comments. Folks are insulted by that. Chip asked specifically what we would do, given that we really do know something about football, BUT all he gets is the same old worn comments. Hmm. Now what were you saying Coach?
By Dr. Morpheus
November 10, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
It’s true that most of us don’t have the technical expertise to critique WM or CMR. However, we are able to see patterns of mistakes (missed tackles, blown coverage, penalties); and, when our team gets crushed twice in a season by teams we match up with, we are going to ask what’s wrong. We have gotten blown out at least once a year dating back to the Sugar Bowl against West Virginia. Our offense has generally played well enough to win. Stafford has improved continuously and is winning games for us. I wonder if there’s a motivational problem, especially on D. We haven’t turned the ball over much on O (excepting Stafford’s interceptions against Florida) but we haven’t gained many, either. Our scoring would be higher if we picked up more TOs. Key turnovers against Bama and UF were negated by defensive penalties. We had a similar penalty against KY that didn’t cause serious damage. I’m not sure that our defensive approach staying the same all this time is a plus. Are we keeping up? Finally, will our experience against UF and UK help us contain the option attacks of Auburn and GT?
By Frank Lane
November 10, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
I don’t know all the current terminology, but in 1961, I coached a pee wee football team that was unscored-upon for 16 games and won a National Championship.
I believe in an Offensive Defense. Play the game in the opponent’s backfield, whether they were given the ball at their 10 yard line or your ten yard line. The idea of defense is to “keep the opponent’s offense from executing.” Beat your man. Don’t just hold your ground. Make them look bad. And feel bad.
This strategy demoralizes the opponent. That’s the key.
We instead make them look good, and they get motivation from our style of play. I would much rather get beat on a blitz for a big play than let a team march down field incessantly.
My opinion.
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
How many of you people on here b*** actually make annual donations to the Hartman Fund?
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
Anyway, it could be worse… We could be Vol fans, or Tech fans, or Auburn Fans, or Vandy Fans…
Give it a rest guys. We are in the most competitive football conference on the planet. We lost to the #1 & #3 team in the country. Year in and year out we’ll be #1 or #2 in the Eastern Division. Regardless of what everyone thinks Florida will be beatable again. Tebow will graduate and we’ll beat them again and win the East, go to the Sugarbowl or possibly a NC.
By Randy
November 10, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
Go dawg fans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You Dawg Fans really don’t get it.
You have a sub par team at best and that is what really gets under your skin. Knowing you will not compete for an SEC Championship for years to come and it eats at you every single day. You are second tier to the likes of Alabama and Florida.
You scream for your coaches to get fired knowing very well there is no other coach who would want to come here and listen to your incessant whining.
The Georgia Whine in show after each game is the laughing stock of the nation, you should record it and listen to yourselves, it really is funny. It also makes for good dawg jokes.
At least you do have a coach who doesn’t cheat even though he was brought up under the infamous Bobby “I don’t care if their felons or not” Bowden.
Stafford has not turned out to be the hero you envisioned nor will he ever be, Moreno couldn’t carry Hershel’s tennis shoes.
The one player you do have is your senior wide receiver and he’s leaving.
Knowing that after all these years with the supposed best recruiting classes year after year you still are not up to the level of the Alabama’s or Florida’s of the SEC.
The fact is you may not ever make it there, you have virtually no competition here in this state as far as recruiting and yet you still suck.
You see Tech rising to the top of their conference and it eats at your guts and makes you sick to your stomach, all that trash talk and nothing to show for it.
Then you have to live here and listen as the media markets the two real teams in the SEC as they come into your back yard and play for the right to go on to the national championship.
So go on with your whining, screaming at your coaches and demanding everyone and their brother be fired while all the rest of college football laughs at your penny ante acts.
Go Puppies.
By Stephen
November 10, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
Umm….Tom??
Never get to 12?? i think we were 13-1 in 2002
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
Um… 1961….
No such thing as a spread offense. No such thing as every offensive lineman on the team weighing 300 lbs. No such thing as defensive ends that run 4.4’s.
No such things as 21 year old kids that can jump over 40 inches flat footed.
No such thing as 21 year old kids that can benchpress 225 lbs 35-40 times, powerclean 400 lbs or squat 700 lbs.
The game has evolved so much.. You can’t possibly compare the game played today as the one played in 1960…
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
Randy -
You are such a tool it isn’t even funny.
By Chris
November 10, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
No Mark Richt, Georgia fans have been watching the same games you have. You don’t have to be an expert to figure out what’s wrong with Georgia. Just look at what Brian Van Gorder is doing as defensive coordinator for the Falcons. They are winning because of their defense as Georiga did when Van Gorder was our defensive coordinator.
When Van Gorder was at Georgia, we lost games because our offense didn’t perform. The offense we have now is head over heels better than any offense we had for David Greene to utilize. We loose games now because our defense is terrible, and you can look no further than Martinez. It’s not because of what he’s done this year, it’s because of everything he has done wrong in every loss we have had since he became our defensive coordinator. It is blatantly obvious they he needs to be fired, or should step down for the better of the team. It is not working with him, and it never will. If he stays at Georgia, our defense will continue to struggle, and Mark Richt will be fired in a few years if this continues. Mark Richt, you need to wake up and smell the coffee before its too late. You might think you know everything about college footbal since you’ve worked in the game for so long, but you are DEAD WRONG about Willie. He has got to go!
By madisonbulldawg
November 10, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
Least we forget John Lily is special teams coach, which is from Fla. a great friend of CMR (when he was hired CMR was in his wedding) dont get much closer than that. We need to forget about these Fla. folks and find our coaches west of the Mississippi. CMR still lives and breathes for the Fla. folks. Let him go back to Fla.
By ttough44
November 10, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this
I will say this, watching the Kentucky game….#50 on defense looked extremely slow! where are the defensive ends? NO real penatration interior line consistently. NOw, it seems that our defense has not been fortunate to catch any breaks either! i.e. Bama, we could not touch the qb, FLAG, several unfortunate calls, Gators, early penalties did not go Dawgs way, the interior lineman call was a poor call, and then the no calls, its hard to recover, we need big O and D lineman recruits! Coach Richt is is a great coach and he will get things turned around!!!! Go DAWGS!
By Dawgie Style
November 10, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this
Ok people LISTEN UP!! First of all, to all the nay-sayors out there, Coach Richt has brought this program from average to one of the best in the nation. Richt is a national title caliber coach, no doubt about it.
Now to the defense. Get rid of Martinez! Our defense has consistently gotten worse with every game. I do agree with what Richt said about special teams and turnovers putting these guys in some bad spots, but a defense’s job is not to make excuses for giving up touchdowns, it’s job is to stop the other team or at least hold them to a field goal once in awhile. I’m tired of hearing “our star recruits are not as good as we thought”, BS! Defense is about heart and pride, it seems that ours has neither at times. It’s time for us to get back to the basics and quit relying on schemes and zones to keep the other team out of the endzone and start relying on an attitude and mentality of GATA, no matter what! Anybody remember a guy named David Pollack, no five star recruit there but had a mentality that he was not going to be stopped no matter what and he was going to hit somebody’s a*. We need a DC who is going to get after our players asses and expect dominance and perfection from them. Martinez does not do this. Give me a DC with some fire and pride. Our defense’s lack of focus, discipline, and attitude falls directly on the defensive coaching staff in my opinion. We don’t have to have an all star team of defensive players to be good. We just have to have an unquenchable fire to fly to the football, at every position. I’ll take a bunch of guys that have a mentality of “nobody hits scores on us, nobody hits harder than us, nobody gets after it like us, and everybody fears us”, over eleven five star recruits any day. Our guys have what it takes to be that caliber defense, we just need an emotional leader to show them the way! We have the players and it’s time for us hunker down and play GEORGIA Bulldawg DEFENSE!! A defense is effective when it gets pressure on the quarterback or disrupts the backfield, something we haven’t done all season. I don’t understand it.
Coach Richt is a great coach and I’m happy that he is our head coach. I’m sure that Willie is a great guy but he’s not right as a DC. I’m not saying fire him for good, keep him as a defensive coach or something. Heck move him to special teams, and get rid of who ever is coaching our special teams, for good. Just bring in a seasoned DC that will bring the fire back to Bulldawg Defense!! GO DAWGS!!!
By Bama Dawg
November 10, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
Hey BillyDrywall, You’re right dumb*ss, CPJ will win an ACC championship before CMR. Could it be because CMR doesn’t coach in the much weaker ACC?? And I’ll take your bet on the NC.
To all the crybabies who know so much about coaching and are obviously geniuses, why not go be a Bammer or a Gaytor since you love their coaches so much.
By DawgRealist
November 10, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
“It’s the same basic defensive scheme that we’ve had since we got here…”
Therein lies the crux of the problem, Richt uses a stupid passive defensive scheme (I know, most teams use it now, and most teams defense sucks). It’s basically a glorified prevent, a “cower and cover” philosophy.
If Richt doesn’t have the common sense to see what most of the rest of us see - that the scheme sucks and the Defensive Coordinator sucks - then the coach they should fire is the one they never should have hired, and that means the coach they should get rid of is Richt.
VanDumbass brought this crappy scheme to UGA and blew several chances at a National Championship when UGA had the most talented team in the country (2003 & 2004) and his moronic protege Pussytinez followed suit in 2005.
The Dawgs will never win a NC as long as they continue using that scheme and the Falcons will never get to the Super Bowl as long as VanDumbass is their DC.
One last thing, I was never a big Dooley fan, but one of the things I respected about him most was he never ever blamed his players (or his coaches for that matter, even when they deserved it) for failures to perform. He always took personal responsibility for anything negative that happened on game day. Richt and his staff have always been the reverse, it’s never the coaching, it’s never the play calling or the schematics, it’s always, always the players fault. Oh, that, and we fans, no matter what our experience, don’t know anything. Screw Richt.
I say get rid of Richt, who never understood that great teams are built first in the trenches and always woefully under-recruits linemen, and hire a coach with some damn fire in his belly.
By gdawginkalamazoo
November 10, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this
WTF??? Thanks for the stats on Richt’s stint at FSU as OC. He is a proven winner. He knows what he is doing.
BillyDrywall, LMAO! ONV Johnstone to win an NC before Richt? You have to get by Virginia, the baby blues and Georgia before that happens. I’ll take the bet that hell will freeze over first.
Amen Frank Lane.
By Mark
November 10, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this
Chip,
After his two fumbles,Massaquoi had the big catch and run to set up the winning TD. A lot of coaches would not have thrown it to him after the turnovers. So please ask Coach Richt if the play was called for Massaquoi specifically, or if it just happened to work out that way. I am wondering if the play was intended as a “We still have confidence in you” move, or if it was just happenstance.
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this
Realist - What defense do you think we should be running?
By Chuck Carswell
November 10, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this
Despite injuries it doesn’t appear that we have the athletes we’ve had in the past on the D side of the ball. There isn’t one player on defense that brings a fear factor. Not everyone can be Thomas Davis, Greg Blue, Jermaine Phillips, Randall Godfrey, Quentin Moses, Charles Grant, Tony Taylor or Gilbert and Sullivan, but our recruiting should bring in these guys every year. And/Or our coaching should be making marginal players good, good players great and great players remarkable.
This is where I see a deficiency.
As far as the kicking game goes since people have commented… I don’t know if other schools have kicking coaches, but not having one, may hurt terribly. Our punting is decent then suspect. Our PK is young and not good. I won’t comment on kickoff b/c it seems like few kickers are putting it through the endzone since the kickoff spot was moved back.
Dawg fans need to support the dawgs and not be driven to the edge after 1 or 2 poor results. Don’t say we were number 1 and shouldn’t have been in this situation. We were never good enough to be number 1.
By gdawginkalamazoo
November 10, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
Effin’ A people. “We can get things turned around?” WTF? Looking at ANOTHER 10+ win season. And “We can get things turned around?” I will take Richt and 10+ wins over any coach out there, any day. I wouldn’t sell the soul of our program for a Nick Saban or Petrino or Wei$$.
Two shot dead over LSU, Ala. game. Doh! Time to change it from a theory to a law Mr. Darwin.
By robodawg
November 10, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
At the end of last season CWM had a championship-level defense. The fact is we don’t have that this year. We don’t have the OL or DL we had at the end of last season, that’s why we’re sitting at 2 losses and out of the SEC championship. It’s not coaching, it’s just not having the personnel.
I know we didn’t lose that many defensive players, but the ones we lost were the “impact” players on the line. So far, no one’s stepped up to be that impact guy on the DL where it starts. The LBs are good to fantasctic, while the DL is good but not fantastic. Look at how many sacks, QB hurries, and run tackles are accounted for by our LBs.
David Pollack, Quentin Moses, Charles Johnson, Marcus Howard, where are you?
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
Effin Bama fans… Won the game and still shot the poor LSU folks…
Nick Satan made them do it
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
People,
Answer me this question….
What SEC school has the best record since 2000????
By dawg
November 10, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this
Fire willie martinez
By pjohn
November 10, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
I have one last thing to say about horrible fans. As much as I disagree with many UGA fans, I want to thank each and every one of you for having to decency to not shoot people over a football game.
Today I can be thankful that at least I’m not an Alabama or LSU fan.
Awful. Truly awful.
By UGA Defense?
November 10, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
UGA has allowed more points than any team in the BCS top 10, even the Big 12 teams that can’t hold a pi$$.
Alabama 131, TT 222, Texas 207, Florida 107, OU 226, USC 54, Utah 167, Penn St 124, Boise St 93, Georgia 249.
How can anyone make excuses for a team that gives up 25 a game, 249 points in 10 games?
By mcdaviddawg
November 10, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
If Richt won’t correct the coordinator problem, it may be that he is the problem that needs to be changed. We’re never going to be part of the national championship race if we don’t have a full time head coach. He needs to give up the second job and work on winning football games.
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
UGA Defense? -
Can you get these stats from 2001-present please?
By Fat Dawg
November 10, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this
Ya’ll just need to stop. Coach Richt is gonna leave if we’re not careful. We’re probably one of the three most successful programs in the country. Find someone else whose done more?
He could go to the ACC when the Miami coach is fired or FSU in a few years. We have the best coach at the best program in the SEC. With people like you crybaby’s, why would he want to stay.
Just shut up people!
Let coach do what coach does best. Coach. I don’t need Coach Richt telling me how to drive my cement truck throught traffic. He don’t need me telling him how to handle his coaches.
By AltamahaDawg
November 10, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
Well you have to think if somebody would go over to thier GF’s cousin’s husband’s house and shoot 2 people dead, football might have just been the excuse.
By gdawginkalamazoo
November 10, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
One thing I did learn after that LSU-Bama game……take a shotgun not a pistol to the post game party.
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this
My question about how many of the people complaining donating to the Hartman Fund has yet to be answered…..
Come on people, those of you calling for them to fire CMR or Martinez.. How many of you donate money annually to the Hartman Fund?
If not, then STFU!!! You don’t have a dog in this fight.
By SSI dawg
November 10, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
For all of you that think we are as good as FL, AL, etc. compare the common opponents and resulting scores: UGA/TN 26-14 FL/TN 30-6, UGA/LSU 52-38 FL/LSU 51-21, UGA/Vandy 24-14 FL/Vandy 42-14 UGA/KY 42-38 FL/KY 63-5. The UGA/FL game speaks for itself. CMR, we may not know a lot @ coaching, but we can all see the scores at the end of the game. Nuff said. Time for change.
By WSP Dawg
November 10, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
Chip, Alt, and Martinez defenders,
Everyone who has read my posts knows that I am not a fan of Martinez, but I do believe that people arguing that Martinez’s isn’t a good coach sound very ignorant when they say, “Blitzing is his problem, He doesn’t blitz!” or something to that effect. If you actually pay attention to the game, we blitz in one way or another on nearly every play. That argument is just too shallow.
So, in response to these shallow-thinking people, I keep hearing, “Those people just don’t know football; we are always blitzing” or something to that effect.
Unfortunately, this argument has really dumbed down the debate and assessment of Martinez. OF COURSE defense isn’t as simple as “Blitz or don’t blitz.” Please spare us this argument from this point on.
I know we keep going back to Brian VanGorder, but he is the most recent and most obvious coach to compare Martinez to. One thing I’ve heard a lot from BVG’s players (past and present) this year is how BVG is a better football mind than anyone else in the game of football: Keith Brooking said it in Schultz’s article today: ‘“He knows the game of football better than anyone I’ve ever been around,” Keith Brooking said.’ David Pollack said the exact same thing earlier this year.
My point is that I just don’t think this holds true for Willie. I know he works EXTREMELY hard! I know he doesn’t get much sleep! No doubt about that. But does he have the football intelligence to make a good defense a GREAT defense? And that is something that is very difficult for any fan to assess, unless either they personally have a high football intelligence simply or can take a step back and objectively review the overall performance of our defense.
Case in point. Last weekend, we clearly weren’t ready for a triple option attack. Understandable, given the fact that KY hasn’t been playing a triple option for most of the year. However, we made NO real adjustments to get this thing stopped. It seems like we just stood there with our fingers crossed, with the old game plan, and said, “Sure hope our guys can stop it somehow!”
BVG was one of the best coaches at adjusting the defense to the offenses game plan I’ve ever witnessed. It seems like he would’ve said “Hey, I know we didn’t prepare for this, screw it. I’m going to take our best defensive player - Curran and put him on their quarterback and take our second best player to take out whoever is coming to block him. And our third and forth best players are going to cover the backs.” Now, I know that probably isn’t the right solution, and I know what I certainly don’t know as much as any other DC in the world. But it’s these innovative, creative in game (or pregame) adjustments that I don’t think we are making that is getting us beat every week.
By Dr. K
November 10, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
You can’t judge a defense on “points allowed”. Against Florida, they had short fields all day with bad strategy and turnovers being the culprit. After the killer 3rd qtr interception, they had a one-yard drive for TD. There was another one-yarder in the KY game after a kickoff return where the first UGA player appeared at the 25 yard line! I don’t like the soft cover schemes either but thst is a case of DBS playing too far off or linebackers not getting a deep enough drop. As I see it, the big problem with this defense is the almost total absence of the front four. We’ve been spoiled with incredible groups of D-lineman over the last bunch of years. This group is just not very good. They get no pressure on the QB, frequently get knocked off the ball in the run game and have been guilty of killer penalties at absolutely the worse moments possible. Martinez isn’t going anywhere and we’ll continue to grimace when the other team has the ball. CMR can defend him and the system but it comes down to making plays and executing. Too many times over the last couple of years, that hasn’t happened.
By Vince
November 10, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
News Flash, Auburn and Georgia Tech run the ball.
By mike
November 10, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
Get rid of willy and if bob dosent learn to call right plays at the right time id have him soon to follow. We cant get any pressure with our down linemen so with the stable of lb’s we have why not switch to a 3-4 scheme. all we need is one big space eater why not put aj harmon right in the middle he was a d linemen at one time. then let the lbs run loose heck if you cat get pressure with ur d-line isnt that the solution look at pittsburgh they
By mike
November 10, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
oh yeah our corners get burned bc we play 10yards off the line my 4 year old could get open on a hook or slant bc our dbs are so far off the line. if we cant get pressure at least jam them at the line and disrupt timing!
By gdawginkalamazoo
November 10, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
AltaDawg, this has Jerry Springer written all over it.
By Please get a clue
November 10, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
Here’s to you BugKiller, you are right on the money with your entire assesment of Willie and Richt.
It’s embarrassing to us knowledgable fans to insinuate that “(We) People just don’t get it”. I have been an astute football fan for over 20 years and I do know the difference between “robber”, “cover 1”, & “zero coverage”.
I realize that the “game plan” maybe what Richt wants, but the execution is less than desirable. I stated earlier in the year that Willie’s defense lacks an “identity”. Beyond looking at scheme, the identity that any DC or coach should instill must be obvious to all…sadly it’s not. I have (as well as Willie) no clue what the identity of this defense is (besides sub par).
If we are going to progress to the next level (CHAMPIONSHIPS), then Mark Richt must not ACCEPT this type of lackluster play/play calling/coaching. Stop making excuses and demand excellence in every aspect of your team’s performance. Our opponents (ALABAMA, FLORIDA) do not put up with this and will continue to surpass us every year.
By AltamahaDawg
November 10, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
NOBODY taking me up on the whole changing 2 plays from each of the past 2 games debate? Chance to magically lower the score given up. Sombody? Anybody? 50 comments on how unacceptable KY scoring 38 and not one person can tell me at least 2 plays that they would have changed? Comeon, its so simple. It’s the defenses responsibility and the DC to contain the score no matter what, so tell me. 2 or 3 plays, past 2 weeks.
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
SSI Dawg -
Did anyone on this post state that UGA was as good as Bama or Florida THIS YEAR?
Fact of the matter is, UGA is the best team in the SEC for the last 10 years. We’ve won more football games than any team in the SEC FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS
We are not realistically going to play for the SEC Championship every single year, and as a fan you need to come to terms with that, as do a lot of you.
Did we have high aspirations for the Dawgs this year? Of course, but things didn’t pan out the way we would’ve liked.
With that being said, I believe that 95% of the posters on this board are not TRUE Dawg fans that were supporting the team when 9-3 was an awesome year.
So I think I speak for the rest of the REAL Bulldawg Nation when I say this….
GO BE A BAMA OR A FLORIDA FAN IF THEY’RE SO MUCH DAMN BETTER!!!!
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
ROFL!!!!!
So we just need to up and switch to a 3-4 huh?
Yeah…
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
Mike -
I’m calling Richt, I’ll have you an interview set up for Wednesday… You can be our new defensive coordinator…
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
Oh yeah, quit acting like DAMN ALABAMA FANS!!!!
By Ken
November 10, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
Everyone stop and take a deep breath.This is the same DC that was awesome last year. Only difference is no playmakers on D-Line( Marcus Howard,Jeff Owens)= no pressure- = poor coverage.They also are the worst tackling Ga team I,ve seen in a long time.No one except Rennie Curren occasionally tackles well.It looks like to me that players are in position to make plays they just cant make a tackle.It doesn,t matter how many blue chip guys you have with all the measurables,that doesn,t allways translate to a good football player-examples-D.Pollock and Thomas Davis-these guys weren,t highly sought after but they made big plays at key times and when they tackled someone they stayed tackled.You,re never gonna hear it from CMR but the guys they have on Defense are finesse guys and the two teams that beat them lined up and punched them in the mouth and they couldn,t answer it.Kentucky did the same thing and almost won with a bunch of freshmen.Kentucky,s line dominated our defense to a point where everyone in the stadium knew what was coming but guys couldn,t get off blocks and make a tackle.It doesn,t matter how fast and atheletic you are if you cant shed your blocker, the runner is by you in a flash. Thats what I saw Saturday and thats on the players,not the coaches.
By BIGEASY830
November 10, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
CMR wants to defend his D-Coordinator, well, thats fine, but we were preseason #1 and after the FLA game we basically are playing for nothing. Who cares if we have another nice season, we want to win it all and we want ever do so with an undisciplined and terriblly coached team that have took the field every game. Phil was run out of Tenn. and he won a national title, I hope that CMR doesn’t think that he is untouchable. Matt Stafford mechanics and fundamentals are horrible. The entire team make the dumbest mistakes and penalties. The biggest news you saw coming out of Athens last week was that King was demoted to 3rd string RB. What about getting your team coached up CMR. What will be the outlook for the team next year if Stafford and Moreno turn pro, and why in the hell are we using our future starting QB as a DAMN punt returner. The kid needs to be getting some reps in at QB. Changes must take place in Athens and the head coaching job is not above being one of those changes.
Holla…………..
By hey WTF?
November 10, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
You asked: “Can you get these stats from 2001-present please?”
Why?
Are the 2001-2007 teams going to play next week, or in a BCS bowl this year?
The 2008 UGA team can’t hold good offenses; that’s the point. What do past teams have to do with anything?
The Big 12 teams are all suspect on defense; Georgia isn’t suspect, we know they can’t stop anyone ranked, or many unranked teams.
I don’t mean any disrespect; that’s just the game. UGA would matchup good against the Big 12, they wouldn’t stand a chance against the better defenses, USC or Penn State, either would win because they would stop Georgia’s offense and your weak defense couldn’t hold them.
I would say Florida and USC are the best teams right now. Both have fluke losses to conference rivals and have handled their other opponents without any problem. Florida shows the best offense, USC the best defense.
By gomdawg
November 10, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
First CMR dont read this shzt. Thank God. 10 or 15 azz holes that have nothing else to do but bitzh. GO DAWGS BEAT AUBURN AND GEORGIA TECH
By SSI dawg
November 10, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
Please get a clue -
At least you get the point of us trying to rise to the next level. Never going to get their if the situation remains static.
WTF??? -
Been a dawg fan longer than you are probably old. Relax and have another beer.
By cobbdawg
November 10, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
I, for one, have no doubt that CMR will re-assess all aspects of the program, just like he does annually as Head Dawg.
But for now, the season is not over, so his attention should be on Auburn…then Tech…
And does anybody here really expect CMR to air his full thoughts on the defense, personnel changes, or anything else to the media before handling in-house…especially before the season is over.
I wouldn’t trade these last 8 years for any of the previous 28, except for 1980!
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this
LOL!!!!
Yeah, Logan Gray needs to be getting snaps so he can come in and play mop up duty for Joe Cox next year…..
By mike
November 10, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this
WTF in regards to you sorry im not content with with be another good team year after year. 10wins is great but it sure would be nice to have a championship season like usc or texas and a dozen other schools that we are just as good as but we cant seem to get over the hump. We got destroyed by two teams that we were just as good as but us true fans shouldnt have a prob with that right? complacency can can be a huge negative remember that WTF…………………
By steve
November 10, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
You guys kill me. Let Georgia have a few games where they don’t allow the other teams to score pts and Martinez is the best defensive coach. But the team has a few bad games lets fire him. Martinez can’t make the players focus and play to the best of the abilities. He can try but its up to the guys to work hard.
By mark
November 10, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
Sue-we beat LSU. To the rest of you who aren’t content with winning 10 games a year. Shame on you. This program was a joke while Goff and Donnan were here. We prayed for someone to save us from mediocrity. Going undefeated in the SEC is an unrealistic goal. Auburn did it in 04’ and it was remarkable. They also had two top 5 picks and 5 1st rouders, all of whom are now starting in the NFL, not too shabby.
If you can tell me to get used to winning 10 games a year I say that’s fine. One lucky bounce, one great play means we could win 11. Win 11 and we play in Atl., win in Atl. and you play for it all!
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
SSI Dawg -
If that is the case, then sit back and remember the days when we heard Quincy Carter for Heisman! Then he comes out and throws 6 interceptions against SC.
Remember the good old days buddy?
Then think back to Neyland Stadium 2001, Auburn 2002, destroying Arkansas in the SEC Championship Game, Whooping up on LSU almost every time we play them. Beating GT every single year Reggie Ball and Calvin Johnson went to school there….
All I’m saying is this, we are 8-2 with a very good chance to go 11-2 counting our bowl game and finishing up in the top 10 yet again and everyone is b***….
By Ed
November 10, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
At some point Richt will discover for himself that the defense and special teams are not getting the job done despite being loaded with blue chip talent. At that point, he’ll have to make a change unless he wants to enter an era of 8-4 seasons and mid-tier bowls. We saw a formerly “great” SEC coach like Fulmer fall off his pedestal after one mediocre season too many, so no reason the same can’t happen to Richt.
Richt is a very good coach, has two conference championships and 3 BCS bowls, and that will buy him goodwill for at least several more seasons. I hope he spends it wisely and makes the changes needed. I love what he’s done at UGA and admire him greatly as a man, but misplaced pride and loyalty can be a coach’s downfall. His mentor Bobby Bowden is Exhibit A - he’s still not recovered fully from keeping his son around as o-coord. too long. FSU’s aura of greatness and invincibility is gone. Games FSU used to win by the intimidation factor alone - Tech, Clemson and Wake Forest come to mind - are now dogfights that they lose as often as not. FSU has regressed considerably in a weak ACC.
It’s ok to admit that maybe you made a hiring mistake - good coaches do that all the time. But there’s no excuse for ignoring the obvious, and it will eventually catch up to Richt.
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
Mark - Finally another Dawg Fan with some damn sense.
By matt
November 10, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
In the 8 years Richt has been here we’ve been in the position to play in Atl. every year except his first year and Staffords freshman year. In the SEC all you can expect from your coach is to be in a position to win your conference. I can’t believe there are people in here actually complaining about a coach who has won 80 games in 8 years (in the SEC) brought you 2 conference championships (SEC) and 3 BCS bowls!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
Oh yeah, if it’s National Championships shots you want you need to go be a USC or OSU fan….
Being a fan of an SEC school it takes one HELLUVA good season to get there.
By joe_h
November 10, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
**As for Brian VanGorder, he Lost to Florida 3 of his 4 years.
Yet, you say because Willie has done the same, he must be fired and replaced by Brian VanGorder.**
Please don’t compare Martinez to BVG. Our defenses under Martinez don’t come close to the defenses under BVG.
They are nowhere near as disciplined as BVG’s defenses.
They are nowhere near as aggressive.
They don’t create turnovers the way Van Gorder’s defenses did.
Martinez has shown no ability to make adjustments they way BVG did.
Martinez is clueless, despite the fact that Richt thinks we’re all stupid and tries to blow smoke up our a**.
By crs
November 10, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
Richt is on the money, a lot of the defense’s problems are special teams and offensive turnovers. This past Saturday is a perdect example, three of those touchdowns belong to the disgrace that was the play of the special teams.
By Herschel Walker
November 10, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
Thats it…
All you WANNA BE Dawg fans on here complaining after we WON are now banished from the Bulldawg Nation.
You are free to go be Tech fans…..
By Herschel Walker
November 10, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
UT - Mediocre season?
LOL!!!! They just lost to Wyoming!
By Ron Roberts
November 10, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
Sorry fans, I’m with CMR on this one. Wanna bring the points scored against us down? Here’s what you do:
You stop giving opponents good or great field position because your kickoff/punt units don’t do their job well.
You don’t turn the ball over inside your opponents’ 50.
You don’t onside kick, down 7-3 early, against a high-powered offensive juggernaut (that little gem’s on the coaching staff, period).
I’m not saying Willie and his unit isn’t to be held accountable for their failings, but take, for example, how much better the Falcons’ defense seems to be playing on Sundays this fall, compared to last, with only the addition of Curtis Lofton and some secondary parts; you could argue we downgraded at CB losing MeAngelo, but yet the Falcons are giving up fewer points. Why?
Their offense is better, stays on the field longer, giving the defense time to catch their breath, and their kicking units don’t put them in bad field position.
By Herschel Walker
November 10, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
Now, I will never argue that our defense has not seen better days. And without a doubt Van Gorder was THE MAN, only one better was Erk. But they are gone. Van Gorder will NEVER be back on the Bulldawg staff.
But, I don’t remember many people complaining and calling for Martinez’s job in the past. When we actually had a good defensive line ya know….
By JR
November 10, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
I have been watching UGA football since I moved to Atlanta in ‘75. Football is a simple game. If you block, tackle, run, throw and catch well you will win a lot of football games. If any one of those break down it makes the game a little harder to win. Several times this particular season one or more of these basics has broke down at a crucial time. This my friends is some coaching and some of the players’ fault. It is so simple it is easily overlooked but the bottom line is every time I get in a slump I go back to the basics to pull me out and it works every time. The coaches and the players get so wrapped up in game plans and ‘cover this and cover that’ that they don’t wrap up a tackle or watch the ball into the hands or throw it out of bounds if the receiver is not open,or commit a personal foul on 4th down when you’ve got the other team stopped. BASICS, BASICS, BASICS. Simple game made hard by not doing the basics. The coaches need to get the players back to doing all of the basics of fundamental football and we will win a championship again.
By crs
November 10, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
joe h, you voted for Obama didn’t you!
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
oops, guess I gave that one away huh?
By Challengeaccepted
November 10, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
Altamaha- It’s not as cut and dry as changing a play that directly resulted in points (i.e. should’ve blitzed on the 3 and 3 and because we didn’t they scored)but more of a particular outcome as a result of poor judgement.
Examples: The fumble recovery by UGA on the opening Bama drive. Had this play stood it would have been HUUUGE for us in the momentum category. Instead, it was negated because of yet another stupid penalty and 2 plays later Bama scored, never looking back. The almost exact same thing happened against Fla. Interception by the dawgs stopping a momentum building drive by Fla, negated for another stupid penalty, personal foul, 1st down, 2 plays later Fla. scores and never looks back. The only thing we’ve stayed consistent all season long is in the penalty dept. Is that a direct result of scheming or gameday coaching? No, but it’s a biproduct of not teaching these boys discipline, which starts with the coach. The similarities between the Bama game and the Fla game are in my mind are staggering. Both were in the 1st quarter. Both were turnovers negated by personal fouls. Both teams scored within 2 plays of the penalty. Both teams rolled to victory after that.
The onside kick was a foolish call regardless of whether or not we get it back. Ballsy if we get it, stupid if we don’t, either way not smart.
By gdawginkalamazoo
November 10, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
Mike, you want to use Texas and USC as examples? Prior to their most recent NC’s, when did they last win the NC? And don’t count USC’s 2003 “we won it but don’t have a crystal football to prove it.” LSU were the champs that year.
By JAYBO
November 10, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
Point blank…..martinez has got to go!!!! Coach Richt has got to man up and pull the trigger….our defense is giving up waaaay too many points!!!
By Bergs
November 10, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
First of all, we have had some bad breaks all year long. Second of all, who is to say we are as talented on the Defense as years past? Very few teams if any can match up with Florida this year.
UGA fans, myself included, expect more than realistic at times. The program has been on the right track and still is.
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
JR - So what is Tennessee’s problem?
By AltamahaDawg
November 10, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
I dont know WSP, thats trying to get inside of somebodies head about what they do or don’t know, or might do in some situation. Wouldnt even begin to debate that. As far as what somebody said, and since somebody else didnt say that about somebody else, who knows. It’s all pretty subjective. I think you could prabable quote a former WM player with some very complimetary things if you looked. BVG is a pretty damn good coach. He had some lousy games too.
It seems to me that we did make adjustment to KY. I believe Dave Neil commented on it several times as to how we started committing more and more to the run. They had 2 drives over 60 yards in the first half. We stop them on downs just before the half, and the longest drive they had all 2nd half was a 43 yrder ending in FG. They had the ball 4 times in the 4th quarter. One was 4 yrd off the KO and we stopped the last 3. Is it really fair to say there was NO adjustment at all? And do we really get beat every week? You hate dumbing it down with shallow comments, right? Thats neither fair nor accurate.
By GAdawgMD
November 10, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
Willie ain’t worth a sh..! They need to can his a..!
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
*Chip - *
Can you do a blog about idiot Georgia fans that complain about being a Perennial Top 10 team please?
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this
Hartman Fund????
Anyone???
By Columbia Dawg
November 10, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
“Fire Mark Richt!” ???? It takes either an idiot or the fan of one of our opponents to make that statement. CMR has done an outstanding job as our head coach.
However, the defensive numbers are poor and cannot be ignored or downplayed. It may not be coaching, but the research and analysis must be done!
Even with as good a job as CMR has done, no human is at 100% on every skill set. I do not know whether CMR has ever fired an assistant. He has made the difficult decisions with players when they commit an egregious action, but that did not involve a family’s livelihood. From personal experience, I know that firing an employee is very difficult unless one has no empathy at all.
Hopefully, CMR will consult with Coach Dooley and, after the season, with a couple of successful D1 coaches like Mack Brown and Bob Stoops and get some advice on how to proceed.
It’s a fact that if one is unwilling to make the hard decisions, someone else will make them for you, most often to your own detriment.
By Huh WTF!!
November 10, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
You wrote: “Oh yeah, if its National Championships shots you want you need to go be a USC or OSU fan….”“
How can you compare USC and OSU? They are so different.
OSU is 1-2 in BCS Championships, and has been blown out 2 times. They are 1-2 in their last 3 BCS Bowls.
USC won the AP in 2003 finishing 12-1 after routing #4 Michigan. They went undefeated in 2004 beat OU by 30+ and won the BCS NC. In 2005 they were undefeated when they played Texas for the NC. They lead much of the game and were leading with minutes to play, before finally losing to Texas by 3. They won 30+ in a row during that stretch. They have won 11 games a year since 2002, and haven’t lost to anyone by more than 10 points in 7 years; none has beaten them by 2 touchdowns since Carroll became the coach.
By Sautee Dawg
November 10, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
Altamaha
I think our defense is fine, 2 starters out has really hurt, I think what alot of people see is the defense seems to be a step behind on several plays resulting in 10 men on the field at times things like that. Who’s responsible for fixing those type problems, FLA, play where Tebow ran the option and pitched out to Harvin for Fla’s first touchdown we were short a man on the field, Willie sent him in late and he only had time to line up on the left side, Tebow saw this and changed his play to take advantage of our mistake, that’s just simply good preperation would’nt you say? Was it Willie’s fault player wasn’t in game already or players fault he wasn’t in the game? Who knows the answer to that, several times this year on special teams we only had 10 players on the field. Is it the coaches fault we only had 10 or players fault? maybe it’s common to have that many miscues in a season. As CMR said we are not coaches and don’t understand these defenses and he’s right.Or at least i don’t.
By AltamahaDawg
November 10, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
Challaege, great comment. And thanks. 100% agree, penalties have been a killer. Indictment of the coaching staff to be sure. We seem to still be figuring out this whole agression/disclipine balance.
SO I agree, but that’s not what I was talking about in my challange. Although the things you bring does help to make the exact point I was driving at.
joe, the difference in thier FL records is that WM has yet to lose to an inferior FL team. BVG did it twice. Not sure that means anything, its just you brought up a point about it. And as far as all those bullet points, I think if you go look back at the record, WM has as good of numbers in turnover, int, sacks, 3rd down conversion, etc. as BVG, prior to this year. Now its it purely subjective measures, you cannot be wrong.
By Please get a clue
November 10, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
WTF - Just because those of us are unhappy with our defense’s peformance and not satisfied with a 2 or 3 loss season, doesn’t mean that we are “not fans”. I have bleed red & black for 20 years and I am unbelievably proud of UGA, Mark Richt, and his teams. I am not satisfied with “preseason # 1” and have fallen well below expectations. I realize how difficult it is to go through the SEC undefeated or with one loss, my frustration lies that we have not been competitive in either of our two losses. It seems from watching both games that we were inferior on only one department…coaching. I have a right to my opinion and I am and will stick to it!
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
HUH WTF!
Ya’ll are talking National Championships…
Seems to me USC & OSU plays for it more than any other team in the country…
And no, you can’t compare us with either team. They play a cupcake schedule and are expected to win out.
UGA was preseason #1 and wasn’t even expected to win our own division.
SEC is a different beast than any other conference in CFB, all you cry babies whining because oh, we lost two games, oh, we give up too many points.. YOU MAKE ME SICK
Give me 10-11 wins a year and pat me on the a* cuz I’m one happy BULLDAWG!
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
Please get a clue -
So you think the defense was the problem in the two losses?
Wow……
By PMC
November 10, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
It’s not coaching, it’s execution and committing drive extending penalties. Georgia is not as good this year as they were last year, partly due to key injuries, partly due to flat out poor execution and lack of focus. I don’t think for a second these guys forgot how to coach, they’ll probably win 10 or 11 games this year after all. They just don’t have what they need to be a great team. The majority of the two losses this year have been on key penalties and lack of focus. Not coaching.
By Lyle
November 10, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Coach Richt is right….a lot of people think they know football but they have no clue. Marcus Howard was the guy last year coming off the edge…and now we don’t have one like Tony Barnhart said. It’s not the coaching….it’s not like Willie forgot how to call a blitz or a cover one it’s the players. Why do you think they moved Evans to safety…he couldn’t cover ANYone…just look at that Tennessee game. I trust Mark Richt’s decision making and I think once we get more people off the “edge” next year we’ll be fine. Let’s win out and finish with a strong 11-2 or 10-3 record…with the injuries we’ve had I’ll take either one!
By The truth about numbers
November 10, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
The truth about RIcht’s record in the last 7 years is this:
vs. the SEC UGA is 47-19 UF is 45-18
and that is with the Gators suffering through 3 years of Ron Zook. UGA’s OOC is also much weaker than UF’s over that time so that contributes to better overall numbers.
UGA also has NEVER made it to the SEC Championship game without having to rely on another team to beat the Gators.
Sorry those are just facts and something for those who point to Richt’s record while at UGA vs. UF’s record over the same period.
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
TOBY JACKSON
Remember this name Dawg fans, and pretender Dawg fans…..
By Brooks
November 10, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
I am sick of tired of all these “Georgia Fans” that run their mouth and complain about where we are right now. Let’s look back at the 90’s. We were ecstatic if we won 9 games and ready to name our kids after the coach if we won 10. You have to look at where we have been and where we are now. We can still finish 11-2 and inside the top-5. WAKE UP! The only thing that made us a #1 preseason was what happened last year. We don’t have an elite DE this year. Our D line is average overall. Losing Jeff Owens killed us. Bottom line is we just don’t have the guns like Florida and Alabama on D right now. Justin Houston and Roderick Battle aren’t getting it done. They are not elite players. We might as well be dropping them into pass coverage. I might be wrong but Reshad Jones has been an overall disappointment. I have noticed many times when he could have made a stick or a tackle for that matter and he just laid down. Hasn’t lived up to the hype in my opinion. Stafford has been solid but not the #1 pick in the draft solid. Too erratic. I am the biggest Dawg fan you will find. Reality is we are just not as good as everybody thought. We are good but not great. We all need to focus on what we have done over the last 7-8 years and know that eventually we will get that NC. Stay the course and be proud to be a dawg. IF YOU WON’T TO COMPLAIN AND JUMP ON AND OFF THE WAGON THEN WE DON’T NEED YOU. YOU WILL BE BACK TRUST ME. GO DAWGS!!!!
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
Truth -
So who were UF’s OOC Opponents?
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
But at least you said it.. Here is all that really matters….
SEC UGA is 47-19 UF is 45-18
So, UGA has played 3 more SEC games than UF over the same number of years? Oh yeah, must have been those pesky SEC Championship games….
By challenge
November 10, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
Altamaha- I know that was exactly what you were talking about but that’s just what stuck out in my mind. I’m a baseball coach and penalties can be equated to errors, in a way. What I mean by that is it’s hard to win a ball game when you commit errors. As a coach, I try not to blame a loss on one specific play but rather a series of missed opportunities within a game. You can’t give teams 4 and 5 outs an innning and expect to win a game. You can’t leave runners on base every inning, having not gotten anything to show for your efforts. By the same token, you can’t give teams extra downs, extra opportunities.
As far as Martinez it doesn’t seem to be as much in game coaching (schemes, packages, whatever) that is the problem but rather preparedness/mindset. He hasn’t gotten through to those boys that you can’t just play, you have to play smart, that aspect of coaching is more difficult than one thinks. To get your players to not just react, but anticipate is no easy task.
Make no mistake, UGA has the athletes, the coaching staff just needs to figure out how to harness that athleticism and mold it into a cohesive unit of 1. As I’ve heard said in baseball, best 9 aren’t always the 9 best.
By AltamahaDawg
November 10, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
OMG folks NOBODY has EVER said you arent a fan if you voice an opinion. If you cannot differentiate yourself from the raging idiots that any questioning of being a true fan is meant for….well.
By Birdddawg
November 10, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
I firmly associate myself with those posting above who aren’t backing off the proposition that Willie Martinez is the problem on defense.
What is missing from the discussion generally though is the recognition that none of these problems are new. The defense began to disintegrate the day Martinez took over.
In an interview he did immediately after being elevated to DC, Martinez was asked the obvious question of what his approach would be vis a vis Van Gorder. He answered that he was going to emphasize “creating turnovers.” That was an immediate red flag for me—-in my years 30 years now of watching the Dawgs and football in general, I have found teams that “emphasize” creating turnovers end up not doing the fundamental things before too long, namely tackling the ball-carrier and remaining disciplined about assignments. It only makes sense, when you consider the ESPN culture of sports these days, that the lure of the highlight reel interception return or “big hit” would compromise sound defensive mechanics, especially when the guy at the top is endorsing that attitude. The first major harbinger that comes to mind of the impending Martinez disaster was the blown lead to Auburn in 2005. Of course, we would win the SEC, albeit after losses to our two biggest rivals, but then lose to an underdog WVU team whose attention to assignment football exposed our defense for the undisciplined unit it was becoming.
In my mind, there are three glaring weaknesses of UGA’s teams under Mark Richt:
1)we don’t catch the football consistently—-this crops up each year it seems, but no one in the sports media seems to have noticed that it has been a problem over Richt’s entire 8 years;
2)our special teams have been marginal at best. FG unit has been generally consistent, but we don’t cover anybody and have never been able to kick it in/out of the end zone consistently;
3)defense under Willie Martinez—-again, media is waking up late, but this unit has been a shadow of Van Gorder coached units basically since the day Martinez took up the reins.
And speaking of Van Gorder, the Falcons won again yesterday. The post-game commentary I saw on NFL Network (and I think also in the AJC) is lauding Atlanta as one of the best NFL defenses now.
I agree that the goodwill Richt has built up over these last several seasons will allow him to ride this out for a while—-but it has become clear to this season ticket holder that we will not do much more than our 2005 performance as long as the three items I listed remain unaddressed. The fact that the problems have lingered this long, combined with our overall performance this year, leads me to believe 2005 is about as much as Dawg fans can reasonably expect to look forward to, so long as Richt remains resolute about his coaching personnel. But as another poster above observed, when people start voting with their feet and their wallets, Adams & Co. will take notice.
By doubleB
November 10, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
our defense is young but that does not excuse the failure of his defensive schemes. there seems to always be a gaping hole large enough to drive a bus right up the middle. les miles was too stupid to keep pounding it up the middle or he would’ve beat us. tebow basically walked in the endzone. martinez needs his head checked.
By Hey WTF
November 10, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
You wrote: “UGA was preseason #1 and wasn’t even expected to win our own division.”
It’s not about where you start. It’s about where you finish.
Where you finish is the only true indication of how good you are. It’s never exact, but it’s the best we have to go on.
Who has the best average ranking over the last 5 or 6 seasons?
By Truth
November 10, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
and how many of those Pesky SEC Championship games did UGA make by beating Florida? None.
UF’s OOC has included FSU every year which has been better than Tech in those years and the years that UGA played Clemson UF played Miami that was loaded to the gill.
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
Let me ask the REAL Dawg Fans this…. Before, lets say 2003 how many people representing Red & Black did you see? How many cars riding around with Big, Beautiful Oval G’s on the front?
Half of these a***** were probably Tennessee fans wearing orange 18 jerseys….
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
Hey WTF - You seem to know everything, you tell me
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
Sooo, our defense wasn’t any good last year?
By Greg
November 10, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
Coach Richt, what we fans “don’t understand” is how our last 3 opponents got in the red zone 11 times and scored 11 TD’s until the last interception vs UK. Yes, special teams and offensive miscues contributed, but shouldn’t you be able to stop the opponent some of the time…or are our defensive players THAT bad?
By AltamahaDawg
November 10, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
I agree. Tough job to be a coach. Complicated by the fact that the other side has the athletes too and coaches trying to figure out the exact same thing. If it were as simple as just simply changing a scheme, then somebody would go undefeated for 10 years, or there would be 50 games going into triple overtime every week.
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
And where you end up ranked is not a true indicator of how good you are alone…. OSU is in the top 10, will probably finish there…
Is Ohio State good? Oklahoma State?
You should judge how good you are about how you perform against quality opponents. Now I know UGA stunk it up against Bama & Florida, but the defense was not the problem in those games… Penalties were….
Do we have a problem? Absolutely, is it Willie Martinez’s fault? Not in my book…
By Mobile Dawg
November 10, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
Seems everyone has an opinion on what’s wrong, you don’t have to have an opinion as to what’s wrong? All you have to do is look at the facts to know our players aren’t consistently prepared to play against top level talent.
Last year we turned a corner we had been trying to get around for 3 years. This year we went in reverse, only this year we have added additional problems, i.e. the total lack of discipline and the situation with the penalties.
Altamaha, I could see where a number of plays called differently could have changed the momentum and ultimately the course of the game but obviously we will never know. In the red zone against FL why get cute early and try and fool or finesse the Gators. Let the O-line and Tight Ends do their job, toss sweep to Moreno (he wasn’t in the game?) with Southerland leading the way , smack FL, show them we are physical and can play. Onsides kick was one of the most insane things I’ve ever seen, I would have said the same thing had it worked. It wasn’t worth the risk. Did anyone notice how conservative FL played the first half, so as not to give us anything we didn’t earn? Same situation against Bama, only not in the red zone, we never got there. Coaches gave up on staying with Bama physically early, abondoning the run, the rest is history. We, the players, and coaches had a deer in the headlights look. I saw fear.
Our problems unfortunately lie deeper than changing a few plays IMO. Our team seems to be run by consortium, where everyone has some control and input, even the players, i.e. they can pull themselves out of the game. We don’t show up prepared, that’s the result of a lack of preparation starting by reporting for fall practice on Monday, taking days off to go swimming, lack of discipline on and off the field. Richt is to soft on his coaches and players and it carries over on the field. We are just not physically and mentally tough. Someone earlier said Richt treats everyone like family. There’s nothing wrong with that, in a family there comes accountability for decisions, changes, discipline, etc.
11 wins will make most people feel better, there are a lot of highlights to remember, what I will most remember of this season, at least to this point, is the two “A** Whippings” we took. No excuse. We could have and still can lose 4 or 5, the difference to me is in how we lose? Richt has to adjust or change to see different results. Hopefully he will.
By WildBill
November 10, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
To my dawg buds, just think about this scenario: The old ball coach, you know who, Steve Spurrier, if he had the level of talent and facilities that are at UGA, that guy’s team would be well nigh unbeatable. Yeah, we used to hate him, but look what he has done at SC with a mediocre bunch of atheletes. The old ball coach is a smart guy who gets in his peoples’ heads, and they bust their buns for him. Yep, Old Steve would have our guys at UGA whipped into a real team, And would not tolerate nor defend a D that gave up 125 in the last 3 games. After 10 games, ole Steve would likely be unbeatable with our guys. Yep, he would.
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
Truth, bottom line is this.. We’ve got a better record than Florida in the last 10 years.. Have we beaten Florida, not much… But guess what? We still have a better record than Florida for the last 10 years..
Looks like they gained one on us this year, but oh well….
We still have won more D-1 football games than Florida in the past 10 years.
We’ve finished in the top 10 more times than Florida in the past 10 years
I mean, I’m not making this stuff up.. It really happened….. So even though we go to this so called neutral sight and get beat by Florida almost every year, we’ve still won more games than Florida in the past 10 years
It just tears you up don’t it boy?
By Sautee Dawg
November 10, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
Chip The talk and questions about CWM and his defense, Where would you go to find a new DC? Who would You pursue if it were your choice? Do you think one would be available that is as good or better than WM? Will Muschamp has been mentioned, but we torched him 2 years in a row at AUBURN. He didn’t have an answer for Texas Tech this year. Not many DC’s out there better than what we’ve got. Who’s your choice Chip?
By Greg
November 10, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
WTF??, you could ask the same thing about Bama fans…or Notre Dame…or Miami. Of course, they are more vocal and noticeable when their team is winning.
Richt came on board in 2001 and we won the SEC title in 2002, but somehow we were still filling up one of the 10 largest stadiums in the country on a consistent basis long before that. When you consider 25 years between SEC titles, I’d say that shows there are a whole bunch of very loyal Dawg fans out there. So much for your theory.
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
GENE STALLINGS!!!!
I think he’s only like 75 years old…
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
I’m not talking about the people in Sanford Stadium, I’m talking about these idiots that think we should fire the best coach that UGA’s football program has ever had…
So much for your theory…
By AltamahaDawg
November 10, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
WTF, do you remember the Friday before the FL game? Everyone chimed in to say what would it take to win. What Fl offense would do. What our offense was going to do. FL did exactly as everyone said. Our offence did the Polar opposite. And its all Willie’s fault.
I guarantee if I told you Friday night , without the emotions of the game, that Stafford, Moreno, MoMass, Green, Southerland, Chandler would NOT score a single point in the first half, you would have said “we are screwed”. BUT then I tell you, actually we only gave up 14 points, even with a botched OSK, you would have said “hey we got a chance”. Stop thier first drive…..”alright”………OH but then we turn it over 4 times deep in our territory and never score a significant point…..you would say……….”how did we keep in under 50?”
By Yeah WTF??
November 10, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
Yes, Ohio State and Ok St are good. How good? I’m not sure, maybe, top 15.
Their losses came against Top 10 teams, as did UGA’s. Ohio State got blown out once, but they played PSU well, that may say as much about PSU as OSU. Ok St, I don’t think the Big 12 can stand up to a good defense, we’ll see.
I think UGA would match up better against the Big 12 than Ohio State. I just don’t think those Big 12 defense can hold anyone.
I can’t argue with you about Coach Martinez, you can’t blame everything on him.
By Erk
November 10, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
Thankfully Richt doesn’t make knee-jerk decisions like a lot of bloggers here and luckily he spends not one second reading this. I might not like the results of every single game as a Georgia fan, but in my opinion Coach Richt’s track record gives him the right to patiently assess what changes need to be made, if any. Where has firing multiple coordinators gotten Tuberville despite beating Bama 5 in a row (or whatever it is)?
Also, just because Richt defends his staff does not mean he blames the players. Can someone give me an example of when Richt has laid blame on one or even a group of players?
By WTF???
November 10, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
Altamaha Dawg - That’s what I’m saying… Our defense didn’t really play that bad in our two losses… Now, they’ve played terrible in a few of our wins.
But from what I’m getting on this board is everyone is blaming the losses on Martinez.
I could give two s** if the other team scores 100 points on us, as long as we score 101…
By Mr. Gator
November 10, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
I TOLD YA!!! I TOLD YA!!! I KNEW IT!!! I KNEW IT!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MARK RICHT FOR STANDING BY HIS COACH. WILLIE MARTINEZ IS A DEFENSIVE GENIUS & RICHT KNOWS IT. MIKE BOBO IS GREAT TOO. I HOPE MICHAEL ADAMS NEVER FIRES MARK RICHT OR WILLIE MARTINEZ.
YES, LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL.
GATOR NATION IS BACK & DRIVING YOU MUTTS CRAZY. CHOMP-CHOMP!!!
MARTINEZ=DEFENSIVE GENIUS. FLA 49-UGA 10 ME, TEBOW, P. HARVIN & URBAN MEYER LOVE MARTINEZ.
HEY DAWGS, WHILE YOU’RE SITTING @ HOME WATCHING US PLAY THE NAT’L CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, JUST THINK OF THE GATOR STOMP, GETTING SCREWED BY THE BCS SYSTEM INTO PLAYING HAWAII IN THE SUGAR BOWL & US (GATORS) ROUTING YOU THIS YEAR TO JUMP WAY OVER ALL OF THE SCRUB TEAMS IN THE POLLS. THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP DAWGS.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGS SIC EM’!!!!! PRESEASON #1. LOL WHAT A JOKE.
OH YEAH, GREAT GAME VS KENTUCKY. LOL. THAT WAS A REAL NAIL BITER.
OH YEAH, TO ALL OF YOU BAMA FANS, DON’T GET TO HAPPY…I KNOW YOU THINK YOU’RE ON A ROLL RITE NOW, BUT DEC. 6 YOU’RE GOING TO RUN INTO A BUZZSAW CALLED THE FLORIDA GATORS. I HOPE YOU GUYS REMAIN NO. 1 UNTIL THE SEC CHAMP GAME B/C WHEN WE RUN IT UP ON YOU THE BCS COMPUTERS CAN’T DENY US THE NAT’L CHAMP GAME.
THANK YOU MR. GATOR
WILLIE MARTINEZ IS A GENIUS SO LEAVE HIM ALONE.
By AltamahaDawg
November 10, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
GUYS, GUYS, GUYS. My question was not how could we have scored more (or at all In the FL game). Obviously there is dozens of plays that we could have called or run better. But since very few folks in here seem to equate ANYTHING the offence does, with the outcome of the game I wasn’t asking about that. IF the points given up is your big concern, how would you change what we did.
HERE IS THE ANSWER: if you could change just 2 plays that would limit the other score……….they occured when our defense was sitting on the bench. Why get all complicated? Why not just change the few plays that directly lead to giving up the big points?
KY. DO not get the punt blocked. Do not let the KO get returned to the 4. 14 points right there. 24 points scored on WM horrible defense.
FL. Do NOT throw an int return to the one. Do NOT fumble back to the 5. 14 points right there. Would you have made deal with the devil holding UF to 34? And its arguable that these 2 plays were potential on the way to 14 for us.
By What?
November 10, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
Richt wins his 80th game at UGA in less than 8 years and is looking at a probable 10-11 win season and NYD bowl…and some idiots are talking about pushing him and/or his staff out the door? And you want to compare his hiring/firing practices with Tuberville, Miles and Spurrier? What is Richts record against those three? What is his record against those three very good coaches THIS year, this year that some are calling a disaster?
So, UGA will not win the NC this year. Neither will 118 other D1 teams. Get over it. UGA is stocked for years to come, a great program getting consistently stronger…
Some of you remind me of Switzer’s quote when he was OK, “how much rice can a chinaman eat?”.
By gdawginkalamazoo
November 10, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
WTF??? Tennesee’s problem? I have been telling everyone that no matter how it is spelled you can’t win with a Clawson/Clausen at UT. Except at QB UT’s talent didn’t drop off the map. Most of the same players from last year. Plus great recruits to boot.
By Dawg Man
November 10, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
Richt’s winning percentage seems nice, but against the Big 4 we play every year(SC,TENN,FLA & AUBURN) is record is 17-14.Not impressive and therefore his staus as a football coach is still yet to be determined.Plus he doesn’t have the nerve to admit that his defense is not playing well and that he focus all his recruiting on QB’s and Athletes that end up at WR. Look at next year’s recruiting class. The same number of QB’s as DB’s and DL’s. looks like our defense is going to be sup-par for years to come. Thank God for Curren.
By WSP Dawg
November 10, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
Alt,
Very True. I definitely overstated the situation when I said that there were NO adjustments. I more wanted to highlight the fact that there didn’t seem to be a fundamental adjustment to the basic defensive game plan that we had for the game. Your comments and my observation shows that we made an adjustment within the already flawed defensive game plan that we already made prior to the game. I say flawed because we prepared (and rightfully so) for a more traditional, pro-style offense that we’d seen them run all year. Well their offensive game plan all week was to come out running the triple option.
When preparing to defend against a triple option, you give your players specific assignments and they must stick to those assignments for the entire play/game - and live in only that assignment and not worry about other players on that field.
Well, understandably, we weren’t ready for that this game, but we could have scrapped our old game plan and done something more fundamentally close to that type of game plan. Instead we made easy adjustments within our already flawed defensive game plan, which largely meant our adjustment was to try and defend against a more pro-style run attack instead of, at least partially, scrapping that and trying to defend against the triple option. A triple option attack running against a defense trying to stop a pro-style running attack will run up 200+ yards every single time.
By Ed
November 10, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this
Two glaring missing ingredients from Martinez’s defenses as compared to BVG’s defenses: a hard-hitting, run-stopping safety. Remember Thomas Davis? He use to make opposing running backs pay for getting past the line of scrimmage. Also, a disruptive defensive end. David Pollack made life miserable for opposing defenses. Martinez hasn’t had either player during his tenure, other than Marcus Howard during the second half of last season.
Why is this happening? If anything Georgia’s recruiting has only gotten better since BVG left. It’s either coaching, recruits not panning out, or both. But one thing I’ve noticed during the Martinez era - an increase in bad penalties, and a decrease in tough, physical play. There’s something about the mindset and tone that are different.
By AltamahaDawg
November 10, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
Well WM tried holding them to 14 before and that didn’t work, in fact, wouldnt have this year either. needed to hold them to 9.
But in all honesty , they didnt play good in those losses either. BUT its at best 50% his fault, but 100% of the blame. Folks just dont like the man, and its easier to Ignore what actually happens and blame a guy you dont like, rather than some other co-ordinator we all do like. And God forbid have the balls to actually stand up and admit our players screwed up too many times.
truth be told, I blame Coach Richt as much as anyone for the Fl lose. I said that week, we CAN win the game, we CAN score enough, and stop enough, but WILL we. The key to me was to shead all that crap about motivations, last year, etc, and get them to play loose and smart and not freeze up. Did nto happen. The story almost became the NOT trying something unusual. Well I take that back some, I was sitting in the stands, and when they stopped UF first drive, gone down the field about to go up 7-0, we were all saying, all that crap, spending a year talking about the celebration….erased right now!………..and then it wasnt. Oh yea, and we had an Offensive line that would normally be our third string.
By AltamahaDawg
November 10, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
Where in his comments did you get “he doesn’t have the nerve to admit his defense isn’t playing well”? Was it where he said his defense isn’t playing well? And they would evaluate players and coaches? And do you REALLY want him publically saying they don’t recruit correctly???? during recruiting season?
By Erk
November 10, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
Gator Nation, unfortunately Florida will always be known for its cocky, obnoxious fans like Mr. Gator, but it is nice to know that there might be a few Gators out there like you that actually do show some humility.
By Lowcountry Bulldawg
November 10, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
We can know longer have blogs involving CWM in the headlines. They completly digress into idiot rants. I am actually not in favor f his firing. As Alt put it to many of these points were squarley on the offense putting the Din terrible situations. I am however in favor of realigning some personel on the coaching staff.
Again what do we think about bringing Fulmer in as a Recruiting Director? He recruits the state well and the Nation. Would he take it?
By AltamahaDawg
November 10, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
Great point, we did adjust but didnt come adjusted already. Could be. Might have been the 3rd week on the road following the Fl game didn’t bode well for retooling. Good observation though.
However, the only time we gave up more yard on the ground recently was back in 2004 against D1-AA Georgia Southern. And trailed at one point of the game. BVG knew what GSU was going to run in the triple option for a year before that. And there was zero chance they needed to be prepared for some sort of a passing game, which might have played into this one.
By AltamahaDawg
November 10, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
Do we have enough cheeseburgers for that hire?
By Mobile Dawg
November 10, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
Altamaha, yes numerous plays could change the outcome, momentum, score, etc. I hold the OC and DC equally accountable, the special teams need improvement, etc. The best defense is a good offense to keep them off the field, etc.
My comments are based on the very foundation the current Richt program is built on. We lack discipline in just about every phase of the game. I consistently get frustrated by the offensive game plan, play calling, clock/game management as well as the defense. I and most others aren’t calling for a change in coaches, yet. I’m calling for a change, or at least a major adjustment in coaching philosophy to correct the problems we have seen so consistently.
Why is that so hard for some people to understand. I love getting 11 wins a year, but why do I have to put up with two humiliating losses? This is UGA, we should win 9 or 10 games a year for just that reason, regardless of who our coach is, we pay our coach to win 3 or 4 big games a year, that’s where we’re failing. This game is easy, I’ve played it.
We start by recruiting solid players. We bring them in and condition them like they’ve never been conditioned before, mentally and physically. You’re winners, no one can beat you. If you don’t believe in that, you’re gone. Saban did that at Bama in just two years. If you mess up, take your medicine. I like hearing about having to do pushups for a year as punishment. Meyer had his team running wind sprints at 6AM Sunday morning after their loss to Ole Miss. Sometimes you just have to be a tough SOB, these are still kids for the most part. We don’t show up at times, and sometimes we don’t act like we care!
I don’t understand how some of you can continue to defend this, and I don’t have to donate $25,000 a year to care. I can just pay taxes to support a public University and be a fan if I want. Me, I’ve supported UGA for 40 years, so don’t question my intelligence or loyalty. I just have a fire that burns all the time and a motor that keeps running and I expect those around me to be the same.
In the leaders that I see running this program I see apathy and I don’t like that. That’s what needs to CHANGE, if it doesn’t then it may be time for other things. My clock is ticking.
By Einstein
November 10, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this
Folks, You can debate with yourselves all day and not reach a conclusion, or you can drink the “kool-aid” from CMR. The solution is simple, quit signing those 4.3, 5’ 9”, four and five star defensive backs from the inner city. Simply go down to Lowndes County, Thomasville, Early County, Waycross, or Moultrie and sign their defensive backfield. These guys may not run quite as fast or have the pimped-up names or dreds, but they can play football. And, they know how to tackle. They have been coached since grammar school that you hit the runner low (not with your back) and wrap him up below his center of gravity. How many yards do we give up after first contact?
For some strange reason, we aren’t evaluating talent as we should. Incidentally, did I mention they were football smart, too, and coachable? Coach Richt, no charge for this information and GO DAWGS! Peace.
By ES
November 10, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
Guys, In the Fl game every body knows that Tebow was short on that Reviewed play.With that in mind this Ga defense everybody is bashing would have held Fl to 4 punts in 5 possessions,there only score was the 40 yard drive after a onside kick.In the same 5 possessions we only punted once ,and Hadin was burned and grabbed our receiver for a TD.We got raped on those two calls,result 21-3 lead when you had outplayed the other team.Alabamas defense is alot better than ours,so I can’t wait to see Sabans defense against Urbans Mickey Mouse offense.
By WSP Dawg
November 10, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
Alt, “Great point, we did adjust but didnt come adjusted already. “
…AND didn’t make the right kinds of adjustments on the fly that went far enough to stop this kind of attack. It was like ‘Well, I’m f’ed, I’ll just bring up more to stop the run and keep my fingers crossed.’
Great point on the GA Southern game. Not much I can say there…
By Sautee Dawg
November 10, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
Lowcountry
Not in favor of WM’s firing either, put in difficult situiations in FLA, and Kentucky games by turnovers and special teams, realigning coaches sounds like a better term and solution. Fulmer hasn’t gotten the recruits the past few years he’s used to getting, Eric Berry the only one that’s stood out above the rest. Butch Davis UNC and Vandy’s Bobby Johnson stopped him from getting all the talent. Seems like half of Kentucky’s team was from Atlanta or suburbs of. Watched a replay of Fulmers stepping down last week, hate it for him, player, then give that many years as Headcoach, i would have at least let him finish out the year.
By monty
November 10, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this
O.K. so whoever selected out talent didn’t do a good job? Who takes the blame for that? The players? If we get the talent and Scouts thinks we do, then we simply lack coaching skills to coach these guys up and light a fire under their “you know whats.” How does a team with less talent even stay on the field with a team with superior talent? Coaching!
By lamar
November 10, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
HEY CHIP* HEY CHIP*
THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A DEFENSIVE UNIT THAT FINISHED IN THE TOP 10 IN ABOUT EVERY CATEGORY THERE IS LAST YEAR!!! THE ONLY ONE WE ARE MISSING, WELL 2 REALLY IS MARCUS HOWARD & OWENS TO INJURY! THIS IS NOT ENOUGH TO DESTROY OUR DEFENSE LIKE IT IS!! WHAT I AM SICK OF IS SEEING THEM LINE UP IN SOFT COVERAGE WHEN YOU HAVE A QB THAT CANT THROW THE BALL DOWN THE FIELD & ALL HIS THROWS ARE WITHIN 10-15 YDS & YOU SEE THE SAFETIES & CORNERS PLAYING 15-20 YDS OFF THE LINE!!! YOU WATCH, IN THE AUBURN GAME YOU HAVE THE SAME THING, A QB THAT CANT STRETCH THE FIELD BUT ON 3rd & SAY 5-10 YDS THEY WILL LINE UP 10-15 YDS OFF & HELL ALL THE QB HAS TO DO IS PITCH & CATCH, ITS TO EASY!!! PLAY SOME DAMN PRESS COVERAGE IF THEY KNOW WHAT THIS IS!! ONE THING FOR SURE, RICHT IS WAY TO SOFT WHEN IT COMES TO FIRING ANYBODY!!! REMEMBER HIS COMMENTS ABOUT FULMER LOSING HIS JOB? OR BOWDON??? HE SAID QUOTE”“” IT IS ALWAYS BAD WHEN A COACH & HIS FAMILY LOSE A JOB”“” WELL RICHT KEEP MARTINEZ AROUND & SOMEBODY WILL BE SAYING THE SAME THING ABOUT YOU WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR JOB!! YOUR OBLIGATION IS TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GA & ALL ITS FANS, NOT TO YOUR FRIENDS THAT ARE COACHES!!! THEY ARE NOT GETTING THE JOB DONE SO WAKE UP!!! GO DAWGS!
By dawgthabootyhunter
November 10, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this
Richt is not gonna say anything bad about one of his coaches to the public. That would be crazy for him to do, but after the season something should be worked out behind closed doors. Martinez and Fabris definately haven’t done a very good job this year, and Bobo’s hasn’t been stellar, by far!!!
By WSP Dawg
November 10, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this
Alt and other WM defenders,
What is your position on the coaching staff as far as the defense is concerned? I don’t believe WM should be fired, but I do think we may need a new DC; some fundamental change
Do you think the defense has played just fine? You think we’re just down this year because of circumstances the coaches can’t control? When do we cross that threshold to where you say, “Ok, we need a change” or do you just have so much faith in Richt’s decisions that it’s ultimately whenever he decides is when you’ll support a change?
By That70sGAdawg
November 10, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this
Yeah, we doing the same schemes that we’ve done for 8 years on defense… and all our opponents know it! Willie couldn’t change his watch during a game, and it shows. Remember the West VA bowl game when he took over - what an embarassment, freshmen QB and RB against us then too…
By TybeeDawg
November 10, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this
Atl, you’re assuming that if the punt isnt blocked that KY doesnt score. You’re assuming that if the kickoff is returned to the 1 that they don’t score. You can’t make those assumptions. Now granted you don’t blame the defense for those 14 points the way they happened. But in your example, if those 2 plays didnt happen and they score anyway….well then I can’t even imagine the tone of the blog. BUT, as long as we win…..it’s all good at the Allgood!
By ES
November 10, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this
Everybody should stop panicking IMO.Last year we held the last 5 teams we played to less than 300 yards of offense,accept the trash yardage against second and third stringer’s in the Haw… game.The difference this year has been three things. 1 Jeff Owens replacement was on the ground three consecutive plays last week by single blockers,which allows teams to double Geno alot. 2 Marcus Howard was unblockable last year and no replacement has come close to replacing him,but we have always had great pass rushers since CMR and we will again(the coach at Hargrave that coached Charles Grant said Toby Jackson will be impact player next year). 3 Ellerbe was voted by SEC coaches as all SEC linebacker hasnt been healthy since AL. he’s definatly limping,and I know some would argue but Gamble is slow,I know he int two in one game and they were definatly great plays but he couldn’t cover Fl’s speed just like Verdun Wheeler could’nt cover West Virginia’s speed.We have had a disapointing season ,but I remember not to long ago dissappointing seasons being 6 loss seasons!We did just finish number 2 in the country just last year,so I think we need to lighten up!
By Sautee Dawg
November 10, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this
Well enough of the coaches clearinghouse. time to get ready for an Auburn team that hasn’t upset anybody this year and are very capable of doing so.
By Sautee Dawg
November 10, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this
Well enough of the coaches clearinghouse. time to get ready for an Auburn team that hasn’t upset anybody this year and are very capable of doing so.
By jim
November 10, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this
Hire Muschamp no matter what it cost,and before someone else gets him. He was head butting his linemen like the old Erk days. Also get Pollock as an asssistat to put some fire back in the DAWGS
By rphdawg
November 10, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this
as an independent business owner i occasionally get ‘helpful suggestions’ from well-intentioned but un-informed patrons. i take their suggestions and comments to heart, but understand the source. i have the utmost respect and admiration for coach richt & his choices to run both the offense & defense - so carry on cmr - you be the boss and you have a done a GREAT job so far. your choices are the ones i support - for players and for coaches!
By jerry
November 10, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this
ES: Do you have anything to say concerning what injuries UGA’s opponents may have had on their offense or did UGA’s defense have all the injuries? And by the way, who recruited these slow players?
By AltamahaDawg
November 10, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this
So true, Tybee, But I think a case could be make that those scores did not have anything to do with scheme, fire, preparation, discipline of the DC. No, you dont know IF they might have scored later , But they DID score because of those. So if the actual score is somebodies beef, well there is some of it. That’s factual. Might have scored is a guess. And I would 20 times more prefer to make them drive the field than the 4 yrd line. We stopped every drive they had in the fourth quarter. I’m just saying trying to come up with a lot more complicated explaination while ignoring the obvious seems to just be trying to justifying an agenda of wanting to fire somebody.
By Really!!!!
November 10, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
Altamahadawg….. You really are impressed with yourself, arent you! Nononsense Dawg has you pegged just right :LONGWINDED HIGHHORSE WSP Dawg…….well said
By ES
November 10, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this
Jerry Name me a team we have played with there three very best players missing off of offense. My point is that we lost three of our best def players off of last years team in one year that is hard to recover from.We are not the only team to lose players,but when you lose your best pass rusher,best linebacker according to sec coaches,and your best DT in one year its alot to overcome.To answer your other retarded question about who recruited the slow player.Not every LB has to be fast you play some power teams where you need the bigger LB like Gamble or Marcus Washington that is also out for the year.
By AltamahaDawg
November 10, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this
70, was it more embarassing to you than 2004 let ting a freshman ruin our season? After beating the crap out of LSU. Withe perhaps our best defensive team in the Mark Richt era talent wise. Wasnt to me. Was it more embarassing than letting Purdue score 17 point in the 4th quarter of the Outback Bowl, had a huge lead and blew it? Wasn’t to me.
By footballjones
November 10, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this
Richt should defend his defense, it he doesn’t, he is saying he has done a bad job and that is not a good business move! He will win 10 again and probably want a raise, remember he got one last year of $800,000 for the same record. Bottom line is this…we lost the two most high profile games on the schedule…actually we were embarassed in both. I am all for the 80 wins in 8 years, but in that same time Florida won a national championship and could play for a second. LSU has won two national championships in that same 8 year period. Auburn had an undefeated season in that same period. What do we get, look we won 10 games and have a great record. Face it fellow Bulldog fans, we have a program that can win 10, but we will not play for the big one with the current staff in tact and as long as Richt keeps his .333% against the Gators. He doesn’t get it, beat Florida you have a chance, don’t have a nice record and people on your a**…. Put that in a Ford commercial and smoke it!
By ES
November 10, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this
Footballjones Fl would have punted 4 out of 5 possessions against our defense without the cheating officials not overturning Tebow’s terrible spot.All they had till mid way the 3rd quater was a 40 yard drive after a failed onside kick.Alabamas defense is alot better than ours and is going to do just fine against Urbans Mickey Mouse offense.Florida has had one lucky year and only one sec during Richt’s tenure,why don’t we wait and see just how they fair the rest of the year before we crown them NC’s.They did lose in the swamp to Ole Miss didn’t they?A four loss Ole Miss team right.There defense will be exposed for the year is completely over with and I’m going to really enjoy if they do get to face a great passing team like Texas Tech with that pass defense.
By Georgia Fan
November 10, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this
First let me say I’m a DAWG fan - coaches come and go but I love my DAWGS.
Second, I think its a piece of s** thing for a coach to blame his players. What kind of a sorry b******* blames the players? If they weren’t doing their job then the coach is at fault for putting them in there!
As for defending that p*** Willie Martinez by saying that its the same scheme from the beginning? Well, Mark f*** Richt - only a moron would be blinded by his love for his sissy friend not to notice how much the scheme has failed - or is it your candy assed sissy friend?
So, welcome to the end Mark - please don’t make anymore changes. I don’t want a coach who THINKs he’s bigger than the program. You’re sure as hell no Vince Dooley you sissy b***.
By MyView
November 10, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this
For those who don’t think that coaching can make all the difference think of Tenn. When Cutcliff was coaching the offense, UGA could’nt beat them. Cutcliff leaves and we beat them yearly. Cutcliff returns, and they march up and down the field. Cutcliff leaves again, now Fulmers is fired. Now Cutcliff has made a 1 or 2 win Duke team into a bowl team in one season.
Also look at what Nutt did at Ole Miss in one season. Look at how well Butch Davis has UNC playing in two seasons. I guess with two recruiting classes, he has recruited better defensive talent than UGA huh?
Also, good coordinators are in high demand. Please tell us of the many head jobs offered to CWM.
By Erk'd
November 10, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this
Credit goes to Tim Tucker for pointing out these facts about the UGA defense:
a) 11th in the SEC in scoring defense.
b) UGA “D” has given up 599 yards rushing in last 3 games.
c) Allowed opponents to score 14 TDs in last 17 Red Zone opportunities.
d) Has given up 125 points in last 3 games.
HUNKER DOWN AND DEFEND THE GOAL LINE! ALL OF THIS CANNOT BE BLAMED ON THE OFFENSE AND SPECIAL TEAMS!
At UGA, defense doesn’t make excuses. We expect our JYDs to overcome adversity. Who’s fault is it that this defense fails to play nasty, physical, hard nosed football? According to Richt, it’s the offense and special team’s fault! And anyone who challenges this aspect doesn’t know anything about football.
Sorry Chip, but I don’t know X’s and O’s or personnel well enough to give you an opinion on depth chart decisions. I do know how to read and observe what I see on the field. Recently, I have noticed some very discouraging trends regarding the Georgia “defense.” As a fan, I expect the DC to be held accountable for the poor performances of the defensive squad. I can’t bash the schemes, because I don’t know squat about the strategic part of the game. What I do see are missed tackles, missed assignments, and lack of aggression from the Georgia “defense.”
UGA fans want to see the defense dominate opponents, hit em hard, tackle them, and keep them out of the endzone at all costs! It ain’t happenin’ under the reign of Willie Martinez. It ain’t Stafford’s fault that this defense doesn’t tackle well, especially late in games. It ain’t Bobo’s fault that we can’t stop the run. The DC is to blame!
You can NEVER achieve greatness with a JunkYard Dog-less defense!
By MyView
November 10, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this
I can’t believe some are blaming the players. Good coaches get more with less. Average coaches only win with superior talent.
If its all about the players, why do coaches get fired. Myer won with Zooks players. Richt leaves FSU and the offense has not been the same. I guess FSU does not recruit the same huh?
USC before Carroll. OU before Stoops. LSU before Saban. Bama before Saban.
By MyView
November 10, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this
Chip. To say that UGA has averaged 10 wins under Richt does not excuse anything. Remember Donnan. He was fired because we were an eight win program under his watch. 10 wins seems to be the minimum. Championships are the goal. Some programs should win ten annually because of the resources and recruiting base. Thats college football.
By Hey Erk'd
November 10, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this
You said:
…”UGA fans want to see the defense dominate opponents, hit em hard, tackle them, and keep them out of the endzone at all costs!”…
Right on. I know how you can see the team your asking for.
Watch the USC Trojans. They are the defense you just described.
No carry, no reception goes unpunished.
FIGHT ON
By Jdawg
November 10, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this
I confess that I am one that has called for WM’s head. Now hearing Richt’s defense of WM, it does not appear that a change will be made. With that said, I now have a different concern.
Rumor has it that Bowden will step down at FSU this year. A few years ago, I would believe that an FSU opening would not mean the loss of Richt. With our rantings, I wonder if this would be an option now. ACC schools are paying SEC type money now…and putting less pressure on coaches they way we SEC school pressure.
So, my friends, are we potentially screwing ourselves? Are we potentially running the best asset we have, CMR, off?
While I want my Dawgs to win, I have to admit that I LOVE having CMR as a coach and am willing to now be patient if it keeps him in Athens.
By War Eagle
November 10, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this
Dawgs, you will probably be proud of your defense against Auburn. I am serious, we are awful on offense I have said this for several years on this blog and i say it RESPECTFULLY, CMR cannot win the BIG games. LSU was not a big game, they are not competitive this year… Recruiting success at UGA has not come close to a NC..
By Georgia Fan
November 10, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this
Jdawg - don’t be a sissy! You sound like you’re in LOVE with CMR.
I want shots at a Championship - finishing every year with 10 wins isn’t enough if we never hava a shot at the BIG GAME. When was the last time your beloved CMR won something significant? Who’s players did he have? Where’s our JUNKYARD DAWGS? WHERE? Neutered, by your BELOVED CMR that’s where. I’ll take a few down years if it leads to a coach who has some REAL balls.
I say we start looking for a REAL coach with some REAL BALLS and let CMR return to his overseas MISSIONS - and don’t forget to take that b******* Martinez.
By JoeBrave
November 10, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this
Martinez is not a coach,He is a mooch!!
By jarvis
November 10, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
Ummm….Jdawg….that’s no rumor…and…..Jimbo Fischer was named Bowden’s successor over a year ago.
I think we’re in the clear.
By Lowcountry Bulldawg
November 10, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
Alt,
Probably not enough cheeseburgers for ole “Phat Phil”. I say that now with a lo of respect. The man we hated, in retrospect was a hell’uva coach.
Saute Dawg,
Don’t be surprised that UK had alot of Georgia athletes on the team. Outside of California, Texas and Florida this state produces a ton of D-1 football players.
By Erk'd
November 10, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
Hey Erk’d I’m very familiar with USC (the real one). My bro-in-law is a Bruins fan from Orange County, so I root for USC once a year. I look forward to watching the Trojans smash UCLA this season!! FIGHT ON!
I would have loved to see the Rose Bowl punch tradition in the mouth last year. UGA vs USC could have been a classic. I know, sour grapes…
Go Dawgs!
By Bill
November 10, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this
Coach Richt is right! All you others are wrong!!!
By jarvis
November 10, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this
DJ Shockley wasn’t Richt’s player? David Pollack wasn’t Richt’s player? Quentin Moses wasn’t Richt’s player? Charles Johnson wasn’t Richt’s player?
Georgia Fan, you ingorant redneck, you’re trying to re-write history.
You’re the type of UGA fan that Tech fans make fun of. You’re an embarassment.
By JT
November 10, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this
Well, I guess I need to rejoin the Facebook group titled “Fire Willie Martinez.”
When a team is running the option, Willie needs to make sure that the defenders are assigned to the appropriate offensive players and that those defenders complete their assignments. That said, oblivously, Willie did not assure that the defenders completed their assignments. Thus, the Wildcats ran wild through our defense. You would think Willie would have made some adjustments considering that Kentucky ran the ball 95% of their plays.
In conclusion, Willie needs to be fired. He should have been fired a few years ago. Now, there is no doubt that this hack needs to be sent packing.
By Luke
November 10, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this
If you run the same defense for eight years wouldn’t the other teams catch on and know how to beat it?
Coach Richt, these other teams watch game film. If you run the same lame defense over and over they’re going to beat you.
By Georgia Fan
November 10, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this
Jarvis There’s my b***. I’m a redneck? Hell, who do you think makes up the bulk of the Dawg fans? You are undoubtedly one of those fans who thinks they’re above everyone else.
The only embarassment here is you, dear Jarvis. I don’t care if Techies make fun of me - I’m proud to be what I am - you, you’re just a pretender.
So, Jarvis, put down that pinot noir you bought at Ingles, get back on your eMachine and respond like the good little b*** that you are.
By dawg74
November 10, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
The only reason we are still a top ten team, because Alabama and Florida are still winning. It’s not just the defense, it’s the whole team. Our special team giving up field adavantage, offensive line not creating running lane, and secondary giving up big plays. That’s why we were blow-out by Alabama and Floria. A good coach would of recognize these flaws and a great coach would of fixed these flaws, but unfortunately, cmr is not a great coach.
By THE ROCK
November 10, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
we had 9 returning starters coming back for the 2008 season and immediately suffered a devastation with the loss of jeff owens . his presence in the middle made it a lot easier for other d lineman and linebackers to do there jobs . problem - no back ups ready to fill in due to recruiting oversights in 2005 . i honestly thought with a weak ol that 2009 would be the best opportunity for the dawgs to win the sec and contend for the nc . now we just have to hope owens , stafford and moreno come back for that to occur . i agree the dc has to go . i want will muschamp - make him the highest paid assistant coach in the ncaa . he is the erk russell type of dc .
By Loyal UGA Fan
November 10, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this
Dear Georgia Fan,
How dare you call yourself a fan of the Dawgs. Get off the blog and take your ridiculous and idiotic comments with you.
No wonder people think we are the rednecks of the NCAA, it’s people like you that give the rest of us true fans a bad name.
I hear Urban Meyer is looking for more people to kiss his and Tebow’s a**, go become a gator. You’ll fit right in…
By Ramguy
November 10, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
Of course we can say the defense has been put in bad positions. We all know that. However during the Fla game I didn’t see the defense do anything that would make me think they could have stopped Fla if all their drives had started at their own 5 yard line.
By BE#3
November 10, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
Last year Owens and Atkins were causing havoc up front and required extra protection. That freed up Howard and blitzers to get extra pressure on the QB. Which also made life easier on our DB’s. Corvey Irvin has been playing very well as of late. Moving Evans to FS is a good call. He is a physical DB and has the best speed in the secondary. Yeah he had some coverage issues but he’s still a helluva player. Don’t give up on him yet. We’re losing CJ Byrd next year and getting Evans some experience at FS could be key. Jones and Evans could be the 2 best safeties in the SEC next year.
For the NFL rookie cap to be in effect, they’d have to renegotiate the collective bargaining agreement. That may take some time. If they go, they go. Hate to see it if it happens but life goes on.
Chip — I know that Walsh didn’t kickoff against Carolina this year. What about allowing him to focus on PAT and FG and allowing someone else to handle KO duty?
Also, what happened to Zack Renner (the kid who blocked 2 punts earlier this year)?
By dawg74
November 10, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
I am 34 and I am a man, not an idiot. We are still top ten because Alabama and Florida, who destroyed use are still winning. It’s not just the defense, it’s the whole team. Our offensive line is not creating running lane, special teams are giving up field advantage, and secondary is giving big plays. A good coach will recognize this, but a great coach will fix this. Unfortunately, cmr is not a great coach.
By AltamahaDawg
November 10, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this
What is Jarvis pretending to be?
By robert
November 10, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this
Jarvis, talk about a moron - 2005 was the last time that the DAWGS did anything of consequence. To tie that in for you it was Martinez’s first year without training wheels.
If you want to call someone names and tell them they are an embarassment get your facts straight:
The only REAL embarassment I see on here - a place where all views are welcome - is you, dumbass.
By denisel
November 10, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this
CMR talks alot about the game of football being a team sport, with all of the praise or guilt to be shared equally among everyone. I totally agree that there have been times that the offense or special teams have put our defense in bad situations or they have had to spend too much time on the field, but there is also a common situation known as a coach losing his team. I have played football I know we have blitzed, we do play cover two,we do have safties playing over the top. That is not the point. Coach Martinez acts just like a man that has lost the confidence of his players. They are not responding to his defensive scheme or his philosophy . CMR knows his players and his coaches lets just hope he wakes up before the administration starts to question his scheme or philosophy.
By Georgia Fan
November 10, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this
Loyal UGA Fan Like it or not most of the FAN base are REDNECKS. We are THE Rednecks of the NCAA - we grill real meat, call the dawgs every chance we get, give the visiting fans a REAL hard time when they walk by our tailgating area and are the first ones to break out the jumper cables when their car doesn’t start.
Don’t like it? Tough crap - I don’t care what you think. You’re the ones who drink wine while watching the games at home. A bunch of panty wasted sissies.
There’s a hell of a lot more of us than you - so go back to New Jersey or where ever it is your family comes from.
By Georgia Fan
November 10, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this
Loyal UGA Fan Like it or not most of the FAN base are REDNECKS. We are THE Rednecks of the NCAA - we grill real meat, call the dawgs every chance we get, give the visiting fans a REAL hard time when they walk by our tailgating area and are the first ones to break out the jumper cables when their car doesn’t start.
Don’t like it? Tough crap - I don’t care what you think. You’re the ones who drink wine while watching the games at home. A bunch of panty wasted sissies.
There’s a hell of a lot more of us than you - so go back to New Jersey or where ever it is your family comes from.
By As a dawg I am ashamed of most of you!
November 10, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this
Hey loyal uga fan I 100% agree. Go dawgs give AU hell! I will reiterate How dare you call yourself a fan of the Dawgs. Get off the blog and take your ridiculous and idiotic comments with you.
No wonder people think we are the rednecks of the NCAA, it’s people like you that give the rest of us true fans a bad name.
By jebjr
November 10, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
Defensive struggles can be attributed to several factors, the top one of which is having to face quality offenses!! Also consider injuries. Consider that a quick-strike offense and too many “3 and outs” puts the defense back on the field in a hurry. Consider turnovers putting the defense in a hole and giving the opposition additional opportunities. Consider lack of dominating players at defensive end. Consider untimely penalties. Need more be said?!!
By Say more jebjr
November 10, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this
Quality defenses shut down quality offenses. I did not realize that Kentucky and “Pick 6” Jarrett Lee’s LSU offense were that dang great! They ain’t! So, let’s blame everything on poor offensive execution for allowing those squads to run through the UGA defense like a hot knife through butter! Lack of dominating DEs= 2 men on defense. Unless, we run an LSU express. What about the other 9? Is it the fault of the non outstanding DEs that no one knows how to make a tackle? Is it their fault our LBs get suckered into a chip block and can’t cover a RB out of the backfield? In football, you MUST overcome adversity, ie turnovers. But, if it makes you happy, then Let’s just continue to make excuses. That’s what losers do! We are UGA. We demand better!!
By dawg fan333
November 10, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
I DONT GET WHY OUR CONERS GAVE TBE KENTUCKY RECIEVERS SO MUCH CUTION AS IF THEY REALLY WERE GOING TO PASS THE BALL DEEP. KENTUCKY WAS OBVIOUSLY JUST RUNNIN THE BALL AND THROWING SHORT PASSES SO WHY NOT PUT 8 IN THE BOX AND MAKE THEM PASS WHICH IS SOMETHING THEIR NOT GOOD AT??? ITS LIKE WILLIE DOESNT WATCH FILM OF THE OTHER TEAM HE JUST RUNS THE SAME DEFENSE EVERY WEEK NO MATTER WHAT OFFENSIVE SCHEME THE OTHER TEAM RUNS.
By Say more jebjr
November 10, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this
If the D can’t overcome 3 & outs and the quick strike offense, whose fault is that? Can you say conditioning? That’s the reason why they train so long before the season begins. To be conditioned well enough to overcome such factors!
But, hey let’s just make excuses for the mediocre performance of the defense. Real fans don’t criticize, right? WRONG, buddy. Real fans demand better! They won’t voice it through the media, but so do the coaches! Otherwise, 2 a days are just a waste of time.
By JJ222
November 10, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
I think we need to run more 3wr sets and stop having the fullback in the game so much to just block. The defensive team can basically not even guard our fullback becuz he never does anything besides block for Moreno. Put him in the offense more or put in a slot reciever for him so teams cant just jam the box with 8 people and stuff our run like florida did. With a slot reciever it would be way tougher to stop our run then because we can also pass. Not saying southerland isnt good becuz i think he’s a great player its just that teams dont look for him to do anything when he’s out there. We neve run Fb dives or nothing. I think CMR needs to open up the offense MORE. Im a big dog fan but lets face it our offense is SIMPLE. Run Moreno twice then playaction to mass or aj. Come on people a high school team can stop that. And CMR should know our offensive line is shaky so y run long playaction passes knowing u might get sacked. And we NEVER run any TRICK PLAYS. Its like he’s nervous to run any.
By scdawgfan
November 10, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
At least he’s better than Kevin Ramsey was! That’s not saying much though. Bottom line Martinez isn’t going anywhere. Even if he did who could we hire that’s any better? I can’t think of anyone. Maybe Ken Norton Jr. but what’s the chances of him leaving USC. Muschamp is looking for a head coaching job and I’m not too sure he’s that much better than Willie. Bottom line…Willie’s our man and let’s just hope we can get start difference makers on D. Toby Jackson should be a start and hopefully Washington will step up after red shirting this year at the other end position.
By Snoqualmie
November 10, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this
Georgia Fan, you think Mark Richt is a sissy? You’re a tough guy? Tell me why you think you’re tough. Come on, drink that 32nd beer, and tell me why.
By Johnny Danger Dawg
November 10, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this
The Dawgs D has certainly played with a lot of intensity this year, and I agree with Richt that Martinez has called aggressive plays at the appropriate times. (I can’t say the same for Martinez’s weak play-calling in 2006). This season, the problem is probably personnel. The safeties can’t hit like Thomas Davis. The corners showed lots of potential as frosh but never developed the ability to consistently cover receivers. The D-line is OK but lacks the sack-machine we’ve always had.
By Johnny Danger Dawg
November 10, 2008 11:22 PM | Link to this
To Gary, Money will not stop flowing in. I would like to add to your praise on BVG that his defenses were often put into “bad situations” too. I remember some games where our offense struggled and was killing our “time of possession.” I thought, “man, our defense must be gassed,” but then they’d go out there and force another punt.
By AltamahaDawg
November 10, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this
Whats the deal with #64 Degenova. Walk on? Played early and not much later. Looked pretty good on a couple of plays. Neland Ball? Toby Jackson? Are these guys turning any heads.
By Johnny Danger Dawg
November 10, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this
Chip, How about an article on special teams? Why doesn’t Asher Allen return kicks anymore? Also, it seems like we don’t use as many offensive and defensive starters on our special teams as in the early Richt years. Any stats on that?
By lamar
November 10, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this
MAYBE MARTINEZ NEEDS TO ASK BOBO & SEARELLS HOW TO COACH UP TALENT!!! GA HAS LESS EXPERIENCE ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE & HAS SHUFFLED THE POSITIONS ABOUT EVERY WEEK YET THEY KEEP PUTTING UP 40 POINTS A GAME!!! YOU CANT TELL ME WITH ALL THE JUNIORS & SENIORS WE HAVE ON DEFENSE THAT WE CANT DO A BETTER JOB! THE DAMN OFFENSE WAS SUPPOSE TO BE WAY DOWN THIS YEAR, YET ALL THE OFFENSIVE COACHES HAVE DONE ONE HELL OF A JOB!! IF THEY DID WHAT THEY WAS SUPPOSE TO ON OFFENSE THIS YEAR & STRUGGLE, WE WOULD HAVE LOST 3-4 MORE GAMES BECAUSE WE CANT STOP TEAMS ON DEFENSE!!! ITS A HELL OF A NOTE WHEN YOU HAVE TO SCORE 40 + POINTS JUST TO WIN THE GAME!!! YES IT IS MARTINEZ”S FAULT, NO QUESTION ABOUT IT!! GO DAWGS!
By DNQ
November 10, 2008 11:38 PM | Link to this
Alt, I don’t mean to answer for CT, but…don’t know about Ball, but Toby failed to qualify. He was 1 skinny little point shy of academic standards. CMR believed he was the most SEC ready FR in the class. Hopefully, he makes it to Athens over the summer.
By RealityDawg
November 10, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this
Disappointing season? We lost TWO games to top ten teams that were frankly better than we were. We’re just about where we need to be ranking wise considering this team, the obvious lack of discipline and fire, and key injuries. Opponents tend to bring their A game against UGA, and we don’t always reciprocate. Kenticky needed to beat us to become bowl eligible, so naturally they pulled out all the stops. Some games are just shootouts. We’re no match this year for Texas Tech, Texas, or Oklahoma. All this talk about Muschamp like he’s the second coming of Erk Russell…the guy can’t hold a job or stop Texas Tech. Vangorder…there’s a jewel…just ask the Ga Southern faithful…he even signed on with Spurrier before going back to the NFL…now there’s loyalty. As for Martinez, he’s still here and WANTS to be here…so the guy gets my respect.
By Bugs Bunny
November 10, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this
There’s no need to call for firings. The 2 losses are disappointing. 2-6 vs UF is horrible, but we can still win 11 games. Awbarn ain’t nothin’ and gt won’t beat UGA until 2577. Dog fans need to quit H8’in on each other and stick together. Richt is the best coach we’ll ever have. If he believes in WMart, then so should we. Elmer AND Daffy agree!
Gooo Dogs! What’s up Chip?
By monty
November 10, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this
The whole team this year has performed poorly in my opinion,add up the total number of errors in each game and you will be shocked, Penalties to kill drives,to keep the opposition’s drives going, dropped passes and poorly thrown passes at key times, poor play calling in the red zone, fumbles, interceptions,poor special teams play…poor tackling. Do we detect something here? It hasn’t been just in the 2 games we lost,it was broght out for all to see in those games. We just managed to get away with it against lesser opponents.
LSU takes Bama to overtime, we wipe our butts with LSU. WE had the talent to play well against BAma we just weren’t prepared for physical football.
We had the talent to play well against FLA but again we go and shoot ourselves in the foot,loose momentum by not taking advantage of scoring opportunities and then the wheels fall off, THere again coaching is the issue.
The only way we beat TENN Kentucky is because of having Stafford, MOreno, Greene, and Massaqui,in other words we had better talent in our skill positions than those teams, but not better coaching.
By Accountabile
November 11, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this
Realtiy Dawg, Kentucky was bowl eligible. They still are. Why don’t the Dawgs always bring their A game? Shouldn’t they be coached to do so? And yes, Kentucky pulled out “all the stops.” That offensive scheme of run middle, run right, run left, and occasionally throw was quite tricky. All the stops indeed. LOL! Come on man, you ain’t talkin SEC basketball cuz it ain’t started yet! Kentucky did nothing to baffle our D, and we still allowed them to rush for over 200 yards. 200 yards! Somebody MUST BE HELD accountable. I know, that’s a scary word now a days. Say it now—A-C-C-O-U-N-T-A-B-L-E. Used in a sentence, Willie Martinez should be held accountable for the poor performance of the Georgia defense. Accountable. CMR does not hold him accountable.
Got it?
By Darrion
November 11, 2008 2:48 AM | Link to this
I agree with MOST UGA fans and think that Willie should be held accountable for the lack luster performance of our defense. I think some changes should be made soon. I also believe that Richt will never fire Willie. Maybe a demotion would be the answer. Bottom line is we have to get better play from our defense in order to compete in the SEC! We need someone that will motivate our defensive unit and have them fired up and ready to play every single game.I know we have had our share of injuries this year but we still have alot of talent that is not performing well. Mark, you are a class act but now is the time to do what is best for the team. Make some changes!!!!
By dallas dawg
November 11, 2008 4:53 AM | Link to this
WHAT ABOUT ALL OF THE PLAYS IN THE FLORIDA GAME WHERE THE FLORIDA PLAYER JUST WALKED INTO THE ENDZONE FOR A SCORE WITH NOT ONE GEORGIA PLAYER EVEN CLOSE IS THAT THE PLAYER OR THE DEFENSIVE CORDINATOR ??? JUST WIN BABY!!!!!
By YELLOWJACKETS REQUIRED
November 11, 2008 5:01 AM | Link to this
*=I am a football fan first, then a Tech fan. But I do like to keep up with UGA football. I’m not trying to be an SOB, but UGA started the season, still is and will finish the year as a very undiciplined football team. The most obvious sign of this is how many penalties they have had, on both sides of the ball! I have watched every Georgia game I could on TV and I have lost count of how many times the DAWGS lined up out of position.. This is COACHING, at its worst. Still, Georgia is a great football team, but they were certainly over-rated preseason.
Tech-Georgia will be a great game. I’m curious to watch Georgias “D” against CPJ’s spread.
By muttfann
November 11, 2008 5:50 AM | Link to this
right on Dallas !!!
By JH in Gainesville
November 11, 2008 5:56 AM | Link to this
No doubt about it … Martinez needs to go!!!!! If players don’t play up to potential… it’s a coaches fault. If the schemes are wrong … it’s the coaches fault. If you have a short field…the coach needs to stop the team some of the time. Worst since 1900… how can CMR defend that. Sit him down … give him an ultimatum for the next two games … if it don’t work…. HE’S GONE … A bend but don’t break defense is surrender. In the SEC it’s all out or else and lately it’s been else. I hope CMR’s friendship and loyalty don’t prevent him from doing what he needs to do. After this season (and all the embarassments and excuses)… Martinez needs to go. I hope I won’t ever see this many points scored on a DAWG DEFENSE again. GO DAWGS but go without Martinez.
By Bubba
November 11, 2008 5:56 AM | Link to this
Here’s a number for you: Zero: The number of times Brian Van Gorder’s defenses gave up 38 points in a game.
By muttfann
November 11, 2008 5:59 AM | Link to this
CPJ’s wide triple option has some film to study now,thats why BUTCH’s boys did so well last week.It’s a pretty good scheme but he needs to diversify more.The bugs will be up for the dawgs this year. Our D will be on the field a long time.
By ............................................BuLLdawg
November 11, 2008 6:12 AM | Link to this
.
.
Despite playing the Number 1 Toughest Official NCAA Strength of Schedule for All Known Games this season, when the season is over, The Georgia Bulldogs are :
Number 18 Passing Offense.
Number 22 Total Offense.
Number 13 Rushing Defense.
Number 28 Total Defense.
Number 25 at giving up sacks of our Quarterbacks.
Number 69 at getting sacks of our opposing quarterbacks.
Number 63 at Turnovers.
Number 39 in Kickoff Returns.
Number 4 in Punt Returns.
There are 119 Division 1-A teams, all with easier SoS to compare these numbers with.
The Big XII has not worked itself out yet, because no one in the Big XII has played anyone else who has beat anyone. They are playing each other now.
UGA is Number 10, Top 10, in the BCS Poll.
We are Number 7 in the Jeff Sagarin, Number 7 in the Peter Wolfe, Number 7 in the Kenneth Massey, Number 8 in Anderson-Hester Seattle Times, Number 8 in Richard Billingsley and Number 9 in the Wes Colley Unbiased Poll. These are the Six (6) BCS Computer Polls.
We are Number 12 in the AP Poll, Number 12 in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll and Number 12 in the Harris Poll.
We are Top 10 overall.
We are what we are. On defense, we have hurt tremendously from not having had a Defensive End all season long.
By ............................................BuLLdawg
November 11, 2008 6:14 AM | Link to this
On offense, we have turned the ball over to the tune that today we are Number 63 at Turnovers.
These are not good.
And, they affect other aspects of our football team.
If you cannot rush the QB, they have all day to find a moment in time when their receivers are slightly open for a throw.
If you turn the ball over, you give your opponents short fields to score on.
If you cannot kick the ball off past the 8-yard line, as we cannot and have not all season long, then you give your opponents the ball at midfield to start their possessions when we did not turn the ball over.
If I told you that we would be Top 10 in the BCS with games against Auburn and Tech before the regular season ended, you would not be happy with that.
And, why is that ?
Because you didn’t think that UGA, playing what you knew before the season started was the Number 1 Toughest SoS in the nation, should lose 2 games for some odd reason.
I do so apologize for actually liking our football team, this season.
I am not ashamed to have lost to Number 1 and Number 4. Maybe the manner in which we did; but not so much as to come in here and say you are not a fan of the team anymore.
If we had a Tight End or a Defensive End, or 1 recruited for next season either, I would feel much better about the state of our Program.
Brain VanGorder QUIT this program, and left to be linebackers coach in Jacksonville Florida. It is what he wanted to do. Not coach UGA’s Defense.
By VADAWG
November 11, 2008 6:16 AM | Link to this
CMR’s loyalty to his friend Willie Martinez is commendable, to a point. CMR works for UGA and that should be his ultimate loyalty as long as he is taking the check. I consider his keeping a clearly incompetent defensive coordinator an act of disloyalty to UGA. You either ride for the brand or you don’t.
By ............................................BuLLdawg
November 11, 2008 6:16 AM | Link to this
He’s not here because he didn’t want to be.
Mediocre is not 11-2 and Top 10.
Maybe you thought we should beat both Number 1 and Number 4.
If we had beat either one, we would be Number 3 right now.
I’m sorry, but when you fall behind 31-0 and 49-3, the problem is not just the Defense, now is it ?
And, I’m sorry; but it would appear those 2 teams are better than our team this season – now, wouldn’t it ?
We have had all kinds of breakdowns on special teams because we do not have Tight Ends and Defensive Ends who should be making big plays on Special Teams as everyone else’s Tight Ends and Defensive Ends do.
We don’t own the corners.
We have not all season.
That’s both sides of the ball.
And, especially Special Teams.
Now, the reality of these facts has hit you – that I said preseason we would lose 2 games this season – you, all of a sudden come running in here hiding behind your keyboard whining that you are not going to be a fan of The Georgia Bulldogs anymore.
Good Riddance.
And, don’t let the door slam on your backside on the way out.
With UGA once again Top 10 in The United States of America.
By ............................................BuLLdawg
November 11, 2008 6:17 AM | Link to this
Spoiled rotten little brats trying to tell me Florida State is better than what Coach Richt does.
Look there are 2 teams who were better than us this season, and the nation thinks 9, so far.
There are a lot of games to be played, notably in the Big XII.
Then, the Bowl Games.
Then, you can come back in here and give us the URL Link to your statements preseason with your current handle in here of what you said the season would hold for us.
It is what it is.
You don’t like it ?
I’m settling for it ?
No sir.
You are beyond reason that UGA should not be a 2-Loss Team this season.
That’s your problem.
Just as it is yours, that you want to turn your back on my alma mater, my kids I paid to support this season, and my coaches I pay for to see what I said I wanted to do, which is play the Toughest Schedule in the Nation and come out Top 10.
I think Florida beats Alabama.
I don’t care what happens otherwise, as long as we Beat Auburn in the Oldest Rivalry in The South and Beat Georgia Tech; and get to like the CapitalOne Citrus Bowl $4.25 million dollar payout and Beat like Penn State.
Am I disappointed ?
Honestly, no.
.
.
By 87dawg
November 11, 2008 6:22 AM | Link to this
OK, then maybe someone can tell me why the heck we have such a hard time defending against an option, probably the easiest play to defend? Especially if you KNOW the other team is going to run it?
You have an end or linebacker cover the QB and defensive backs zeroing in on the pitch man. And they are not there to stand and wait on the pitch. HIT THE MAN!!! Good grief, I saw us freeze up so many times with the QB in our guys’ face while we waited on the pitch. He’s behind the line of scrimmage which makes him a freakin’ target. Knock his jock off so he thinks about it next time. I sit in the stands or watch on television screaming to hit him and knock the ball out.
That is coaching. My coach taught me to crush him and cause the fumble. Dang it! It’s so easy to defend, why can’t they do it? You won’t get the ball everytime. Of course not, but the man running with the ball is a danged target and so are the guys waiting on the ball. Behind the line is fair game. Take them out before the play starts.
By ............................................BuLLdawg
November 11, 2008 6:35 AM | Link to this
Because we don’t have a Defensive End, have not all season long, and none recruited for next season either.
Also, when you look at other Offenses, you see they have a Tight End - usually about 4 of them - and play 2 on the plays you discuss right here. We don’t have, and have not had, nor have we recruited even 1 for next season either.
Get it ?
By Geez, 87dawg
November 11, 2008 6:59 AM | Link to this
IF we have to explain WHY defending the option is difficult then you would not understand anyway - why do you think they call it the “triple option”? If it is run correctly, with blockers on everyone who you think can make a play, then it really puts pressure on the defense to react - but, I do agree, standing there frozen and not doing anything is not a good thing!
By 76 Dawg
November 11, 2008 7:03 AM | Link to this
With the exception of a couple of injuries; where is the group of defenders hiding from last season? Didn’t we return most of them? There is a problem somewhere and I believe you have to start with Martinez.
By Travis
November 11, 2008 7:24 AM | Link to this
Fire Willie Martinez - every year we talk about GA’s awesome defense…and then they go limp. That’s Willie’s job to keep them fired up and in the right positions to make plays. He needs to go.
By colaDawg
November 11, 2008 7:34 AM | Link to this
Three words to describe the problem” WILLIE, WILLIE, WILLIE
By DAP01
November 11, 2008 7:52 AM | Link to this
We have no defensive ends this year We have no defensive ends next year How many years in a row are we going to have 3 freshman offensive lineman? Our defense stinks, our defense is not average.
Something is wrong. Something is wrong! I am sure Martinez is a great guy but there IS something wrong!
By Scott
November 11, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this
I’m so tired of seeing our defense get rolled. How is this happening? S** coaching and give the opposing team’s receivers 10+ yards off the line of scrimmage.
By 87dawg
November 11, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this
Hey, “Geez, 87dawg”, did you even watch the game at all? Did you completely miss seeing our defenders stop and shuffle feet in front of Cobb waiting for him to pitch the ball. Were you that oblivious to it? Do you really not understand defense? If you don’t and you don’t pay attention to what is going on, why are you one here commenting?
This is not a new problem. We do the same thing every time we face an option oriented offense. Teach the guys to not wait on the pitch. The man with the ball as well as the “options” are fair game.
It happened at least 3 times against Kentucky. I mean really…you didn’t see it?! The only way you couldn’t have seen our guys break down and wait was if you were in the kitchen grabbing a snack or in the can. Do you even know what an option is? Have you ever defended one? A triple simply means more “options”, not more blockers. With more options that means less blockers. An option is the backfield running outside the line, usually with someone running without blockers and always with a back trailing waiting for a pitch. Yes, there can be linemen pulling with the play but honestly, did you really not see our guys freeze up and wait for the pitch not more than 2 feet in front of Cobb?
Really?!
By razordawg
November 11, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this
i dont buy it either…. martinez has consistently gotten worse since he took over, just look at the points per game given up over the past five years.. bottom line we need a change. call damon evans office and make it clear… martinez must go.
By gdawginkalamazoo
November 11, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this
I wished somebody had shot me after our game with Bama. Actually at halftime. Then I wouldn’t have had to witness that Florida game. College football today is tough. On any given Saturday. Willie can coach. One of the better examples was the Sugar Bowl last year. Sure it was Hawaii but he schemed to shut them down. Had the players executing too. The players need to step up and hit somebody. Better get ready for Auburn regardless of how bad we think they are that game is always a battle.
I am proud of the program Richt has built and is building. You just don’t pop out of nowhere and win an NC or SEC title. Getting consistently good is not a bad thing. Before Richt we had a really great three years back in the 80’s carried mainly on the back of HW. Richt has been consistent with different players year in and year out, that’s coaching folks. He won a ton at FSU too, so the man knows how to win.
By lynninsavannah
November 11, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this
and so does Fabris. We need to give David Pollack a job PLease
By Florida Dawg
November 11, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
We beat Florida last year because we knocked Tebow down and then knocked him down again….and again. We do not have the recruits to do that this year and don’t have an offensive line that is ready to play at the top level. Now…. HOW DID WE GET IN THIS POSITION? There is an interesting article on the AJC website that shows in Vince Dooley’s 25 years as head UGA coach, only twice did one of his defenses give up more than 25 points!!! Only twice!! Twice in 25 years!! Another poster said, Steve Spurrier would not tolerate giving up 125 points in three games if he were coach…I know he wouldn’t…..what do you think? I’m not saying fire a coach or look for another but something is very, very off course…and it needed fixing in September.
By DAP01
November 11, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
Above average recruits.
Below average players.
Must be the coaching.
By fred russo
November 11, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
WHAT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND IS IF WE WERE IN THE TOP 10 RECRUTING CLASSES OVER THE PAST 8 YEARS HOW HAS OUR TALENT LEVEL COME TO THIS ON THE DEFENCE.
By WTF???
November 11, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
Watch a football game!!!! We DO NOT HAVE A DEFENSIVE END THAT CONSISTENTLY GETS IN THE BACKFIELD!!
Football is not rocket science guys, if you don’t have the personnel then you just don’t have it.
TOBY JACKSON - The answer to our pass rush woes in 09, BANK ON IT!
By gdawginkalamazoo
November 11, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
At least the team hasn’t quit like UT did. They could have easily given up after the Bama thrashing or the UF letdown. Saturday that was a team working hard and playing their damnest to win. Just don’t let the next two games even be close. Can we just blow somebody out of the stadium for a change. I mean get up a bunch of points and not let up.
By DAWG_FAN
November 11, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this
Here is the deal plain and simple. What has UGA had for years that has been there stable for their defenses?….Give up? A DEFENSIVE TACKLE!!!! With out Jeff Owens there are no double teams taking place. Do you honestly think David Pollack could perform like he did for UGA without having an All American Tackle next to him? NO HE COULD NOT! Jeff Owens would get double and triple teamed all day long if he were not injured, thus freeing our linebackers to shoot the gaps and letting our defensive ends pin their ears back so to speak. Also, that would allow our corners to either spy or play zone with no problem because now teams would be forced to hold the Tightend in so they can double team our All American tackle. Right now our blitzing is average at best because we have no presence on the interior defensive line….
By DAWG_FAN
November 11, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this
Here is the deal plain and simple. What has UGA had for years that has been there stable for their defenses?….Give up? A DEFENSIVE TACKLE!!!! With out Jeff Owens there are no double teams taking place. Do you honestly think David Pollack could perform like he did for UGA without having an All American Tackle next to him? NO HE COULD NOT! Jeff Owens would get double and triple teamed all day long if he were not injured, thus freeing our linebackers to shoot the gaps and letting our defensive ends pin their ears back so to speak. Also, that would allow our corners to either spy or play zone with no problem because now teams would be forced to hold the Tightend in so they can double team our All American tackle. Right now our blitzing is average at best because we have no presence on the interior defensive line….
By WTF???
November 11, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
The Dawgs are gonna get it back on the right track this weekend.
I do agree with a few of these posters in here about bringing Pollack in as an Assistant. Let him coach the ends and get em all fired up like he used to get and make some PLAYS!!!!
By Marcus Katz
November 11, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this
Ordinarily, head coaches wait to fire offensive and defensive coordinators when overall results are below or way below expectations. So, fat, UGA’s overall performance is not close to this threshold.
However, in this situation, it’s apparent that a trend toward weakness is developing, that if not corrected could lead to the firing of Martinez.
It’s interesting to note that in Auburn’s case, they jumped from the pot into the fire when they made a move last year. So, change is not always for the better.
By Mr. Gator
November 11, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this
YOU DAWG FANS ARE ALL A BUNCH OF CRYBABIES.
UGA SUCKS & WE OWN YOU WHETHER ADAMS FIRES RICHT OR MARTINEZ WE STILL OWN YOU!!! IF YOU HIRED TRESSEL, SPURRIER, OR ANY OF THE BEST COACHES IN THE GAME WE STILL OWN YOU LOSERS. IT’S BEEN LIKE THAT FOR MANY YEARS & MANY MORE TO COME.
THERE IS NO ONE OUT THERE TO TAKE THAT CRAPPY JOB ANYWAY B/C THEY ALL FEAR LOSING THEIR JOBS TO THE GATORS EVERY YEAR. ASK DONNAN & RAY GOOF.
NO ONE CAN SAVE YOUR PATHETIC PROGRAM FROM THE WRATH OF THE GATORS.
IT’S GR8 TO BE A FLORIDA GATOR!!!
I LOVE BOMBING ON U DOGGIES. MARTINEZ RULES!!!
JUST WORRY ABOUT GT, AUB, TENN & OH YEAH UK & VANDY U CAN ALREADY ADD L TO THE LOSERS COLUMN.
OH YEAH, NOT TO RUB IT IN BUT UGA LOOKS SO UGLY IN THE SPOTLIGHT.
OH YEAH, WE OWN YOU IN BASKETBALL TOO. WE GO BACK TO BACK NAT’L CHAMPS WHILE YOU SETTLE FOR CONFERENCE TROPHIES.
SUCKAS!!!!`
By Jon P
November 13, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
I’m also not buying the “players not performing” being the only thing that’s wrong with this defense.
Why did the defense look better at the begining of the season compared to the last 3 games?
Here’s what I think…the defensive coaches have shown that they cannot make adjustments on the fly. They always “wait until halftime (if it’s a 1st half problem)” or “not at all (2nd half problems).” Case in point…WV in the Sugar Bowl 28-0 in 1st half - 10-28 in 2nd half), Tennessee in 2007 (21-0 1st half, 14-14 2nd half), Alabama in 2008 (31-0 1st half, 10-30 2nd half). You just NEVER see defensive adjustments until it’s too late.
I don’t believe that the defensive coaches motivate the players either. Why else was CMR calling the entire defense to the sideline last week in KY? Because the defensive coaches were not doing their jobs!
Bottom line…the defensive buck stops with Martinez. He’s got to go. This is another case showing why you never work for family or hire your friends!
By JW
November 30, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
For those who think this year is the only problem with Martinez, you obviously don’t remember recent history. Against Tech this year, 2007, and 2006 (with different personnel) UGA couldn’t stop the run. Tashard Choice lit UGA up. If Tech had a QB instead of Reggie Ball or Drew Bennett, Tech would have beaten UGA convincingly. Yes, Tennessee lit UGA last year but also the year before while UGA’s defense seemed lost and confused. Do I need to bring up Auburn converting for a long play on 4th and 10+ to go on to win the game in 2005? There are many examples of how bad Martinez’s defenses have been. Yes, they played fairly well against UF in 2007 and against an overmatched Hawaii team but the play against Auburn was so so. Still, in the “great” UF game in 2007, as I recall UF out-gained UGA. Other than Hawaii or Tennessee this year, show me one game in which Martinez’s defense completely shut down a decent SEC opponent. Even Ole Miss gave UGA problems last year and they were terrible. Willie Martinez has been a liability from day one.
By puffydog
January 19, 2009 5:48 PM | Link to this
Some people don’t know is that Williw Martinez is one of the greatest defense coor. of all times, and that former Brian Vanvgorder defense coach was actually willie’s friend and coached under willie, and that willie martinez is the one that got brian hired in the first place, and that him and brian have worked together for the last 5 yrs before he left to nfl. yep Brian vangorger is using willies positions or both there plays, so whomever is saying all this crap. doesn’t really know there sports and need to do there homework before they post stupid comments online.