UGA

By PNWDawg

December 1, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this

You forgot penalties.

By Screwball Willie

December 1, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

Well, first off, I must say GO DAWGS!!! That goes without saying. Next I must tip my hat to the bumble jackets. They managed to out hunker us on Saturday. It was a day where we honored two men who put the H in hunker, Dooley and Munson. This DAWG has no interest in watching another game this year with our present defense. Right now our D is as soft as the authentic Mexican restaurant style cheese dip that they give away on the post-game radio shows.

This Dawg would like to see CWM and CMR run 1-on-1 tackling drills against each other for next year’s spring game. There’s no sense watching a Stafford-less and Moreno-less O vs. a SOFT and patsy D scrimmage against each other. Let’s just see CWM and CMR try to tackle each other for a few hours.

Screwball Willie is outtie 5000.

By GW

December 1, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

I suggest #1 offense scrimmaging #1 defense throughout spring and summer practices to toughen this team up. Make games easier than practice. Forget trying to dodge injuries. They happen anyway even when you “bump up.” This results in bumping up during the games.

By ThreeSheets

December 1, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

It just seemed to me that the dogs thought the Jackets were going to lay down in the second half. That had been the Jackets M.O. with Gailey. The attitude was lacking along with the tackling for the dogs. Where is Brandon Miller? Did he graduate?

By Mikey

December 1, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

Well, Coach says he believes in “mental and physical toughness” and that “sweat feeds the soul”, so it appears to me that somebody better get real tough mentally and physically real soon…

What remains to be seen is exactly what he means by evaluating and making adjustments accordingly.

I think he will be given the benefit of the doubt based on his record and rightly so. We all need to settle down and accept that nothing we do or say will influence him one bit.

Having said all that, if we stumble next year…….

By La Jolla Dawg

December 1, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this

No one is getting fired, how about demoted? Or better yet, how about they resign?

By Fancon Fan

December 1, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this

The Dawgs will be fine in 09.With the recruteing class coming in 09 and the QB and running back not jumping to the pros it could be NC time allover again.

By Spike

December 1, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this

Chip, all are right on. As PNWDawg said, don’t forget the idiotic penalties. We need to toughen up big time on defense. We used to be so good at making tackles in years past especially the defensive backs were the terror of the SEC. We had no defensive end help at all, and no pass rush. We have no reliable deep kicker who can kick it in the end zone. Heck, he seems to kick it out of bounds more that he gets it in bounds. We have been spoiled by Bennet, Couto etc. The offense worked well this year especially MO MASS. What a talent!! When we are up 28-12 at the half against Tech, let them score 3 TDs in eight minutes, and a total of 45 in the game, that illustrates perfectly the whole effort by the defense this season. And nine starters returned? Hang this underachieving season on the defense and special teams and their coaching. That is the bottom line.

By Worried about our backfield

December 1, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

Is anyone else concerned about our depth at HB? I know we have lots of guys in the waiting behind Moreno, but none of them (Caleb King included) really knocked my socks off this year…

By Falcon Fan

December 1, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

Sorry about the spelling make that Falcon Fan

By Braver

December 1, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

If firing Willie is out the next best thing would be to change the defense he runs.

Georgia’s defense is boring. The philosophy of bend-don’t-break just doesn’t cut it. UGA has a ton of athletes on defense that are capable of huge plays but Willie insists on running a scheme that lets opposing teams chew up the field in small chunks waiting for them to make a mistake. This has got to be demoralizing for these players. These are guys that are used to being the best player on the field. They’re used to making lots of big plays and causing chaos in opposing offenses. But Willie rushing 4 and playing a soft zone doesn’t give these guys an opportunity to show their stuff. They have to sit there and watch the offense gain 5 yard chunks without any way to stop it. To me, it’s easier to shake off a 60 yard TD play than a 4 minute drive that ends in a FG.

So job number one will be to get rid of the conservative defense. Forget the days when we could rush 4 and still get a ton of pressure. David Pollack’s are rare and offenses in the SEC aren’t the same as they used to be. We need to totally blow up the defensive playbook and start from scratch. Blitz from all over, disguise the blitz whenever you can, run stunts, get players excited about playing defense. Take risks and try to make plays. And whatever you do, don’t let the defense fall back into the boring, conservative disaster we saw this year.

By Hopeful Dawg

December 1, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

What Richt needs to do: 1. Remind the team that he’s in charge. This season was a joke discipline-wise, and continuing the soft Free Shoes U style will bring his coaching tenure to an end long before I would like. He has to get tough, or hire someone to get tough for him. 2. If Martinez isn’t headed out the door, he should be demoted or another coach should be named co-d-coor. The D-line coach comes to mind. 3. While we managed to go 9-3, our previously thought tough schedule wasn’t really that tough. I didn’t want to, but I looked at the end of year records, and we basically beat a bunch of 7-5, 6-6, 5-7 teams. There wasn’t one singular win for the season. What all this means is that Richt can’t believe we are just a play or two away. We were a play or two from being 7-5 ourselves. 4. Learn to make adjustments in game. The offense does that reasonably well. The defense – well, the term deer in the headlights comes to mind. Again, it would be best if Martinez left. But if he’s staying, he needs to visit other colleges and pro programs to learn how it’s done.

Can’t believe I’m writing this – but the coming year will go a long way toward determining Richt’s longevity with the Dawgs. If substantial improvement isn’t shown – and this doesn’t necessarily mean wins and losses, but the way we are winning and losing – people are gonna start barking. Here’s hoping he is truly going to evaluate the team and make the tough decisions.

By Ben

December 1, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

Thank goodness nobody will be talking about Georgia in the preseason come next year. Maybe the Dogs can quietly go about plotting revenge for what happened in 2008.

By Oregon Dawg

December 1, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

A parody that sums up things up

Dateline Ludowici, Georgia:

Local Baptist minister switches allegiances to Ga Tech after lifetime of following Bulldogs:

Collins Forte, a 59 year old Southern Baptist minister in this sleepy South Georgia town of 4,000, has done the unthinkable and become a Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets fan after the Bulldogs loss on Saturday. Apparently that hasn’t happened since…ever, and Jackets fans seem to be as rare as Democrats in this ardently conservative Republican stronghold. Nevertheless, the man seems committed. When asked why such a controversial switch in loyalties, he was not at a loss as to why. “I mean, son, they got after it! They ran the ball with authority, and Paul Johnson did what he said he’d do. That’s good enough for me,” said Forte.

Asked what was the most disturbing trend in the Dawgs, Forte said, “When the going got tough I didn’t see any leadership from the bench; just that Martinez fella doing chest bumps with his players when they did make tackles. I remember Coach Russell doing more with less, and for half the time he was there, Erk didn’t have any talent. Those boys can play, they just don’t want to.”

Finally Forte was asked if his allegiances could be swayed again, he said, “Nah, I really don’t think so; you see I’ve been living and dying with these boys for too long, and if the Lord tarries for me, I don’t think my three score and ten are gonna see the Dawgs get a championship. I’m gonna hitch my horses to a wagon that want one.”

Jimmy Simpson Sports Beat Writer Jesup Ledger

By Exley DAWG

December 1, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this

Good list. I would also add: 1-penalties 2-poor linebacker play (Curran did okay) 3-poor offseason due to dicipline 4-injuries

This offseason will bring the departure of Stafford, Moreno, and Jeff Owens. Im okay with Stafford leaving but the others will hurt. I’ll take a solid college QB over a superstar anyday.

By JB

December 1, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

We need toughness…….and attitude…………….Whoever said above that games next year should be the easy part is correct………..If no coaching changes, hire a SOB to run some parts of our prep. We are way to passive. Tech played their hearts out. We showed up and didn’t man up. Willie needs to study every game film Of Johnson’s coaching career when they lost……..They can be beat. Study Willie. They say it’s a system, not especially great players. Find a way to stop the system !

By Chris

December 1, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

What about our pitiful secondary?

By RedDevilDawg

December 1, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

He doesn’t have to “fire” anyone, how about “letting them go” instead. I am beginning to wonder about Richt as a head coach. Our team has not been prepared all season long. We have lack the discipline, on and off the field, needed to win championships. How many times this season did we have to use timeouts because of personnel problems? It came back to bite us on the final drive on Saturday. I put the full blame of that on the coaches.

I really have to question Richt’s decisions for assistant coaches. While he has been able to keep stability within the staff, I wonder why that is. You look at the other big time programs like USC and Oklahoma. Their assistant coaches are in demand. Under Bob Stoops, he has had assistants like Mike Leach, Mark Mangino, Mike Stoops, and Kevin Sumlin move on to be head coaches at other programs. And guess what, Stoops replaced them with guys that were just as capable and keeps on winning. How many of our coaches will move on to be head coaches? Bobo? No way! Martinez? He may get a lower tier job but not in a BCS conference. Anyone else? NO!

By DawgGirl32

December 1, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this

1. Richt said he wanted to work on tackling more in the off-season. I think this is a good idea. They used to do it every year and he said they didn’t do it this year because of all of our injuries. Thank God for Rennie Curran.

2. Penalties definitely needs to be addressed. I think they should do up-downs for every yard lost due to a penalty. I bet we wouldn’t have 100 yards in penalties per game, then.

3. I really think the o-line’s problems in the red zone were mainly due to lack of experience in positions. I mean, we had to change the line-up every week it seemed like. I think next year’s o-line will be much better with all the depth we’ll have.

4. I totally agree about the d-ends. We gave the QBs all day to throw. We just didn’t have much leadership on defense at all. We needed a David Pollack, Greg Blue, Kelin Johnson….some kind of senior leadership.

5. I really don’t understand why 18-year old Richard Samuel is returning punts and kick-offs. Or Logan Gray for that matter. Samuel should have been taken out after his fumble but he was right there returning the next one.

It seemed to me that the team as a whole played with a sense of fragility, from Knowshon taking himself out to our defense not wrapping up tackles. Hopefully all of this is fixable. And I agree with Mikey that Richt definitely deserves to be given the benefit of the doubt after the record he’s had here. I trust that he will do what’s best for the team.

By Bulldawg-24

December 1, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

The following facts all are facts:

· In the first century of Georgia football (1892-1991), the Red and Black lost two games in which they scored at least 28 points. During that same period, the Classic City Canines never lost a game in which they scored at least 29 points.

· During the Ray Goff and Jim Donnan eras (1989-2000), the Bulldogs lost seven games in which they scored at least 28 points, falling 34-31 to Tennessee in 1992, 42-28 to Auburn in 1993, 29-28 to Alabama in 1994, 43-30 to Vanderbilt in 1994, 37-31 to Auburn in 1995, 45-34 to Auburn in 1997, and 51-48 to Georgia Tech in 1999.

· During the aforementioned Ray Goff and Jim Donnan eras, Georgia had five defensive coordinators: Richard Bell (1989-1993), Marion Campbell (1994), Joe Kines (1995-1998), Kevin Ramsey (1999), and Gary Gibbs (2000).

· During the four years in which Brian VanGorder served as Georgia’s defensive coordinator (2001-2004), the Bulldogs lost ten games. In those ten games, the ‘Dawgs scored nine, ten, 17, 16, 13, ten, 13, 13, 14, and six points, respectively.

· During the four years in which Willie Martinez has served as Georgia’s defensive coordinator (2005-2008), the Bulldogs have lost twelve games. In those twelve games, the ‘Dawgs scored ten, 30, 35, 33, 22, 14, 20, twelve, 14, 30, ten, and 42 points, respectively. To reiterate: Georgia scored 28 points in defeat just twice in the first 100 years of Red and Black football; Georgia never scored more than 28 points in defeat in the first 100 years of Red and Black football; Georgia scored 28 or more points in defeat seven times in the twelve years of the Ray Goff and Jim Donnan eras, during which the Bulldogs had five different defensive coordinators; Georgia never scored more than 17 points in defeat during the four years that Brian VanGorder served as Georgia’s defensive coordinator; Georgia has scored more than 28 points in defeat five times during the four years that Willie Martinez has served as Georgia’s defensive coordinator; and Georgia has not scored 28 or more points in defeat more than twice during the tenure of any previous defensive coordinator in Bulldog history.

At some point CMR has to take this into account and I hope he firgures it out before another season is lost to Willie!

By Former Dawg

December 1, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this

There is nothing wrong with the coaching. Players have to take responsibility for how they perform. Rashad Jones did not come to Georgia to learn how to tackle. He knows how but for some reason he decided to try and play pinball with running backs. He did the same thing several times against Auburn but it did not hurt us at the time. As a former player all I can say is thank goodness we have CMR and all his coaches. They are way more qualified and better coaches than most back in the 80’s. Keep the coaches, improve the players…

By Rod

December 1, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this

Mark Richt needs to go and hire Sylvester Croom to join the bulldog staff. He is a great coach that would help the defense and help Willie M. out too.

By BigJohnson

December 1, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this

Willie is a great guy. You guys need to lay off of him. He’s doing a great job. Support Coach Martinez !

By Rod

December 1, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this

We really have ignorant fans at UGA that question Mark Richt. I believe alot you people are Tech fans trying to run our coaches off to another school.

By Dallas Dog

December 1, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

Your comments about Matthew Stafford’s interception and completion percentages is indicative of the negative bias he has received at Georgia from the press and blogging fans. It is the primary reason he should take the money, graduate early and leave. What is good enough for you? A completion percentage of 61+% and over 3,200 yards this year in an offense geared to ball control plus his GPA and overall leadership as an underclassman should be celebrated and not demeaned. I have been reading this type of over the top garbage since Matthew has been at UGA. Until this year the receivers at UGA were not very good and the best offensive line he has played for was probably his Freshman year. Someone will benefit from a seasoned offensive line next year but it will probably not be Matthew Stafford. These 20 year old athletes are still subject to reading and being affected by the small minded foolishness put out by the local press and bloggers and being discouraged. If he is in a negative situation that results in constant criticism he should take the money and go . At least the Pros get paid to get the raspberries from the fans and press. In that sense you have trained him well.

By the way, I still would like for him to stay and give it one more try. If he does stay at least your offense will have one of the best players in the USA at the quarterback position. Matthew will have another year of maturity to enter his chosen profession; and, maybe small thinking gripers will learn to appreciate their student athletes.

By the way, the comparative readings about Colt McCoy, Graham Harrell and others is much more positive in the southwest than what is written in the southeast.

By AltamahaDawg

December 1, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

Chip, I am not sure you could have summed it up better in 5 bullet points than that. Fix those would be my answer.

By Scott

December 1, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

Willie Martinez, if you really cared about Mark Richt than you would resign. Richt is too much of a girly man to fire you, so resign because you absolutely suck. Mark Richt, please grow a pair, and realize you made a fool of yourself, the Georgia football program, and all alumni this season with this pack of undisciplined players who don’t respect the “G”. If you are not dedicated to being the Head Coach of the UGA FULL TIME, then quit Coach Richt, and go start your mission overseas and leave the football coaching to those who eat, sleep, and breathe it like Meyer and Saban.

By Michael

December 1, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this

Let’s have some attitude and some anger. Just once I’d like to see CMR act like an embarassing loss was something other than a routine day at the office. That kind of attitude is OK for a MLB manager because in baseball even the best teams lose a third of their games. But it’s definitely not OK for a coach who hopes to succeed in the SEC. I don’t think it’s making too much of one bad season to suggest that it may be time for Richt to move on.

By Chip Towers

December 1, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

Bulldawg-24: Great points. I was going to whip out some of those stats later but you beat me to ‘em. Good job… .

Penalties: Yeah, I left those out. That might have been their biggest bugaboo of all. Had a holding (or was it false start?) that cost them out 70-80 yards in hidden lost yardage vs. Tech)… .

Screwball Willie: I love it! “Soft as authenic, restaurant-style Mexican cheese.”

By TheItalianDawg

December 1, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

This season was the worse Defense and special team performance by Georgia for as long as i remember maybe the past 10 years. Willie Martinez should be fired period. But if Mark Richt knows how to bring the junkyeard dawgs back to elite D of The SEC then the fans should give him that chance, but if the same crap continues next year, I dont know what mark Richt’s Excuse will be?????

By Stephen

December 1, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this

Maybe this is a different take…but the dawgs havent lost to tech since the Clintons were in the white house.

Is this what happens when we elect a democrat?? Sure the economy was better but the dawgs lose to tech!

The country is better, but the nation (dawgnation) isnt better off….relax everyone im just kiddin around…

By Alpharetta Dawg

December 1, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this

Overall I agree with your assesment but you left off the penalties and off the field isses. The O line and D-ends were question marks coming in so no big surprise there but the safety play was a real suprise…the worst I have seen since the Goff years…Reshad Jones is an absolute embarrasment! There is no way Stafford or Moreno will be back. Moreno wants the money and Stafford knows he is overrated and better take the money now. In the 2010 draft Bradford and Snead would go ahead of Stafford. I am fine with Richt not making changes. After all he is paid to run the program but it means he should take the consequenses of his decision…if it works give him a raise…if it doesn’t he should get fired.

As far as ‘09, I think things look pretty similar to this year. Our O line should be much better so the drop off in talent at RB will be masked by better blocking. I see no drop off in QB play with either Cox or Gray…I wish Stafford the best in the NFL but he is a very average college QB with a big arm…too inaccurate…too many forces…terrible long ball. I have to assume our best players were on the field this year which means we are in BIG trouble at D-end and safety…I never count on freshman coming in. Our only bright spot on special teams is the punter and he is a not back.

Unless something unexpected develops we should expect an 8-4 type record with losses coming at Ok State, Florida, Vols, and LSU. You may laugh at UT and LSU but UT will rebound big especially on defense and LSU will be back with QB and a much better defense!

By Cap'n Billy Bob

December 1, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

Character, or lack thereof, when everything isn’t going the Dawgs way is sorely missing with this group. Where are the team leaders and not just the talkers and wannabes? Mental toughness quite simply does not exist as eveidenced by the roll over and quit halves we’ve seen all too often this season. Sad to say but it looks like Georgia is destined to watch Florida and Alabama play in the SEC title game on an annual basis for a long time. There are 2 elite coaches in the SEC and neither is in Athens.

By BobDog

December 1, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this

Chip,

I would love to see some stats on this season:

1. What was the average field position for opponents after receiving kickoff compared to previous years?
2. How many sacks did our defense get?

We all well know the stats on penalties.

By cotton dawg

December 1, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this

Bulldawg Hotline at 8:05,Hope to hear from you fellas then,and don’t sugar coat it, please.

By tin man

December 1, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

I know it when I see it. No heart.

By REDHEAD

December 1, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO THE FAILURE OF THE HEAD COACH——NO MATTER WHAT!!!!—… HE ADMITS HE KNEW THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH HANDS ON TACKLING IN PRACTICE, SO PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT OR LACK OF— LOSING GAMES OR SEASONS. LACK OF PREP-RESULTS IN BIG LOSSES IN GAMES………AND MORALE AND SUPPORT. CMR HAS TO ACCEPT HIS RESPONSIBILITY IN THE RESULTS NOT ACHIEVED…BUT AS A BULLDOG FAN, I CANNOT DISOWN A TEAM,THE COACHES, AND WHOEVER ELSE IS INVOLVED JUST BECAUSE WE DID NOT WIN THE NC.. WE WILL GET BETTER—DOOLEY NEVER HAD THIS KIND OF WINNING RECORD WHILE HE WAS COACHING—SURE HE LUCKED UP AND HAD H WALKER-BUT WITHOUT HIM HE IS JUST A GOOD COACH. WITH A SO SO RECORD. CMR HAS A BETTER RECORD WITH GOOD PLAYERS THAN DOOLEY AND WILL AT SOME POINT WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP!!!! WITH CWM JUST YOU WAIT AND SEE..

By DNG

December 1, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this

I feel like I’m starting to sound like a broken record here, but it appears to me the SAME THINGS cost us in each loss:

1. Horrible/missed tackles- if you want to blame CWM for not getting the most out of his guys, that’s fine, but don’t get on him about our scheme…he’s put our guys in position to make plays, at some point they gotta step up. We need about 10 other Rennie Currans (all heart) on defense!!

2. Penalties- Whether it was Prince Miller’s int against FL or AJ’s catch against GT, both were huge plays negated by senseless penalties. We’re still the 2nd most penalized team in the nation…can’t keep shooting ourselves in the foot and be successful.

3. Special Teams- Is it me, or was I the only one not surprised to see Samuel fumble that kickoff. Its not the first time its happened and I’ve seen far too many kickoffs bounce off his chest or go through his hands before picking it up and making the best out of it. Not enough reward for the risk in my opinion. If he took one to the house every once in awhile I could maybe understand. And, I swear if I see Blair Walsh kick that d@mn ball out of bounds I’ll go crazy. Is there not a kid in the state of GA that can kick the ball out of the frickin’ end zone? If so, let’s give him Rashad Jones scholarship…

By Jeff

December 1, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this

1)Reshad Jones should not see the field until he stops playing selfish football. Tech ran that pitch to the short side all second half and killed us because Reshad Jones is a SELFISH player and did not wrap up, and Paul Johnson knew it. He couldn’t even push Roddy Jones out of bounds when a touchdown breaks our backs, but a field goal would only put us down 6. It doesn’t take a 5 star recruit to tackle. It takes caring about the team more than yourself. Tackling is about attitude and toughness, not about ability. Ability gets you to the ball (which we got to all year) toughness and attitude gets the other guy on the ground. Ellerbe is gone…good riddance. 2)Special Teams play is easily the worst I have ever seen at UGA in a long time. We never tried to fix this problem. We never switched up personnel or schemes. Bad special teams play is a sign of a soft team with poor discipline and leadership. 3)O-Line did a great job considering all the injuries. Knowshon, Stafford, Green, and MoMass had career years. That doesn’t happen in the SEC without a solid O-Line. Great job! I don’t know why they were included on this list. 4)QB play also was solid this year. I do however believe that Stafford needs another year before he is truly ready for the NFL. See Joey Harrington. Stafford needs to become more of a leader and work on his accuracy and interceptions. 5)D-End play is also a problem because we did nothing to try and find a true pass rusher. Houston did a nice job when he was given a chance. Our coaches should have seen this problem during preseason. Another failure by Defensive coaches. 6)Penalties were awful. Also a sign of being selfish, soft, and undisciplined. See tackling and special teams.

Richt’s stance about not changing staff members is continuing the same pattern that got us beat in the only 3 games that mattered this year. How do we expect to get better if we don’t hold everyone accountable. If we are not going to get rid of WM maybe we should promote Gardner to Co-D coordinator. Give Garner the run defense and WM the pass defense.

By Sid

December 1, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this

Hey folks-our opponents in the SEC are loving this! they have us right where they want us.Despite the bitterness of this defeat and how we feel “right now” about CMR and CWM, all this smack is putting doubts in the minds of recruits.Let’s see what happens in the bowl game,after the bowl game and who we recruit.In the meantime, be patient,go fishing or kill some yellow jackets(not the nerds-insects of course)on your property!!!

By Dogbyte

December 1, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

Chip: EXCELLENT points! And I’m glad to hear someone beside me place some of the blame on Stafford. Yes, he has a strong arm(probably the strongest in college ranks we have been told ad nauseum)but he can not throw the touch longball. He just let’s it fly and if you can’t run under it, well…next play. Yes, AJ will be back but without MoMass, and double coverage, how effective will he be? The thought of losing Moreno is scary, but Stafford??—not near as much.

But, fixing all of this other, while considerable, can be done. However, building back the UGA defense and tradition, ?????

By SCARECROW

December 1, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

I know it when i see it.No brain.

By AGTfan

December 1, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this

You DAWG fans seem really prone to hyperbole. When you do well, you’re the greatest team ever assembled, when you slip up you trash the coaches and the players. When Moreno breaks tackles it’s because he’s the greatest back in the history of college football. When Dwyer and Jones break tackles, it’s because your players are all terrible at tackling. You might note that Dwyer and Jones have been breaking tackles all season.

You have an excellent team. Maybe not as good as you thought they were before the season started. I thought both teams showed some grit. GT could have folded their tents at halftime and phoned it in the rest of the game. Instead they came out and smacked UGA in the face. Your guys showed a lot of fight. They didn’t give up. They almost pulled it out.

You have some of the most outstanding weapons in college football today. I can’t believe some of you are trashing Stafford. If I were you, I’d be concentrating on convincing him to stay another year. I think anyone would be thrilled with his TD to interception ratio. If you throw the ball, you’re going to give up some picks. He didn’t quit on you Saturday. why are you quitting on him?

Your defense was exposed somewhat, but I would take Rennie Curren on my team everyday.

It strikes me as sad that a GT fan is defending your team to some of you fair weather fans. I think that some of you don’t deserve a team as good as the one you have.

By Blackberry Cobbler

December 1, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this

I think CMR now knows that he is a second tier coach within the SEC. Saban, Meyer, Spurrier are all better coaches. Heck, even Paul Johnson at Tech and Houston Nutt at Ole Miss seem to have gotten more out of the talent they have than CMR.

I am sick and tired of hearing every year about all the great, top recruits that UGA gets only to be again dissappointed in the results. Obviuosly, there damn well hasn’t been much talent recruited on defense or the OL. Oh, I forgot, they’re so young……… just an excuse.

If Stafford and Moreno go pro, heaven help us offensively next year. King and Samuel got nothing and no experience at QB. Not to mention we know that about a dozen players will get arrested or get injured.

By curious dog

December 1, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this

chip,

great job blogging this year. season’s not over. so, keep up the good work. got a question for you! even though, he won’t fire someone, do you think he’d hire someone? chevis as dc and move wm to secondary coach?

By TexasDawg

December 1, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this

BULLDawg 24 is RIGHT ON! Our “O” looks great “very explosive” but the “D” is the worst I have ever seen and I have watched or listen to every game for 20+ years! ERK and Van did better with less…the lack of the two “D” has cost the dawgs. Disipline and Defense!

When was the last time a team was picked by most of the writers in the country to be #1 and lose three games the way we did? Something has to change…we will not score points like we did this year next year…Moreno will be a bigger lost than Stafford as I think Cox will be fine…think he will surprize alot of folks….if its the same ol’ with the Defense we loose five games…THE AD MUST DEMAND if RICHT can’t take responsibilty with his staff…WILLE MUST GO!

By rcdawg

December 1, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this

As a long time season ticket holder who goes to both the home and away games, I’m finding it harder to keep wasting my money on this football program. After paying excessively for parking, donating to the GEEF (which is basically extortion) and then paying for the season tickets themselves, this is what the fans get?. What a return on our investment. To Mark Richt: Until you change your coaching philosophy, you will never be a great coach who will be remembered throughout the ages. If you are happy w/ 9-3 and getting embarrassed on national t.v., maybe its time for you to go back to Florida State. May I suggest you decline the capital one bowl invitation and work on motivating and teaching your players some discipline instead? Also, what used to to be a fun trip to Jacksonville many years ago has turned into an azz whipping of great proportions almost every year now. The Florida-Georgia game isn’t even a rivalry anymore. Hopefully fans will start voting w/ their pocketbooks and quit throwing good money after bad. This is getting ridiculous.

By Midnight Rider

December 1, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this

I heard a caller on Dawg-Talk state the other day that we should keep in mind that UGAs defense got better last year and led us to a number 2 ranking. As a result, just because we had a poor showing defensively this year, we shouldn’t be looking for CWMs head on a platter. Sadly enough, the defense DIDN’T get better THIS year as we progressed through the year. In fact, it got much worse, even in light of all of the athletes that we had on that side of the ball.

Look guys….the second that we found out that Kiffin was getting the Tennessee job, we should’ve been on the phone with John Chavis. Now is a prime opportunity for CMR to make a HUGE upgrade in his staff.

Come on coach!!!! I’m sure CWM is a great guy and you hate to let your longtime friend down, but he just doesn’t have what it takes to get us to the next level. What’s more, he coaches the defensive backs and in my opinion, anybody who could throw the ball ate our lunch this year in addition to the fact that I saw Rashad Jones attempt to knock runner’s heads off rather than wrap them up and tackle them in more than one game this year, not to mention just getting LOST IN SPACE in pass coverage so many times. We need proven leadership to keep up with the Floridas and Alabamas of the conference. Now is a chance to make a huge step in that direction.

Go DAWGS!!!!

Oh, and as a Ga Southern graduate (but lifelong Dawg fan), I was happy for Paul Johnson. He’s a class act. Tech’s lucky to have gotten him. His presence will make both programs stronger in the long run.

By shane#1

December 1, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this

1- I agree, tackeling has been an issue. I see it as lack of preparing in practice and a lack of toughness. I am not used to that in the Dawg’s D. Even in bad years they always hit people! 2- I agree again, giving Tech the forty on almost every kickoff helped cripple an already shell shocked D. As did the fumble on the return. That can’t all be blamed on Samuel, blocking on returns is bad. 3- Chip, I agree that the O line did well for their youth, but Stafford was sacked 15 times. No improvement over last year. Run blocking was not there for Moreno this year. Remember that blocking improved on the stretch run last year, there was no improvement this year. Probably due to the constant juggling of the line due to injuries. One thing to consider, UGA’s bread and butter is the play action pass, a team’s running game has to be working for the deep play action call to work. 4- I disagree with You here Chip. Stafford threw more picks than TD’as a freshman and his completion % was about 51%. He has actually improved every year, his completion % was 61.1% this year. The goal set for him was 62%. Not bad at all considering that UGA is a team that operates under center a lot and throws a lot of deep balls and not a 4 and 5 WR spread team. His int total has gone down every year as his yardage and TD totals have increased. When Staff is given TIME to throw he is a killer QB. 5- I agree with You again on this one, UGA’s play on the edges was very soft, and no pressure on opposing QBs. IMO, what must be done in the off season, 1- Stop the partying. These guys are not thugs, but drinking all weekend does NOT make one a better football player. Teaching a little self control will help with the penalty problem. 2- Get Stafford to come back. The team needs him and a senior year will make him a better NFL QB. Compare the careers of QBs that come out early to the ones that play four years. 3- Try to get Moreno to return. 4- The kicking game woes must end, no more kickoffs out of bounds and blocking must improve. UGA must also find a reliable punter to replace Mimms. 5- The whole defense must be revamped. Especially the DEs and DBs. It took several years for the D to get in this shape so it won’t be corrected overnight. We need to recruit some real DEs, not just converted LBs. I like UGAs linebackers for next year, but another CB like Allen is needed. With stronger and smarter play from the safeties and another CB that can cover man on man UGA’s D will be much improved.

By HH

December 1, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this

Well, Willie has one more year to prove himself. If Willie does not make a lot of progress “coachin’ em up, a la Super Steve”, and Richt chooses to leave him where he is, then Richt will be gone in 3 years.

If Richt doesn’t think it will happen to him, let him cast his gaze toward Knoxville and recall what the “greatful” UT fans did to Fulmer, wearer of a national championship ring no less.

As far as I am concerned, Richt may be the Salt of the Earth, but give me Barry Switzer any day. Sure, old Barry might have had one too many every now and then, but old Barry knew how to win games and never got himself, much less the entire state of Oklahoma, embarrased when they played national championship caliber football teams. He might have loss once or twice, but not embarrased.

By BullDawg Rick

December 1, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this

Many have already been stated, so I’ll try & think outside the box for a few other improvements we can make.

Please quit the toss sweep to the short side of the field!! We did 1 toss sweep to the wide side on 4th & 1 & KM took it to the house! We have constantly ran the toss sweep to the short side of the field! There was only one RB in UGA history that could take it to the house on that play, constantly - #34.

Just kick the ball down the middle of the field, forget about the corner kick!!! It does us NO good anyway, many returns were to the 40 or +.

Here’s the BIGGIE for next season!!! Keep every player in Athens & on LOCKDOWN the entire summer!! We cannot afford to have the customary 4 - 6 starters/second-teamers suspended the first game or 2. We have OK State in Stillwater to start the season!!! Then with SC.. There are NO Ga Southern - Central Michigan’s to start the season this year!!

To close, I have grown tired of the “we are so young” analogy.. FYI, The Gators & Ole Miss & to some extent Bama are younger than us… Onj a positive note, the OL should be very stout & competition great due to the injuries & players having to step in (Glenn played OUTSTANDING!)

Go Dawgs!!!

By halftime adjustments were made

December 1, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this

Staffs bad dream. Turn pro. Get drafted by Chiefs. Become member of Fans Of Chan!

By Dogbyte

December 1, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

I have been a UGA fan and contributor since the 40’s so I don’t need some condescending Bug fan to come on here and call me a fair weather fan. And you were probably one of the ones that was crying when Paul Johnson was hired. Now go back to your own blog and note the sprig of mistletoe that is attached to my coattail, on your way out!

By Jeff

December 1, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this

AGTfan- Go back to your own blog. This team deserves all of the criticism it is receiving. 9-3 for this team may have been acceptable with all of the injuries that we have had this year. However, the way our 3 losses went this year exposed a serious problem with our program. We lacked any edge or mental toughness to finish an entire game this year. We don’t need your comments. Go away!

By Lybnne

December 1, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this

I do not agree with your comment about Matthew Stafford. He played his heart out against Tech. He makes throws that no other college quarterback can make. When he is gone, I think some of you writers and fans will realize how great he is. In addition, he has played behind inexperienced offensive lines for 3 years. I hope he stays another year, but I won’t blame him if he chooses to leave, especially with this unwarranted criticism. I feel he has represented UGA with class. I believe he has made the SEC All Academic team every year, too. I don’t understand how you can call out a college kid who has played as well as he has. I think you are a poor writer who reads the blogs, then you jump in to agree with some of the bloggers. You don’t seem to have had an original thought all year. You call out these college kids, but have you called out those coaches responsible for teaching them?

By bulldawg

December 1, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this

Seriously guys, you learn how to tackle in pee wee football not when you sign a scholarship to a major college. Have the video games and kids not getting outside and playing tackle football in the front yard with their brothers and friends something of the past. If you can run a 4.4 forty but cannot tackle you are useless to your defense.

By Dr. Phil

December 1, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this

If Richt wants Georgia to get better he should 1. stop recruiting thugs and hoodlums. 2. realize that he is a teacher at a univeristy, and his players are college students, not #1 above. 3. suspend players for more than one game when they end up in jail. 4. kick felons off the team, regardless of their athletic talent. 5. put players on the bench when they openly argue with him during games. 6. stop yelling at referees for the misconduct of his own players. 7. stop talking in public about his religious beliefs and start living them. 8. put as much emphasis on academics as he does on winning. If he can’t or won’t do these things, he should return to Miami or Florida State where behavior is not an issue.

By Bulldawg-24

December 1, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this

What hurts the most… It’s not watching the team blow a chance to tie the win streak record. It’s not losing to Tech.

It’s not being subjected to another disappearing act (hell, I’m afraid I’m starting to get numb to them) against a mediocre team.

Unfortunately, as we keep seeing demonstrated, there’s more to being a great football team than simply being talented.

There’s plenty of blame to go around but only one sticks out like a sore thumb to me!

By Dogbyte

December 1, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this

“Lybnne”: Your credentials?… other than you have watched a lot of football and listened to a lot of hype?

By AGTfan

December 1, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this

Dogbyte I really didn’t mean to be condescending, but I was amazed at how much some of you guys have turned on your team. It’s one thing to criticize your team. It’s another to trash them. I tend to pull for the DAWGS except for one game a year, so I see nothing wrong with coming on your blog and defending the team.

I guess it’s a good thing that you all think the GT game is irrelevant, otherwise there would be a big uptick in the suicide rate.

No, I was one of the GT fans that thought CPJ was a good hire. He’s exceeded my expectations.

Great comment on the mistletoe.

By JustSomethingToThinkAbout

December 1, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this

I think something played a major role in the demise of our defense was the new 40 second play clock. Georgia’s defensive scheme is solid fundamentaly and has proven to work in the past, however this year offensive coaches have a bigger impact on the game. Two of Georgia’s losses came to high school level offenses in Florida and Georgia Tech. Neither of the QB’s from these two teams are smart enough to Check out of a play to an audible but this year they didn’t have to. They could simply rush to the line then the coaches would read the defense and call the play. Georgia’s defense is very basic and easy to adjust to if you do film study. Georgia’s staff simply did not adjust to this all year they tried to utilze the same system and hope for it to work. Yes tackling was a problem, but I would not use injuries as an excuse. Lay off of Rashad Jones while I agree he makes some stupid plays he makes up for it plays he gets to because of his speed. He made several key stops this year that he should not have been in on.

Stafford is the best QB in the country and it goes back to that 40 second play clock. He calls his on checks/audibles, has the best arm in the country, and makes plays nobody else can make. Honestly who would you rather have? If he played in the Big 12 he would average over 400 yds/game. The reason for the good numbers this year was simple in that the coaching staff finally stuck with receivers instead of subbing the best guys every play. This is the first time since 2004 Georgia used a smaller consistant rotaion which leads to a higher completion percentage and bigger numbers.

Thats it for now but seriously think about the play clock and how offensive coaches adjusted to Georgia. Neither Tebow or Nesbitt are really D1 quality quarterbacks but they play in high school level systems which allow them to flourish. I mean Tebow won the Heisman last year and he was the worst downfield passer in the country (slow ball velocity, no spiral, inability to lead receivers). He is actually a better qb this year and he wont win it. So, Willie must learn to adjust to the new clock and disguise some packages or he wont be around much longer.

By Wally B.

December 1, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this

I don’t like Stafford very much, but he is probably the best Georgia QB I have seen play, and that includes Francis T. Stafford has made his contribution to the team, and he would be crazy not to move on at this point. I hope he does well in the future.

By Blackberry Cobbler

December 1, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this

CMR just doesn’t get it!!!!!!!!!!

We are EMBARRASSED on national TV by Alabama and Florida……………. EMBARRASSED. GOT OUR ARSES KICKED!!!!!!!!!!!!

We barely (luckily) beat some teams that we should have beaten handily (UK, SC, Auburn).

We let our in-state rival hang 45 FREAKIN’ POINTS on us— the most that Tech has scored in any game this year………… over 400 yards gained on the ground. AFTER HAVING 2 WEEKS TO PREPARE!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the 2nd most penalized team in D1.

The defense and special teams are beyond horrible and have been a problem all season.

And still, CMR isn’t upset and doesn’t plan on any changes except that things will be “re-evaluated” but no coaching changes.

CMR, I’m sure is a great person, but I’m seriously beginning to wonder if he isn’t one brick shy of a full load especially if he expect fans to buy the crap he’s dishing out.

By DawgGirl32

December 1, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this

AGTfan- Nice post. It is pretty pathetic that a fan from one of our biggest rivals has to remind us that we have a great program. I can assure you that true UGA fans aren’t as fair-weathered as many of the “fans” are on this blog.

And please stop comparing Richt to other coaches. There’s a reason why he’s been voted SEC Coach of the Year twice. How much better that Richt were Meyer and Saban last year when they had 9-4 and 7-5 seasons? And Spurrier?? He might be out of a job soon.

If Stafford and Moreno go pro, I think we’ll be a lot better off than people think. Joe Cox will surprise you. And he’ll get plenty of help from a more experienced o-line. Remember when the Davids left and we thought we were screwed? Shockley led us to an SEC Championship the next year.

The world isn’t ending, Dawg fans. Chill.

By Mike T.

December 1, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this

Demote WM and hire a proven top notch DC. This is not just a 2008 problem. How many times has his defenses given up thirty plus points since Van Gorder left? More than ten.At this rate we will never contend for a NC.Does anyone realize how bad this season would have been if we would have had some of the anemic offenses we put on the field just a few years back? Remember back when we had defense that kept us in the game and a offense that could not manage to score in the red zone and we settle for field goals.

By East Cobb Dawg

December 1, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this

Chip, there is no way that you can point a finger at Stafford! He has five (5) 4th quarter come from behind wins for UGA as many as QB, since Andy Johnson perhaps, (eg. Ga. Tech and Va. Tech 2006, Alabama OT in 2007, Kentucky 2008, Auburn 2008, Get the picture?). By comparison Zeier threw for 10,000 yards and NEVER had a come from behind win in 4 years! Come from behind wins are the mark of a great QB. 3000+ yards, 61% completion, 22 TD’s against 9 picks which ia a big improvement. Outside those 3 Qb’s in Big 12, where do you see stats like that? He’s as gutsy as they come, and as good as he is, he has NEVER drawn attention to himself. He WILL be a top 5 pick, maybe the top pick for the Lions, in the 2009 Draft. Dawg fans will long for the day that we had a QB again like MS! He is not a coach and he can’t play defense. He didn’t get number 7 (Elway) by accident.

By Bulldawg-24

December 1, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this

chip feel free to use them for anything you like.

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah……Same story -different day. What do you think Nick Saban or Urban Meyer would do after a season like this? My guess is there would be some changes made. Richt doesn’t expect any changes to coaching staff

By Come ON!!

December 1, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this

RICHT? When are you going to wake up and see, WILLIE MARTINEZ is a freaking IDIOT? Stop marking out to him and send him down the road, he is the weakest link on our team. We would do better without a piece of crap like him and have no defense coordinator than to have a jackass calling idiotic plays.. WAKE UP!! Send WORTHLESS WILLIE DOWN THE ROAD!!

By disgruntled dawg

December 1, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this

Chip…. There is one more area of improvement that you and others failed to mention which is strength and conditioning program. I thought our team would have been a little stronger and more athletic than they were this year. Seems both offensive and defensive lines got manhandled a number of times this season.

By Dogbyte

December 1, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this

AGTFAN: Thanks for being a good sport. But, once again, you are inferring that I am one who is “trashing” my team. I am making legitimate(and warranted) criticism. There is a difference…as we learn in a liberal arts University. :>)

By Fire Willie

December 1, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this

make willie the waterboy and get a real coach in there he is worthless as t** on a boar hog. say it.

By New Dawgs

December 1, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this

I think if stafford does go, it will be a blow to any title hopes of next year, but we have some new dawgs coming up that will fill in, in due time. I live near tampa and can tell you first hand Aaron Murray is a stud, he broke his leg 3/4 way through the season this year, that was the only thing keeping all the state records safe in Florida, he was on course to crush them, he will step in at Georgia and pick up the reigns and take off, Now if we can get Caleb King to live up to his expectations, maybe we can keep this boat afloat..

By DFW DogFan

December 1, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this

Any coach in the country would be happy to trade squads with UGA. This is a once in a generation team. You can not count on maintaining this level of talent at the skill positions. We have to ask if you can not win with this team, who can you win with? I’d like to say to CMR, if the answer is scary than you need to identify the problem. In my humble opinion, to win the NC you have to be perfect. Sorry but you signed up for it, you cashed the pay check, and you accepted that responsibility. The object at a “major” program is to win the NC. 9-3 is ok for the first couple seasons. But it is a double edged sword. The more you win the more we expect. You have to have as a goal the whole enchillada. There have been too many small mistakes to be great. It is easy to make excuses and rest on your record (which is impressive.) However, you must do the right thing for the team the fans and most importantly your staff. You must demand excellence. If you settle for less than perfect, you hurt the very staff you are trying to protect. Bobo may have a great career ahead of him. However, he won’t be worth a “one legged man in a kicking match” if he does not aspire for excellence. You can only try to get unpaid young players to be perfect, but you must demand that the men leading them be perfect. In my job I am paid to lead a sales team. My boss does not give a crap about the mistakes my direct reports make. They are all my mistakes. In the age of BCS computer rankings, fast developing coaching talent, and massive bowl game payouts, you have to “play the game.” I would love to go down in history as the program that “won it the right way.” But last time I checked there is not a trophy for that. There are unfortunately things called style points you have to consider. ESPN may discuss how classy it was that you did not run up the score. Computers don’t care. Lastly, I have to say, emotion is good. Keeping your cool is good. But demonstrating a sense of urgency is crucial. Especially with a group of young men. When ordering a bayonet charge, you don’t wisper it. Sorry for the “open letter to CMR.” But I had to get this off my chest. Go Dawgs!

By Jeff

December 1, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this

AGTfan- GO AWAY! No one is trashing the team. Expectations were raised inside and outside the program. We didn’t live up to them. Someone needs to be held accountable. CMR can do what he likes. He has earned that. We, as fans and contributors, have the right to our opinions. We got killed in the 2nd half Saturday, against UF and Alabama, and barely beat teams we were much better than. Once again, GO AWAY! Also, don’t pull for the dawgs. We don’t need or want you. Btw, you become irrelevant when you lose 14 of 18 and 2 of those are gifts from the refs! GO AWAY!

By No Excuses

December 1, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this

* Fire Willie Martinez.. Please..*

By Dawgforlife57

December 1, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this

I agree that demotions may be in order in the coaching ranks on Defense and Special Teams. How is it coaches have two weeks to scheme for the triple option, and we get burned for 400 yards?? Tech has good athletes, yes, but UGA’s are as good or better. And when was tackling defined as bump the runner in the shoulder? How irritating has that been all season to see our guys on D ‘hit’ the ball carriers but not tackle the ball carriers? CMR, remember when FSU had one of the most feared defenses in the nation? You were there. Let’s IMPROVE, take the next step towards a national championship caliber defense, and run some teams off the field next year!

By Bulldawg-24

December 1, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this

You have a company say the Dawgs. You have a Ceo say CMR. You have a friend that you used to work with say CWM. You hired him and every year his numbers and performance get worse and the share holders the fans get upset. What do you do keep him on board and lose your job or take care of business and get the company back on track?

I am not hating on CWM numbers do not lie. Checkout my first post it’s all there!

Go Dawgs!!

By Rod

December 1, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this

YOU IDIOTS AND THE NEGATIVE AJC ARE RUNNING THE RECRUITS OFF TO TECH AND FLORIDA YOU BUNCH OF IGNORANT UGA DUMB FU7KS! SUPPORT THE TEAM IDIOTS BECAUSE WE ARE THE ONE OF THE TOP WINNINGEST TEAMS AS LONG AS RICHT HAS BEEN HERE.

By DFW DogFan

December 1, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this

I re-read my post and I must add that I was implying “We have to ask if you can not win a NCwith this team, who can you win one with?

By Mike

December 1, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this

As a season ticket holder for nearly 40 years now, I think I can make some fairly accurate observations about the Dawgs and Chip Towers article in particular. 1. Tackling weaknesses were obvious in the Tech game as we gave 2 freebie touchdowns due to poor tackling to Tech. Too many Jack Tatum wanna-bees in the defensive backfield. 2. What special teams kicking are you referring to? I didn’t see any most of the year. 3. The offensive line was far better than most think due to the sizable number of injuries. Should be very strong in 2009. 4. Stafford is far and away the best NFL caliber QB available this year. Hope he returns to work behind a line with a year’s experience. 5. Correct - the defensive ends were not strong rushers as in the past. The season certainly has to be labeled as a disappointment. Coach Hartman’s kicking game would never had been this weak and clearly, there needs to be a change of some sort on the defense. Not to sound like a real old-timer, but Erk did a helluva lot more with a helluva lot less ! (see 1975 and 1976) A quick look at the 2009 schedule shows us opening at Oklahoma State, so we have about 9 months to get with it. One other thing that really disappoints me was the number of times the players got into a bit of trouble. I certainly met my quota while at UGA, but Coach Richt needs to make downtown off-limits to the players. When you’re 6-5 and 300+ you’re easy to spot. Wish I could blame this one on Michael Adams, but he’s been too busy making sure that the memory of Vince was relegated away from the stadium. Finally, Tech deserves the credit for wanting the game more and capitalizing on the 2008 UGA version of a football bailout. Kentucky, South Carolina, and
Auburn failed to do so. Typically, the Bumbles are already popping off about us having no idea of what they were doing. I can remember another year this happened with Pepper Rodgers yapping for a full year about Tech. The 1976 Tech/GA score was 42-0 by the end of the third quarter. Wasted talent. This team should have been 11-1 and I’m just as disappointed with the lack of convincing wins. Looks like this team sleptthru several wins.

By Mike T.

December 1, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this

What do you think Nick Saban or Urban Meyer would do after a season like this? My guess is there would be some changes made.

Amen Amen!!

By Ray Goof

December 1, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this

DONNAN DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN!!!!

By Bulldawg-24

December 1, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this

Rod, I was born a UGA fan and bleed red and black. I do support them!

I have supported willie for 4 years! I do not now.

It’s not the AJC or the fans it’s lack of CMR to put friendship aside and do whats right for the team. Like I said before numbers do not lie!

As the obamacrate’s say it time for a change!

By Mike T.

December 1, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this

YOU IDIOTS AND THE NEGATIVE AJC ARE RUNNING THE RECRUITS OFF TO TECH AND FLORIDA

Hey Rod, You don’t think Tech and Florida kicking our butts,might have more to do with recruits possibly changing their minds, than comments made on these blogs, do you? This guys aren’t stupid, they’re seeing more potential with Tech and UF programs movig forward, than us stuck in a rut.And a coach that apparently can’t read the handwriting on the wall.

By GTstiggywiggy

December 1, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this

Don’t worry, dawgies. If that early release program goes through at the Clark County jail, Martinez should be able to beef up his rather amemic squad considerably next year. Shoot, maybe y’all can even win another national championship. I know how embarrassing it must be to be playing football for 122 years or so, and only having one to your name. I think you’re tied with Duke in that department.

Maybe you need another gimmick to beat Paul Johnson next year. Let’s see. The black-out didn’t seem to work too well. And stomping up and down in Florida’s end zone kinda backfired on you this year.

I know. How about a red-out? You could achieve this in one of two ways: (1). Turn around and expose your bare necks to the camera, or (2). since the seats are red, you could stay at home and watch Tech run silly over you once again.

Or maybe a green-out. Stop eating your nasal mucus, and smear it on your shirt or jacket. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

By Sautee Dawg

December 1, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this

Chip

At the game saturday, Coach Fabris and Coach Martinez were in a very heated discussion that resulted in a timeout on defense. Coach Richt stepped in between them on the sidelines, any info on what it was about? looked from the stands like both were p** at each other,

By Lilburn Dawg

December 1, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this

We lose 3 games, don’t win the SEC championship or even our half of it, have the most penalities of almost anyone, can’t kick off, have lots of arrests, no tackling, no secondary, no offensive line, no pass rush, and nothing is going to change???? Please….give me a break! Something had BETTER change. I think if Moreno is not back next year, that will hurt us. I didn’t see anything from Samuel or King this year….mainly they got back to the line of scrimmage and that was it. If Stafford leaves, that actually may help us. I would have liked to have see what Cox or Gray could do this year. I’d just as soon that one of them play in whatever second level bowl we go to. And I’m sorry, but JustSomethingToThinkAbout, you are so wrong about Stafford being the best QB int he country. That’s funny. He’s nowhere close….not even in the top tier.

Yep, if I were CMR, I think I’d be thinking about changing a whole lot of things!!

By Jeff

December 1, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this

I really think this trend can and will continue until CMR takes his head out of the sand and sees what is happening. WM is the equivalent of Jeff Bowden. Don’t let him ruin our team. The writing was on the wall against Alabama. Our D was soft and undisciplined. Instead of trying to fix the problem by adjusting our style we just yelled at our players more expecting a different result. There was no leadership on the D or special teams. I am not nervous about Stafford or Moreno leaving because CMR has proven in the past he has done more with A LOT less. Lets get back to Finishing the Drill and GATA! We need a team and not 11 talented individuals. The O seemed unified. MoMass is a true DAWG! He is the reason that unit was so good this year. The best in the SEC!

By where to begin!

December 1, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this

This UGA team has more issues than a newspaper stand. Complete lack of discipline both off the field (sec arrests leader) and on the field(poor tackling, missed assignments and worst of all the conference leader in PENALTIES!)

Take a good, hard look at the 3 coaches and the general demeanor of the 3 programs that whipped us(Bammers and UF and Tech)and their players. Meyer, Johnson, and Saban aren’t laid back like CMR. They look like jerks(Saban is of course)but the reason they have that demeanor is because of one thing. Their focus. Those guys are totally focused on winning and will not tolerate anything less. They do not tolerate crap from players like multiple arrests, stupidity on the field in the form of penalties, poor tackling, etc. While their players are focused and prepared for big time games ours are busy doing the soulja boy dance on the sidelines against their weaker opponents. If Knowshown and the boys could put aside all the freaking sideline dancing for once maybe they could actually win the division for once.

I can understand losing to Florida because their talent is every bit as good as ours. But getting blown out? No exscuse for the lack of focus, penalties, missed opportunities, etc., and then giving up in that game.

And to lose to 2 vastly inferior talent teams like Bama and Tech. Saban has 1 full year recruiting year under him and that’s it. He also whipped us with the youngest team in the country with only 9 seniors out of 85 schollies. So essentially he whupped us with Sheila’s recruits. Just imagine what the bammers are going to be like next year and thereafter when Saban gets a couple of his recruiting classes in there. Darn good thing we only play them once in awhile cause they’re scary good now and they’re only gonna get better.

Same thing with Tech. We had 2 weeks to prepare for these guys and we still had 409 rushing yards against our D from these lesser talent small timers. And yet they still beat us because they were more focused, better coached, and they just wanted it more. How hard is it going to be to beat them when they actually get some real talent in there? We can’t even beat them now when they are in the first year of a brand new coach and offensive scheme and their talent is lesser than what it will be in future years. They were in their division race till the last day while we were done 3 weeks ago. Judging by what they did to us and to miami they will definitely be favored to win not only their division next year but probably their conference also. Can anyone honestly say we will be favored to win the east next year over UF?

Lastly, we still won 9 games but a lot of them were squeakers in a year when the sec is weaker than at any point that I can remember in recent memory. Auburn, LSU, and Tennessee all had terrible qb issues and were having down years. How long ya think that’s gonna last? Not long if history has anything to say about it.

Just a few things to think and about and that’s not even adding in the fact that Stafford and Moreno are probably going to leave early. What then? Joe Cox is a significant downgrade from Matt and Caleb King and co. are ok but certainly haven’t shown that they can fill Knowshon’s shoes. Not even close.

Is the glass half full or half empty? Normally I’m an optimist but when I take a critical look at things its pretty obvious that the glass is half empty.

By Bulldawg-24

December 1, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this

Incase you guys did not see this post earlier here it is again numbers do not lie. Unfortunately, as we keep seeing demonstrated, there’s more to being a great football team than simply being talented.

The following facts all are facts:

· In the first century of Georgia football (1892-1991), the Red and Black lost two games in which they scored at least 28 points. During that same period, the Classic City Canines never lost a game in which they scored at least 29 points. · During the Ray Goff and Jim Donnan eras (1989-2000), the Bulldogs lost seven games in which they scored at least 28 points, falling 34-31 to Tennessee in 1992, 42-28 to Auburn in 1993, 29-28 to Alabama in 1994, 43-30 to Vanderbilt in 1994, 37-31 to Auburn in 1995, 45-34 to Auburn in 1997, and 51-48 to Georgia Tech in 1999. · During the aforementioned Ray Goff and Jim Donnan eras, Georgia had five defensive coordinators: Richard Bell (1989-1993), Marion Campbell (1994), Joe Kines (1995-1998), Kevin Ramsey (1999), and Gary Gibbs (2000). · During the four years in which Brian VanGorder served as Georgia’s defensive coordinator (2001-2004), the Bulldogs lost ten games. In those ten games, the ‘Dawgs scored nine, ten, 17, 16, 13, ten, 13, 13, 14, and six points, respectively. · During the four years in which Willie Martinez has served as Georgia’s defensive coordinator (2005-2008), the Bulldogs have lost twelve games. In those twelve games, the ‘Dawgs scored ten, 30, 35, 33, 22, 14, 20, twelve, 14, 30, ten, and 42 points, respectively. To reiterate: Georgia scored 28 points in defeat just twice in the first 100 years of Red and Black football; Georgia never scored more than 28 points in defeat in the first 100 years of Red and Black football; Georgia scored 28 or more points in defeat seven times in the twelve years of the Ray Goff and Jim Donnan eras, during which the Bulldogs had five different defensive coordinators; Georgia never scored more than 17 points in defeat during the four years that Brian VanGorder served as Georgia’s defensive coordinator; Georgia has scored more than 28 points in defeat five times during the four years that Willie Martinez has served as Georgia’s defensive coordinator; and Georgia has not scored 28 or more points in defeat more than twice during the tenure of any previous defensive coordinator in Bulldog history.

By SISSY DAWG

December 1, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this

Mark Richt is a good coach, but lack of discipline is his undoing. Eleven dawgs were arrested this year. The lack of discipline is seen on and off the field. The dawgs are not playing as a team, but as a bunch of individuals. Individually they are very talented, but if they gave up the individual limelight for the team, the dawgs would be unstoppable. I don’t see it happening. All the great recruits in the world won’t make the dawgs a team. The head coach must teach them to be unselfish and disciplined.

By Jackshaft99

December 1, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this

Rod, you may be right, or not But in either event there is no doubt you are a True Dawg Fan evidenced by your need to SHOUT and SEAR7R at the risk no one will understand you, redneck trash. Has it occurred to you, spittle-flecked dolt, that YOU and the low-rent image you project might be the reason recruits go to classy (not to say “winning”) schools elsewhere? Please go blog for Clempson.

By Jackshaft99

December 1, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this

Spot on, Mike T.

By GTstiggywiggy

December 1, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this

Ah well, you can always declare yourselves “pre-season national champions.” Maybe hang a banner over Sanford Stadium, so that that flag from 28 years ago doesn’t look so lonely, flapping around in the stench of Sanford Stadium.

By Mike Schindler

December 1, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this

Richt is becoming Bobby Cox, Jr.
1. Bobo and Martinez should be gone. Period. Terrible job by both for several seasons. 2. No killer instinct = another ‘aw, shucks’ bowl appearance. 3. UGA will not win a national championship with this passive, let’s get along with everyone, no accountability approach.

By AFDawg

December 1, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this

First — CMR needs to quit letting the players take advantage of his niceness. Less dancing on the sidelines and more hitting and stronger consequences for bad performances on and off the field. Second, bring in a “bad cop” — someone who can motivate and re-instill the killer instinct in the defense. Third, and I don’t know how you go about doing this — develop some of the players into genuine team leaders. If we don’t do something serious about toughening-up the defense can you imagine how many points OSU will hang on us in the opener next year?

By ray-86GSU

December 1, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this

No coaching changes? Crap! If Georgia Tech keeps scheduling UGA, our strength of schedule is going to drop!!!

August was a long time ago, wasn’t it? I hope you still have the SI when you were #1. Won’t happen again!!!

THWG

By Eddie

December 1, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this

When things go bad for UGA they go extremely bad! Once the bleeding starts, it is like they have no idea how to stop it or make the proper adjustments. It all started with the WVA game in the Sugar Bowl down 28-0 before they knew what hit him. Twice to UT, especially when the Dawgs were up by 24-7 at half and gave up over 50. The Alabama game this year and now the 2nd half to Tech! It’s like wow! How does this happen. It has become a nasty trend with the Dawgs!

By BCS Slave

December 1, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this

I agree with those who say things need to improve…not necessarily in wins and losses…but in how we win and lose. We struggled to be Ga. Southern. It seemed we played down to the level of our opponent in several games. And then there were the blowouts to AL and FL. Losing games is never acceptable…but losing by a point to the good teams in the SEC at least suggests we are competitive.

We need an attacking defense and a bit more complex offense. Special teams stunk. Tackling stunk. In game adjustmets stunk. Got a lot of work to do.

By Mike T.

December 1, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this

GTstiggywiggy

Hey you Tech scum, if your in Atlanta or anywhere in the state,go five hundred miles due east take a big gulp of water and do the right thing.AJC’s got a whole section devoted to you Tech retards, stay over there.If ya’ll were truly any good ya’ll should have won by fifty instead of three as bad as we played.

By Jeff

December 1, 2008 6:46 PM | Link to this

Bulldawg 24- Those are great points. As I stated above WM is the Jeff Bowden of UGA. He is untouchable. He got the job when Garner was the easy internal cadidate to promote. Garner is the reason we have the talent we do. He came from UT after recruiting a national championship team to UGA and brought us 2 SEC champs and very close to 2 NC. Or, we could have gone outside the program to find an upgrade.

Its not losing, it is the way we lost. In 06 at home against UT we had the game under control. Instead of coming out and forcing the issue we allowed UT to walk the ball up and down the field and score 51 points(37 in the second half) in Sanford Stadium. 07 against UT we sat in a soft zone and allowed them to run all over us. 08 against Bama, Florida, and Tech. All coaches made adjustments to blow us out. WM is a nice position coach. He is no where near the caliber of Muschamp, VanGorder, Ellis Johnson, Charlie Strong, Chavis, or even Tenuta. CMR needs to realize this and have a long discussion with his old friend. I am not in total favor of firing WM, but some guidelines need to be set, or we will be having the same discussion next year.

By JollyGoodFellow

December 1, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this

45-42. Enjoy the rest of the year until we meet again. I know I will.

By Jeff

December 1, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this

Tech fans- Stay off our blog. Maybe thats why there is a UGA bias. Even Tech fans care more about UGA than there own team. GO AWAY! A new streak will start in that High School stadium on North Ave. next year. As I previously mentioned 14 of the last 18 with 2 gifts from the refs is hardly something to be flaunting. GO AWAY!

By Sorry

December 1, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this

Hire Sylvester Croom as DC, Phil Fulmer as OC, and Steve Spurrier special teams.

By Realist

December 1, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this

I can tell you right now, this is not going to work. This is akin to trying to work out a marriage where one spouse continues to cheat, although they try not to. WM will continue to cheat, no matter how he tries not to. He believes in what he is doing & basically can’t change. This was a lousy year & things got worse, not better. Ga Southern got too many points. Where were the adjustments as the yr. went along? The Idiot and I mean Idiot who kept calling for directional kicks needs to go now. If you kick it down the middle, at least they have to run to the 40 to start at the 40. A team in Georgia’s class needs people that were recruited to field punts and run back kick offs. Not “Let’s all line up and see who can catch the ball.”in practice. It changed all Season. And you don’t have a Freshman doing it. It is not Samuels fault. Willie and the other offenders will promise to do better and then fall back into their bad habits. WM can put a team out of a game quicker than anyone and he always has and always will. We will end up with another wasted year next year, while CMR tries to save his pals. As for the arrests, I think you will have that, reguarless of who is there. Hell, the Penn St. Mascot just got locked up. But, I would make it harder than CMR has. I would not throw them off the team, but it would just be very uncomfortable. Give Dennis Felton credit, he has shot himself in the foot several times, putting his job at risk to do the right thing. Now CMR is putting his job at risk, but it is not the same thing. Check out who Steve Spurrier fired this week. I believe that was a close friend. We will be basically rebuilding again next year, so more excuses will be used.there is no need to hang around here when there are millions to be made and I don’t blame them one bit. I also think that there needs to be a different way to evaluate the Kids we are recruiting. Our top 10 recruiting classes have not stayed top 10 classes. ake your hat off to Tech. They were better prepared, better coached and that is why they won. Did they have better overall talent, No. But, you don’t always need bettertalent if you do the basic stuff better. I could go on and on, but there is no point.

By dawg tamers

December 1, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this

What on earth are dawg fans complaining about?

You’ve won 2 sec titles in the last 25 years. That’s right on par with your historical expectations. The expectations of a good but not great regional 2nd tier program. That is what UGA is and always has been of course.

Your not even a has been. You’re a never was. Fla. now owns you, Tennesse has traditionally been the biggest name in the east and will be back soon enough. LSU in the west has 2 bcs titles in the 2000s and Auburn had a perfect season in 04 and despite their recent troubles they still own the head to head series over UGA. And Bama, they are back of course to their usual traditional status as king of the west and historical king of the conference. Of course listening to all the dawg barking going on here you would think that dubious distinction belonged to UGA.

For the record I’m a tech fan and I gots some numbas for ya. 409 yards rushing around, over, and through your pathetic defense. 45-42. We are only getting started on our new streak of complete domination of you jailhouse thugs. Now get back to prison where you freaking belong you punks!!!!!!!!

By Chip Towers

December 1, 2008 6:55 PM | Link to this

FWIW, Georgia has pre-sold 10,400 tickets for the Capital One Bowl. The allotment for the game per team is 12,000. They’re being sold thru the priority points system thru Dec. 5, then will be available to general public… .

So just wondering, who all is planning on heading to the bowl game?

By Bulldawg-24

December 1, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this

Here is a blog post that a friend of mine emailed me enjoy!

B*** Fest - The Tech Post Mortem Losing to Tech sucks. Not only is it embarrassing, but it also signifies that this is truly the beginning of the end. This feels like 2001, when Lloyd Carr’s 8-2 Michigan team lost to a 6-4 Ohio State team at home in Jim Tressel’s first season. Previously, Lloyd owned Ohio State. That game changed everything between the two teams, and Ohio State became the aggressor. Now, look at the state of the two programs.

I’ve already said that Georgia has reached a plateau that they cannot overcome. The loss to Tech verifies this in my opinion. Now, let’s start the b*** fest.

1) Mark Richt is a bad gameday coach. I’ve been a Mark Richt apologist all season, but I have to admit what is glaringly obvious at this point. I would argue that he is in the bottom half of gameday coaching in the SEC. (Urban Meyer, Nick Saban, and Houston Nutt are clearly head and shoulders above the rest of the conference’s head coaches in terms of gameday coaching… getting the most out of your players for one game on one day. I would say Spurrier is better than Richt, Les Miles may be in a squeeker, and Bobby Johnson is pretty damn good considering what he has to work with. Rich Brooks is solid, and Bobby Petrino could quickly rise through the ranks as he acquires talent at Arkansas.) Other teams do not experience such dramatic stretches of gameplay where the team melts down on the field. It’s happened three times this season in twelve games… each game ended in a loss.

2nd quarter versus Alabama: • Mimbs - 19 yard punt. • Stafford interception/fumble off A.J. Green. • Stafford interception. • Defense gives up 170 yards on 18 plays and 21 points. 3rd quarter versus Florida: • Stafford interception • Stafford fumble • Stafford interception • 44-yard touchdown pass • Defense gives up only 119 yards on 13 plays and 21 points. 3rd quarter versus Georgia Tech: • 60-yard touchdown • Samuel fumble • Defense gives up 215 yards on 19 plays and 26 points. In all three cases, something happens and the team just falls apart. It’s like the team gets a paper cut and bleeds out and dies right there on the sideline. The coaches can’t seem to stop the bleeding, and it gets worse and worse until all is lost. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen Richt have the players take a knee and bark at them or tell them how disappointed he is in them or discuss recipes… whatever the f*** he does, only to see the team play at the exact same level that they played at before the pep talk. It’s really disturbing how little impact the head coach’s pep talks have. Richt may be a good person and all, but as far as being a field general… he sucks.

2) This team has no discipline. They don’t do the little things well… on or off the field. Tackling is poor, assignments are blown regularly, drivers licenses expire, etc. Penalties have been a problem… and not just penalties of “over-aggressiveness” as some of the players might have you believe. Stupid holding penalties, offsides penalties, hands to the face penalties, etc. have been much too common. Those are not “aggressive” penalties. Those are “I’m a dumbass” penalties. Those are “I got whipped on my assignment and had to commit a penalty to keep the quarterback from losing all of his functioning brain cells” penalties. These are infuriating penalties.

2a) This team has no accountability. This is 2a because I think this is the other side of the same coin. Players, like all human beings, will fail sometimes. However, when players fail repeatedly in the same fashion, it is pretty clear that those failures are not being addressed. For example (and this is just one of many examples I could use), when the kickoff is kicked out of bounds, let that serve as a warning… the first time it happens in the season. The second time he kicks a kickoff out of bounds, you bench his a*. The field is 53 yards wide. Kicking the ball outside of a landing area that f*** wide is unacceptable. Averaging one kickoff out of bounds per game shows that the coaches just don’t address this problem. Are they ignoring it? Are they just stupid? Do they not see that this is a problem? Would Urban Meyer or Nick Saban allow this type of failure week-in and week-out without addressing it? Hell, no. They would have an open tryout to see if there were any students that could kick the ball within the field of play. This is a problem that permeates the entire team. When players blow it, they are stuck right back in to fail again. No player is held accountable for his performance on the field… looking at you, Richard “fumbly-hands” Samuel, Reshad “tackle-free” Jones, and the list goes on and on. When players fail in such an epic fashion on real teams, they get benched. On Georgia, they get a pat on the butt. This must change.

3) Player development has stalled… at best. In his third year, Stafford is showing the same poor mechanics since he arrived on campus. Linebacker play (outside of Rennie Curran) has been weak. Defensive line play has been weak. The secondary has been… well, weak. (Is that an indictment of our defensive coordinator? I’ll let you decide.) The team is just loaded with potential, but that potential is not tapped. A few players are exceptions, but I think that has to do more with them on a personal level. These coaches just aren’t getting the same level of play out of these players that they have in the past.

Notice that none of the things I’ve mentioned are related to X’s and O’s. Honestly, I don’t think that is the problem. As far as X’s and O’s go, I think the coaches do a pretty good job. Georgia struggles with the things that make great coaching staffs great: getting the most out of your players. This Georgia team is worth less than the sum of its parts.

So, what do we do with this? I do know that these are program crippling problems that will grow like a cancer if they are not addressed.

1) I would start with a strong accountability system in the offseason. Players need to make sure their damn licenses are valid and up-to-date. Player arrests need to be right at zero for the next season. I would dismiss players that find themselves arrested for things like drunken driving or underage consumption. Cut them. Take away their opportunity for education because they are taking it for granted anyway. Show them that Georgia players are expected to handle their affairs like champions if they ever want to be champions. Do things the “Georgia Way” instead of just talking the talk.

2) Second, I would work the players’ asses off in spring, and the seniors would be responsible for working the rest of the team in the summer. I would make it known that slackers are losers, and losers will not play. I would make each and every player earn their names on the back of their jerseys. I would not cuddle them and tell them that a 9-3 season is okay. 9-3 is failure, and failure should not be tolerated.

3) Finally, I would find a special teams coach. The special teams are only “special” in the sense of Special Olympics. A football team is like a three-legged stool. The team has to be solid in all three phases of the game - offense, defense, special teams - in order to stay upright. The special teams this season were abysmal, and they caused the entire team to tumble over despite the best efforts of the offense or defense.

It is no secret that I am not a big fan of Willie Martinez. I think he is fine as an X’s and O’s guy, but I think he blows as a coordinator. Part of being a coordinator is squeezing all of the available talent out of your players. Can anyone seriously say he is doing a good job at that? I don’t know that he should find employment elsewhere, and I don’t know if it even matters since Mark Richt and he are f*** buddies. I do know that he needs to change something. I can’t imagine that another year of defensive performances like they’ve had this year will be good for his career. Perhaps if he instills the fear of God into his players… you know, actually hold them accountable when they f*** up… then the defense will improve. Whatever the case may be, I do know that Mark Richt would use up all of his goodwill with the fans if he merely maintains the status quo. That’s an awfully big bet to make just to keep a friendship.

By Sickofthis

December 1, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this

Ok, so I am supposed to accept Richt’s philosophy of “evaluating every aspect of our program” and that’s it…what the he!! Look people, I work in a very high pressured environment that demands nothing but the very best in all aspects of what I do, if I do not perform to the level of my manager’s expectations/goals, I’m gone. Why should Richt’s coaching staff be any different? He is not looking at this from an objective point of view. The bottom line is this, Willie Martinez is not getting the job done………….. You have a talent pool that is three to four deep and you can’t develop a better unit scheme/identity to your defense than this???

By ray-86GSU

December 1, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this

Hey “GTstiggywiggy”, that was a good one! ROTFLMAO!!!

And “BCS Slave”, what team did you lose by 1 point to. Not only that, what GOOD SEC team did you lose to? Alabama and UF are #1 and #2 because they don’t play anybody!

By harleydawg

December 1, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this

hey stiggy wiggly, worry about the classmates you guys accept, dont let anymore muslim terrorists be accepted like last year, dogs are not tough enough like mr football said sun night, reshad jones needs to be benched, kelin johnson was a superstar compared, he wasnt scared to stick his head in there,playing pinball is a good descip also for # 9, get someone to kick off, cmr must find a motivator this winter

By monty

December 1, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this

All the writers and sports analyst who get paid to pontificate, like the group at Sports South all acknowlegde that something is broken at GA. They aren’t sure what it is exactly but that “it’s CMR’s job to find out what it is and fix it.” What scares me is either he is in denial or he’s keeping it on the down-low.

When everyone knows there is a problem and you won’t own up to it…that sends out a weak signal to your fan base..not strength.

I seem to remember a Presidential candidate who lost and one of the reasons was a week before the housing crisis he said “all was fine with the economy.” And that statement was played over and over again by the opposition.

Folks something is wrong at GA. Someone name me a defensive player who made any plays against Tech other than Curran and Weston?

The best thing we had going for us was a prolific but erratic at times(big games)offense and now we are losing our key players there. I see a .500 season next year. Tennesse willl have a new coach and be fired up next year, we won’t beat FLA, or Tech, or even Auburn. I’m not sure who else we play but Kentucky’s FR QB almost kicked our butts.

Yeh CMR, keep the status quo, stiff upper lip approach! Deny,Deny,Deny!

By PHIL

December 1, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this

I believe you should have to take a test to see how much you know about football before you are allowed to express your opinion in a public forum.

Special teams were bad because of 18 season ending injuries. You can’t afford to put any of the best position players out there due to the possibility of more injury. Thats why there were so many walk ons and third teamers on coverage teams. Wouldn’t be that way in a normal year.

Bulldawg-24 is obviously a politician. He presents facts, but puts his on spin on them. In the first 100 years of football, no more than 28 points were scored because NO ONE PASSED THE BALL MORE THAN TIMES A GAME. So while you propose to be truthful, actually the essense of your argument is a bear faced lie. Like a politician.

Tackling is not something you learn on the college level. You DECIDE to tackle or not. You DECIDE to be where you are supposed to be or not. You DECIDE to get stupid personal foul penalties. You DECIDE to do stupid things off the field and get arrested. I don’t believe our defensive players have the ability to make good decisions. And unless players were troublemakers in high school, how do you know they will be poor decision makers when you recruit them. These players must shoulder the responsibility for their poor performance. Coaches play the players they have. After injury, we had 1 good defensive lineman, 1 good linebacker and 1 good corner. The talent just is not there on defense. Coaches can’t MAKE good defenders come to play at your school. One thing that did bother me about the coaching is that we could not put any pressure on a passer. We have no pass rush DE’s so their should have been more creative ways to rush the passer.

After all the injurys I cannot put any amount of blame on the O line. If you say they are at fault in the red zone, then say that we had too many injurys to perform any better in the red zone.

I think its ridiculous to be mad at 9-3 ANY year in the SEC. Look at LSU ther year after a national championship, look at TN. Would you rather be them?

But the main thing is that as long as coach Richt is the face of the football team that represents my alma mater, I could care less if we EVER win a game. If you would rather have jerks like Meyer and Saban as your representative, I think you should become a Bama or UF fan. You don’t have the class to be called a bulldog. It’s a freakin football game, get a life.

By ACT LIKE YOU'VE BEEN THERE GT

December 1, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this

It really irritates me that other Georgia fans don’t go over and pollute the Tech fan’s blog and ruin their jubilee. It is over for us and Richt’s kindness has us doomed. So why not ruin their joy? Its what they would do to us. Check that, it IS what they do to us.

Why do I do this? Payback. Winners like “Ramble On” and “Pi$$OnADawg” continuously run their mouth on our blogs even after they beat Gardner Webb by 3 points.

And don’t give me this crap about sinking to their level. Its about hate and I DO hate them. It is more than a game. I don’t respect GT fans at all, and they are the people I used to look down upon and still do till this day. They are classless, weak individuals that act like a victory against Georgia is better than the second coming of Christ. Or they are from the Middle East. Lot of Obama votes in that campus as well. Disgusting!

Just go over to that blog. It is insane. They really think they have something to build on over there. I’m getting some pay back next year. Hope ya’ll join me. B/c GT’s stadium is the only college stadium in the US where you can buy a student ticket and bully some pathetic nerd tech fan out of his seat in the student section without getting your a$$ beat. I’ll be there with bell’s on. Things just got interesting and I don’t forget.

It is more than a game. If you don’t agree, your not a fan. Fan is short for “fanatic”. And this pi$$ed fanatic will remember all this nonesense when the time comes.

By IceDawg

December 1, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this

Broken record. Face it. UGA got out talented, out coached and out played when they lost these three games. The assumption that the problem is simply coaching and not talent is naive and simplistic. The previous two years the defense played well enough to be in the championship hunt. Defense wins championships. I can remember the Russell years when we held opponents to low scores and won quite a few with a field goal often from a turnover. VanGorder ‘s teams were more like Russell’s than Martinez’s. They played with more heart, more tenacity. Our defensive backs were small this year and could not keep up with the bigger and stronger receivers. They also had a difficult time tackling. We basically had no defensive line. The assumption that UGA has recruited on par with Florida is suspect. The score of the Florida game proved that. UGA had elite talent in a few positions but the rest have proven average at best. The three games that were lost this year were the result of being out talented (overall), out coached and outplayed period. Someone else suggested bringing in a defensive head coach and moving Martinez over to another position. That might not be such a bad idea.

By Kennesaw Dawg

December 1, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this

JollyGoodFellow…..go suck an egg.

By CMR the coward

December 1, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this

Look fellow dawg fans, let face facts. CMR has showed his true side as being a coward. Afraid to look in the mirrow and face reality that he nor his assist. arent getting it done. He wants to “love” his players when they mess up. WTF, I am a military officer and I can tell you, you achieve nothing from “loving” someone when they make a mistake. When someone screws up and is down on themsleves, you jump their sh!t and tell them to get over it and redeem themsleves. He is a coward for not taking any responsibility for his players actions on and off the field,”Not gonna point fingers”, well then the fans will do it for you cause we have more balls than you. Gets outcoached all the time, ALA, FLA, SC, KY, GT, VANDY. These games he was out coached, cause he is scared to face another coach man to man, so he lets his assist. run the show when they are obviously out of their realm.
CMR, please set down and let us get a REAL SEC coach, we deserve better than the coward we have now.

By Bulldawg-24

December 1, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this

Phil so you are saying that there is noeproblem with cwm defenses and his coaching?

By WildBill

December 1, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this

I was offered 2 tickets to the game. I said NO WAY and turned em down. Was I gonna sit in the rain and see UGA hide in his doghouse, see the dawgs embarrassed and run out of the stadium, see the Ga. coaches still not have a clue? And, add to that see TECH celebrating? Not on your life would I submit to such humiliation. Glad I didn’t go as the handwriting was on the wall. Actually, I thought the dawgs would lose by 10.
So, now we hear CMR is not firing anyone. Well, nothing I can do about that. But there ARE 4 UGA alumni in my house and I have already decreed NO CONTRIBUTIONS till major changes are made. ALSO, NO UGA paraphanalia will be purchased this Christmas. THis won’t amount to much, but I urge all UGA fans to shy away from buying UGA stuff for a long time. Money talks. Maybe THEN somebody will whisper in MR. NICE AND STUPID’s ear, “better get with the program coach”.

By Phil--------The Truth

December 1, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this

No one that posts on any of these Boards could pass any test, much less a Football Knowledge test. But I don’t go along with CMR assuming than none of us know anything. all of us know a little, but not enough to pass a test.Before we could see many games on TV or record them, they could tell us anything and we believed it. But, when you watch something about 5 times and it looks the same, maybe it happened that way.

By Sickofthis

December 1, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this

“But the main thing is that as long as coach Richt is the face of the football team that represents my alma mater, I could care less if we EVER win a game. If you would rather have jerks like Meyer and Saban as your representative, I think you should become a Bama or UF fan. You don’t have the class to be called a bulldog. It’s a freakin football game, get a life” - Phil

What the hell is that! Dude, do you really consider yourself to be a fan or a homer? You can still have school pride and be objective. If you really believe the horsesh.. that you just typed, then you should be Richt’s PR director. You didn’t state one fact other than making excuses for every level of UGA’s poor performance. If you are happy with not winning the SEC east, going to the SEC championship game, and dropping two spots from # without benefit of a loss, then you need to check yourself.

By The Evaluator

December 1, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this

First, I know they’re just 18-22 year olds, but they agreed to be in the spotlight when they signed so…. Reshard Jones is a poor safety…he has had many, many shoulder bumps he thinks are sufficient to tackle a player, and THEY ARE NOT! Wrap them up. Fault: Jones and his position coach, Martinez. Also, too many personal fouls on Jones. He was obviously over rated coming out of high school. #1 in USA, NOT. Long for Thomas Davis and Greg Blue…true safeties.

By Just Curious

December 1, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this

There are several things that I would like to know:

I wonder if K. Moreno now knows who Jonathan Dwyer is. If not, please tell Mr. Moreno that Mr. Dwyer is the one who rushed for 144 yards on Saturday (compared to his 97). Tell him also that Mr. Dwyer is the one who gained ten less yards (1338 vs 1328) this year than Mr. Moreno on 37 less carries which equates to a 7.0 yards per carry average for Mr. Dwyer to 5.9 yards per carry for Mr. Moreno. Oh, and Mr. Moreno also might want to find out who Roddy Jones is. He is the one who rushed for 214 yards compared to 97 yards for Mr. Moreno on Saturday.

I would like to know if Eric Zeier would like to retract his reference to Georgia Tech’s “high school offense”. That cannot be good for Georgia, since that same offense ran all over his Dawgs on Saturday.

I wonder if David Pollack still thinks that Georgia Tech is “irrelevant”.

I would like to know if all the “experts” who bashed the ACC earlier this year have taken a second look. The ACC has a 37-11 out of conference record which is the same as the SEC and second only to the Big 12 which has a 38-10 record. Oh, and the ACC has a 4-0 record against the Big 12 this year and is 6-4 against the SEC.

I wonder if there are still people who think that Paul Johnson’s offense will not work at a BCS school because of all the fast, athletic defenses it will face.

By Sylvester Croom

December 1, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this

Chip, I have had my tickets for about 2 months now for the bowl game, I resigned from my position due to Willie Martinez sucking up the SEC so bad, I couldn’t take being associated with such a skunk, that it finally drove me out of the SEC. I expect other coaches, fans and players to leave the SEC as long as Willie Martinez is involved, noone can stand to smell a stinking skunk that long.

Yours Truly, Sylvester Croom

By ray-GSU86

December 1, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this

Hey “ACT LIKE YOU’VE BEEN THERE GT”, did you get your feelings hurt? Awwwww….

I hope you can get off work at McDonalds next year and come on over to Tech and see a WINNING football team. Now, you need to stop blogging and make more fries.

By ga72

December 1, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this

Ya’ll, the problems are endemic to Rodney Gardner…when you recruit lack of potential leadership and character and fuel attitudes of discrimination: mediocrity is prevalent. Although we have serious issues with our DC and OC, it will never be rectified with new coordinators as long as Gardner is allowed to instigate controversy on the team. We are unfortunate victims of Jan Kemp, and we will pay for our sensitivity plague for many, many more years.

By 8 seasons. 7 wins. Tech still blows.

December 1, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this

Techies, hop up and down with that nerdy limp-wristed geek jump until all your pens fall out of the pocket protector. Your gimmick offense and crappy defense will be no mystery next season, even to the lame ACC. Enjoy for now.

By Hey Curious?

December 1, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this

Hey Jackass, I mean Just Curious, Did Dwyer and Georgia Tech do all that rushing against other SEC TEAMS? I DIDN’T THINK SO.. SO SUCK IT LIKE YOUR MOMMY.. bIAAAAAAAATTTCCC !!!

By ColaDawg

December 1, 2008 7:28 PM | Link to this

If WM had any fuzz on his peaches, he’d quit.

By Read It

December 1, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this

Search this for yourself on Wikipedia, this is the absolute truth..

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Willie Martinez (born February 21, 1963)[1] is the soon-to-be-fired defensive coordinator and Defensive back|secondary coach of the Georgia Bulldogs football team. Martinez has been the defensive secondary coach at Georgia since 2001, head coach Mark Richt’s first season at Georgia, and was promoted to defensive coordinator before the 2005 season. Known affectionately as “The Burrito” (or “Brita” due to Southern accents) by many fans, Martinez has lorded over the Bulldogs’ rise down the leading defensive rankings by giving up more points each and every year without fail. His charges are nationally recognized for their high number of penalties, advanced poor tackling skills, and superior bucket placement (on head). Willie has presided over the worst defense in recent UGA history, surrendering 30+ points eleven times in the last 4 years, compared to only 1 30+ point surrender in the previous four years under previous UGA DC Brian Van Gorder. Martinez has earned one of the most stable positions in all of college sports - mounted firmly under Mark Richt’s desk - through his tried and proved method of relying on Van Gorder’s well-coached leftovers, bending and breaking, and avoiding distractions like improvement or motivation.

By YellowBlood

December 1, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this

Ok, we cannot have any more pre-game tickle piles. Please pass along this request to CMR. The tickle pile that he was in the middle of before kickoff probably cost us the game. Or it might have been the group hug at half time. Anyway, we need to wait until after the game to have our tickle piles.

GO DAWGS!

By Here'ssss WILLIEEEEEEEEEE

December 1, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Willie Martinez (born February 21, 1963)[1] is the soon-to-be-fired defensive coordinator and Defensive back|secondary coach of the Georgia Bulldogs football team. Martinez has been the defensive secondary coach at Georgia since 2001, head coach Mark Richt’s first season at Georgia, and was promoted to defensive coordinator before the 2005 season. Known affectionately as “The Burrito” (or “Brita” due to Southern accents) by many fans, Martinez has lorded over the Bulldogs’ rise down the leading defensive rankings by giving up more points each and every year without fail. His charges are nationally recognized for their high number of penalties, advanced poor tackling skills, and superior bucket placement (on head). Willie has presided over the worst defense in recent UGA history, surrendering 30+ points eleven times in the last 4 years, compared to only 1 30+ point surrender in the previous four years under previous UGA DC Brian Van Gorder. Martinez has earned one of the most stable positions in all of college sports - mounted firmly under Mark Richt’s desk - through his tried and proved method of relying on Van Gorder’s well-coached leftovers, bending and breaking, and avoiding distractions like improvement or motivation.

By MadDOG2020

December 1, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this

I be plenty upset at CMR. He don’t know whn hes behind. I gonna chuch my empty botl in his truc, car, or whut he driv aroun in wif a not dat sez, qut now as uy cin be replacd. madDOG

By ray-GSU86

December 1, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this

Hey “Hey Curious?”, Ga. Tech had 438 yards rushing against Mississippi State, and Dwyer had 141 yards on 9 carries. That works out to 15.6 yards per carry. That is the only SEC school we played this year. And, we won 38-7. How is Knowshon doing? Hahahahahaha!!!!!

By UGA will be no better in 09

December 1, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this

HAHA Thump your chest about mutts will win it all in 09. mutts lose 3-4 games in 09.

By keep CMR so bama, UF, LSU, NERDS

December 1, 2008 7:41 PM | Link to this

will keep beating UGA!

By CHARLOTTE DAWG

December 1, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this

Just Curious,

Yes, we still think all those things. It is one year Jack a$$! Tech isn’t even in the top 3 of Georgia rivals and still won’t be. Act like you’ve been there you fat slob.

Careful about the crap talking. It will bite you in the A$$ just like it bite us.

And your comparison about Dwyer to Moreno shows your some pencil necked geek Tech fan that doesn’t know his a$$ from his elbow. They are different offenses. Georgia throws the ball you idiot!

But if you want to question something, answer me this. I wonder if Tech can consitently recruit superior talent when the high school kids know the PB&J express doesn’t prepare them for the NFL? I think not. But as long as Tech has PB&J, the rivalry will be competitive and Tech should expect to beat Georgia every few years. But since Tech is Tech, that’s the best they have to hope for.

Go back to your own blog nerd. You can talk to “Ramble On” about how great your offense is against the worst defense in the SEC. If Georgia knew how to tackle you wouldn’t be so full of yourself. You got a gift this year. Congrats you a$$ whipe!!!

By UGA Will Finish 3rd or 4th in The SEC

December 1, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this

With Mark Richt and his staff.

By Top Dawg

December 1, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this

CWM, Reshad Jones & Dannell Ellerbee have turned the Junkyard Dawgs into the Chumpyard Dawgs, or better yet the Clunkyard Dawgs.

By attn gay ray

December 1, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this

Can you go ahead and let everyone know what they did against pityful North Carolina while you are at it?? I am glad it took you 7 years to get the peter out of your mouth to say something about UGA

By Denver dog

December 1, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this

Well put Mr. Towers. However, I would say, don’t count Martinez in or out yet. Here is why:

1) The bowl game, a chance to prove one way or the other.

2) CMR is not going to cut someone with the season still at hand.

3) The true “job pool” is not available yet, and when it is, CMR may have someone he jumps upon.

4) That fine tooth comb, may pull out some hair, and Willie may or may not be one of them.

5) In option football defense, the DB’s have to make the QB committ. That is the basic way it works. String it out, defend your man, make the stop.

6 Bend but don’t break is great if you can keep them between the 20’s.

7 Willie coaches the DB’s too!

Intentional grounding! Remember it.

In closing Matthew threw one touchdown pass too many! It was the one that he threw to Tech that was the difference in the game.

By Rod

December 1, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this

Techsturds, Get the hell off our blogs pretending to be disgruntled dawg fans.

By Margie

December 1, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this

Richt has done as much as he can do at Georgia and needs to go. He has overstayed. He’s not the type of coach who can get us a championship. He’s not first-rate; he needs to be a place like Valdosta State. Richt needs to go; Georgia was embarrassed too badly this year.

By TybeeDawg

December 1, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this

The key to success next year is to talk Willie Martinez into coming back for his Redshirt Senior year

By ga72

December 1, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this

I just realized I misspelled Coach Garner’s last name. Mea culpa. However, the truth remains.

By Top Dawg

December 1, 2008 8:11 PM | Link to this

How about John Chavis (Tennessee), Kirby Smart (Alabama) or Jon Tenuta (Notre Dame) to replace CWM? Chavis & Tenuta are sure to be unemployed soon, and Smart is a Dawg from way-back.

By thetruth

December 1, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this

2008 was eerily similar to 2006 and most of 2007: blowout loses to big rivals and close wins over lesser teams. If not for UGA’s little run at the end of last year (which included beating a high school team in the Sugar Bowl), I would suggest Mark Richt would be in Tommy Tuberville territory right now: maybe not on the hot seat but close enough to singe a few hairs. A cult of personality has developed around Richt, so it’s difficult to be critical despite the facts. Just remember 2006…the close escape against Colorado (which hadn’t beaten anybody in more than a year), the loss to Vanderbilt, the blowout to Tennessee. All at home. In 2007, UGA was staring down the barrel of a second consecutive loss to Vanderbilt before the Commodores gave them a gift fumble. Somehow, someway, UGA found the mojo to beat Florida, Auburn and high school team in the Sugar Bowl and all of a sudden everyone is drinking Red and Black Kool Aid. This year’s team looked no different than 2006’s team: poor defense, poor special teams, unimaginative play calling. Georgia most certainly has the thinnest playbook in the nation. My guess is there are seven plays (four of which are screen passes). Richt and company had great success early with Jim Donnan’s recruits and Brian Van Gorder’s coaching. Both are long gone now. With Stafford and Moreno most certainly leaving Athens, we will find out exactly how good a coach Mark Richt is next year. I hope I am surprised.

By bernieofga

December 1, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this

Im sorry that the Dawgs couldnt do much this year to our standards and our promises that we all thought we could. First and formost, I believe it starts at coaching, practice and then the players themself. Our running back situation is crazy. I believe we all know who will be leaving this year, thanks for all the good memories 24, but we need to have a RB step up. 4 didnt impress me at all, 22 did a decent job when he got the chance, but I really think 27 is something special. I got to watch him at Heard County run the ball. And he did a mighty damn fine job………on the other hand. Whaley might be the man. I watched him in the quarterfinals and it was amazing. Ok lets put this season behind us, focus on the bowl game we get, support them. But in the process let get a new damn placekicker who can kick better than out of bounds and the 40 yard line each and every time………………………Walsh needs help.

By Terrible Truth

December 1, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this

I’m sure everything has been pretty well covered but the things that irritated me the most were the personal foul penalties, the sloppy tackling and a general lack of basic fundamentals. John Wooten started his season opening practices wth basic fundamentals that treated the players like they had never even touched a basketball much less set foot on a basketball court. And please, PLEASE, kick the damn ball through the end zone on kickoffs and stop this cutesy little game of trying to pin the opponent inside the twenty. Find someone who can kick the ball seventy five, eighty yards, it doesn’t matter if its ten feet off the ground and make the opposing offense start at the twenty. If they drive it eighty yards, they drive it eighty yards, it sure beats giving it to them at the forty. And recruit some line beef!

By FLA DAWG

December 1, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this

No coaching changes and with the assumption we lose Stafford and Moreno we will be lucky to lose only 4 games next season (more likely 6).

Richt has taken on the responsibility of protecting Martinez - OK PAL, YOU ARE NOW DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WHOLE MESS FROM NOW ON.

By Dogbyte

December 1, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this

The problem with the Dawgs this year? In a word, or a few words. Discipline, or lack of it. That is not the DC’s fault, or the players. It is the fault of the head man. He says that everything will be looked at and changes, if necessary, will be made. I suggest he look in the mirrow. Taking his players swimming and bowling is excellent activity for Sunday school classes. I suggest that you need much much more for, and from, people that you expect to battle in the elite college football arena. So, CMR I suggest that you heed the words of Pogo: “We have met the enemy and it is us”. Those are my last words on this matter. Selah.

By jbh3rd

December 1, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this

Chip, Have enjoyed your excellent coverage and conversational pieces this year. Stafford should not be on that list in fact he won them a few games this year. Every QB is going to make mistakes (SEE the Manning bros, SB MVP’s who have thrown many INT’s in career). He made thows that David Greene could only dream about. Otherwise your list is good. Tackling #1 by far! Coaching should be number 2 which was pitiful by Richt and Martinez this year.

By Top Dawg

December 1, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this

Lack of motivation and urgency.

By AltamahaDawg

December 1, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this

Gentlemen, please get over this complaint about the Kickoff. OBVIOUSLY the coaches do not tell the young man to kick it out of bounds, any more than they tell our returner to fumble it. Do you observe what the other teams do? Where they kick it? It’s exactly the same place, towards the side as close to the goalline as possible. Our problem has been that our freshman has been hitting anywhere from the 10 to the 18. There is a reason we do not kick to the middle and its universal in football. That is the weak spot in the coverage. Ever question WHY a KO returners fileds the ball and heads direct back to the middle? Why would you give him the headstart? Directional kicks is the standard. The FACT is that you cannot kick it out of the back of the endzone from that spot and everybody attempts to do the same thing we do, just better.

By CHARLOTTE DAWG

December 1, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this

Richt stopped tackling drills b/c of injuries. At that moment, can anybody blame him? I thought we were going to have to get a student from the biology department fitted for a uniform and pads.

The injuries were something out of a GD Greek tragedy. But when its your turn to be unlucky, lady luck just smiles at you and laughs. It was our turn. Hopefully she’ll move on to someone else.

So I think Richt learned his lesson. You got to keep being rough in practice to show up on Saturday like you have a pair. They didn’t.

I see why Richt did that though. God Almighty, can we please have some better luck next year with injuries?!

This isn’t an excuse for losing to Tech(so settle down Nerds). I’m just making a point. So when the University of Injury starts getting cranked up again with torn ACL’s, dislocated shoulders, broken hands, Richt needs to stay the course. B/c if we knew how to tackle this past Saturday, Georgia could have won with 50% more injuries then they actually had. YOU GOT TO KNOW HOW TO TACKLE A SPREAD OPTION OFFENSE! Insert UNC and Virginia. Not great football schools. Not great athletes. But they tackled!!!!

I’m scared we will lose to them again next year. I’ll be a nervous wreck come game time. I can’t bear to see those nerds in such joy for another year. This year will be quite enough.

By AltamahaDawg

December 1, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this

Chip, I suppose that your request for lucid suggestion “given that nobody IS going to get fired” just cannot overcome the completely futile effort to talk about somebody getting fired and list possible replacements for a job that has no opening. Rehashing past scores yielded will certainly go a long way in helping this team get better next year as well. I assumed you were asking that question withing the context of reality.

By ga72

December 1, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this

“everybody attempts to do the same thing we do, just better” Obviously, the sideline provides a wall for the kicking team if you are trying to pin the receiving team deep. But, if you are not capable of keeping the ball deep and in bounds, WHY WOULD YOU CONTINUE THE STRATEGY? Even kicking to the weak spot (the middle) does not have the probabilities of the 40 yard line for the receiving team virtually every kick. In fact, the chances for bad things to happen for the receiving team is just as good as we have shown this year by mishandling the kick. Out of bounds is a free pass.

By John Kincade is Gay

December 1, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this

I think John Kincade should be fired. Look at this trash he put up on his website:

I don’t feel sorry for fans of sports teams. I personally choose to stick a proverbial fork in my eye year after year rooting for the teams I love. I am an adult and it is a decision I make to align myself with many disappointing squads. I do it because like in 2008, you can celebrate a championship and know that you went through a lot of ugly losses to get there. Not that many UGA fans want it, but I am offering it. This is just my advice. Considering that I called this thing pretty close since last February (though I never could have predicted the lopsided nature of the defeats) you may want to stop shooting the messenger and listen this time!

First, don’t spin doctor the disaster of 2008 off to injuries or anything else. The 2008 Georgia Bulldogs LOST their games. They clearly could have lost at least two others without dramatic plays at the end. Every team deals with injuries and if you are a Top 10 program (which Georgia clearly has been under Mark Richt) you overcome them with those great recruits you always are hearing about. If the talent was not there to overcome the losses, blame someone and find someone better to do the job. If not, accept and move on.

Secondly, don’t spin doctor the “tough schedule”. The fact is that the SEC had the weakest season it has had in many years. Obviously Alabama and Florida can play with anyone in the country. Who is the third best team in the conference? Georgia? They were run off their home field by Alabama and Georgia Tech for a total of 86 points allowed! That is the stuff of also rans, not pre-season #1’s. I won’t even get into the 49-10 failure to compete against Florida! The three best teams Georgia faced put up 135 points on them.

Don’t use the “other programs would be proud to go 9-3”! Georgia fans claim that their program is elite. Many of the years under mark Richt they have played up to that! The fact is that this year, the most over-hyped year in memory, they were under-achievers. There is nothing to be proud of going 9-3 when the three best teams abused your defense. Take out the Mickey Mouse wins to start the year (2-0) and you are down to 7 other wins. What is the signature “good win”? Is it at Arizona State? Don’t even go there. Beating Tennessee? Squeaking by Kentucky and Auburn who were below mediocre clubs? The 9-3 drum sounds pretty hollow.

Accountability needs to be front and center. This off-season should be one of ZERO TOLERANCE for Mark Richt. No matter how the apologists try to tell you that this is just kids being kids, that is false. The fact is that the vast majority of Americans don’t ever have a mug shot or are asked to post bail. It is a small percentage of our society that gets arrested for ANYTHING! Stop covering up for the anti-social behavior of players because it makes winning on Saturdays easier. How about banning the bar district to players? Sounds extreme, but the black eyes of the police blotter make UGA look bad locally and nationally.

Mark Richt can’t control the overzealous fans, but he SHOULD be able to control his players. There should be a ban on ANY talk of SEC Championships or National Titles this off-season. There should not be reason for a UGA player to be quoted in the AJC about national title aspirations like this year. Yes, you CAN say we are not thinking about that or taking it one game at a time. You don’t have to give into the media and start talking about goals that may never be realized. We don’t need to be deluged with AJC columns about how this is going to be the year, substantiated with player quotes. Let Mark Bradley kiss the hind quarters of Richt in print. The players don’t have to share any large dreams with anyone but themselves!

If Matthew Stafford and or Knowshon Moreno decide to leave they are not to be held up for ridicule. They have the god given talents and DESRVE the opportunity to cash in. If they decide to leave, they should be applauded for their fine efforts on behalf of the school. It may seem like an unfinished chapter to you, but they have maybe one chance to get the BIG pay day. I hope they do it.

There are other FACTS that need to be considered. Fact is that Mark Richt is one hell of a coach. He is also the best road coach in the NCAA today! He is a man of personal strength and character. He is a fantastic leader! This was most certainly not his finest hour, but at least 110 schools would kill to have this guy running their program. Does he have to change things up? ABSOLUTELY! Is he prefect? NO! He is very capable of turning this disappointment into something worth remembering.

Tech fans are still partying in the streets and they deserve to. They are ridiculed (sometimes deservingly) and are enjoying their moment in the sun. The question is whether this is a turning point in the rivalry or just a blip on the radar? One man, mark Richt, will answer that question for us! Should we expect more of the same at UGA? I hope not. I hope they learn from the mistakes of 2008.

Here is to an off-season of no arrests, no false bravado and more discipline! Maybe 2009 will have a different ending!

By disgruntled dawg

December 1, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this

Chip….. Why haven’t you inquired about the outbursts and feud between Martinez and Fabris during the games this year? To answer your question earlier NO I for one wont be going to the CRAPITAL ONE BOWL if that is for sure where the Dawgs will land.

By SC Dawg

December 1, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this

Now that the season is over, those Ford truck commercials seem pretty silly and not relevant to UGA football.

I agree with several posters that something is broken with the team. I hope it will be addressed. Sometimes a change is necessary just shake things up some and get moving in a positive direction.

Bulldawg-24 makes several good points. The small details need to be managed. Off-season arrests, etc. should result in dismissal from the team. There needs to be accountability for actions!

By Bob

December 1, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this

Agree with everything Chip except the Stafford comment. First of all, it hasn’t been three years later. Its been two years later. I think it absolute lunacy to still question is accuracy when he is completing nearly 62% of his passes. Your standards might be a tad high there bud. The interception against Tech was god awful no doubt, but alot of his interceptions this year was him just trying to make something happen when we were down by a wide margin.

Stafford has been very underappreciated. He will undoubtedly shoulder much of the blame for our failed season, which is unfortunate and not fair.

By Mr Wright

December 1, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this

So we ask our selves… How do we turn a Badminton team into a football team ?

First, you must have a leader… With Mark Richt, we all know we have that. Next comes the staff, and we all know Mark Richt is only good as his staff. So how does he get the most out of his staff… by allowing them to be at their best. Case in point, Wille Mo… I am sure he is a heck of a DB coach and maybe being The D-Corrdinator, isn’t his cup of tea.. So MR , put him back at just handling the DB’s and make him a co-d coordinator…. I heard that John Chavis is looking for a job, and what I have read about him… He is a daggum Great Defensive Coordinator…. He isn’t afraid of getting into the players faces, when they give a half hearted effort. Plus he makes quick ajustments, something that hasn’t happened, since Van’s days…

So Please Coach Richt, please stop the Red, Silver and Black blood that is being pumped out of this Dawg nations..

P.S. Encase you haven’t heard, there a Payer, not a player, by the name of Dr. Adams…. and he isn’t afraid of making these changes, so Please Coach Richt, pull the trigger !

Peace…. and Chicken Grease… Don’t get non on you ……

By Jon P

December 1, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this

Here’s what I think:

I think that I will not go to another UGA football game until Willie Martinez is gone.

I think that if CMR cannot make the tough decisions that come with being the head football coach at one of the big time football programs then maybe HE needs to be fired!

I think that Steve Spurrier showed us today that when things are not working that we need to remove those that have that responsibility (he fired his offensive line coach today as SC’s offense couldn’t run the ball at all this year).

I think that CMR is living in a fantasy world as he stated earlier this year that “style points don’t count.” As long as there are human voters in the polls then style points most certainly DO count as shown by Oklahoma’s late charge to the #2 spot in the BCS. Do you really think that they would be #2 and going to the Big 12 championship game if they only beat Texas Tech, Oklahoma State or anyone else by less than 20? They may be giving up some points lately, but they’re scoring 60+ points per game the last 2 games…when people are REALLY paying attention! They’re called STYLE POINTS and YES, they DO matter!!!

I think that CMR lacks the killer instinct that I see in Urban Meyer, Bob Stoopes, Mack Brown and Pete Carroll. Guess what these coaches all have in common? That’s right, they all have national championship rings!

Lastly, I think that if giving up 38 points or more in almost half of your games (5) where you are not even in the game on the largest stages (FLA, ALA) is not a reason to fire or demote your defensive coordinator, then how about the fact that we are giving up more points every single year that he is in charge of the defense (16.6 in 2005, 17.6 in 2006, 20.2 in 2007 and 25.6 this year (2008)? This is a disturbing trend and the buck stops at the man in charge of it!

How about all of the defensive meltdowns that we’ve seen since CWM has been in charge of the defense?

-2005 - 38 to West Virginia (28-0 to start the game) -2006 - 51 to Tennessee (37-9 in 2nd half) -2007 - 35 to Tennessee (21-0 @ halftime) -2008 - 31 to Alabama (31-0 @ halftime) - 38 to LSU (17 1st, 21 2nd) - 49 to Florida (35-7 in 2nd half) - 38 to Kentucy (24-21 in 2nd half) - 45 to GA Tech (26-0 in 3rd Qtr)

It’s getting worse!!!

I’m not angry about losing, I’m angry about how bad we look doing it!!!

Stupid penalties + lack of effort + no tackling + multiple arrests + lack of discipline + out of position + lack of adjustments + stupid coach = Georgia’s defense

CMR: Get a clue and cut the dead weight that’s bringing this program down!

By monty

December 1, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this

John Kinkade is Gay:

Nice Post, agree with most everything you said amd it was well written. I am curious to know what everyone thinks about the QB situation next year. Who is the odds on favorite and then I guess the back up is someone with no experience on the college level. The Murray kid throws on the run better than anyone I have seen.

By Jacket Lou

December 1, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this

You’ve Been THUNDERSTUNG!!!! YEAH YEAH YEAH THUNDERSTUNG!!!!

By CHARLOTTE DAWG

December 1, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this

The off season arrests will not stop. The Athens PD for some reason completely detests Georgia football players. Aside from a few thugs, Georgia has the same trouble makers every other program has. They are trouble makers b/c they have gotten away with it their entire lives. They’ve always been stronger, bigger. They can act out while the rest of us have to think things over to keep from ending up in a casket. And yet, you don’t see the same magnitude of arrests at UT, Florida, Auburn, or SC. Of course there are some. But they don’t make them like the Athens PD in other places. The Athens PD is something…well…special is the kind word. After Florida players ran a muck in Gainesville after their NC, it seemed like they got a free pass from the Gainesville PD. Drug and weapons possessions magically went away. We’d read about it one day..and then nothing…or charges were dropped. Hmmm Perhaps the Gainesville PD realizes their town would be next to nothing without the university of Florida. Kind of like Athens. So keep getting those “collars” from Caleb King riding a moped officers. Your still poor…losers!!!

So that’s not going to stop folks. Something we are just going to have to deal with. You can’t ban 5 Points. They are in college. They deserve to let loose just like we did.

The discipline can get better on the field though. And the coaching can get better. And the players can get smarter. And Richt can get meaner and command more respect.

Did you see PB&J on the sideline? He was chewing his players out. Richt just paced the sideline….back and forth…back and forth….”oh wait, time for my 4th quarter speech since we are losing and people are getting pi$$ed. Maybe I should have done that 3 minutes into the third quarter.”

Our next “President” if you want to call him that, said its time for a change. God almighty. Preach on…..cause that’s what’s needed at Georgia.

Aside from hearing it from the Nerd Herd for the rest of this year and 2009 up until Thanksgiving, things should get less embarrassing since nobody in their right mind is going to put us in the top 15 next year for the preseason. Sadly, we’ll still be picked to finish second in the SEC East by default. Unless things change, I don’t even buy that.

Losing to Tech is so much worse than losing to Florida or UT. Its because we might not like those universities in the SEC, but are they really that much different than us? Nope…just good folks who are pashionate about football. Someone you’d have a beer with(except Gator Chomp who lives in his mother’s basement). Now for Tech fans, No sir. They are very different. Nothing like us. A sheer embarrassment to have to share the state with.

That’s why losing to Tech is quite possibly the worse thing in 2008 next to Obama getting elected. You would have thought each Nerd fan just hit the lottery jack pot. And you hear it over and over again. Perhaps they know they better enjoy it while it lasts. But if we don’t change, perhaps they should stop acting so joyous since it could become commonplace to beat Georgia. Oh dear God, please NO!!!!

By Simple Willie

December 1, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this

Is it just me or is Willie Martinez trying to be the second coming of Joe Kines(bend but don’t break, whatever you do don’t blitz, and giving up yards seems to be a good idea)? We need to bring back the GATA attitude to defense!

By dawgfan

December 1, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this

First off no mattter what im a dawg fan till i die. georgia is always going to be a good team. they will never be a great team unless the coaches step it up and make some changes. if they don’t then coach richt needs to step up and make some coaching changes. we have way to much talent to be putting together seasons like this. i hope they figure something out before the bowl and learn how to stop the run. i never thought i would say that. this is one of the worst defenses that we have had in years. they just have to man up.

By dawgman

December 1, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this

Lets face the obvious, Richt is not job scared so change is not coming anytime soon. He is a product of the Miami/FSU culture. The problem now becomes the same Criminole/Hurricane downward spiral associated with the status quo (there is no such thing as staus quo), as Mama’s look for a program with the ability to mentor and prepare “junior” for life in the NFL.

Stafford/Green/Massaquoi/Marino masked the offensive coordinator issues. Nobody masked the defensive coordinator issues. What we have here is one more year of Martinez, two more years of Bobo while the best recruits get away from us because these guys are smarter than our coaches. They know change is inevitable, and therefore have no idea who they’ll be coached by in 2011. At Bama, or Florida, they have certainty. At Ole Miss they have a chance to be part of history. At Georgia, they get love but little else.

How many years did we all know Ray Goff loved Georgia, but had no coaching ability. Answer: at least the last four years of his coaching tenure.

Richt needs to be made insecure….now.

By BE#3

December 1, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this

Jeff @ 5:01pm made a great comment……make Rodney Garner the co-DC or either just promote Garner and demote Willie. Garner is going to get an opportunity as a DC elsewhere if he does not get the chance here.

Rashad Jones should’ve been benched several times this year. Just wrap your damn arms around someone and you’ll be fine. Maybe John Knox will get a few more looks in the off-season. Marcus Washington will be back in the middle of the LB’s in ‘09.

Let someone other than Walsh handle KO duty and have that person kick it DEEP!

Stafford……..good luck in Detroit.

Knowshon……..the Heisman is your’s in ‘09.

105………..135 Those #’s should be very important in February during mat drills. 105 is # of penalties. 135 is points allowed in the 3 losses.

By Chip Towers

December 1, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this

disgruntled dawg: I haven’t inquired about the alleged “feud” between Fabris and Martinez because I have never witnessed anything myself. I’ve only heard rumors of the supposed outburst but never saw them happen in the games. I’ll check YouTube and ask around at the athletics department but, again, I don’t report unsubstantiated rumors. Anybody who can please direct me to any video proof you may know of.

By TxDawg0531

December 1, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this

If the Bulldogs want to find a pass rush they need to check out two guys at Grayson High School #94 Green and # 61 Champaign. Those guys are both juniors and have another year in High School, but they are the main reason the Rams led Gwinnett County in sacks.

By stendec

December 1, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this

If Richt retains Martinez then Richt should go! The Dawgs will be a better TEAM without Moreno and Stafford. These Dawgs teased like 1980 USSR hockey team. Self proclaimed greatness only an illusion. Silver medal no consolation! Double digit wins by UGA as fragile as a sand castle at high tide! Looks impressive but of no real substance. Quickly washes away then is just as quickly forgotten.

By GT Guy

December 1, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this

Maybe your guys need to hit the weight room more often. Not only did the jackets win the game, they physically punished the dawgs all day long and by the 4th Q, the broke the will of the dawgs defense.

Outstanding game, see ya next year

By PHIL

December 1, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this

Bulldawg 24 I am not saying that you did not present facts, what I am saying is that you presented them in such a way that you are a liar as much as if you had misrepresented the facts. For instance, you gave how many points WE scored in the losses when Coach VanGorder was the DC. But you left out how many the other team scored. Your a liar. Period.

Sickof this If your life revolves around a football game, you’re an idiot, you need a new life. There are more important things. As a matter of fact, I’ll go on to say that people like you are what is wrong with the whole country today. No moral standards. Get me what I want and who cares what it costs someone else. That’s the thinking of someone who would rather have Saban or Meyer as a coach.

And to whoever put Mac Brown in that list of coaches who are wonderful because he had a national championship, he got one because he had Vince Young. Just like Dooley won one because he had Hershel. You luck into the right players and Mickey Mouse could coach a national champion.

We don’t have the talent on defense to do any better than we did.

And how can anyone with ANY brain cells have anything bad to say about any offensive coach???? We had the leading passer, leading reciever, leading rusher in the conference, with a YOUNG and often injured offensive line. HOW could they have done anymore?

And lastly to John Kincade, whoever that is, find a team that is ranked higher TODAY, than UGA who also has had 18 season ending injurys and you can call the injury excuse “spin.” You can’t do it. We did more with less than anyone.

By CHARLOTTE DAWG

December 1, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this

I just saw Richard Samuel fumble the ball….again.

Richard, do you realize the first and last time you touched the ball in the 2008 season….ya’ fumbled? Jesus Christ kid! WTF!!!!!!!!!!

I don’t care if the season is over. I’d make that kid walk around campus with a football under his arms, even during his final exam of Intro to Basket Weaving. Take that fumble away and there is no panic, no sense of doom, no Techies thinking “oh, we got this one.” When he fumbled, I knew it was over. B/c it was blatantly obvious after that play that Every Dawg has his day….but so does every Nerd. I knew it was over. Take that fumble away and we win. We’d still be upset at Willie Soft Zone and be concerned, but God Almighty we wouldn’t have to hear it from the Nerd Herd. The wheels just fell off after that play. The air went out of the entire stadium and even the players had the expression of “WE are *ucked” on their faces.”

Thanks Richard. You have something to prove next year son. Circle the Tech game on your calender. Time to man up!!

By S.E. Dawg

December 1, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this

Sautee Dawg @ 6:25. That hasn’t been the only time. If the coaches are in each others face, one blaming the other, what message does that send to the players. No wonder the players are in disarray(sp).

By MIKEVICK

December 1, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this

9-3…DAMN but its ok ,we will only improve once CMR puts up a fence around the state of Georgia and stop letting the best players leave year in year out. He keeps bringing in these out of state overated guys like Stafford and Prince Miller and Tripp Chandler while letting Eric Berry, Allen Bailey and Omar Hunter leave the state .CWM is the worse DC in the S.E.C he gets no energy and discipline out of his defense and i hope he doesnt end up causing CMR to lose his job . CMB sucked at Q.B and he sucks as OC, too many slow developing screen passes , bad red zone play calling. his offenjses never seem to establish a idenity. But i like CMR, he just needs to change cordinators and recruit better in the state. But also we suffered from injuries people so stop whining they will be ok

By FSU Dawgs

December 1, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this

The scary thing about UGA is this…we have become a team strikingly similar to the dominating FSU teams of the 90’s when Richt was still down there. All the talent in the world, but also undisciplined. Players causing nearly as much trouble off the field as they do on it…and the way they play the game is pretty lawless much of the time too. The difference is, those FSU squads were still good enough to win championships depite the thuggish mentality. Richt has definitely reacted to the spread coming to the SEC and he did it in the wrong way…he’s gone out and gotten smaller defensive players in the name of speed. Look at Alabama…they still do it with size and strength. No wait…if they beat Florida on Saturday, then the point will be proven…size and strength would be proven yet again. If we’re going to shift to that sort of defensive personnel, then the whole team and coaching staff needs to study film of the Indianopolis Colts defense of the past few years religiously. They field a drastically undersized defense…but they get it done because they’re the best tacklers in the League. Also Freeney and Mathis make the OTs who outweigh them by 30-60 lbs look like out-of-position running backs…SEE: film from yesterday’s 2nd half against Cleveland.

The point is…Richt was doing it right when he came up here and for the first several years. But he has gotten away from the things he was doing so right in reaction to Urban Meyer and his spread and Steve Spurrier’s return with the Fun N Gun. GET BACK TO WHAT YOU WERE DOING COACH…it was getting the pieces in place for a run at the championship.

By La Jolla Dawg

December 1, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this

Chip, not sure about it being a “feud” but on at least two occasions, I saw a sideline shot of Fabris and Martinez yelling at each other. Pretty sure it happened, and was shown, during two different games that were televised on CBS.

By Denver dog

December 1, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this

Ok, you have all whined and whimpered. We have a top team, and a top program. We play in the thoughest conference in the USA. We lost to the #1 #2 and for at least right now, the # 13 team. There is no reason for us to look back unless we use it to get better. This year is not over yet. We will have a chance to beat a good big 10 team, and end up with 10 wins, again, albeit not all the wins that we want. In 1983 Dominique Wilkins left the Dogs and then we went to the Final 4. So fans don’t get down on the great coach, great program, and great traditions we have at UGA. Just remember, for us, wait til next year will come after 10 wins, and not 10 losses like the North Ave Trade School. Dogs Rule, bring it on the sun indeed comes back up.

By DrugDawg

December 1, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this

I really wouldn’t care if Georgia got rid of the whole bunch - from Damon Evans on down - Richt -Martinez - Bobo - and the rest. I don’t have anything new to add to all the problems that exist, but both football and men’s basketball suck big time. We won’t beat Florida again in the foreseeable future - we are nowhere close now. Bammer is back - ranked #1 in less than 2 years. Wonder how that happened? Well they got a coach that coaches real good. Ole Miss is on the rise. And we can’t tackle the pitch man on the triple option. Georgia would fit in about the middle of the ACC, but we are headed lower in the SEC. It’s coaching, but we don’t have the balls to do anything about it, so we will continue to suck. We didn’t beat anybody of any consequence this year, that’s for sure.

By Bulldawg-24

December 1, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this

Phil, You are a idot! Would you get off the injury excuse. Yes we had 18 injurys 8 season ending. CSS got the oline whipped into shape with all the injuries. A program like GA should be able to replace players. We returned more starters on D with more experence and yet CWM could not do his job I don’t here anybody complaining about CSS. You obviously know nothing about Football. Get a life!

By S.E. Dawg

December 1, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this

Chip, Martinez and Fabris were blasting each other in the South Carolina game. I saw it on TV, national TV. However, I was at the game Saturday but didn’t see it but I have no doubt that it happened.

By Bulldawg-24

December 1, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this

Phil,

Here’s some more number for ya pp Sucker!

Under VanGorder, Georgia allowed only 15.1 points while winning the Southeastern Conference championship in 2002. The next season, the Bulldogs claimed a share of the SEC East title and allowed an average of 14.5 points, which ranked second nationally. Two seasons ago, Georgia ranked ninth with a 16.6 per-game average.

By Bulldawg-24

December 1, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this

Phil, More facts or lies as you say.

In 2001 he was hired as Defensive Coordinator and linebackers coach for the University of Georgia Bulldogs. During his first year as Defensive Coordinator at Georgia in 2001, the Bulldogs allowed just 18.9 points per game, ended up fifth in rushing defense and ranked 17th in scoring defense. For his coaching efforts, he was named the seventh recipient of the Valvoline Southern Sports Tonight “Assistant Coach of the Year”.

The 2002 season saw VanGorder’s defense not only lead the SEC in scoring defense, but finish fourth nationally. The Bulldogs allowed only 31 points during the final seven games of the season on their way to eventually winning the Sugar Bowl and finishing third in the final national poll.

In 2003, VanGorder’s defense ranked third nationally in scoring defense, fourth in total defense and sixth in passing defense. In turn, VanGorder received the Frank Boyles “Assistant Coach of the Year” award, which honors the nation’s top assistant coach.[2]

During his final season at Georgia in 2004, the 10-2 Bulldogs were ranked seventh in the final national poll as VanGorder’s defense finished the season ranked eighth and ninth in scoring defense.

During his Georgia tenure, six of VanGorder’s players were selected in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft, including defensive tackle Jonathan Sullivan, safety Thomas Davis and defensive end David Pollack in the first round, and safety Sean Jones and line-backers Boss Bailey, as well as Odell Thurman in the second round.

By BE#3

December 1, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this

Chip — Go back and look at film from the GA/Carolina game. Martinez and Fabris were going at it.

Richard Samuel’s first fumble was inexcusable. He saw the endzone before he caught the pitch. On Saturday, the kid was trying to get extra yards and was carrying about 4 Nerds on his back while doing so. If the defense had any heart, they would have held the Nerds to 3.

What about the pick 6 Stafford threw? Take that away and Georgia wins. Is it Stafford’s fault Georgia lost? Hell no, the kid threw for 400 yds and 5 TD’s. When your defense gives up 400 yds rushing, there is no way in hell you will win.

Don’t fault a kid (Samuel) for trying to get a few extra yards. Maybe if our KO return team didn’t blow so bad, he wouldn’t be fighting to get the ball out to the 20. The kid runs damn hard every time he touches the ball. If only our defense had his heart.

By stendec

December 1, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this

Hi Chip. Cannot name coaches (neither was Richt), Saw sideline exchanges twice during CBS presentations. Exchanges appeared extremely heated. Sorry I cannot be more helpful. If disputes denied then you are being lied to. Best my friend.

By BE#3

December 1, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this

“We will have a chance to beat a good big 10 team”

That would mean there would have to be a good big 10 team out there……other than OSU and PSU.

And if it is MSU, I’m not sure we can stop Javon Ringer. He’ll probably run for 500 yards against our soft defense.

By Chris

December 1, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this

If Willie is staying they better change his philosphy. Maybe we should hire a co defensive coordinator. Other teams have it. Van Gorder was agressive. U see the way the Falcons blitz and put so much pressure on you. That is the way Georgia’s Defense used to be and needs to be. Blitz and Blitz some more. You have to be aggressive in the SEC. I hate a soft defense and that is what we got. I can’t really truly say what kind of defense we got due to sensorship issues

By Jim Cornett

December 1, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this

I’m starting a movement. Inverted flags are a sign of distress, so after the loss Saturday, I inverted my “G” license plate on my car. It will remain upside down until we beat Tech next year. Tell your family, tell your friends, flip yours, and if you don’t have one- get one.

By Mike T.

December 1, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this

It’s great not to be associated with Georgia Tech

By Rod

December 1, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this

Chip, Fabris and Willie got in a big arguement after a kickoff by the special teams that CBS cameras caught. It looked like Willie was going to hit Fabris but a defense lineman grabed Willie and Fabris started saying something to Richt. All is not well between Fabris and Willie thats obvious from anyone that watches the games on tv.

By AltamahaDawg

December 1, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this

ga72, because the middle is a disaster. I’m not making this stuff up, every person I have even heard speak on this says the same thing. You CANNOT kick it low and to the middle. It’s a long runback every other time. I’d rather give up the 40 on mistakes (that can be addressed) than my own 4. I think the point is that you don’t NOT do the right thing because your player might make mistakes. We kicked off 72 times this year, how many went out of bound? 6,8 maybe even 10? Once every 7 times is Not a reason to play with fire down the middle. FWIW as bad as KO coverage has been, and we are next to last……that only 7 yards worse than the top team in the league. UF is 2 yrd better…..TWO (2) . They have kicked off almost 100 times and managed touchbacks only 11 times.

Personally, I think we need a KO specialist ASAP, but clearly we didn’t have a better option this year.

One thing I did NOT agree with Chip about was the part about forgeting that we were the top punt return team in the SEC this year. Average yard Do matter. As far as no threat……..we had one TD in 23 attempts, the great explosive UF return team had 2 in 38. Punt return was solid except for a couple of games.

By Mike T.

December 1, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this

Hey Jim maybe we can get the equioment mgrs. to put the G’s on the helmets for the bowl game.If we don’t play any better defense in the bowl,we’ll get our head handed to us then also.

By Doug

December 1, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this

Richt is in denial and continues to blame the players: “they don’t execute.” So does Martinez. I really like Richt but unfortunately, he is going to go down being loyal to Martinez. Of course, why should Richt care — he, like Fulmer, will get a big buyout. As Steve Spurrier said about Phat Phil: Nice lottery.

By haveyoukickedyourdawgtoday

December 1, 2008 11:22 PM | Link to this

We’re going to have a top 5 recruitin’ class. Just wail til next year !!!

By Gen Neyland

December 1, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this

First, I give CMR credit for standing by his DC… Second, to keep a DC that coached UGA’s D to two of it’s three losses is a good sign for the rest of the SEC East in 2009…Save Willie…

By haveyoukickedyourdawgtoday

December 1, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this

We’re going to have a top 5 recruitin’ class. Just wait till next year !!!!

By haveyoukickedyourdawgtoday

December 1, 2008 11:25 PM | Link to this

We’re going to have a top 5 recruitin’ class. Just wait till next year !!!!

By Bulldawg-24

December 1, 2008 11:31 PM | Link to this

Top 5 does nothing without great coaching!

By KJ

December 1, 2008 11:32 PM | Link to this

*Personally, I think we need a KO specialist ASAP, but clearly we didn’t have a better option this year. *

I wonder if we just have become spoiled WRT kickers. I mean, think back on all the great kickers that have come through here, Coutu, Bennett, Kasay, Peterson, all the way back to Butler. Maybe we just finally have a less-than-stellar kicker, who appears bad by comparison.

By AltamahaDawg

December 1, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this

24, not sure anyone is disputing your numbers, but my question is, why are you rehashing all that? what is your point? you dont like WM as the DC? that ship has kinda sailed hasnt it?

Yesterday called, it wants the fire WM cry back.

BTW, depth is not having 3 co-starters at every position. Depth is being able to rest your starters and not miss too much hear and ther, depth is NOT just being able to play 3rd string. UGA was deep and its why we managed to hang in better than most teams could have given the freakishly high amount of injuries. Injuries affect what you can do. Don’t act like its not an issue while questioning somebody elses “dont know nothing about football”.

The thing about CSS is he worked miracle, a lesser coach would have been (rightfully) unable to cope. But dont fool yourself, we NEVER were about to control the ball when we needed. ALL of our loses were due in part to a O-line unable to hold up at times. CSS is why we ended up 9-3 and not 7-5. Blame a shacky defense for sure, but knowing that, wouldn’t it make sence to maybe hang on the the ball for a while? Yes we were able to create yards but we were NOT an effective offense when we needed to do what we wanted at any time. That’s not his fault, its back to the injuries deal.

By Gen Neyland

December 1, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this

Jeff

Re : your 1701 post 01DEC…The phantom tackle by Reshard Jones earned him the Reggie Ball Underachiever Award in this years UGA-GT game. Rumor has it he gave all the credit to WM…Keep it up Reshard, and keep coaching ‘em up Willie…We’ll need all the help we can get in a rebuilding year…

By Supes

December 1, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this

IF CMR refuses to make changes, that’s it. He’s sealed his fate. If from NOW on this continues to keep up, and the Defense continues to fall and under perform (like they have for the past 3 seasons), HE SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

Mark Richt, you aren’t in the Bobby Bowden, or Joe Paterno league yet where you’ve had undefeated seasons or won National Championships, your JOB IS NOT SECURE FOREVER.

I predict UGA will lose at least 4 games maybe more next year, followed by going even further into the middle of the pack.

3 years from now it’s going to be tough when CMR and his ENTIRE STAFF has to be fired after CMR refused to make changes that could turn the program around in 2009.

I know Buck was in full SPIN MODE on 680thefan earlier this afternoon, no doubt part of the “good ole boy network”, protecting the coaches back. He should be ashamed of himself for sugar coating the truth and not calling the people IN CHARGE out on the carpet. He basically more or less “blamed it on talent” at DE and the Secondary. That’s why UGA under performed defensively in 2008. Willie did NOTHING wrong. It was all lack of talent. OK, but who recruits those DEFENSIVE players. Willie has a say so in that, Willie recruits, he is supposed to COACH THEM up as well.

Some of the best players in UGA history on the Defensive side of the ball that are currently in the NFL were NOT 4-5 star recruits, they were hungry to work and make themselves into elite players. Also, Brian Van Gorder was their coach!

CMR should take a book out of Saban’s and Cryer’s book on special teams. Bama and FLA both have SPECIAL teams, UGA has NOTHING. Beyond abismal, with the expection of Mimbs punting.

All of the people saying “we’ll take 9-3”, you are exactly the reason UGA will never win a NT. You keep expecting and being satisfied with 9-3 and that’s what you’ll get! Expect and demand the very best that we know this program is capable when operating on all cylinders. Otherwise we’ll be 9-3 and rewarding what…being a second tier team in the SEC and just good enough to be in the top 20 nationally.

By AltamahaDawg

December 1, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this

All you folks not going to any more ballgames, I am RIGHT BEHIND YA.

I mean it. Literally. Right behind ya. In line. Waiting for my better seats. Thanks.

By CHARLOTTE DAWG

December 1, 2008 11:42 PM | Link to this

Lets face facts, there were alot of us that wouldnt shut their Rebel faces over this team early on, Dawgs, Dawgs Dawgs. Now my partner and others realize we need to ‘Wear Doggie Bags” this whole year. We werent all that , and my lovers Chris and Jim And Mike T also want to have a NAMBLA WRAMBLER RALLY and hugathon, Dawgs blow too.

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

December 1, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this

.

.

So, what now ?

Coach Richt said that the fans do NOT understand football, but he does.

Coach Richt said that he is NOT changing ANY of his coaching staff.

This, for a team who played 3 teams ranked in the Top 25 of ANY poll today (And, there are none of the other teams we did beat who have any hope now of getting ranked in any of the polls after the bowl games since Central Michigan (BCS 50) lost again this weekend, South Carolina (BCS 43) lost again this weekend and LSU (BCS 39) lost again this weekend - all inexplicable losses to drop these our 3 best wins to Number 50 in the BCS Standings. Vandy is BCS 52 after their loss again, Kentucky is BCS 58 after their loss again, and Auburn is BCS Number 72 after their loss again too. Tennessee is BCS Number 71 and that after a win to end their season. Arizona State is Number 77 in the BCS.) We didn’t play anyone who is a ranked team or even close to a ranked team except for the 3 Losses.) And, yet, with the best win for UGA this season over BCS Number 39 LSU, we had 11 more players this season AGAIN arrested and suspended.

Intolerable.

Number 54 Rushing Offense.

Number 42 Rushing Defense.

Number 71 Turnover Margin.

Number 94 sacks of opposing Quarterbacks.

Number 18 sacks allowed on Matthew Stafford.

Number 28 Scoring Offense.

Number 65 Scoring Defense.

Number 60 Kickoff return yardage.

Number 41 Field Goals.

We are probably the SINGLE WORST COACHED FOOTBALL TEAM IN ALL OF AMERICA.

In an age, where nearly all the nation plays a 1-back offense, Coach Richt and his staff sticks to a 2-back offense, then NEVER - not once - hands the football off to either of the 2 Top Fullbacks in the United States of America all game long against Tech, even on 3rd down and half a foot. We cannot figure out how to spread the field even with AJ Green and Mohamed Massaquoi both on the same damn team. Amazing.

In an age where nearly all the nation has long since scrapped the bend but don’t break, passive hold your position but don’t press, ever, defense; Coach Richt and his staff can’t figure out how to keep up with these trends in football either.

In an age where all our opponents kick off into our end zones, we did not all season long, not once. When all our opponents return our kickoffs to them far better than we ever have on special teams, we cannot figure out how to put anyone out there and now in the bowl game Coach Richt announces just maybe Blair Walsh is not kicking off very well and he might be replaced. Do you think, Coach Richt ? And, what of the kickoff return team, what changes are you making there sir ?

And, again, Coach Richt says that we fans don’t understand football.

Oh, really ?

Who is it that doesn’t understand modern college football Coach Richt ?

Is it you, or is it EVERY OTHER COACH IN AMERICA, sir ?

Coach Richt can either change what he is doing, or he can MOVE ON.

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By Bulldawg-24

December 1, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this

This aruguement started earlier today and phil thinks you should have to take test to be able to express your thoughts on football. Also called me a liar with my first post it is dead, but I have spent the last four years defending cwm until saturday I really started to look into his performance and it sucks!

By Bulldawg-24

December 1, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this

By Supes I Agree!

By Gen Neyland

December 1, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this

Good for the UGA Fools, you girls totally disrespected other teams and fans, After Alabama, you still woulnt shut up. My lover told me alot of boys here are typical of Southern boys, soft and sweet. Stafford and his Gay quarterback site has to be looked into also. Eat humble pie fllos, the South and Georgia surrender again.

By AltamahaDawg

December 1, 2008 11:50 PM | Link to this

Well, we might want to give walsh more than just a freshman year to see how he stakes up with those boys. He is only behind a few Upperclassmen when it comes to actual placekicking this year.

And Couto was never really a great KO guy either. We flip floped between with him and others doing that duty his whole career til his SR yr.

Butler was the best PK at KO that I remember (not real sure all those others actually did KO all the time)

NONE of them did it from the 30 for one thing.

By S Freud MD

December 1, 2008 11:51 PM | Link to this

Chip,

I think you did a wonderful job of hitting the nail on the head with your assessment. All true UGA fans want the program to improve and stop the struggling although I cannot understand why we struggle so much.

As we all should know, the first step in correcting a problem is to acknowledge that you indeed have a problem! I am totally convinced that CMR does not yet realize that we have a problem.

Our problems (disciplinary and otherwise)did not begin last year with THE CELEBRATION. They began much earlier (see Auburn’s last second triumph in Athens in ‘05, UT in ‘07, WV in ATL sugar bowl, etc,etc). The celebration has been overhyped and it should be a non issue (to all but Urban who will never forget).

The worse teams we play kick the ball in the end zone and we get it on the 20 or less if we decide to run it out. We never hold the opponent inside the 20! But our staff doesn’t realize their philosophy is screwed up! PLEASE, someone into stats give us the average starting position for UGA and all our opponents for the past 2 years after KICKOFFS. Most of the time we do not have a UGA jersey come into the picture until the returner is at or past the 25 yd line. That means you and I could return the ball to the 25 (although it would probably be the end of my career, ha). And bless Remarcus Brown; he’s always the first one down the field when he’s on the cover team, but in 2 years he has NEVER made a tackle.

Keep doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome is the definition of…

GO DAWGS!

By Jim Jones

December 1, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this

Yeah, just look at what we have returning next year. We are going to be unstoppable next year.

Can I get you another glass of Kool-Aid?

By Obeone

December 1, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this

As long as Martinez is there I will not get fired up about the dawgs again only to be letdown like hell in a blowout. Richt “I believe in mental toughtness”, BS. I like the man but, BS. PS Martinez better not say how good his defense played again after getting their butts kicked. Man up and say “we played like crap and “I” take full responsibility”.

By Bulldawg-24

December 1, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this

Here is a blog post that a friend of mine emailed me enjoy!

B* Fest - The Tech Post Mortem Losing to Tech sucks. Not only is it embarrassing, but it also signifies that this is truly the beginning of the end. This feels like 2001, when Lloyd Carr’s 8-2 Michigan team lost to a 6-4 Ohio State team at home in Jim Tressel’s first season. Previously, Lloyd owned Ohio State. That game changed everything between the two teams, and Ohio State became the aggressor. Now, look at the state of the two programs.

I’ve already said that Georgia has reached a plateau that they cannot overcome. The loss to Tech verifies this in my opinion. Now, let’s start the b* fest.

1) Mark Richt is a bad gameday coach. I’ve been a Mark Richt apologist all season, but I have to admit what is glaringly obvious at this point. I would argue that he is in the bottom half of gameday coaching in the SEC. (Urban Meyer, Nick Saban, and Houston Nutt are clearly head and shoulders above the rest of the conference’s head coaches in terms of gameday coaching… getting the most out of your players for one game on one day. I would say Spurrier is better than Richt, Les Miles may be in a squeeker, and Bobby Johnson is pretty damn good considering what he has to work with. Rich Brooks is solid, and Bobby Petrino could quickly rise through the ranks as he acquires talent at Arkansas.) Other teams do not experience such dramatic stretches of gameplay where the team melts down on the field. It’s happened three times this season in twelve games… each game ended in a loss.

2nd quarter versus Alabama: • Mimbs - 19 yard punt. • Stafford interception/fumble off A.J. Green. • Stafford interception. • Defense gives up 170 yards on 18 plays and 21 points. 3rd quarter versus Florida: • Stafford interception • Stafford fumble • Stafford interception • 44-yard touchdown pass • Defense gives up only 119 yards on 13 plays and 21 points. 3rd quarter versus Georgia Tech: • 60-yard touchdown • Samuel fumble • Defense gives up 215 yards on 19 plays and 26 points. In all three cases, something happens and the team just falls apart. It’s like the team gets a paper cut and bleeds out and dies right there on the sideline. The coaches can’t seem to stop the bleeding, and it gets worse and worse until all is lost. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen Richt have the players take a knee and bark at them or tell them how disappointed he is in them or discuss recipes… whatever the f* he does, only to see the team play at the exact same level that they played at before the pep talk. It’s really disturbing how little impact the head coach’s pep talks have. Richt may be a good person and all, but as far as being a field general… he sucks.

2) This team has no discipline. They don’t do the little things well… on or off the field. Tackling is poor, assignments are blown regularly, drivers licenses expire, etc. Penalties have been a problem… and not just penalties of “over-aggressiveness” as some of the players might have you believe. Stupid holding penalties, offsides penalties, hands to the face penalties, etc. have been much too common. Those are not “aggressive” penalties. Those are “I’m a dumbass” penalties. Those are “I got whipped on my assignment and had to commit a penalty to keep the quarterback from losing all of his functioning brain cells” penalties. These are infuriating penalties.

2a) This team has no accountability. This is 2a because I think this is the other side of the same coin. Players, like all human beings, will fail sometimes. However, when players fail repeatedly in the same fashion, it is pretty clear that those failures are not being addressed. For example (and this is just one of many examples I could use), when the kickoff is kicked out of bounds, let that serve as a warning… the first time it happens in the season. The second time he kicks a kickoff out of bounds, you bench his a. The field is 53 yards wide. Kicking the ball outside of a landing area that f** wide is unacceptable. Averaging one kickoff out of bounds per game shows that the coaches just don’t address this problem. Are they ignoring it? Are they just stupid? Do they not see that this is a problem? Would Urban Meyer or Nick Saban allow this type of failure week-in and week-out without addressing it? Hell, no. They would have an open tryout to see if there were any students that could kick the ball within the field of play. This is a problem that permeates the entire team. When players blow it, they are stuck right back in to fail again. No player is held accountable for his performance on the field… looking at you, Richard “fumbly-hands” Samuel, Reshad “tackle-free” Jones, and the list goes on and on. When players fail in such an epic fashion on real teams, they get benched. On Georgia, they get a pat on the butt. This must change.

3) Player development has stalled… at best. In his third year, Stafford is showing the same poor mechanics since he arrived on campus. Linebacker play (outside of Rennie Curran) has been weak. Defensive line play has been weak. The secondary has been… well, weak. (Is that an indictment of our defensive coordinator? I’ll let you decide.) The team is just loaded with potential, but that potential is not tapped. A few players are exceptions, but I think that has to do more with them on a personal level. These coaches just aren’t getting the same level of play out of these players that they have in the past.

Notice that none of the things I’ve mentioned are related to X’s and O’s. Honestly, I don’t think that is the problem. As far as X’s and O’s go, I think the coaches do a pretty good job. Georgia struggles with the things that make great coaching staffs great: getting the most out of your players. This Georgia team is worth less than the sum of its parts.

So, what do we do with this? I do know that these are program crippling problems that will grow like a cancer if they are not addressed.

1) I would start with a strong accountability system in the offseason. Players need to make sure their damn licenses are valid and up-to-date. Player arrests need to be right at zero for the next season. I would dismiss players that find themselves arrested for things like drunken driving or underage consumption. Cut them. Take away their opportunity for education because they are taking it for granted anyway. Show them that Georgia players are expected to handle their affairs like champions if they ever want to be champions. Do things the “Georgia Way” instead of just talking the talk.

2) Second, I would work the players’ asses off in spring, and the seniors would be responsible for working the rest of the team in the summer. I would make it known that slackers are losers, and losers will not play. I would make each and every player earn their names on the back of their jerseys. I would not cuddle them and tell them that a 9-3 season is okay. 9-3 is failure, and failure should not be tolerated.

3) Finally, I would find a special teams coach. The special teams are only “special” in the sense of Special Olympics. A football team is like a three-legged stool. The team has to be solid in all three phases of the game - offense, defense, special teams - in order to stay upright. The special teams this season were abysmal, and they caused the entire team to tumble over despite the best efforts of the offense or defense.

It is no secret that I am not a big fan of Willie Martinez. I think he is fine as an X’s and O’s guy, but I think he blows as a coordinator. Part of being a coordinator is squeezing all of the available talent out of your players. Can anyone seriously say he is doing a good job at that? I don’t know that he should find employment elsewhere, and I don’t know if it even matters since Mark Richt and he are f* buddies. I do know that he needs to change something. I can’t imagine that another year of defensive performances like they’ve had this year will be good for his career. Perhaps if he instills the fear of God into his players… you know, actually hold them accountable when they f* up… then the defense will improve. Whatever the case may be, I do know that Mark Richt would use up all of his goodwill with the fans if he merely maintains the status quo. That’s an awfully big bet to make just to keep a friendship.

By Bulldawg-24

December 2, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this

After the Dawgs mist embarrassing loss and season ever, I took a bunch of college boyz from Georgia Tech promising them a free ride, they just had to do me some favors. General Lee used to take some of the young, tight soldiers out to the field and have a good ole time. Where do you think the ‘Rebel Yell’ came from. Hog tied and bound too.

By Kevin Butler

December 2, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this

Those of you who think we are doing the best we can on kickoffs are morons or delusional at best.

We don’t even have a kicking coach anymore. Coach Fab won’t let them kick it as far as they can. Distance means nothing to him.

Walsh and the walkons can kick it to the endzone but are not allowed. Would you kick it to the end zone if the coach that determines your playing time told you not to?

I would rather kick it to the middle of the end zone than try to place it on the side at the 12-15 and have it go out of bounds most of the time. Most of the kicks that are caught on the sideline would go out of bounds if the return man would let it (watch films of most of our games).

By Not Kevin Butler

December 2, 2008 12:03 AM | Link to this

Coach Fab,

That last comment was not from me. It was from an imposter. Please don’t let ift affect Drew’s playing time.

By AltamahaDawg

December 2, 2008 12:07 AM | Link to this

Supes, now you sound like a man of action, by golly. Let’s hear your plan, because I know damn well after all that, you arent going to just talk about it in a sport blog like the rest of those folks who are holding back our NC hopes.

By Obeone

December 2, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this

I think Coach Richt needs to refund to UGA some of that pay he was given. If they had to do that every year it would be a different story, would it not. That defensive coaching staff sure doesn’t deserve top dollar. Mr. Adams next time make the contract “performance based”.

By Bulldawg-24

December 2, 2008 12:10 AM | Link to this

The last comment was not from me either. What lose post fake comments. Go else where.

By monty

December 2, 2008 12:11 AM | Link to this

Just finished watching the replay of Saturdays game. A couple of things I picked up were this: on some of Techs long runs around the end, we had 2 men there, usually 1 LB with a safety 1-2 yards right behind him, instead of one defender taking the outside and the other taking the inside, they were undisciplined and both over pursued and the back simply cut back and had nothing but smooth sailing.Don;t you have to stretch the field?

Also what was killer is that we had to waste 2 timeouts in the 2nd half because we had wrong personnel problems or people in the wrong place on offense.

If GA had won Moreno and Mo- MAss’s peformances would have gone down in GA football lore..

By Chuck Uga

December 2, 2008 12:11 AM | Link to this

I AM A BULLDOG FAN AND FOLLOWER (AS WELL AS AN ALUMNUS) FOR OVER 35 YEARS. UGA WILL LOSE TO GA TECH AGAIN IN 2009 AND WILL FINISH 8-4 UNLESS STAFFORD COMES BACK. REGARDLESS, I STILL SEE PAUL JOHNSON BEATING UGA MORE OFTEN THAN NOT AND WILL WIN AGAIN IN ATHENS IN 2010 IF HE DOESN’T TWIN IN 2009. MARK RICHT BETTER HOPE PJ TAKES THE NOTRE DAME JOB AFTER THE 2009 SEASON. IF RICHT LOSES TO TECH THREE STRAIGHT YEARS, HE WILL BE GONE. FACT IS HE ISN’T GOING TO BEAT FLORIDA GAIN ANYTIME SOON EITHER UNLESS HE REALLY STEPS IT UP DEVELOPING PLAYERS. I HOPE THIS ISN’T ANOTHER PHIL FULMER STORY, BUT FOR THE FIRST TIME, I AM VERY WORRIED ABOUT MARK RICHT’S FUTURE.

By Not Kevin Butler

December 2, 2008 12:12 AM | Link to this

The worst thing about Saturdays total embarrassing loss was my partner Bruno and I had a bet on the game, and when GT won I have to make him Quiche southern style for six month, and be his total Plantation slave for love. Whips, grease and mirroes too. I am currently walking funny right now. UGS , I hATE YOU.

By Ole Dawg

December 2, 2008 12:15 AM | Link to this

Bulldawg 24, excellent!!!!!!

Points out specific problems and specific solutions, not just idle unconstructive complaining.

Hey if someone on the staff is not doing his job but he’s a nice guy and has a nice family, we can find him another job in the athletic department. I know donors who will come up with the salary if our extremely profitable UGAA cannot swing it. Just don’t let it ruin the team!

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

December 2, 2008 12:20 AM | Link to this

.

.

Bulldawg-24

Brilliant. Thank you for posting your friend’s e-mail.

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By Chick uga

December 2, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this

Bulldawg and Kevin Butler, meet me at the Piedmont and Elm waffle house anytime tonight, how old are you fellas, wear something tight. Will follow.

By AltamahaDawg

December 2, 2008 12:26 AM | Link to this

So one would think that the NFL would know about this whole “let them kick it into the endzone” deal wouldn’t you?

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

December 2, 2008 12:27 AM | Link to this

.

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General Neyland

F you. You were in here in the UGA blog BRAGGING ON PHILLIP FULMER and DEFENDING PHILLIP FULMER just a couple of weeks ago.

vols are 5-7 this year.

This is the second (2nd) 5-win season for Phillip Fulmer in just the last 4 years.

And, you have the unmitigated GALL, to come in here tonight AGAIN and say that we UGA fans are delusional, and congratulations to us for finally seeing the light that UGA is not that damn great.

Kiss my A$ General Neyland.

By Gen Neyland

December 1, 2008 11:49 PM

QUOTE :

” Good for the UGA Fools, you girls totally disrespected other teams and fans, After Alabama, you still woulnt shut up. My lover told me alot of boys here are typical of Southern boys, soft and sweet. Stafford and his Gay quarterback site has to be looked into also. Eat humble pie fllos, the South and Georgia surrender again. “

END QUOTE

By Bulldawg-24

December 2, 2008 12:41 AM | Link to this

Thanks BuLLdawg, that was really sweet of you. I really enjoyed Saturday, especially when we just snuggled and cried on each others shoulder after the game. You really are a special person. After we lose our bowl game, you can come over to my house and bring your quilt, the one that has 1980 National Champs on it. That would be nice. Then we can sit in our bean bag chairs naked, eat Cheetos, and watch some movies on Lifetime.

By scott

December 2, 2008 12:44 AM | Link to this

you dogs are babies,you went 9-3 and want someone fired. from what l red noone mentioned that the bees are good at what they do, sorry dogs but its a fact. in many big games D goes out the window as both sides go for the big plays and that happened saturday. vince dooley had 6-5 seasons and 7-4 seasons and everyone thought he was a great coach,you dummies would have fired him and that is not an overstatement. you beat the jackets 7 years running and now you whine because a good jackets team beat you once. Y’all really are babies

By Not Kevin Butler

December 2, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this

You queer imposter; get off the blog you GT student.

By Habs Fan

December 2, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this

Bulldawg, Dont be yelling at anyone, loser fool hick. The Thrashers are coming to Montreal tonight to get a real Canadian whipping, we love giving American Southern teams a real taste of a beating, for all the wars you caused. HABS INSIDE/OUT site is having an Atlanta and UGA bashing day today, Love it.

By Wise Up

December 2, 2008 12:50 AM | Link to this

Alt Dawg

KB is the ONLY kicker in the NCAA HOF. I think he should know a little something about how to kick off!

By scott

December 2, 2008 12:57 AM | Link to this

Bulldawg and Kevin Butler, that quilt is really too old and worn out, like your moms and dads I ate last night, and as tiredas UGS Saturday. Now, fix me some southern grits, and crawl bringing it, naked and licking my boots.

By Tommy Tuberville

December 2, 2008 1:07 AM | Link to this

Had to burn 2 crucial timeouts in the 2nd half to get 1st team players in the right position? This was the 12th game of the season!

Allowing a one dimensional team that we had 2 weeks to prepare for hang 45 points on us in our own stadium and they didn’t do anything unexpected!

Having a player who dresses out every game arrested 48 hours before our biggest game for DUI. (Speaks volumes about the program).

Not admitting that we have a problem on defense and kickoffs when it is obvious to most!

Almost getting beaten several other times by poor teams and in fact just lucky against KY and AU.

These problems are NOT corrected as easily as clock management!

By Tickle Pile at GT dorm

December 2, 2008 1:09 AM | Link to this

Scott,

Get off that computer and get in the pile.

By Eric Zeier

December 2, 2008 1:18 AM | Link to this

First of all, I would like to apologize to all you UGA fans out there that have supported UGA football over the years. As a former QB at UGA, I can tell you, your un-wavering support is truly appreciated. Although I am no longer on the team, I am part of the radio team that covers UGA football now, I can tell you, this group of players also appreciate your support. But, this has got to stop. We simply did not show up for Alabama and UF, and that will not happen again if I can help it.

As for the game Saturday, yes I did say that the GT offense was a “high school” style offense, and we should have no problem stopping it. Well, I was wrong. GT IS a good team, and as long as Richt is at UGA as coach, we will never beat a Coach Johnson GT team. Guys, the truth hurts, but I have to be honest. Coach Johnson will own us forever. We can’t stop that team, period. They are a team of freshman and sophomores, and when Coach Johnson gets the players he wants, he will not only get the 4 and 5 star athletes, but he will get the athletes that would have gone to UGA.

Effective today, I will no longer works as an analyst for UGA football. I am going to go work for GT, a winning program with a bright future. Good luck dawgs.

THWG!!!

By Please take the Music City Bowl

December 2, 2008 1:27 AM | Link to this

It will only add insult to injusry if we allow Ohio State to get its 1st win in 10 tries against the SEC over us in Orlando. PLEASE, let’s play someone we can whip!

By Go Dawgs!

December 2, 2008 1:38 AM | Link to this

Matt Stafford is a very good QB and I will be sad if he leaves this year. However, he would acknowledge he has much room for improvement.

Again, the problem with the media is that everyone listens to them and cannot watch the game and make up their own assessments. Against GT his stats were super; his game was not!

He missed 2 certain TDs on the same drive that ended without points. A large chunk of his yards came on 2 screen passes that Moreno had to make incredible catches on before gaining the yards. Other passes were in the ground, under or over thrown. A TD pass to MoMass, I believe, was thrown like a bullet behind him. That catch was fantastic!

Just watch the entire game and reassess. Of course on the pick-six one cannot see that no red jerseys were in the picture. That could have been a wrong route admittedly.

Our receivers beat the defense on every play and could have scored 10 TDs if only the ball could have been delivered.

Go Dawgs!

By AltamahaDawg

December 2, 2008 1:47 AM | Link to this

freud ,to answer your question for this year at least:

On kickoffs, UGA nets just over 40 yrds avg, which I suppose means the other teams start on thier 30. By comparison, UA and UF net around 42. SC tops with 47.

(last year in the NCAA from the 35 there was a 30% TB rate and average starting position of the 27, In the data from the 30 yrd line, there is a 9% TB rate and starts on the 32.)

On KO return yardage, UGA avg around 21 yrds, same as UF. UA is dead last at 19. KY leads the pack at around 26. followed by TN and AU for what that’s worth.

KY, Ark, Ol MIss, and AU had the only KO returns for TD.

Interesting to bring up Remarcus, he actually had one of the best KO return averages in the SEC. Samuals was clipping off about 21 yrd which is respectable. had a 60 yarder somewhere , although I’m sure he’d give back that one extra yard this past weekend.

Of cource its been stated we did have the #1 punt return team in the SEC and virtually tied for top punt team in the SEC this year. Not that it mattered.

Middle of the pack in FG %. Never missed 47 PATS.

By AltamahaDawg

December 2, 2008 1:57 AM | Link to this

wise up, so what you are saying is that KB is in fact a very rare kicker? exactly my point.

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

December 2, 2008 1:59 AM | Link to this

UGA is playing Michigan State D.A. in the CaptialOne Citrus Bowl in Orlando Disneyland on January 1 with a payout of $4.25 million dollars.

Georgia Tech is not even playing on New Year’s Day, but only in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl one exit away where you still will not show up and it pays only $3.25 million.

Of course, in the Peach Bowl, Tech will be playing only the 5th best SEC team per our contract - which is NOT AP Poll Number 1 Alabama, NOT AP Poll Number 2 Florida, NOT AP Poll Number 20 UGA, and NOT AP Poll Number 24 Ole Miss - who are the Top 4 SEC teams, in order today until Florida beats Alabama but not by 10 and a half points.

Both Number 1 AP Alabama and Number 2 AP Florida are in the BCS Bowl Games.

So, is Ohio State, who finally figured out to play their freshmen QB (as did LSU, who is your opponent. Lose to LSU and UGA will be ranked ahead of Tech, not just in 3 of the 6 BCS Computer Polls every Tech fan said this season were more accurate than the human polls, but in every poll because Tech lost to 3 teams none of which are ranked in any poll while UGA lost to only 3 teams ranked Number 1, 2 and 15.)

Virginia Tech is NOT ranked in the AP Poll Top 25 and is NOT ranked in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll Top 25 but is playing in the ACC Chump ionship because they beat you.

North Carolina is Number 33 in both the AP and USA Today Coaches’ Poll.

And, Virginia, Good Lord, Virginia is Number 48.

Which is why UGA is Number 16 and Tech only Number 15 before you play a bowl game NOT EVEN ON NEW YEAR’S DAY.

Again.

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

December 2, 2008 2:28 AM | Link to this

Yeah, I told him we have the Number 41 Field Goal Kicker Blair Walsh, who just missed a ton of Field Goals, kicked the ball off to the 8-yard line and don’t me this Jon Fabris told Blair Walsh to kick-off to the 8-yard line B.S. because we all know as a matter of record now that Coach Richt said he is looking to replace Blair Walsh because of that and because he kicks the ball out of bounds as has been documented in reply too here frankly on every kick. As the poster said, look the kick-offs. 8-yard line and if not caught all are out of bounds giving the ball to the other team at the 40-yard line.

And, yeah I told him in reply too that we are Number 60 Kick-Off Return team in the nation.

I hardly think that Number 41 field goal kicker and Number 60 at Kick-Off Returns is anything to make excuses for or find acceptable in any fashion.

This is not defending Willie Martinez, but pointing out with no sacks all season long since we have not recruited any Defensive Ends nor have 1 coming in next year either (4.93 in 40-yard dash is not going to get you ANY sacks.), and no Tight End all season long, as Matthew Stafford continues his career record of throwing an interception for every 3 touchdown passes that this football team has LOTS OF PROBLEMS, not that Willie Martinez fire him posts by any stretch of the imagination hit the nail on the head, especially with the 11 more arrests and suspensions this season as Coach Richt or Rodney Garner’s recruits do EVERY YEAR with 18 more injured this season and LOST FOR THE SEASON almost all of whom were injured in practice, 2nd in the nation in penalties… and on and on*

We have coaching problems.

If you want the really bad news, it is that these players are studied by the NFL and determined that they can teach them where we did NOT.

We are losing this football team after our bowl game where what we have seen for 8 years is what we will see again.

Matthew Stafford Number 1 QB taken.

Knowshon Moreno at least the 2nd RB taken.

Outside the 1st Round But Probably 3rd, 4th :

Asher Allen Secondary and special teams.

Dannell Ellerbe LB.

Jeff Owens one of the top Defensive Ends taken.

Brannan Southerland probably 2nd Fullback taken.

5th Round or earlier :

Mohamed Massaquoi.

There isn’t anything left of this football team, and we didn’t teach these guys diddle-e-squat, none of them.

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

December 2, 2008 2:40 AM | Link to this

2 interceptions per every 3 touchdown passes the entire Matthew Stafford career.

32 interceptions only 48 touchdown passes.

He has another dozen fumbles on 135 rushes for 204 yards total and 6 rushing touchdowns that should have been handed off to our 2 NFL Fullbacks or Knowshon instead.

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

December 2, 2008 3:21 AM | Link to this

Not only did we not teach a thing to any of our at least 7 NFL draft picks this up-coming draft to bring us up to a total approaching 60 in the NFL which already was 3rd best in the nation today, but all of their problems are fixable.

Mohamed Massaquoi taught himself how to catch the ball. Now, someone has to teach him how to carry it. And, he has to learn more about blocking. And, when that idiot coach who sent him back on the field when he was winded costing us the 2nd timeout of the 2nd half he should have put his foot down that he was tired, which is why he took himself out.

If we are not going to condition our players, and none of them were ready for Game 1 this year against Georgia Southern, then we cannot insist they go back in the game when Knowshon or Massaquoi needs a blow.

Richard Samuel is a horse and great competitor. Who taught him too how to hold the football ? No one. Whose fault is that ?

How can far worse linebackers do better than Dannell Ellerbe ? Because he too is not disciplined. We don’t have a disciplined player on the team, except for self-taught Captain Rennie Curran who came in last year ranked the Number 28 Linebacker in the nation overall for all 3 linebacker positions. So, don’t tell me we coached Rennie Curran to be great. He is great. He will have a hell of a career in the NFL after next season and start for 8 years.

We have totally used Brannan Southerland and Shaun Chapas wrong on Offense. Give me a break that on 3rd and half a foot against Tech, neither got the carry. Nor any of the goal line carries. Junk.

Why did we wait so long against Florida to put in Joe Cox ? Frankly, Stafford should have been pulled in the Tech game. His passes were all overthrown. We have not in 3 and a half years on campus now, taught him how to set his feet yet to throw the football. He has no follow-through and incorrect technique.

Any cursory look at 2 interceptions to every 3 TD passes would tell you that. Don’t even have to look.

Why don’t we have a TE on the roster ? Because we let Tripp Chandler assume the position like he is great when he spent his entire time he has ever played football, in jail. High school on. And, because our coaching staff let NaDerris Ward get abused in practice and then rather than rehab, quit the team. Then, we recruited Bryce Ros and never played him. Nah, we didn’t need him. Not with his legacy here at UGA. Ros. Just didn’t play him this year, preferring to play others who have no business on the field, injured or whining or whatever their problems.

Didn’t play Ros at TE just like we didn’t play Knowshon Moreno his Freshman year. Get to watch him 2 years as a result. Nice Coach Richt.

D.A.

Didn’t need Joe Cox either.

Nor, Blake Barnes.

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

December 2, 2008 3:23 AM | Link to this

Or, both of the 2 Top 10 QBs coming in next season too.

Nor did we need Logan Gray. Did you know every 1 of these six (6) Top 10 QB are ranked in the Top 10 as QB in the nation ?

I wonder how Barnes is doing.

Or, NaDerris Ward.

Reshad Jones and CJ Byrd we taught them nothing either. Very disappointed in our inability to get more from them both. Byrd is gone. Senior.

Brain Mimbs is gone. Senior. And, we had all kinds of issues with his punting his senior season. Who in the hell is the coach of this team ?

Jeremy Lomax, Senior. Never taught him a thing either.

It is staggering how we have wasted the scholarships with 17 Wide Receivers on the roster.

Amazing 8 years in the Coach Richt Era now complete and we have to play all freshmen Offensive Linemen.

How in the Hell does that happen again as it did in what 2001, 2004, now 2008. Can’t seem to fix that blip either. 4 years from now it will be the same thing again on the OL. We actually recruited 5 OL last year. Redshirted all of them too. Smart. Really Smart. So, we sign 7 more OL this year and what ? Play 12 freshman.

Duh.

You want an evaluation of how your coaching staff you are not changing ANY of Coach Richt has done with the recruits you have been handed by us UGA fans who don’t know a thing about football, according to you – only you do ?

Every coach in America has done a better job with less.

Truth.

Coach Richt you played 3 teams ranked today and had blowouts of all 3 for long periods of time – at least a half. 31 consecutive to Alabama. 49-3 Florida and 26 Saturday to Tech.

If we had started the season ranked Number 20 as we are today in the AP Poll, we would be unranked now today because no day, no game, did we beat any good team to impress a damn soul except for your sole opinion that only you know football.

Why do all the other coaches play different schemes from your Offense, Special Teams and Defense then Coach Richt ?

Because none of the other coaches know a damn thing about football either ?

Really ?

They all did better than you with lesser talent.

By DoggieG

December 2, 2008 5:04 AM | Link to this

He’s right, Martinez is not going anywhere. And that is what’s tragic about the whole situation. He’ll stay for another year or 2 before they decide that they have to let him go. And I’m not even sure if they will realize that he is not that great of a coach. Pressure from booster and alums will be the cause of the firing. So hunker down Bulldog fans, it’s going to be a long one. Question- Did any of the coaches be it CMR, CWM or even the defensive line coach , did anybody realize after watching film each week after each game that they , the players were not doing a good job tackling. And I may be ignorant to this but do you have to wait until spring or preseason to work on tackling. Could it have been done during practice during the season. Did we really have to wait until after the season to evaluate during a subpar (starting the season at #1 and possibly ending ranked below #15) season with two embarassing blowouts and four games having given up 38 or more points. What exactly were they watching and talking about during the season. Let’s wait til after the season to correct our mistakes. Are we saving our disappointment for after the season too because no one seemed to disappointed after the blowout losses. Perhaps they were but the fans can’t tell can we. You know teams take on their coaches personality, if the coach is soft the team will be soft. If you have a coach that don’t know ie. Martinez the team won’t know. So until the powers that be decide that a change is needed we Bulldog fans better hunker down because it’s going to be a long one.

By tim

December 2, 2008 5:52 AM | Link to this

Chipper, they have to find a way to get our toughness back, menatally and physically. How a push up for EVERY yard tech gained on the ground? Let it start with Willie then the rest of the D follow suit.

By Ned

December 2, 2008 6:00 AM | Link to this

GA Tech = Toilet Paper of the NCAA

Willie Martinez = The turd Richt can’t flush

UGA IS IN SHAMBLES AS LONG AS WILLIE MARTINEZ IS INVOLVED. We could have Joe Montana and the Jerry Rice connection in 2009 and it will do us no good, as long as we have a jackass that looks like a Burrito not coaching our kids and giving them the basics of what a defense is supposed to do. I would kick Willie Martinez in the nuts if I had the chance, he is a pathetic excuse for a coach.

By Don G.

December 2, 2008 6:06 AM | Link to this

Willie Martinez is as WORTHLESS as BARACK OBAMA

By dawgerbrown

December 2, 2008 6:13 AM | Link to this

Yeah, Georgia’s fundamentals stunk, bad tackling, too many penalties, poor specail teams. But, what this team needs is intangibles, UGA needs an edge, an attitiude, HEART. Not the attitutde that “we’re UGA, a bunch 4 & 5 stars so we show how pretty we win”. UGA needs to be hungry to kick butt, prove they deserve to be respected and earn it. And the players need to have a healthy respect and fear for their coaches that makes them want to perform and stay off the sh*t list. Heart, discipline, and unselfish play, an attitude adjustment, is what this program needs.

By dawgmaniac

December 2, 2008 6:26 AM | Link to this

If Richt doesn’t win big next year (SEC and BCS bowl), he needs to hit the road. No more “we are young” excuses—-I’m getting tired of his routine. He should get rid of the incompetent martinez right now and get orgeron or van gorder.

By THE_Craigslist Kisser

December 2, 2008 6:47 AM | Link to this

“Just once I’d like to see CMR act like an embarassing loss was something other than a routine day at the office.”

• Totally agreed. The players and coaches both seem to lack passion. I mean look at most of the interviews. Typically the end of the statement is something like “…and HOPEFULLY we come out with a win”. Wow, what a go-get’r attitude.

If I see one more ‘shoulder-tackle’ I am going to shoot someone. The defense has been excruciating to watch. I would rather see a blown coverage 60 yard TD than teams like Kentucky and Tech WALK down the field on us 5-10 yards at a time.

By Columbus Dawg

December 2, 2008 6:50 AM | Link to this

There needs to be a New Year’s resolution at UGA. Richt needs to address the whole team before then and inform them that the first and every player who gets arrested in 2009 will be suspended for the entire 2009 season. Period. If you are a senior and stupid enough to get arrested, then tough s#$t, your career at Georgia is over. I believe this is an urgent message that needs to be sent to the team before the bowl game. If there are knuckleheads who have to be weeded out for the good of the team then so be it. There is going to have to be a very tough, new approach to 2009 if there is going to be any improvement.

By Big Al

December 2, 2008 7:14 AM | Link to this

Columbus Dawg. While I agree with what you say, I know Mark Richt will never take this approach. Mark’s daddy, Bobby Bowden would tell him that sometimes, boys will just be boys. Kiss them on the cheek and all is forgiven. All the while, Georgia is headed in the same direction as the Semiholes of FSU.

By williebkind

December 2, 2008 7:31 AM | Link to this

Pay me 4.5 million a year as coach of the dawgs and I can have a 9&3 season easily. This blog needs to end. You are analyzing loosers. Looooseerrrs!! I know! But we love our team—that is mediocre and I will have no part of it. It is always—wait until next year! Please end this blog before I puke!

By some sense

December 2, 2008 7:35 AM | Link to this

Just curious…how many of the screamers out there ever darkened a door at UGA???

An now, some thoughts about the program and the season:

Everyone is upset about truly horrible perfprmances v. Bama, Gators, Tech. Each of those schools is on a serious upswing while UGA had a plateau season…life goes on.

Coach Richt is NOT going to fire anybody…deal with it, move on, mainly SHUT UP. What r u really trying to accomplish? You’re NOT going to accomplish getting anyone fired.

All football satrts w/ the O-line…watch out…gonna be as good as anybody’s.

Our guys haven’t forgotten how to coach. Penalties, kicking game woes, tackling…they’re all “fixable”.

If Stafford and Moreno go, then so be it. It’s not like the cupboard’s bare over there. If they return, watch out…you’ll see. If they don’t return, watch out…you’ll see.

Easy, boys. You don’t need to redneck up this program lioke some of our neighboring institutions.

Advice to Coach Richt, none of which he doesn’t already know:

Put someONE in charge of special teams. Quit trying to be Florida State. Continue to embrace the stength of your convictions. Raise the bar of off-season expectations. Get back to Bloody Tuesday.

Go Dogs!!!!!!!!!!!

By Jeff Patton

December 2, 2008 7:39 AM | Link to this

Honeymoon’s over for Richt! The Defense and Special Teams are a failure. We got to start back with basic fundamentals!

By BBdawg

December 2, 2008 7:47 AM | Link to this

TOUGHNESS Whatever happened to 6-7 guys around the ball?…whatever happened to sitting after a fumble? Danny ware was lucky to ever see the ball again after he fumbled..If we are recruiting speed, why is everyone standing around and not after the ball. Agressive persuit causes fumbles and creates “plays”..Why are recruiting 200 lb linbackers?..Greg Blue weighed more and brought the thunder on opposing receivers..

By MC

December 2, 2008 7:52 AM | Link to this

You Stafford bashers are idiots. How many DOZENS of times did he make a throw NOBODY else in this country makes to keep drives alive? How many games do the Dogs lose if he doesn’t? Inaccurate? 60+ completion percentages don’t lie. MORONS!

By williebkind

December 2, 2008 7:57 AM | Link to this

Yep I think I am going to puke! Do we have to play the season to find out weaknesses…please wait until I barf..^(%^$%&&%$&…ok, I am better now. Is it too hard to be proactive instead of reactive? Is this CMR first year of coaching? Was this the first year the players got to play football? I believe the players were told how to tackle in the eigth grade. They need only re-enforcement to make it routine. Did I miss the re-enforcement part? Is that a players responsibility or a coaches. OMG I am going to barf again ^&^#%@&&(&()*&$#%^….Yep I feel better, now I am going to the bathroom and give birth to another martinez.

By dawggone

December 2, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this

jan Kemp is gone..Time to start “paying” again..we need some drooling, fast, big, mad,Im on fire kinda guys!

By Doc 54

December 2, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this

Georgia has talented players, and their coaches are pretty good. However, the problem this year has been that Georgia is not a TEAM. There is nothing wrong with these talented young men trying to look their best so they can benefit at the NFL level. However, you should not do this at the expense of your team. Moreno seems more interested in avoiding injury than he does in making plays for his team. The Georgia defensive players were so busy trying to strip the ball from Dwyer and make the “big play” that they forgot to make the “little play” and tackle him. Sometimes, 2 and 3 star recruits make better players because they buy into the team concept instead of the “me” concept.

By JoeP79

December 2, 2008 8:09 AM | Link to this

You know what’s funny? I heard this same talk a couple years ago when we lost 3 games. All this “Richt is overrated” malarkey and “our D is soft” junk. We turned around had a championship caliber season the next year. You guys who are jabbering about firing Richt are absolutely insane. The guy is a football genius. His record speaks for itself. He deserves the benefit of the doubt regardless even of what happens next year. We are going to be a lot better next year if we stay healthy. Losing 16 scholaship players in one off season will hurt any team. We get ‘em all back next year. Lets get ready for OSU and look to next year… Cox/King in ‘09

By clpendley

December 2, 2008 8:09 AM | Link to this

Richt is soft, Martinez is soft. Bulldog defense soft. Cost the Nation a National Title.

By Andy in Ohio

December 2, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this

I said this last year and I’ll say it again, Richt needs to stop downplaying a National Championship and push for it. These players need to believe they can get there. The difference between him and the very top tier coaches like Saban, Meyer, and Carroll (hate all of them, but great coaches) is that they truly believe they can be in the NC every single year.

Richt is not even aiming for that, he’s aiming to win the SEC East and let the rest take care of itself. That’s all fine and good on paper, but these kids have played uninspired all year. Underachieving has been the buzz word. Why is that? They’re clearly capable of great play. Lack of passion is what I have to say, and that lack of passion is reflected indirectly by the coaches as they’re responsible for getting these kids fired up each and every week. It seems like Richt freaked himself out last year after the Florida game and has been more tame ever since. I’ve seen flashes of it, but generally just him standing there on the sideline. I know being calm is his mojo, but I think his players play better when he’s fired up too. I just don’t see the toughness or passion in these kids that I’ve seen in Georgia teams in the past (mainly speaking of defense here, no complaints on offense).

I really would like to see a much more aggressive defense next year. I don’t buy what Richt is saying about how they are playing man coverage, zone coverages, everything and the kitchen sink coverages right and left to mix it up. Everything that I see is very soft zone coverage that gives up short, first downs in keeping the long threats minimal. That doesn’t do anything but serve to get the opposing offense in a rhythm when they’re getting one first down after another.

By flroida dawg

December 2, 2008 8:16 AM | Link to this

What is CMR’S record? What was the 2 previous coaches’ records? What was Coach Dooley’s record, avg wins, and pct?

How many in the entire nation, or the SEC, have this good of a record?

ENOUGH SAID ENOUGH SAID ENOUGH SAID ENOUGH SAID

WHINERS SHUT UP- WRITE ADAMS, CALL ADAMS, OR , BEST OF ALL, CHANGE YOUR ALLEGIANCES. I WOULD SAY YOUR LOYALTY, BUT YOU DON’T HAVE ANY.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST TRAITS OF THE GREAT BEAR BRYANT-LOYALTY.LOYALTY -LOYALTY-LOYALTY

DO ANY OF YOU GET IT? WHO OUT THERE IS PERFECT-NEVER HAD A BAD DAY OR YEAR?

By AltamahaDawg

December 2, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this

Walsh is a freshman, in case it didn’t occur to you. 4 better in the country. And 41st is a pretty deceptive stats. Thats fg/game in which they dont have total control. But since you use that stat, here is a partial list of team with PK that must be horrible by your standards. Uof FL, Sr, made every FG this year.ranks 71st. I think they should pull his scholarship. Texas, Jr, 80th. USC has such a sorry kicker as a senior he is 89th out of 100. Vandy, Sr, no good.

But so many other teams have really figured out how to coach these guys that they can have thier kickers with a fraction of one FG/G better.

I wish we had an expereinced senior like Succup. he can nail them .036% of the time better.

Kickoffs: Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, perhaps you have heard of these teams…………all give up more return yard than UGA. How can that possible be, we do not know anything about it. Nothing. Alabama does however, they are kicking our butts at .14 yrd better. Oh what we could have done with that 5 inches. If only we had special teams coaches, we could get up there with the likes of and Ohio University, Miss State, Baylor. Those 8 loss teams are several yards ahead of us.

By Rick

December 2, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this

I will restrict my defensive comments to the GT game only. UGA and most other SEC/ACC schools have small, fast cover CB’s. They are pass stoppers first and most are not particularly effective at run support. That is GT’s unique advantage. They don’t play the passing game matchup like other schools. UGA’s smaller CB’s had trouble getting off the GT receiver’s block and couldn’t tackle GT’s big backs one-on-one. For anyone to stop GT, you almost have to play safety’s at CB who are run stoppers first and cover guys second. Otherwise, you play right in their hands with small cover corners trying to get through big receivers blocks and trying to tackle much larger backs. As a result GT frequently turned the corner and UGA frequently missed tackles. Until defensive coordinators figure this out GT is going to be highly effective just running the ball (one pass completion against GA for 19 yards…who needs those fast, small, cover CB’s against GT?).

By NC dawg

December 2, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this

Is anyone else concerned that Richard Samuel and Caleb King showed absolutely NOTHING this year? And we are suppose to rely on them next year? That is my biggest concern.

By jerry

December 2, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this

For those who want think Richt is an offensive guru consider this:

25 times his offense scored 20 or less against SEC opponents. Contrast this with Carroll at USC who has failed to score 20 or less only 9 times against all opponents and scored 20+ in 63 consecutive games. Richt’s longest streak is 8. Not only did he lose to Tech but his offense has failed to score 20 on Tech three times in 8 years. Hell, it took him 8 years to figure out how to run a screen psss. This UGA staff is no better than any other SEC staff-they just have better talent than some others. If Richt ever wins a NC it will be a fluke and a one and done. Before anyone says that Carroll did not do this in the SEC let me point out that he is 4-0 vs the SEC and put up 70 and 50 vs. Arkansas.

By frank mcc

December 2, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this

You’re dead on. The inability by Ellerbe or Jones to wrap up has been evident all year not just against GT. The defensive ends looked like they were told not to make a play on the option until the quarterback had committed which left them out of position most plays. This is all a reflection on coaching . Both the players and coaches lacked the emotion they played with last season. Expectations were too high. We won this year on talent alone. Imagine what they could do with better coaching and passion.

By Fred G. Sanford

December 2, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this

The “G” stands for Georgia, you big dummy!

flroida dawg, I have a couple of points regarding your post.

True, Richt is way above Donnan and Goff. That being said, he’s not above criticism if it’s given in an appropriate tone. NO individual is above criticism.

Yes, Bryant did have loyalty - even during his final subpar years - but the Bear didn’t have to deal with the internet. This technology created an outlet for all voices, clean or vulgar, logical or illogical. All coaches have to deal with this, whether they want to or not.

While I truly appreciate the success CMR has delivered to UGA, I am concerned about what I’ve seen these past 3 years.

In 2006 we dominated Tennessee in the first half between the hedges. UT then scores 35 second half points and we lose 51-33. This was the same year we lost to Vandy and Kentucky, in addition to our annual loss in Jacksonville. We also narrowly won 4 other games by a combined 12 points.

In 2007 we sleepwalk through the first half of the season before turning it on in the second half. Let’s not forget our no-show up in Knoxville, one of the worst overal performances I had ever witnessed from UGA (I had no idea what was coming up in 2008).

2008 has to be the worst. Not only because of the preseason expectations, but because of the team’s performance throughout the year. There was no consistency on either side of the ball. As a result, we NEVER put away a legitimate opponent. Excluding Georgia Southern, we defeated just 3 teams with winning records (I don’t count .500 seasons as winning seasons). Our three losses came against the only three teams presently in the top 20, and our defense allowed 135 points in those three games. Totally unacceptable.

Here’s the rub:

• Prior to this season, UGA and USC were the only two schools who finished in the top 10 for the past 6 years.

• Rivals has ranked UGA’s recruiting classes in the top 10 for the past 6 years.

• UGA is in the PREMIER college football conference in the country. Players in the SEC get TV exposure second to none.

• UGA is the flagship university in a state that is considered to be one of the top 10 states in producing high school football talent.

With all of this going for us, how do we have such inconsistency for the past 3 years? We seem to be trending downward. Frustrating, very frustrating.

I don’t claim to be a football coaching expert, but surely something needs to be changed. Based on what CMR said, the change won’t be coaches. I’m curious to see what changes do come about.

By BernieDawg

December 2, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this

I am starting to agree with Buck Belue: we need more 3 star guys on defense and a few less of these 5 star prima donnas. Pollack wasn’t in the line of some of these guys we’re getting now, but he would give you 110%.

Bernie

By charlotte dawg

December 2, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

Gotta agree with everything except the bit about Stafford being just as plagued by inaccuracy and INT’s as a frosh. I’m not saying he’s Steve Young, but he’s certainly gotten better (ALOT better) since he was a frosh.

By Go Hawks

December 2, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

That’s hilarious that you said “hundreds” of people were calling for Willie Martinez to be fired.

Try a million.

By charlotte dawg

December 2, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this

Fred,

“With all of this going for us, how do we have such inconsistency for the past 3 years? “

I think it’s pretty simple. 2006 was a true frosh QB and 07-08 were young and subpar OL’s (2008 was also a subpar D imho). All of that is still on Richt of course, but it’s no mystery what’s happened.

By Maddog

December 2, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

To those of you UGA “fans” who bellyached about Stafford’s decision making, and Moreno’s decision to “pull himself out of games”, you’ll probably not have to worry about them next year as they will probably go into the NFL. My question to you would be what do you expect to see out of next year’s offense? King and Samuel looked like high school running backs. Joe Cox at QB? Could be great, but an unknown commodity. The offensive line better pull their weight and then some because our skill players will definitely be a few notches below this year. Couple this with Willie’s return and I expect another 3 or 4 loss season for next year.

By philfromga

December 2, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

1. 27 straight years with at least 1 loss
2. Allowed 3 teams to score more than 40 points in 2008
3. Allowed 5 teams to score more than 35 points in 2008
4. Went 0-3 against teams that finished the season in the BCS rankings ( TECH was 2-0)
5. Worst final BCS ranking ever for a preseason #1 (16th) previous worse was 7th
6. Most Penalized Team in SEC (by far next closest was 13 ypg less)
7. Most Mirandized Team in SEC ( probably the nation) with 11 arrests in 2008
8. 3 games giving up 21 or more points in one quarter
9. Allowed 3 runs from scrimmage of over 50 yards against GA TECH( Who was that Dwyer guy again NO-show?)
10. Couldn’t “finish the drill” against a “high school offense” (GEORGIA TECH 45 u(sic)ga 42)

By PJ

December 2, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

Quite humbling, yes, to go from the preseason No. 1 team in the nation to the No. 2 team in North Georgia. UGA and, too, Clemson are still living in the past. Hey, wake up, it’s been almost 30 years since Buck and Herschel were on campus. Georgia is a solid program but never a great one. Your expectations are freaking ridiculous. You run off a 50-19 coach in Donnan and now you have one of the game’s best young and classiest coaches in Richt and he’s not good enough for many of you. You deserve another Ray Goof (sic) era for your impertinence. Continue examining an “awful” 9-3 season to death and then realize you need to get a life. These numerous woe-is-me posts make for hilarious reading, though.

By Fred G. Sanford

December 2, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

The “G” stand for Georgia, you big dummy!

Charlotte dawg, good point regarding youth, but how is it we have two consecutive years with young offensive lines? Why don’t we have experienced replacements? Recruiting, injuries, coaching? If inexperience is the problem, then next year could be even worse on offense because we won’t have the skill players like MoMass and possibly Stafford and Moreno. Other teams don’t seem to miss a beat, but we seem to miss many. Injuries are a part of every team, but how many people think Sturdivant could have made the difference in any of our three losses? For that matter, name me 5 injured players that could have made differences in our three losses? Two were absolute blowouts, and the Tech loss can be hung directly around the neck of the defense/coaches.

I hate to be pessimistic, but I don’t see next year being any better than this year. I’ll be patiently waiting for CMR to define the changes he deems necessary and hopefully it will ease my concerns.

By Captain

December 2, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

The definition of insanity is repeating the same behavior and expecting different results. Willie Martinez has built a body of work for all to see. The numbers don’t lie. As long as he remains our defensive coordinator, we will not be able to compete with Tier 1 programs. Period.

By Fred G. Sanford

December 2, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

The “G” stands for Georgia, you big dummy!

philfromga, I cannot argue with what you’ve written. The truth kinda hurts. I’m somewhat okay with the “27 straight years with at least one loss” because it’s awfully hard to go undefeated, but the past 3 years have been frustrating at best. Yes, we finished last year at #2, but think of what “could have been” had we been better prepared against South Carolina. Forget UT - that was a blowout, but if we had put away South Carolina like we should have, we would have been in the NC game. Coulda shoulda woulda. I’m waiting for someone to explain how we should have high expectations going in to next season. I just don’t see it. No coaching changes, the possible loss of many key offensive skill players, and seemingly no productive replacements.

By macrotech

December 2, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

ACT LIKE YOU’VE BEEN THERE GT, bless your little heart! I’m fairly certain, that this isn’t a little, private club. If it were, there’d be secret handshakes and passwords. I read the blogs on BOTH sides of the ball and respond when inspired. I don’t believe that I have EVER read the GT blogs without having to plow through some of the opinions of uga fans. Sadly, for uga fans, many of the thoughts shared on OUR blog seem to come from uneducated rednecks that STILL believe that they SHOULD always be a preseason #1 and that there is a conspiracy if they aren’t. For the last seven years, they have been MOST vocal on our blogs. NEVER have their thoughts gone unanswered by Tech fans. I know you guys are frustrated, but here’s a ‘heads up’; uga, under CMR, had become a national power to be reckoned with, but they are one of many teams that could’ve won the national championship these past few years. Sadly, for you dawg fans, it hasn’t happened. Your little friends on our blogs would suggest that they don’t consider Tech a rivalry….national champions don’t take ANYBODY for granted! uga did that THIS year and it cost them bragging rights for the year! Tech fans are going to show up on ‘your’ blog, as certain as dog fans are going to show up on ‘our’ blog! Your little cry is the equivalent of , “mommy, he’s on my half of the couch’! Suck it up! The dogs lost to the Jackets! For a preseason #1, like your whining, there is a major short coming! GO TECH!!!!

P.S.- You’re welcomed to join the jubilee on our blog! No secret handshake or password….just a renewed enthusiasm from a bunch of ‘nerds’

By gdawginkalamazoo

December 2, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

Not that Willie needs to get fired. He or Richt needs to have him take a demotion. I hope coach Richt understands that if your defense and DC is getting mentioned during the highlight reels because you are getting blown out 2-3 times a year it might be time to get help in there. What the hell were they serving at halftime in the locker room? Looks like Tech got the viagra and we got ambien.

By NConmymind

December 2, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this

Joe Cox should have been the QB from the day he arrived in Athens. Matthew Stafford is extremely overrated and will most likely be the next Jeff George. Great arm, pretty incompletions.

What a waste in recruiting. If Mack Brown, Mike Leach and Bob Stoops aren’t interested in a QB from Texas, that should tell you a little something.

By jerry

December 2, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

Lane Kiffin who has pro experience will probably hire coordinators with pro experience. Contrast this with the amatuers at UGA and read the writing on the wall. Richt has had 8 years to turn it around against Florida. He has failed. Will he ever? Read the writing on the wall.

By All American CB

December 2, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

I think we need to spend less time dancing and more time tackling.

By mtdawggie

December 2, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

We’ll never, ever get any better as long as Willie is allowed to embarass the university week after week. CMR apparently thinks giving up 40 a game and losing to Tech is perfectly acceptable. The whole situation is a perfect manifestation of CMR’s philosphy…no fire, no grit, no discripline, no responsibility.

The fact that Willie is being allowed to stick around is THE most deflating thing I can remember in the 30 years of I’ve been going to Sanford Stadium. It’s literally saying to the world that we’re soft - and we don’t care to do anything about it.

It’s shameful.

By JesseV

December 2, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

Wait till next year! If Stafford and Moreno are gone, can we all say 7-5. UGA is headed in the wrong direction, next years losses will include losing to Tech and FL for sure. OK State will be a loss, OK State may put up 60 on WM’s defense. If SC’s defense is almost as good as this years thats a loss. And of course there will be one more loss. More excuses to come!

CWM is blind, obtuse or an idiot when it comes to his staff. I know he is a good man and has done a lot for UGA, however, he is not the coach to put our program over the top and win it all!

Unfortunately, as always, a lot of UGA people think being the second best team in the state after being ranked No. 1 is ok! Excuse: Its the medias fault for ranking us No. 1! Apparently its only some fans who want to win it all. Excuses will be the legacy of the Richt era. Wait till next year is what UGA fans will hear until changes are made! Unfortunately for too many thats just fine! This stinks!

By Rick

December 2, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this

Five star recruits don’t necessarily equate to a great TEAM. What the bumbles did Saturday was the sign of a TEAM. The bottom line is that the coaches have to coach the players up - on and off the field - no matter how many “stars” they were rated in high school. I think there has to be some question now as to whether or not the current UGA staff is up to it.

By Fred G. Sanford

December 2, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

The “G” stands for Georgia, you big dummy!

PJ, if your comment was directed at me then I apologize if my comments appear as “woe is me”. I truly don’t feel that way, it’s more of a concern about what I’m seeing in our program. Disciplinary problems off the field, and lackluster efforts on the field. I’m just curious as to what’s going wrong.

I don’t expect regular undefeated seasons and NCs, but I do like to see good to great performances. I like CMR. I’ve talked with him on numerous occasions and he’s a special person. I’m confident he will turn things around, but again, I’m wondering what happened.

By GA Dawg 47

December 2, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this

Well I will continue to respect CMR and his decisions about keeping Martinez, but I do not agree with it. Martinez has no ability to make adjustments during a game. He comes in with a game plan and sticks to it. Thats how Tech killed our D in the second half. They went to the locker room and made adjustmens, GA did not.

By disgruntled dawg

December 2, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

Chip…. I know on one occassion during the season that ther was an outburst between Martinez and Fabris because of a timeout being called inwhich the TV commentators mentioned the outburst. I was at the South Carolina Game but I only heard from other bloggers that another outburst happened again. Then it supposeddly happened again durring the Tech game. It may be nothing to to it other than perception and maybe the word feud is the wrong word to describe it. But I would, if you can, like for you to just follow up on it and see if there is a problem between the two. Thanks

By Oledawg

December 2, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this

Chip- You forgot “Snakebit!!”. And “God was against us”. “The Devil was disguised as referees”?

By Paul

December 2, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this

Good lord. Please stop. I am not happy with how the year turned out, but damn. All of you with your great ideas need to get a job coaching somewhere. Thank you to all the coaches and players. work hard and lets get better. Stafford and Moreno please come back for one more year.

By AJC Bandwagon

December 2, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

What happened to the giant picture that showed up every Tuesday on the homepage demanding us to “know our dogs”? Put it back up, I’d love to know our loser dogs and especially how they feel losing to Tech!! The AJC - what a joke.

By DawgGirl32

December 2, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

Florida won a National Championship in ‘06 and started off the ‘07 preseason ranked in the top 5. They finished 9-4. LSU won the NC in ‘07 and started off ‘08 ranked in the top five. They’re 8-5. We came off a great year last year. We could have easily played in the NC and beat anybody in the country. We came into ‘08 preseason #1 and will finish the regular season 9-3. It’s okay. The reason why Florida had the Heisman trophy winner and still had a down year last year? Urban Meyer blamed it on a “soft defense.” I don’t remember him firing a whole bunch of people and look how they turned it around this year. Have faith people.

By Gen Neyland

December 2, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

………….BuLLfool

You wouldn’t know an imposter poser if he/she kicked you in the arse…

To the Imposer

Now see what you’ve done to BuLLfool. He’s angry at me…

By Captain "the real one"

December 2, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

Ok, someone posted using my name. You are a thief, so in the future do not use Captain, use Thief.

CWM is not a DC. However, he was a very competent Secondary coach. His players routinely were All SEC and draft choices, many of whom continue to play in the NFL. Names such as Davis, Jennings, Phillips, Wansley, Blue, Jones, Minter, Oliver were quality players at Georgia. Willie can coach the secondary, however it is my view that he cannot handle both the DC and Secondary plus the KO team duties. CMR would be wise to make CRG co-DC with CWM. The weak link is Jancek. LB play is awful at best, and atrocious at worst. Out of position, poor tackling, poor technique, inability to cover a TE, and on and on. Georgia, Jancek in particular, has yet to develop a quality LB corp. I know CWM can coach the secondary, he’s done it in the past, I don’t see that Jancek can coach the LB’s.

Here’s my suggestion, as if Coach Richt is reading this with eager anticipation…. split the DC job between Garner and Willie and bring in a new LB coach. Then, Coach Richt should follow the program of Urban Meyer and Frank Beamer, take special teams as his area of immediate responsibility freeing up position coaches to do just that, coach their areas of responsibility.

By disgruntled dawg

December 2, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

Ga Dawg 47…. I totally agree and I hope Richt will reevaluate the entire program. That includes recruiting the right players, strength and conditioning and also his coaching staff.

By ace

December 2, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

I would venture to say that Richt is the ONLY coach who has been at the same school for eight years and never fired an assistant. Croom and Orgeron were both told by their athletic directors that they were going to have to make coaching changes on the offensive side of the ball but they refused because they had friends doing the coaching, guess what, neither is still there. The same thing is going to happen to Richt, but the only problem is it will take time for this to happen. It would be too much trouble for Richt because any candidate would have to qualify as a prayer group member first before he could hire him as a coach!

By NConmymind

December 2, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this

No consensus #1 has ever finished as low as this year’s preseason #1.

Mark Richt is above average at UGA. As soon as Bowden dies on the sideline at Doak Campbell, he’ll go home.

GA can’t afford to pay Donnan, Goff and give a big payraise for Richt.

Enjoy being in the top three in your division every year. That’s about as good as it is going to get.

By Fort Worth Dawg

December 2, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

Chip — At the beginning of the year, Coach Van Halanger avoided your questions regarding, as I recall, team unity. You were suspicious but I don’t believe you ever followed up with him. I still would like to hear his follow-up on the matter as I feel like he knew something was not quite right with the team.

By dan

December 2, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

I pretty much think you hit the nail on the head with most of your observations Chip. But the thing I’d add is where is the heart and self motivation? I mean these players are Division I recruits which means that most of these guys have been playing football for 4 years or more and have probably been a part of a few championships here and there. I mean this isn’t Pee Wee football. These guys should be able to motivate themselves when they get to this level. I mean Coach Richt shouldn’t have to say ” Hey it’s Florida, and it’s a big game”, they should know that and prepare accordingly. Coaching is like teaching: a teacher can prepare you to take a test but it’s up to you as a student to put in the work outside the classroom to get the grade. Look at the Florida Gators: Tim Tebow took it on himself after the Ole Miss loss to say ” my effort was crap and it won’t happen again!”. The leadership came from the players and they have been kicking butt ever since. I’m not saying the coaching staff shouldn’t be held accountable because they should. But a coach can’t make a player care. If you don’t have any self discipline, then you’re going to get your brains beat out.

By NConmymind

December 2, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

For the idiot telling Tech to “act like they’ve been there…”, GA Tech has been there long since GA has.

Maybe Owho-O State will get their revenge on the SEC’s subpar in the bowl season.

How do the Gators like it? Dawgie-style!

By ThaMan

December 2, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this

Jeff - you are a typical fleabag. And a dunba@@. And a LOSER!!!!!

By Oledawg

December 2, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

Chip- Tech blocked like they were possessed. We didn’t. They tackled enough. We didn’t. I warned last week that the game from Johnson would adjust after halftime and we wouldn’t have time for a full adjustment after halftime. Think, folks. Why is that so? Could the reason be that the players can’t cope with change fast enough in the head dept.? Did Martinez make changes that players(those he was compelled to play) didn’t adjust to? Suppose you have a reduced # of schemes you are forced to use because of a real fear of confusion by the best athletes that you have for the position (i.e.; linebacker). When you are forced to change, the athletes can’t make the brain adjustment to their body habits in a sustained manner and you play erratic. This can easily be part of the D explanation. There are other parts along the same line of explanation. Just sayin.

Maybe some players are nervous and/or just “galoot” all over the field. Maybe some players aren’t stupid, but have had to substitute where they don’t normally play and fall back on athletic habits that aren’t compatible with the position and their years of play. Maybe Martinez and Richt are right when they say players aren’t always playing the way that they are taught. For reasons above.

By Coffeedawg

December 2, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this

Coach MR Please reject all bowl bids! I’d rather the Dawgs sit at home than embarass the Dawn Nation again this year.

By Dog Confused

December 2, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

Personally CWM should be demoted, look at our defense compared to teams in the SEC defensively! We do not play with passion, Tackling is horrible, scheme wise can’t see where we are going. Good teams get better throughout the year we didn’t. We should be practicing three times a week like other teams in full pads making ourself tough. If you want a day off earn it on Saturday! Coach MR I support you but it is your job to make the tough choices, I will support your decision but I have a very short temper and better see improvement.

By DawgByte

December 2, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

Here is something to take into consideration… Mark Richt is the 4th most winning among active Div. 1 coaches. That’s with Van Gorder and without. Now put that in your pipe in puff on it.

By BR

December 2, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

Do you really think Richt would announce before a bowl game if he’s firing anyone? Besides, it’s not just up to him. Boosters will have some say so, believe it.

By Brizdawg

December 2, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

Why isn’t coaching on the list? If nobody’s leaving, then at least the coaching strategies need to be closely examined: play calling, game awareness, and halftime adjustments in particular.

Play calling: there needs to be some limit on how many times you call a play that doesn’t work. The QB draw play worked maybe twice this season, and Stafford ate turf at least a dozen other times, needlessly risking the health of the QB. Even Spurrier comments on the poor play calling - he may know our playbook better than our coaches!

Game awareness: Since Richt is no longer calling the plays, it seems like he should have the luxury to think like a chess player and look several plays and possessions ahead. But all too often he is slow at calling timeouts when needed and makes unnecessarily risky calls (e.g., onside kick v. UF). He was just plain out-coached by almost every other coach in the league this season. He just lucked out that most of them had crappy teams this year.

Halftime adjustments: I’m sure that they do make some changes at halftime, but it’s not always readily apparent. And clearly they do not anticipate what changes the other team may make, which explains 3rd quarter scoring bursts by opponents. UGA coaching also seems slow to react to what the opposing team is doing - they lost a whole half against Alabama because of this.

In light of these coaching shortcomings, I am more than a little concerned about CMR, and any other UGA coach’s ability to critique themselves during the off-season. They need to bring in an external consultant to help them with this process if they’re not bringing on any new coaches.

I understand that the strategies that have been in place for 8 years now have yielded some great results, including 2 SEC championships, but the strategies need to evolve over time since all the other teams have figured out what those strategies are by now and found ways to blow them apart.

By texasex

December 2, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

First off, I think Coach Richt is one of the classiest head coaches in college football and this has been and will continue to be reflected in the quality of recruit he and the UG program are able to attract to Athens. Having said that, i feel his philosophy regarding continuity of coaching staff could not be more wrong. Coaching changes are a natural extension of success/failure at this level and coaching fluidity is part of the drill whether involving replacing staff members to improve or to replace departing staff lured away due to success. A great case in point is Texas’ hiring of Muschamp. As he did at Auburn Muschamp has completely changed the culture and attitude of not just the defense but the whole team. A coach(s) can do that and it is necessary at this level. The Georgia staff and particularly Martinez, do not bring this kind of attitude to the team and it shows. Georgia is simply not living up to the SEC hype of physicality and until it does,elite status won’t come.

Regarding Stafford, yes he has thrown some bad oskies and has been inaccurate at times. On the other hand, he has played behind a joke of an O line and has managed to have pretty impressive stats in spite of operating in an unimaginative offense that really failed to take advantage of his skills which could have been used to full advantage while enhancing Moreno’s skills as well. He was on the run all year and the offense never seemed to change to fit the situation. To his detractors-wait an see what he does in the pros and then consider if his failings were his or coaching.

By Dave In Tampa

December 2, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

I think that CMR should go after UT’s x Defensive Coor. Chavis. (sp) He always had his defenses ready.Just throwing it out there.

By hhbo

December 2, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this

*Chip, PLEASE pass this on to Coach Garnder for his next recruiting trip *

Earlier, up top, someone asked if there was any kid in the state of GA who could kick the ball out of the end zone…. I don’t know about GA, but only 11 miles north of the TN border on I-75, there’s a couple of kids at Ooltewah High School that could have helped out tremendously this season AS HIGH SCHOOLERS!!

Their kicker routinely drew oohs and ahhs from the crowd on kick-offs, reminding me of GA Tech’s kicker from the early/mid-90s (can’t remember his name) who would try and hit 75 yard field goals and hit fans in the end zone seats with his kick-offs! Kid was booming kicks through the uprights and landing them on the other side of the track!! I was laughing my butt off watching people in line at the concession stand ducking for cover!!

Can’t remember this kids name either, but their DE, #36, was called by Phillip Fulmer “a better athlete at his position at his age than any player he’s ever seen!!” You talk about a monster! Kid was all over the field… even dropping back into a safety role. I wouldn’t call him another Eric Berry (a true safety), but Rennie Curran with size, definitely!! Right now, I think this kid could start at DE, giving that much needed pass rush on the outside, play opposite Rennie at the other OLB spot, or send Reshad Jones packing to the NFL at Safety.

I’ve watched a lot of football in my time, and I was certainly impressed watching these two play. Only saw them a couple of times, but comparing them to what I saw from our dismal defense this year, I believe it’s certainly worth the treck by our coaches up to Chattanooga, TN so they can see for themselves….

By hhbo

December 2, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

Oh, and 36 played TE also and I saw enough killer blocks and tough catches to know he’s got the hands to shore up our TE issues also…

Leonard Pope, anyone???

By Alabama Jack

December 2, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

I’m a Jacket and damn proud of it - but have you dawgs considered that FSU under Bowden has historically been one of the most penalized teams in the country, that NC State when coached by former FSU assistant Chuck Amato, became one of the most penalized teams in the country, and that now the dawgs, under former FSU assistant Richt is nearly the most penalized team in the country.

My Georgia Tech background and logic indicates there may be a connection. BTW, all three teams also “failed to meet expectations” during their penalty prone era.

Maybe learning the rules of the game would be helpful

By NoDawg

December 2, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this

I have just read the majority of the 314+ posts on this blog and it was better than any book or novel I have read in years! Amazing stuff.

By Supes

December 2, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

This is what should have happened after the loss to GT, unfortunately, CMR and the “staff” don’t have the balls to do it.

We need an attitude change on Defense, you can sub in Rashard Jones for Vernon Davis in the comments by Mike Singletary it works perfectly! WHAT UGA NEEDS

By Tin Man

December 2, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

If we only had heart…..

By formerdawgcontributor

December 2, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

What is Next?? Mark Richt best start doing some leading or he will find himself asking Phil Fulmer how you end a career at an earlier age.

Richt and company wasted the 2008 season. They are simply soft with virtually no discipline on or off the field; less character; and filled with undeserved ‘swagger’ as exemplified by their head coach!

Will never forget or forgive the 3d quarter of the Tech game! HOW PATHETIC!

By DawgNYC

December 2, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this

Get a grip people. You weren’t complaining last year as our defensive got better and better as the year progressed. We had some serious talent step forward last year that is no longer on this team. Yes, a couple of players in the starting lineup can make a huge difference as we clearly have seen. The UGA defense sorely missed Jeff Owens in the middle and Marcus Washington on the outside. In addition- it is clear that the secondary misses Kelin Johnson. I know many of you are emotional about this but lets come back to reality here. CMR is not stupid. He know we have a defensive problem, so let’s think about this. What’s the best way to fix this problem. Well- to start with you better recruit some kids that can fill those voids on defense. How do you do this? I can assure you that it doesn’t get fixed by firing your defensive coordinator. What kid in their right mind would want to go play for a team that just axed its “D” coordinator. The better method is to reinforce your committment to the “D” coordinator and send him on the road to talk to recruits the next damn day. “Wait- this sounds familiar.” When you get to the recruits house you say hey Jarvis Jones and Branden Smith we need you at Georgia and you can play early. Watch what happens to Tech when they fire Weiss. Watch what happens at Clemson, Tennessee and potentially Auburn. The committs start to defect. Georgia on the other hand needs to stablilize the lines once and for all and start playing smash mouth football. Ok- now that I have settled this let’s talk about the worst tackling display I personally have ever seen- Rashad Jones. It was like the Iraq war- Shock and Awe!

By T-Dawg

December 2, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

I know everyone is calling for CWM, but CMR won’t do it. What about giving some heat to the guy in charge of ST? Even in interviews he put the ST guys down saying they weren’t special, they were just kicking teams. Maybe CMR should let him focus on the other parts of his position coaching and give someone else the job of ST coach. As much as I hate Urban Cryer, he puts a lot of emphasis on ST and it pays off…big time. I think CWM would be a little better at his job if the ST coach did a little better at his. What do you think, Chip? Haven’t other teams put more focus on coaching ST?

By DawgNYC

December 2, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

Sorry-did I say Tech- I meant Notre Dame. At least we aren’t Notre Dame. 90% of my office is ND and they make me feel better on Mondays.

By SSI dawg

December 2, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

The only change we will see next year will be fewer quality players and more losses than this year.

Also, let’s get rid of the stupid “dawg bones” on the helments. Or, at the very least, give them one for good plays and take one away for bad plays. I wonder how many of our defensive players would have any helment stickers at the end of this year?

By mcdawg

December 2, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this

GT adjusted at the half-we did not adjust to their adjustments

Ellerbe has been playing poorly since his injury-not taking on blocks and never squared up with the blocker or ball carrier

R. Jones great athlete-lousy on fundamentals

in some ways this is a relief from all the self-imposed pressure this year

look forward to Cox leading the offense next year much like a J. Parker Wilson this year

hopefully Moreno & Owens will stay Stafford would be crazy not to go lots of upside going into next year (OL, WR, QB, Curran, Gamble, like B. Evans at safety)

MVP is between MoMass and Moreno

we should score 50+ against MSU but who knows how much they will score

By Go Hawks

December 2, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this

NConmymind you sir are an idiot..

Bagging on Stafford who led the SEC in passing this year and throws for over 400 yards and 5 TD’s against Tech. Not to mention he will be a top 10 draft pick in the NFL.

You have no clue what you are talking about.

By De Truth

December 2, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this

Martinez will take another job and/or resign to take the heat off of CMR. You read it here!

By Erk Man

December 2, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this

Listen up dawgies, Paul Johnson squired under the late great Erk Russell. If you want to WIN, HIRE PAUL JOHNSON AWAY FROM GT BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE.

By Frank Lane

December 2, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

Agree about Reshad Jones and Ellerbe. Add Asher Allen. All three missed tackle chances on the deciding long touchdown run by Tech. In fact the replay shows Asher Allen not even trying and Reshad Jones just trying to the bump the player out of bounds.

We were weak on the outside of the feel defensively all season. From Ends out.

By jerry

December 2, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

Richt has coached in 24 games against UGA’s top three competitors in the SEC East-Florida, Tennesse, and South Carolina. In 16 of the 24 games his offense has failed to score more than 20 points. That’s 2 out of 3. I am here to tell you-Richt can’t coach offense. That’s why he turned it over to the Bozo. And he can’t either.

By Pitbull

December 2, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this

I think a lot of people are either posing as Georgia fans to complain about Mark Richt because they want to hurt him and the Georgia program, or there are a small number of delusional Georgia “fans”.

The vast majority of UGA alumni love Mark and are more than satisfied with his results over the past 8 years. He is 81-22 and will go 10-3 this difficult year if we win the bowl game. Remember that we had the hardest sos in the nation and have had many starters go down with injuries this year.

Here is a list of Mark’s record against the rest of the SEC and Tech over the past 8 years:

Mississippi 4-0

Arkansas 4-0

Mississippi State 2-0

Georgia Tech 7-1

Kentucky 7-1

Vanderbilt 7-1

Alabama 3-1

South Carolina 6-2

LSU 3-2

Tennessee 5-3

Auburn 5-3

Florida 2-6

Has any other SEC won 2 or more games against Florida over the past 8 years? Check the records.

By AltamahaDawg

December 2, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this

Its a darn good thing nobody was counting the number of points Erk’s defenses gave up many times in the 70’s. Dooley would have fired him sho’nuf.

By what have you done lately dogs?

December 2, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

you guys will feel better after you win your bowling league.

By DEFENSE

December 2, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this

Coach Richt should consider hiring Slyvester Crooms… He had a tough go at Miss St. but usually had a good defense with bottom rate talent.

By HONESTY

December 2, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this

In reality, UGA’s strength of schedule ranks 34th.

Virginia’s was #1, followed by VaTech.

GT is at 16th.

http://www.solecismic.com/frontier/sos9.php

Face it, folks: the SEC is a dumpster conference this year, with two seemingly good teams: Florida and Alabama, and I’m still not convinced of the Crimson Tide’s ability. I watched them live and in person struggle against Tulane.

By Dawg '66

December 2, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this

Chip, being a retired newspaper reporter, I know that sports writers have some editorial leeway. But to describe two college athletes (Ellerbe and Reshad Jones) as being “horrible” for most of the season is way out of line. Not only has Ellerbe, a senior, played some outstanding football for Georgia during his career and Jones had a couple of outstanding plays on Saturday, but they are not paid professionals who deserve criticism if they are not performing up to their paycheck.

By RAMBLE ON!!!

December 2, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this

Wheres yellowblood and the famous ticklepile

He’s in the middle at the very being.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENuMxL6dHMk&NR=1

By Dogbyte

December 2, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this

It’s amusing how many “fans” think UGA has always been an elite football program. Take it from someone who was there: Wrong! We had some great teams in the 40’s and then mediocrity set in. During that time Tech beat us 8 in a row. Dooley came along and brought us back to respectability(and eventually a NC)but he had his rough years and times, too. Then, after the NC we had a couple of more chances but no cigar, then we fell back into “respectability”. After Vince went upstairs, most remember the Goff/Donnan years. So, when you talk about the “good old days” you have been living them since CMR took over. Yes, he is hard-headed and loyal-to-a-fault, but he has done more(much more)for us than we have done for him. Thank him. Don’t cuss him.

By AltamahaDawg

December 2, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this

HONESTY, per the NCAA stats, if that matters:

By bobbylee

December 2, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this

Most UGA fans are all alike…

By Chip Towers

December 2, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

Ft. Worth Dawg: You’re right, I was suspicious of DVH’s reluctance. And I went back to him several times, even last week before Tech. I told him last time, “your silence speaks volumes.” It does, doesn’t it.

By Statboy

December 2, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this

I love Mark Richt!!! What are you guys talking about. CMR needs to stay. Extend his contract!!!! Bring Ray Goff back as DC also!

By ron mexico

December 2, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this

ITS ALL WILLIE’S FAULT, EH?

SO THAT WAS WILLIE THAT COULDN’T TACKLE ANYONE OR WAS IT ALL YOUR 5-STAR RECRUITS?

FACE IT, ——YOU GOT BEAT!! YOU LOST TO THE THREE BEST TEAMS ON YOUR SCHEDULE.

TECH’S DEFENSE WAS HORRIBLE!! BUT THEY WERE MISSING TWO STARTERS IN THE SECONDARY!!

YOU GUYS JUST GOT BEAT BY THE BETTER TEAM. PERIOD.

By Dog#

December 2, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this

Hey “Ron”, go join a tequila pile.

By 77DAWG

December 2, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this

It is clear that CMR does not have ability to make Georgia better. Every year we would hope to do better than the last, but it never happened. He is taking advantage of the long contract he got. He also know that UGA is not a big time gambling on head coach and will never do what big time schools would do, buyout the contract. He will keep his sworn buddy Willie till his last day come. This is the joke, we can beat CUM’s UF every year if they hire our girl Willie for the DC job. There will be enough UGA fans (all losers) to keep this set of coaching staff cause of 75% winning record they love. Me? No! I don’t care if we don’t stay in top 10 every year, just win some damn big games once in a while!!! I will be look up to the CUM’s Gators with a high regard until CMR decided to shakeup his coaching staff. Sick, sick, sick. Who care? I’m not a big contributor anyway.

By Mike T.

December 2, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this

Hey Dogbyte, Mark Richt has been good for Georgia,no doubt,however he needs to wake up and smell the am cap. As someone posted on one of these blogs yesterday,how long do you think it would take Saban, Meyer or Spurrier to make a DC change after having a defense that had a season like ours did this year?Did not Spurrier FIRE a coach today or yesterday thats been with him since he was at Florida,went to the Skins with him,and then on to South Carolina? As been stated,loyalty’s great, but who is the piano going to eventually fall on? Richt has brought winning ways to Athens, but we all know that the past is the past. All organizations have to make changes and make improvements,and this team needs them bad, especially the defense.

By Mike T.

December 2, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this

Call Van Gorder and pay him want he wants.

By BOYCOTT The Bowl Game

December 2, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this

Are you furious with our coaching staff? Are you furious with the lack of discipline of the players? Feel like you can’t do anything about Willie…then send a HUGE message and DON’T attend any bowl game the dogs are in. That will send a message Loud and Clear that something MUST be done in the offseason to correct the horrible coaching problems.

By Big Dawg

December 2, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this

Chip,

1) Tackling: MLB Dannell Ellerbe and FS Reshad Jones were horrible against Tech and all season really;

Chip I agree with these but you forgot CJ Byrd who was a terrible safety, he was almost always out of position, slow to react and talk about arm tackling.

(2) Special teams: Kickoffs and placekicking (Blair Walsh), kickoff coverage, kickoff returns (Richard Samuel, Remarcus Brown), punt returns (forget the average, no threat second half of season), were all subpar, something we’re not accustomed to seeing;

This I lay on Coach Richt and Coach Fabris for putting freshmen/inexperience players back there to return kicks and when they made a mistake there was no coaching taking place on the sidelines after the play. Also they should have used someone else to do kickoffs as I remember Walsh had pulled his hamstring before the season started and never fully recovered. It is my understanding that before he pulled his hamy he was consistently kicking the ball 5 to 7 yards deep in the endzone and making 60 plus yard field goals in practice.

(3) Offensive line: Yes, they did a good job of pass protection and overachieved for their youth. But it was that group that was most responsible for Georgia’s struggles deep in the red zone. Couldn’t blow anybody off the ball;

This is one of Georgia’s bright spot this year as their inconsistency in the red zone was actually caused by poor play selection, bad personnel decisions and poor decisions by Matt Stafford more than any breakdowns on their part.

(4) Quarterback: Matthew Stafford is great in many, many ways. When he’s on, there’s nobody better. But inaccuracy and interceptions continue to plague him as much three years later as they did as a freshman;

This to me is a shame and I place this squarely on Coach Richt’s shoulders for not getting Stafford mechanics straightened out. His tendency of getting lazy and throwing off his back foot kept him from competing for the Heisman Trophy this year and the Dawgs playing for the National Championship in 2007.

(5) D-ends: Not a single big-time pass rusher in the bunch. Perhaps Toby Jackson and Cornelius Washington can fill the bill next year.

I agree but they should have left Kiante Tripp at Defensive End last year, it was a big mistake in moving him back to the OL. Before he hurt his foot in preseason drills last year he was actually pushing for significant playing time and I believe he would have been a starter by end of last year and would have been the big time pass rusher we needed to make this defense work this year.

Now as for Coach Richt not making any coaching changes he didn’t say he wouldn’t make changes only that he had no plans to fire anyone. I trust that Coach Richt is a fine man and a good head coach will objectively look at what happened this year and make the appropriate moves going forward.

Chip, you didn’t cover our inability to make in game adjustments which costs us two of our three losses this year and almost caused us to lose several other games. It is hard to beat the other team and the OFFICIALS which Georgia has had to do every since the Florida game last year as well. Even the announcers were making comments.

Go Dawgs

By Dogbyte

December 2, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this

With all these self-proclaimed experts, I don’t know why CMR stays with proven college-level coaches. Fire CWM, or whoever, and take your pick. Simple.

By BuLLdawg is an idiot

December 2, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this

Hey …. BuLLdawg – (aka BuLLfool)

Re: December 2, 2008 1:59 AM post

You, as usual, are WRONG. The Capital One bowl pays out 4.25 million as you say but it is split. The Chik-fli-a Bowl (Peach Bowl for those that can’t keep up) pays 3.25 million to the ACC and 2.4 to the SEC. Now I know you struggle with simple math so I will help you out, that comes to a total of 5.65 million. Just like 45 is greater than 42 (45>42), 5.65 is greater than 4.25 (5.65>4.25).

I can’t believe that a person that works the evening shift a Waffle House and then goes back to his mamma’s basement for a night of Google searches could possibly screw that up. Wait, it is BuLLdawg…… Moron!

Oh and by the way, while bashing Tech for not making it into the ACC Championship game, I am sure you were reflecting on the fond memories of how your beloved doggies did last year in their conference championship game. Hmmm, that’s right, they didn’t make it there did they? Then all we heard for the next year was the shoulda’s* and the **coulda’s. If they coulda, they woulda and then we wouldn’t be having this conversation, right?

You have been smothered and covered. Reminds you of work doesn’t it?

Have a nice night in momma’s basemnet now.

By mcdawg

December 2, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this

good point about K. Tripp, seemed ill-suited for OL although very intriguing as TE but built for D

By NoDawg

December 2, 2008 8:34 PM | Link to this

Ellerbee’s “skipping” in the first half was priceless. He did it twice I believe. Thought he was on top of the world I guess. Very thuggish of him.

The lack of unity should have been obvious when 11 of the players are arrested. A team with unity and good leadership would have somewhere between 0 and 2.

By Old Dog

December 2, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this

Anybody remember that Will Muschamp was available when BVG left? Too bad. Willie can get the job done if he bares down and gets tough with his players. Sometimes a coach gets too close to his players and becomes like a friend rather than like a tough coach. Remember Erk Russell? He was tough and expected his players to be also. I haven’t seen Willie butt heads with anyone lately. Maybe, just maybe, he should get a little blood on his ‘ol noggin.

By lets try this

December 2, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this

BuLLfart for DC!

By Cuz

December 2, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this

An idiot, number 39/bulldawg is our idiot. Challange him all you want. When he gets off the pizza shift at night, like Dracula, he rises from the dead. Such is life.

By WHERE'S MOMMY AGAINST REPUBLICANS?

December 2, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this

Republicans still rule Georgia. Time to move back to Yankeeville, MOMMY.

By sy

December 2, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this

Mark Richt is BY FAR the best thing that has ever happened to the university of Georgia football program. He has brought tremendous and consistent success to our program and deserves to be treated by all the fans with the respect that he has rightly earned. Many of the posts attacking him on this blog are at best idiotic and I find it hard to believe that they were written by fans of Georgia football. This season was certainly disappointing but it is not reflective of the job that Coach Richt has done at the University. I hope he does not pay attention to the stupidity on display here and say see ya-good luck with the next Jim Doonan or Ray Goff. He has restored Georgia football to national prominence and after one bad season some “fans” want to fire him, ridiculous. I hope all of you have turned in your season tickets because there is a long line of real fans ready to take your place.

By Dogrocket

December 2, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this

Richt understands that over-reaction to a tough but deserved loss is good only for blowing off steam and licking ones wounds. The unfounded calls for Coach Martinez’s head are evidence that many of our brethren in the BD Nation are more emotional than rational and less informed than inflamed. The same loyalty and integrity that we usually celebrate in Coach Richt is now being derided by folks who jumped on the dog wagon recently and have short memories. Certainly, Richt should have a sit-down with Martinez, and the current and next seasons will be discussed—does any intelligent Dawg fan doubt this? If Martinez isn’t up to the task, then Richt will find a way for him to resign or change or gain a co-coordinator because he is the head coach and he knows more about the situation than every negative blogger on every site combined. Stop crying and whining. In the pre-blog days there was a lot of tail-gating and bar-borne rash talk about St. Erk being too old school and needing replacement back in 1975. I was there. I remember. Then I remember 1976, 1980… Tech whipped our butts and they have a national championship 10 years more recently than we do, but Richt is 7-1 against them. There’s hope and a whole lot of new recruits headed our way.

By NASAdog

December 2, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this

9-3 is a good record, but fact is, we didn’t beat any really good teams. Top 20 is pretty good any year, and until we grab a couple of NC’s, we aren’t a dynasty, guys, we’re just a really good team.

My biggest concern is the KIND of program we are becoming. Not necessarily the wins and losses, but the off-field and on-field discipline problems. Coach Richt is a good leader, but let’s hope and pray he finds the strength to turn this U of Miami-bound train around. (Even though he is an alum.) He needs to return to his original tough approach, and put all the current and future players on notice. Forget about CWM, CMR will take care of that in the best way. Let’s continue to be humble in victory and graceful in defeat as both fans and players, rather than continue down this road of undisciplined, trash-talking, disrespectful, unsportsmanlike, bluster-bragging entity that the rest of the league is beginning to see us as.

By KME

December 2, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this

FIRE MARTINEZ or give him a one-year ultimatum. If RICHT doesn’t do this, then we should begin considering pulling in the reins on him, since he can’t pull in the reins on his team. WE CAN DO BETTER!!! Look at Bama, Tech, even Ole Miss…who have improved 110% in just 1 or 2 seasons. We have the talent, we need the LEADERS. Richt is a hypocrite and a bit too self-righteous to be effective indefinitely.

By Inevitability Can Be Bad

December 2, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this

Why do I get the sinking feeling that all the posts criticizing people for knocking Richt are University of Florida alums who want to keep the status quo?? The Florida people I know constantly remind me that Richt has gone 2-7 against Florida AND that includes a 1-2 against Ron Zook, a resident idiot. I’ll tell you right now what will happen during the next 2 months. We will read daily analysis from alleged recruiting gurus who will tell us Georgia is assembling the greatest collection of talent ever seen. This will of course complement the previous classes of the “Greatest collection of talent ever seen”. In the interim MANY will live for the moment when some punkish high school kid pulls out a Georgia cap and puts it on his head in a cafeteria somewhere in Bumfork, South Carolina. Many will then anxiously await the start of Spring Practice where we will be told that these young men have nothing but National Title aspirations on their minds. We will then wait for that moment in Stillwater where it all starts all over again.However, sadly and inevitably, the University of Florida must be played in Jacksonville. This translates to being left with the hope that Florida somehow loses two other conference games besides Georgia so that we can get in to the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. Looking at Florida’s schedule next year they have 2!!!!!! loseable games. Us in Jacksonville—I would not bet my life on losing to them, of course I would not bet 500 dollars on beating them—and LSU in Baton Rouge. The rest of the conference schedule:Kentucky, Vandy, South Carolina Tenn. at home, Miss. State and Arkansas. Anyone see a loss there??? SO!! once again it comes down to Jacksonville and all the recruiting jive in the nation can not change that unalterable fact.

By Gen Neyland

December 2, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this

*Pitbull

Fulmer at Tennessee, 11-6 against UGA…give or take.

NASAdawg

9-3 IS a good record. The problem from where I sit for UGA is they were 3rd in conference in 2007 and 3rd again in 2008, being passed by UF and AL…Personally, I’d hate to see Stafford go, but it’s in his best interest…$$$$

Cuz

BuLLfool messed up my order Saturday night…3rd time this year.

39

What was your prediction for the Dawgs W-L’s again..? Because you are the KingofBuLL, you get one do-over…Get it right, Jockstrap.

By Inevitability Can Be Bad

December 2, 2008 11:32 PM | Link to this

By the way, as my Florida buddies—Florida law firm—are so fond of telling me “The University of Florida DOES NOT lose to flotsam and jetsam the likes of Vandy, Kentucky or South Carolina” and they seem to believe Tennessee is joining that little club. Will LSU have a QB next year?? I kid tyhem back about a non-conference schedule that is made up of Charleston Southern, Troy and Florida international. Of course FSU is still on their schedule but as long as the senile demented one is allowed to stick around in a perverse pursuit of Paterno—nice alliteration—-the Seminoles are as impotent as a Bowden son.

By redclayer

December 2, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this

Let’s reflect a little. Last 6 years a TOP 10 finish - no other school in the country except USC has done that - and we did it playing in the SEC with no NCAA violations in the Richt era. The loss to TECH was going to come (can’t expect to win 100% of rivalry games). Especially when the Tech game is not as important to UGA as Florida, Tennessee, Auburn, and now South Carolina. Bottom line - it meant more to them….Yes, the defense needs some adjusting - and a different philosophy to handle all the spread offenses…and the Tech puzzle….but it can be done. BRING BACK MUNSON - prop him up and give him a beer and he’ll be fine. And with him, bring back the JUNKYARD Dawgs in 09. Hunker down!

By Rocky

December 2, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this

Coach Richt let us go to the Chick-Fil-A Bowl and play Tech. I can’t wait a whole year to beat the yellow jackets.

By Gen Neyland

December 2, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this

Rocky, redclayer and Nasdog bet their bodies that UGA would win both the National Championship and beat GT this year, they lost, now its time to ante up. My place Saturday, uniforms, jock straps and photos. We will post all pics at several waffle houses along the Peidmont area.

By Inevitability Can Be Bad

December 2, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this

redclayer, a 1986 Georgia grad here. Call me crazy, but I would have much preferred in the last 4 years—A BCS Championship, an SEC Championship and the real good shot at another SEC Championship and Another BCS Championship. I’m just one of those guys who believe if you are an ELITE pro or college team in any sport that the purpose of playing a season is to win the LAST GAME of that particular season. Nobody really cares(or knows) across the nation who was SEC Champion in 2005, but MANY know who the SEC Champion was in 1980, 2006 and 2007. And a good chance they will know who the SEC Champ is in 08. If you think that sets the bar too high for Mark Richt, then we will be here in 2020 saying “Boy, those 40 years went by fast”. I don’t want that. Do you??

By Buck Remains An Idiot

December 3, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this

Inevitability Can Be Bad, Are you available for the pregame Pep Talk in Jacksonville next year? I like your goals. I know that Meyer, Brown, Carroll, Stoops, Tressel don’t start off seasons thinking 10 wins will be fine. They don’t reach the Promised Land every year but at least they aren’t happy when it eludes them.

By Rocky

December 3, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this

Georgia man, better keep your head, …..Dont forget what the good book said,……..Georgia man, change gonna come at Last……Now your loses are gonna come real Fast..Georgia Man. Be there with bells on, Gen.

By BuLLdawg is an idiot

December 3, 2008 12:13 AM | Link to this

Hey……BuLLdawg – (aka BuLLfool)

In case you missed it – Tech HAS been chosen to play in the Chik-fil-a Bowl – news conference scheduled for tomorrow (today). Looks like they will be the team claiming the 3.25 million on behalf of the ACC. Now we just have to find out which team it will be that enables Tech to go 3–0 Vs the SEC while claiming the 2.4 million for the Slugs & Ex Cons conference.

Simple math for you fool
45>42 5.65>4.25 3>0

Good luck pickin in the Cotton Bowl. BTW – Cotton pays 3 million and 3 is less than 4.25 (3<4.25).

C’mon back with your “ifs” and buts” but always remember that “If ifs and buts were candy and nuts we would all have a happy Christmas”.

Now go to bed and leave Google alone tonight. Your momma is tired but she will be up early to get your box of Cheerios out for you. Make sure nobody pi$$ed in them before you partake. Try to stay warm in momma’s basement. tonight. Moron!

Oh, try not to mess up the General’s order anymore.

By gtfan

December 3, 2008 12:19 AM | Link to this

i think that all the uga coaches should stay at the holiday inn express. lmao.

also, maybe they can pay thier way in to one of NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR PAUL JOHNSON’S coaching seminars.

By AltamahaDawg

December 3, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this

Dogrocket, good stuff. “more emotional than rational, more inflamed than informed”. The funny thing: deep down everybody knows that’s true.

How any grown man can come in here and actually try to pretend that he doubts Mark Richt’s concern for the success of the program is beyond me.

It’s a shame folks can’t resist saying things in here that would embarass them if anyone actually knew who they were.

So do you think Erk would have survived, 72, 74, 77, or 79 in a post internet world? Didn’t always have a very good unit at times did he? I wonder if they lacked “heart” and “discipline”? Or was it that ol’ injury riddled team ‘excuse”. Hard to believe we were giving up 25, 30 or more points so often. Wouldn’t have thought anyone could even score that many back then. Maybe he didn’t blitz enough.

By MC

December 3, 2008 7:26 AM | Link to this

Once again for the total imbeciles on this blog.

By MC

December 2, 2008 7:52 AM | Link to this

You Stafford bashers are idiots. How many DOZENS of times did he make a throw NOBODY else in this country makes to keep drives alive? How many games do the Dogs lose if he doesn’t? Inaccurate? 60+ completion percentages don’t lie. MORONS!

By Zeke

December 3, 2008 7:31 AM | Link to this

You guys know so much football that it just baffles and amazes me that you weren,t consulted before the QB at UGA was named. How can such a collectively stupid group of posters be assembled in one blog. Amazing!

By WTF???

December 3, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

If CMR isn’t going to fire Willie, he needs to at least be stearnly reprimanded for his total lack of discipline and motivational skills. I do however feel that we were missing a true leader on defense and Rennie should be able to fully take on that role as a junior. Toby Jackson & C. Washington will most definitely be an upgrade at DE, and let’s not forget Longo.

I hope to God we find a running back this spring. C.K. is a p&ssy, Samuel can’t hold on to it. Carlton Thomas & Ealy?

I figure that Cox will come in and do an awesome job at QB next year. I would also like to see Bobo put a package together for Logan Gray, give the Gators a taste of their own medicine.

But no doubt, if CMR can find that fire that the Dawgs were missing this year and get it burning towards the end of August we should be good to go. We will have a ton of kids to put in on the O-line, lets just hope they stay healthy….

GO DAWGS!!!! I STILL BELIEVE IN CMR!!!

By CMR

December 3, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

THanks WTF. I am sick of Stafford causing me so much trouble with his poor decisionmaking. I will be glad when he turns pro and is drafted inthe 3rd round next April. Then, me willie and booboo can all spoon together with joe COX!!!!

By Erk Man

December 3, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this

How many points did Erk’s defense give up in the NC game? It’s not always about points, motivation is key to a winning program. While Dooley always recruited for the offense, he made Erk get by with what he was given. What happened to UGA after Erk left? That’s right, they tanked. Dooley couldn’t carry Erk’s jock strap. A lot of you are going to roll your eyes, but Richt is as good as he’s gonna get. PJ is the man, hire him now.

By RayGoof

December 3, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this

I don’t know where the lie that came out that UGA & USC have finished in the top ten for the last 6 years. It is Texas & USC. UGA was not in the top ten in 2006.

By Mobile Dawg

December 3, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

If everyone can’t agree on which coach to fire, who to blame, etc, there’s one thing we should all be able to agree on. The Dawgs were terrible when it came to fundamentals and execution this year.

If the staff can get our guys back to execution of fundamental football it will amaze some of us as to how they can go from the worst coaches in the SEC to the best.

By Mike T.

December 3, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

By KME

Richt is a hypocrite and a bit too self-righteous to be effective indefinitely.

HOW ABOUT LEAVING RICHT’S RELIGON OUT OUT OF IT AND STICK TO FOOTBALL. TEBOW’S PRETTY RELIGOUS AND HE SEEMS TO BE DOING ALL RIGHT.OTHER CHRISTIAN FOOTBALL COACHES HAVE HAD SUCCESS.RICHT DOES NEED TO REALIZE ITS NOT UNCHRISTIAN TO MAKE COACHING CHANGES.

By Mobile Dawg

December 3, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

Altamaha, Dogrocket, it’s a tough call, fortunately for us it’s not in our hands. I admire Richt for not overreacting like a lot of fans have done. Some of us fume and vent, and would make kneejerk decisions.

Is firing or moving Willie (or others) the right thing to do? Some HC’s would do it to take a little heat off of themselves. It doesn’t take a genius to identify the problems we have. Most of them center around lack of discipline, on and off the field, and execution of fundamentals. Injuries were a major problem this year, no doubt, but I just can’t buy they were responsible for most of the breakdowns and lack of execution we saw on the field.

Oledawg touched on something that could be a sensitive area, seemingly questioning the aptitude of some of our players. I would sure think that player aptitude plays a role in recruiting.

Any way you slice it, next year should give us solid answers to the questions and concerns we have. I, as have others, have seen a pattern developing over the last 3 years, throw in the injuries and it led to a dissappointing 9-3 campaign.

By Vince

December 3, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

Saturday I watched a dear friend of mine pass away. We were playing in the yard when something distracted him. He got loose, and disappeared between the hedges. Apparently, he got into a nest of yellow jackets. When I finally got to him, all that was left was his tattered red sweater. Unfortunately it was not a quick death. It took about 4 hours and I could tell that he was in pain. It was touch and go for a while as they tried to bring him around but it just didn’t work. It was a fitting day for such a sad event. Rain, cold, windy….Oh why couldn’t it have just been nice and sunny. Why did this have to happen!

In the end he fought bravely but just couldn’t overcome all the obstacles that had been placed in his way.

I will miss the old fella. We had such big plans but seems a higher power has called an end to that.

With love Vince

By Jason

December 3, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

Hey Rashad PLEASE WRAP UP !!! GOOD GRIEF. I miss Jeff Owens. We really need more of a HARD NOSED attitude on defense,and I really think that is the only MAJOR problem. I think linebacker coaches make better DC’s. (VanGorder) (Will Muschamp)

By Marissa

December 3, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this

“During the four years in which Willie Martinez has served as Georgia’s defensive coordinator (2005-2008), the Bulldogs have lost twelve games. In those twelve games, the ‘Dawgs scored ten, 30, 35, 33, 22, 14, 20, twelve, 14, 30, ten, and 42 points, respectively.”

What happens next year if we don’t have Stafford or Moreno to put up those crazy points? Instead of GT 45 UGA 42, it could be even worse: GT 45 UGA 9?????

By Jason

December 3, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this

I think Joe Cox will do well.

By Vidalia Dawg

December 5, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this

Jason

Nobody but you and your parents care what you think.

E.D.

By A Christain Dawg

December 5, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this

God Bless Mark Richt and the Georgia Bulldogs. I would not trade Mark Richt for ANY coach in America. Signed, Thankful.

By NConmymind

December 6, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this

Word on the street is that Martinez will be resigning to take another job @ Clarke Central.

By joe

December 6, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this

What the hell are you evaluating Stafford for Chip? He threw for 400 yards and 5 TDs. He’s the only reason we have 9 wins. Take Stafford off this team and we have 5 wins, not 9. THere’s nothing wrong with Stafford other than never playing behind a line worth a shat.

By Ex Georgia Fan

December 7, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

Hey Willie,

I hope you watched the physical play yesterday by Alabama, Florida and Oklahoma and how it often swung the momentum during their games. Or did you blow both games off in favor of another south Florida recruiting trip searching for another 4-5 star recruit you can turn into a p*** while he plays for you?

I hope you watched both games yesterday because obviously you did not learn anything from getting your head handed to you on a platter by Alabama and Florida in person by Al and FL. And you can learn a ton about unpredictability and physical domination from watching Brent Venables’ scheme and constant adjustment.

Dude, the best defenses don’t put fear in other teams verbally or by referring them to Rivals to show how well they recruited. The best defenses put fear into offenses mentally with confusion and unpredictability and physically with their SHOULDER PADS. And they do it as often as they can before the play starts and until the whistle blows. Their corners and safety’s are taught to shed blocks when receivers are holding them, not set a back peddling speed record. Their receivers blocking your guys resembled me pushing my shopping cart for fun in a Wal-mart parking lot. Dude, don’t get me wrong, how to use your hands properly is critical, but don’t forget how to use the shoulder pads properly along the way. It’s almost like you think shoulder pads are just one more thing a guy can hold onto when pulling a guy to the ground.

Dude, are you trying to reinvent the game of football? Sure strategy is critical, and if you need to please study more in the off season and recruit less. But at the end of the day, it’s still about tackling and tackling physically. And the more times a QB-RB-WR gets cold cocked during the first half, the less effective he will be in the 2nd half. Ask Colt Brennan. And speaking of Colt Brennan, are you going to hang your hat and entire career on one defensive blowout against him and his glorified D-2 school? What would have happened last year if you used your 2008 p*** philosophy in the Sugar Bowl? I’ll tell you. We would have won the game 51 to 44 and Colt Brennan would have amassed about 600 yards and cost some poor NFL club a 1st round draft pick. But Willie, you did yourself and everyone else a favor then, YOU manned up, set, prepared and accomplished a mission. Well, dude I didn’t see any mission this year. Except maybe the SC game.

Lastly, the best defenses in the NCAA play like Alabama, Florida did yesterday and against you. NOT like you coached during the 2nd half of this season. Offenses fear and respect the best defenses and the exact opposite was true of yours. Actually I had hoped you would emulate this style after being taken to school by Keven Steele and Charlie Strong but YOU DID NOT. Not against Tech anyhow. Now I have to wait another 21 days to see if you will correct it in the bowl game. Why don’t you shut me and all the other loud mouth critics up? Why don’t you man up and completely dominate somebody?

By NConmymind

December 8, 2008 11:42 PM | Link to this

It is amazing to me that a kid like Stafford with Downs Syndrome has accomplished so much in his life.

Keep up the good work Corky!

By Liposuction

January 6, 2009 11:16 PM | Link to this

How is that relevant?

By Tummy Tuck

January 7, 2009 10:43 PM | Link to this

Really well written!

By Lasik Eye Surgery

January 10, 2009 9:18 PM | Link to this

That’s a smart point…for sure

By Personal Injury Lawyers

January 27, 2009 3:42 AM | Link to this

Who are you picking in the super bowl?