UGA blog finds new home
Morning all. As I’ve said a couple of times this week, we’re converting this blog over to a WordPress platform and it will be a permanent move the first of next week.
Those of you who are regulars probably know that I’m not what you’d call techno-wizard when it comes to these things. But from what I understand the technology offered in this new format should make the blogging and commenting experience better for all. Of course, I’ll be learning as we go along, too. But I’m hoping to provide more pictures and video and things like that which should bring the blog more to life.
Of course, this blog is nothing without all you guys so I want to heartily invite (read: beg) you to come over to the new site by CLICKING HERE ON THE NEW ADDRESS and save it in your browsers. As of Monday, Feb. 23rd, this will be the permanent home of the UGA blog you so love or, in the case of some of you, love to loathe. If you’d prefer to copy and paste or just memorize, the new address is: http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/.
See at the new place!
AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2009 > February > 14 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USRicht speech inspires hoopsters
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I had a lot of good stuff left over after filing my game story on Georgia’s 88-86 win over Florida on Saturday so I figured I’d share it with our loyal bloggers.
First of all, I wasn’t able to note in the game story that football coach Mark Richt deserves at least some credit for inspiring the Bulldogs. At the behest of interim coach Pete Herrmann Richt came and spoke to the team before their Friday afternoon practice.
“I called Mark and asked him if he’d come over,” Herrmann said. “He’s as respected a person as we have on this campus and I wanted him to, you know, say a few words about what he loves. He loves Georgia. He loves the coaches here at Georgia, he loves the athletes, and he talked about that. And he talked about playing it all the way through.”
It worked.
“That really inspired us,” senior captain Corey Butler said. “He said ‘G.A.T.A.’ Wrote it on the board. I don’t want to say what that stands for but we all know what it means (Get After Their [butts]). He told us about some of his experiences and how nobody believed in them when they went down there in play them [in 2007]. He said we have to play for us and that’s what we did.”
Also, while his line in the box score doesn’t pop off the page, junior center Albert Jackson played a fantastic all-around game. He finished with nine points and seven rebounds and that was nice but it was his offensive and defensive aggression in 33 minutes of play that was most impressive. Jackson had two emphatic, crowd-inspiring dunks and, while he was credited with only one block, he altered several others.
Jackson was beaming afterward: “We found some sunshine today,” he said. “Those smiles I’ve been looking for finally came back in the locker room. I haven’t seen my teammates smiling and happy in a long time. I feel like I’ve won the SEC championship right now.”
Also of note, sophomore forward Jeremy Price did not play for the second straight game. Herrmann said it wasn’t a punishment like the last game in which Price was held out along with teammate Travis Leslie for arguing with each other.
“Nope, no issue,” Herrmann said. “He’s just got to play better. And Chris [Barnes] is coming in and doing a good job.”
Permalink | Comments (38) | Post your comment | Categories: Football and basketball
Services »
Comments
By FalconUGAFan
February 14, 2009 8:19 PM | Link to this
Way to go DAWGS!
By Bryan G.
February 14, 2009 8:28 PM | Link to this
Great win for Georgia. It should really showcase what a new coach could do in Athens if our team learns to score and not just play defense.
By Dr. Phill
February 14, 2009 9:41 PM | Link to this
I am sure that Richt’s talk made the difference. Too bad he couldn’t inspire his football players.
By 74Dawg
February 14, 2009 9:55 PM | Link to this
Mark Richt is a great leader. Just one more example of why UGA is lucky to have him.
By Dawg 05
February 14, 2009 10:01 PM | Link to this
GATA - Glory And Tradition Always
By Don
February 14, 2009 10:37 PM | Link to this
What a game!!!! First game in a while they weren’t losing 20 - 3 five minutes into the game. I could see a little sunshine coming through when they did not fold against the Gamecocks last week but didn’t know what to think when the Vols pounded them on Wednesday. Early in the season they started many games just like they did today and always seemed to fade in the last 10 minutes. Then they would fail to show up until 10 minutes into the game. This time they finally played a full 40 minutes. Amazing results. It was truly inspiring to watch them play a full 40 minutes moving the ball around and not turning it over that much. Florida used the press all game and Georgia did a good job dealing with it. I was really fearing another second half collapse but they kept their poise and, as Mark Richt would say, finished the drill. I’m sure his talk to them on Friday help inspire them to this win. Now they have to keep the momentum going for the rest of the season. And how sweet it is that their first SEC win came against Florida. 54 first half points by this Georgia team, that was nuts and I was going nuts and my 2 1/2 year old grandson who watched the game with me thinks I’m nuts. Kudos to the fans that showed up for the game.
Go Dawgs!
By Gen Neyland
February 14, 2009 10:57 PM | Link to this
WHEW…Thank goodness he didn’t give them a pep talk before the last trip to Knoxville…
By tom
February 14, 2009 11:31 PM | Link to this
COACH RICHT IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By OoltewahDawg
February 15, 2009 1:21 AM | Link to this
A win like this could turn their season around. GO DAWGS!
By TCM
February 15, 2009 2:18 AM | Link to this
He should have used that pep talk when they faced Tim Tebow and the Gators!!
By Atlanta Gator
February 15, 2009 6:36 AM | Link to this
… and THAT is why a well-coached team NEVER takes a win over ANY opponent for granted!
Congratulations, hoop Dawgs. May this win over the Gators be the first of several more over other SEC opponents.
By jimmyingainesville
February 15, 2009 7:45 AM | Link to this
Gators went down like the Titanic … Dawgs played with passion. The pride of Gators and their over-confidence did them in. CMR motivated the Dawgs and it showed … totally agressive in all areas (first time this year). CMR did what Felton was never able to do … motivate. We are totally blessed to have CMR at Georgia. This was a good audition for any coach to consider Georgia … Go Dawgs. It’s great to be a Gator HATER….
By VirginiaDawg
February 15, 2009 8:27 AM | Link to this
I enjoyed reading about CMR speaking with the basketball team. I think his calm demeanor on the sidelines, his faith, his concern for the players outside of football, etc. is misunderstood by most fans as proof that he is too soft. His message wasn’t “Don’t worry, there are other things in life to focus on” or “We still love you even though you have lost 11 in a row”. No, it was GATA (Get after their a**). I am confident that is the same message he conveys to the football team.
By WSP Dawg
February 15, 2009 9:40 AM | Link to this
Can we get Coach Richt to coach the B-Ball team for the rest of the year!!?!??!?
By ceph
February 15, 2009 9:46 AM | Link to this
I’ve got it UGA should hire Richt as the basketball coach and hire a new football coach..Just think Richt has missed his calling all these years. Since he soooooo inspired the basketball team he would be a natural. Too bad he can’t inspire the football team, oops, he does inspire them to go on missionary trips, prayer meetings etc. the important things to him. I heard he is pretty inspirational at the bowling alley also.
By UGA student
February 15, 2009 10:20 AM | Link to this
key to victory: TV time. it’s completely absurd for you to say that richt inspired the basketball team. let’s be honest… he called up lex luger to give a speech this year before practice. he does not know what inspiration is. it’s as if you columnists have never seen a football game. we had the number one quarterback and runningback in the country last year, and did not win a big game. michigan state is not what i consider notable. COACHING WILL FOR EVER HAUNT UGA BASKETBALL AND FOOTBALL
By bentavius
February 15, 2009 10:40 AM | Link to this
come on ceph and UGA student i cant believe you guys are trying to turn somethink like this into a negative. it was a great game. i was there. it was awesome seeing those over confident cockey gators leaving the areana disappoinited! amd mark richt is a great coach! go dawgs!!
By Steve
February 15, 2009 11:48 AM | Link to this
Coach Herrmann and Dogs, thanks for the memory. Hopefully this will be looked at in the future as the turning point for our basketball program.
Best of luck
By Lake Oconee Dawg
February 15, 2009 11:51 AM | Link to this
I’ve got it111 Hire Coach Ritch to coach round ball and retain him to coach football. Coach Ritch needs a raise and extension on his contract. He could use some of those defense ends to bang the boards in round ball!
By ivy
February 15, 2009 12:19 PM | Link to this
Lake Oconee Dawg his name is Richt! Just call him CMR since you cant spell. Why do so many people go on these Blogs and bash CMR? He has taken the UGA program to heights never attained before. We have one NC in the existance of the program and all the fair weather fans act like we have more NC than anyone. We dont even have the most NC in the state of GA. I have a question for you how many times have we been ranked in the top 10 of the final poll under CMR? Look it up its truly amazing at the foundation CMR has built for our program. I suggest you dont take CMR for granted ANY program in the country would love to have him. He is a man of faith and a true leader on and off the field. COACH CMR YOUR THE BEST!
By AltamahaDawg
February 15, 2009 12:39 PM | Link to this
I can believe that ceph and uga student would try to turn something like this into a negative. It’s the only thing they know how to do.
By MadFan
February 15, 2009 12:42 PM | Link to this
Richt should coach basketball. He sure as hell can’t conjure any emotion out of a football worth a darn anymore.
By Mark Richt
February 15, 2009 1:20 PM | Link to this
Now if I could find someone to tackle Dwyer and Jones.
By shane#1
February 15, 2009 2:24 PM | Link to this
There is a lot to like about Coach Herrmann. He is well respected in the college basketball world, not only for his coaching skills, but being an all round good guy. I don’t know if he is considered head coaching material, or even if he wants the job, but I hope he will be retained by UGA’s new coach. People with the qualities of honesty and loyalty are hard to find in this modern world.
By Me and You and a Dawg Named Belue
February 15, 2009 2:44 PM | Link to this
Congrats to the basketball Dawgs! You guys have worked hard and hung tough and you deserve a break this year.
Now, to all you Mark Richt and football haters, SHUT UP! SHUT UP! Do you guys really want to go back to the way it was when Goff, Donnan or even Dooley was coaching? Do you FOOLS realize Geogia’s record since CMR took over?
THERE ARE THREE TEAMS IN THE NATION WHO HAVE 10 WINS 6 OF THE LAST 7 YEARS. TEXAS, USC, AND THE GEORGIA BULLDOGS!
Mark Richt has done an incredible job with the team. I am so sick and tired of you guys trashing him. He carries himself with incredible dignity and class which is more than I can say for some of you.
Oh, and Gen Neyland, here are some numbers: Mark Richt’s record vs Tennessee: 5-3 (3-1 in Big Orange country) Mark Richt has won two SEC titles in this decade, UT has ZERO. Mark Richt is a gentleman and Lane Kiffin needs a spanking from his mommy. So, you can SHUT UP, too.
Oh, and to the insect posing as CMR. Congratulations again on winning for once (by a field goal). It must feel good for you nerds. And here are some numbers for you:
Since the “immortal” Tech winning streak v. UGA (when Truman and Eisenhower were in the White House), UGA has had streaks of 5, 6, 7, and 7 wins against you guys. Tech has never won more than three in a row. Since Dooley started coaching in ‘64, UGA 33, Tech 12. Dooley v. Tech 19-6 Dooley v. Dodd 3-0 CMR v. Tech 7-1 Ray Goff v. Tech 5-2! In that era, no Tech coach (except CPJ at 1-0) has had a winning record against Georgia.
And, finally, since Tech won 10 in ‘56, they have won ten in a season only two other times, ‘90 and ‘98. Mark Richt has done it SIX TIMES (in the SEC not the ACC, BTW). Now you’re probably good at math since you’re a Techie, but I’ll help you. In a span of 44 seasons, Tech has won 10 games three times. In 8 seasons, Mark Richt (who you just ripped) has done it 6 times and beat your a* 7 times.
So, you also, can just SHUT UP and THWGT.
Everybody else, have a nice day. :-)
By Mark Richt
February 15, 2009 4:08 PM | Link to this
note to self:
Must resist more stupid motivational tricks this coming season…..
Now to go to church for using the word “a*”.
By shane#1
February 15, 2009 4:25 PM | Link to this
Dawg named Belue, Gen Nyland actually gave CMR a compliment, and, knowing the Gen like I do, I can tell you that it was genuine. The General has children that graduated from UGA and is not a hater. I agree with you about Coach Richt, I have been going to games in Athens since the Wally Butts days and I will tell anyone that CMR is the best coach UGA has ever had. BTW, I love Coach Dooley, but the three yards and a cloud of dust offense could bore you to death. Maybe that’s one reason Coach Dooley won 201 games. The other team quit out of sheer boredom!
By Mike T.
February 15, 2009 4:30 PM | Link to this
42-45 * A FLUKE*
By jeff grady
February 15, 2009 7:16 PM | Link to this
I believe Rich thinks the BB program is a liability. Football players in many cases played BB as well, and they want to be able to watch good BB at their school. Better believe UNC takes FB recruits to big BB games.
By uga fan
February 15, 2009 8:23 PM | Link to this
I believe in CMR, he is a fine coach. This past season was slightly disappointing. However, UGA has finished more football seasons under CMR on a high note than low note. I hope this year is a better year than last and I hope that all the people on this blog that call themselves UGA fans then procede to bash all the players and coaches for not winning the NC find another team to pull for. UGA’s time will come and when it does I will be proud to say I stuck with them through every season both good & bad. Lucky for us fans there haven’t been too many bad years yhe past 8 seasons.
By Gen Neyland
February 15, 2009 11:18 PM | Link to this
shane #1
Thank you for your support. The character above doesn’t realize I’ve been through the BuLLdawg School of Written Abuse and am not fazed whatsoever by one of his/her caliber. Shootfire, once one gets to duel with the dawgofBuLL, all the rest pale in comparison. It’s always enlightening to read the same dang stats I usually get from yet another Dawg supporter. Spring Football is drawing near…Go Vols
By ............................................BuLLdawg
February 16, 2009 2:13 AM | Link to this
.
.
No one said chemistry isn’t important. We have serious issues on this team; and, those must be addressed before some team chemistry is going to push us over the top where say we can improve upon our 17-17 record against Final AP Poll Top 25 teams in the 8 years of the Coach Richt Era.
Kick-off better, return kick-offs far better, make your field goals and don’t kick-off out of bounds either. Have a defensive end who sacks 1 quarterback in one game. Have a tight end who catches more than 5 passes all told all season long, And, our running backs have to hold on to the football, run the football down the field and block. **You don’t improve in these 4 Areas, and give me instead hard work and team chemistry and we will be as we have been in the 8 Years of the Coach Richt Era, a team who averages finishing Number 12 in the Final AP Poll, 17-17 against Final AP Poll Top 25 teams, and a football program who next year being year 20 has beat Florida exactly 3 times in 20 years - not even getting out of our own Division of our Conference - let alone an Elite Football Program.
Elite Football Programs do not wake up one day and all of a sudden have team chemistry with an average 12 arrested and suspended every single solitary year of the Coach Richt Era. 103 and counting in 8 years so far.
Matthew Stafford ? Great ? Excuse me ? He led us to a finish in the Final AP Polls of Number 23 in 2006, Number 2 in 2007 and Number 13 in 2008. This is an average ranking of Number 13 in the Final AP Poll for a football program that during the Coach Richt 8 Years has averaged a Number 12 finish in the Final AP Poll on the average. Moreover, Matthew Stafford had some good games, and he had some inexplicable games too. I don’t think any fan of this football program thought that we deserved to be ranked Number 13 this year for example. And, in 2006 we were not ranked in any final Poll except the AP Poll at Number 23. Frankly, the case can be made that the two (2) singular worst seasons in the Coach Richt Era were both at the hands of one Matthew Stafford in 2006 and in this last year 2008.
2008 we played 4 teams ranked in the Final AP Poll Top 25, and we Lost to 3 of the 4.
By ............................................BuLLdawg
February 16, 2009 2:14 AM | Link to this
Matthew Stafford :
.
Won over # 9 Auburn 37-15 in 2006. .
Loss to # 1 Florida 14-21 in 2006. .
Loss to # 25 Tennessee 33-51 in 2006. .
Won over # 19 Virginia Tech 31-24 in 2006. .
Won over # 15 Auburn 45-20 in 2007. .
Won over # 13 Florida 42-30 in 2007. .
Loss to # 12 Tennessee 14-35 in 2007. .
Won over # 19 Hawaii 41-10 in 2007. .
Loss to # 1 Florida 10-49 in 2008. .
Loss to # 6 Alabama 30-41 in 2008. .
Loss to # 22 Georgia Tech 42-45 in 2008. .
Won over # 24 Michigan State 24-12 in 2008. .
That is 6-6 for the Matthew Stafford 3-Year Era. That is not great, and neither is where we finished in the Polls.
A closer view of the Matthew Stafford 3-Year Era reveals that he clearly had an NFL Agenda throwing the football and not running the ball. As a matter of fact in his career, Matthew Stafford ran the football 4 times a game at UGA. He had 18 fumbles in his UGA career. 18. 18 fumbles by Matthew Stafford on 141 attempts. 13 percent of the time Stafford ran the football, he fumbled it. And, he ran the football 4 times a game, instead of handing the football off to Knowshon Moreno. Stafford for his 141 rushes, scored a grand total of 6 touchdowns running the football in 39 games. Passing, in 39 games played at UGA, Stafford threw 51 touchdowns and 33 interceptions. That is 1 point 3 touchdowns a game and point 85 of an interception every game.
Don’t give me this Matthew Stafford is the best quarterback in America B.S. or the best football player, nor that Joe Cox cannot hold Matthew Staford’s jock strap. Now, I am not sitting here saying Joe Cox is any better than Matthew Stafford, but I damn sure don’t think he can be any worse.
.
.
By ............................................BuLLdawg
February 16, 2009 2:18 AM | Link to this
Seven (7) Consecutive Years and Counting, The Georgia Bulldogs have been ranked AHEAD of the Tennessee Volmits in the Final AP Poll. vols are an after-thought.
By Gen Neyland
February 16, 2009 9:38 AM | Link to this
An after thought, indeed…Guess that’s why you love to hate ‘em…
By shane#1
February 16, 2009 4:38 PM | Link to this
Thus spake Zarathustra: Beware the Dawg of BuLL, for his toungue be shaper than a serpant’s toothe, and great is his wrath.
By Dawg Fud
February 16, 2009 5:23 PM | Link to this
y’all quit giving Gen Neyland such a hard time. he and Atlanta Gator are about the only two opposing fans on here who post with sportsmanship and actually offer logical and relevant comments.
GO DAWGS!
By Jim Doanan as in Doans Pills
February 17, 2009 12:08 AM | Link to this
Ole Markie boy needs to take the basketball team to the Ramsey Center todo cannon balls off the high dive platform. Then it should be off to the bowling lanes for team bonding but no spooning should be allowed because it distracted Stafford so much.