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AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2006 > September > 07 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USLooking for answers in Columbia
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There are some major questions that the Dawgs need to answer Saturday night in Columbia, but contrary to where most of the media and fan attention has been this week, the quarterback situation isn’t the most important.
Yes, it remains to be seen whether Joe T. can “manage” a game well enough to defeat an SEC opponent, and whether Matthew Stafford will play any against the Gamecocks, and if he does, whether he’ll look like the superstar in the making he is or the true freshman he also is.
But the question marks about the Dogs that seem to be of greater concern involve the offensive line’s less than impressive blocking (complicated by suspensions and injuries), and our ham-fisted receivers continuing to drop the ball.
Unless the line can open some holes, little Thomas Brown probably isn’t going to be that effective. Fortunately, Danny Ware looks hungry for playing time, and he and Kregg Lumpkin both have a better chance of running over some people.
As for the Dawg receivers, let’s hope the message that the coaching staff was sending with the demotion of starters Mohamed Massaquoi and Kenneth Harris was received loud and clear. Still, I think it’s a mixed message at best. If a couple of drops and not running their routes properly gets Massaquoi and Harris demoted, why is Martrez “Can’t Even Catch a Cold” Milner still starting at tight end after dropping yet another touchdown pass in the end zone last Saturday? And how come A.J. Bryant gets promoted to starter after muffing that fade in the end zone on the same series Milner dropped his sure TD?
On the other side of the ball, even with the confusion between Tra Battle and Ramarcus Brown that apparently allowed an easy Western Kentucky touchdown pass to a wide-open receiver, the defense looks to be fast and aggressive. I look forward to Quentin Moses and Charles Johnson getting to know Blake Mitchell extremely well Saturday night. I’m hopeful Paul Oliver and company in the secondary can force SC’s Sidney Rice to have another off night. And our previously suspect run defense looked much improved last week (though it’s hard to tell how good any aspect of our game was considering who we were playing — which is why this week should answer a lot of these questions).
I also really liked our special teams play, and not just the punt returns. It looks like maybe we’ll finally be a threat with kickoff returns this year, too. And I liked the way Brandon Coutu put most of his kicks in the end zone (and one through it), no matter which direction he was kicking. Let’s hope Coach Richt’s love affair with the high, short kickoff is over.
Stepping back a bit to look at the bigger picture, what concerns a lot of the Bulldog Nation is that while the players may change, Georgia over the past several years seems to have had consistent problems recruiting and keeping healthy offensive linemen, and getting them to play up to their potential when they are healthy. Likewise, for going on four seasons now we’ve been plagued with too many dropped passes, many in key games.
At what point do we conclude that a shakeup of the coaching staff in those areas might be in order?
Comments
By fayce2b
September 7, 2006 09:47 PM | Link to this
Defensive backs will be the story. Do they have it? They looked a bit weak last Saturday.
By Mr Carter Not
September 7, 2006 10:19 PM | Link to this
The benching of momass and kharris is nothing but a ploy. Momass is a great WR. Defenses are going to over-scheme a talent like him. Last year when he was an unknown, he could create separation more easily. Saturday, WKU had their only pro-prospect CB covering him. That is what CMR is afraid of. By announcing to the media world that “MOMASS IS BENCHED (are you listening SOS?)”, who is benefiting from that move? Certainly not the confidence of one Momass. If that were a true demotion, I seriously doubt CMR would’ve handled it like that. Anyhow, I do enjoy your blogs. GO DAWGS!
By auburn suxs
September 7, 2006 10:45 PM | Link to this
MoMass and Harris were not benched they just are not the starters they will get into the game Relay and AJ bryant are both faster than MOmass. This is good for the team , they have to stay on there game all the time or lose the starting job. As the season goes on everyone will see what a GREAT COACH MARK RICHT IS THIS YEAR…. The only position in trouble is the o-line and those hawgs are going to have to sux it up this year and play…SIC “EM
By Hunk Erdown
September 7, 2006 10:52 PM | Link to this
Geeeez, between Bill and Bird’s assesment of the team, we should just forfeit to USC now. Our QB has no business playing in the SEC, our line can’t block, our receivers can’t catch, our defensive backs are in a state of confusion, Brown can’t run, our defensive line is suspect against the run, and our coaches can’t coach. That about it?
By Buck Cochran in the NW
September 8, 2006 04:53 AM | Link to this
Bill, I posted yesterday almost the same thing about the receivers and “OL” coaches. This week, I’ve seen a new MR. HUNK ER , you said and I agreed that it would be nice if MR explained a little more to the fans. He did and I loved it. It’s true about our receivers catchin the ball. Don’t know what it is, but we continue to have the same problems over & over in the same positions. Coaching has to be a part of the mix. MR&SOS both call their plays. both teams have problem areas. SC has an advantage because they played a much tougher team to open with. WE’ve had a problem with managing the sidelines in the past. Hope that problem has gone away. SOS has proven to be a game day coach and I hope MR is right there with’m. He needs to be for us to win. Dawgs 20-13.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
September 8, 2006 05:01 AM | Link to this
Oh yea, loyalty can be carried to a fault and Bill, I disagree, all things being =, the “trigger man” can be the difference. We’re going to see that who plays QB Sat. night will be very important.
By Kendall
September 8, 2006 06:57 AM | Link to this
As I wake up on a Friday morning, going to work till lunch, my car already packed up and ready for the drive from Chattanooga to Columbia, I am thinking. YES! HOW LONG CAN EASON KEEP HIS JOB?!?!?!? This all seemed to start with that horrible dropped pass by Terrence Edwards in Jacksonville and hasnt stopped yet. Tripp and Coleman, show MM how to catch a ball.
By spud
September 8, 2006 07:39 AM | Link to this
if my dawgs are going to win sat they MUST RUN THE FOOTBALL 30 to 35 times M.R. has to be patience with the running game I know we are missing 2 lineman we have the running backs to take over a game. if we do not establish a running game early and start throwing the ball around we will be in trouble
By gdawginkalamazoo
September 8, 2006 09:25 AM | Link to this
Did anything “gel” in the opener? 48 points looks like CMR and company were giving a lot of players a chance to play to see what they could do. Our D looks good as usual but I can tell you right now that our secondary better be on Saturday night, ALL night. Hunk Erdown, I can’t agree more with you. Everybody is doomsdaying our team for SC. After SC’s game Thursday I still see a big win but one thing is for certain We better come out fired up.
I certainly wouldn’t want our seniors to go out with a loss to SC and Spurrier. Open big guys and don’t let up. Hang 50 on em!
By godawg
September 8, 2006 09:43 AM | Link to this
Everybody suddenly seems to have turned into Vince Dooley. “Man, SC is so big and fast and strong! Man, that Spurrier guy can really coach! Man, we’re hurt’in and confused and full of questions! Man, I don’t know how much we may lose by!”
Hey! I won’t be that close. In Richt We Trust. (I should make that into a shirt)
HERE WE COME!!!
By gdawginkalamazoo
September 8, 2006 09:49 AM | Link to this
godawg, LMAO, I was thinking the same thing. Poor mouthing, anybody ever remember how “good” and “solid” all those Richmond and VMI teams used to be?
As I mentioned before, SC’s game Thursday left SOS pretty PO’d. He would hang 50 on Jesus if playing in Heaven if he could. The 15 against MSU left him not too happy. Punter being the leading rusher through 3 qtrs, SOS not too happy. Our special teams better be ready. Look for the fake punts. And if the punter lines up in the backfield look for him to get the ball.
By godawg
September 8, 2006 10:00 AM | Link to this
‘zoo, don’t know if you saw the link I posted the other day to the Charleston columnist who theorized that Spurrier was laying a trap for UGA by not scoring in the MSU game and he handed out the “real” playbooks Monday.
PULEEZE!!!! Now that’s LMAO. As you said, Spurrier would beotch-slap a team of nuns with his starters for 60 minutes given the chance. They truly struggled against a not very good MSU team. They have a lot more problems than anybody gives them credit for. Like I said, I don’t think this game will be close.
By tim
September 8, 2006 10:02 AM | Link to this
I just wanted to make the comment that I would love to see CMR pull a Bobby Bowden and pull some trick plays outta his sleeve. Maybe run Bryant on a reverse pass (kinda like Randle El to Ward in the Super Bowl). At the least, I’d like to see us run some more reverses, maybe let Bryant run some options out of the slot, etc. Get the ball in the hands of the guys with speed who can make plays.
I surely don’t want to see this conservative offense where all we do is run counters out of the shotgun all game long, though I know running the ball will give us our best chance to win. I definitely think we need to utilize the fullbacks (two good ones at that) in the running game this week and not use the ace formation so much.
And maybe a good spot would be early in the game with good field position (round midfield). Hit one big and crush their spirits early. Then pound them into the ground with the running game and defense. (In theory at least!)
Any thoughts?
By gdawginkalamazoo
September 8, 2006 10:37 AM | Link to this
godawg, I did see that link and when I read it that’s when Jesus appeared on the opposing sideline down by 50 points at home in Heaven with SOS grinning ear to ear waiting to punch it in one more time with the clock running out.
Tim, I agree with almost all of your post except the Hit one big and crush their spirits early. I think more than 1 and less than 5 or 6 big ones would do it.
By tim
September 8, 2006 10:56 AM | Link to this
Okay, let’s get a few scores (whether the old fashioned way or by trickeration is of no consequence to me), throw Stafford in there to wow the world, and THEN pound it down their throats.
By JamesD
September 8, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this
UGA 28, SC 13 I said SC would score 12 earlier (random number). Mathematically, 13 is easier to obtain. Go Dawgs.
By godawg
September 8, 2006 11:23 AM | Link to this
This is absolutely hilarious:
Great Moments in Gamecock History
31-6 Dawgs! WOOF!
By JamesD
September 8, 2006 11:27 AM | Link to this
godawg I like you score better. So is SC going to kick two fieldgoals, or do we get to see a EP blocked.
By gdawginkalamazoo
September 8, 2006 11:43 AM | Link to this
godawg, once again nice link, LMAO. Boyd saying “I am back like crooked crack”. Was he talking about his view of his OL?
By godawg
September 8, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this
James, 2 FGs and we don’t fall for the fake.
‘zoo, here’s the link to a video of Cory saying: “I’m back. I’m back like cooked crack.”
By mcdwag
September 8, 2006 11:53 AM | Link to this
Gee before i read this i thought our prospects of winning were fairly good but now i don’t know-as for the punter-just tackle the SOB the moment he starts to run with the ball-blake mitchell will not last this game still intact
By gdawginkalamazoo
September 8, 2006 12:11 PM | Link to this
godawg, thanks. I can see him down the road in the NFL, in the theme of Disney’s commercials. Cory you just won the Super Bowl what’s next “I am going to the crack house”.
By Altamahadawg
September 8, 2006 12:21 PM | Link to this
Kendall, that Edwards drop in 2002 was so obviously the fault of David Greene’s weak arm. Anyone who knows anything about football knows that.
By Reality
September 8, 2006 01:06 PM | Link to this
You have No Talent at Wide Receiver….
By JamesD
September 8, 2006 01:08 PM | Link to this
Reality you only have one player on your whole team and a losing record.
By RxDawg
September 8, 2006 02:44 PM | Link to this
From a GSU and UGA alumni, RIP “bald eagle” you will be missed.
By SICEM
September 8, 2006 02:48 PM | Link to this
I just hope Coach Richt has been told by the alumni how much UGA fans hate that visor tossing beeeatch they have for a coach and if given the chance to run the score up on him. We all know he will absolutley do it if he gets the chance that is the main however not the only reason we dont care for him. COME ON DAWGS WHOOP HIM LIKE A REDHEADED STEPCHILD!!!!
By ming
September 8, 2006 02:55 PM | Link to this
Milner probably does great in practice, but how can you go to him with any confidence in a game? Enough already. Go with a young TE that at least has time to learn from mistakes.
By SICEM
September 8, 2006 03:02 PM | Link to this
REST IN PEACE COACH RUSSELL, you were a wonderful influence on many young men. I stil believe the best way to pump up a linebacker is with a good bare head to helment butt with some blood involved. We loved you coach and will miss you tremendously. Condolances to the Russell family
By godawg
September 8, 2006 03:09 PM | Link to this
“Another Saturday tradition which has meant so much to me over the years can be stated very simply. There ain’t nothin’ like being a Bulldog on a Saturday night - after winning a football game! I mean like whipping Tennessee’s a* to start with, then ten more and then another one. That is the plan. There is no alternate plan.”
-Coach Erk Russell
Thanks Coach. That’s still the plan plus two more.
By Reality
September 8, 2006 04:16 PM | Link to this
JamesD….There is no way you can have a losing record with (W.Ken,Ken,Vandy, UAB,Colo,Miss.St)that crap you line your schedule with !
By IndianaDAWG
September 8, 2006 04:24 PM | Link to this
I need some help from my fellow Dawgs and didn’t know where else to turn. I listen to the games on the internet (GXtra). Last year I could also listen to the Bulldog hotline on Monday nights. This year it doesn’t seem to be offered. Last week I sat in my car and picked up WSB. I’ve emailed GXtra several times and they haven’t responded. Can anyone out there give me some help? I’d really appreciate it.
By Cuz
September 8, 2006 05:38 PM | Link to this
I can see Erk head butting the pearly gates to gain entrance. Yes of course Coach Russell, your mansion awaits.
You have earned your rest dear Coach, the entire Bulldawg and Eagle Nation will miss your GATA presence.
Female anchor: Coach Russell what does GATA mean.
Coach Russell choosing his words carefully: It means Get After Them Aggresively.
We all knew what it meant Coach. You made sure your players did too.
Rest In Peace Between the Hedges and by the banks of beautiful Eagle Creek.
By John
September 8, 2006 06:20 PM | Link to this
Thomas Brown, Joe T and Milner are Coach Richts practice all-stars! Everyone but Coach Richt believes that Kregg Lumpkin is the better runningback, which is why he won’t get enough carries to cause controversy. This fact has been proven time after time. Martrez Milner is a excellent practice player until game time. Kregg Lumpkin is a true runningback that doesn’t depend on excellent line block to generate yards, (ie;Barry Sanders). Joe T could not start for Georgia Tech!
By Ft Worth Dawg
September 8, 2006 07:21 PM | Link to this
IndianaDAWG - Someone on one of the Blogs pointed out Yahoo Sports Videos; you should be able to Google and find it. All of South Carolina’s stuff (including tomorrow’s game) is free content. Spurrier did his weekly call-in show yesterday, but I didn’t listen to it (it’s archived but audio only). I don’t know if the game is audio-only or not.
The UGA-Western KY game is archived. Stafford’s last drive should be the last 10 or 15 minutes.
By War Eagle
September 8, 2006 08:53 PM | Link to this
Have you ever had anyone to come to you and say” you are better than what you are attempting, try harder and keep plugging because you are something “special”.I remember Coach Russell making that statement to a walk-on at UGA, who later earn a scholarshiop and is a very successful businessman today…. Coach Russell was the best, I am glad he was a Auburn man and a UGA loyalists..Auburn 38 Miss State 7, UGA 24 USC 14
By Hulk Smash
September 8, 2006 10:03 PM | Link to this
Hulk agree with Mr Carter Not. Don’t be surprised if MoMass is the most productive receiver against the Gamecocks. A: He’ll be playing motivated, and B: The Gamecocks’ defense won’t be prepared for him.
Tomorrow’s leading RB will be Kregg “Lumpy-Lump” Lumpkin!
HULK SMASH!
By MadMerf
September 9, 2006 03:10 AM | Link to this
With the overwhelming speed on the dawg’s defense, the only gamecock to have time to go deep will be…………Blake Mitchell!
By Buck Cochran in the NW
September 9, 2006 06:28 AM | Link to this
Looking for answers, has anyone noticed the recruiting class the “Bugs” are putting together? Hmmmmmmmmmmm! All right All ready!!! let Stafford, if you play him coach, manage the game, BUT , THEN GET OUT OF THE WAY AND LET HIM TAKE THE PLAYS YOU’VE TAUGHT HIM AND “PLAY THE GAME”!! Tough spot for a coming out party, if he plays(he will,I think)but I’m laying money he has the cool to do it. It’ll be a GREAT HEAD GAME between what MS has learned and SOS coming after him. Meditating Matt Stafford!
By MadMerf
September 9, 2006 08:32 PM | Link to this
As one legend (Russell) dies, another (Stafford) is born! TOUCHDOWN GEORGIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!