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AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 11
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Time to turn things around
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you were to assign a letter grade to the various aspects of the Georgia team at the midpoint of the season, it’d probably be the kind of report that gets kids grounded.
Aside from the running game, which has managed to be pretty good at times despite the lack of any blocking, the marks on the whole would be average to poor. The passing game and passing defense for the most part have been below average, quarterback play has been uneven enough to be considered just average overall, special teams and offensive line play would merit barely a passing grade, and the defense against the run definitely has been a failure.
There’s still time for improvement and a decent showing, however. So what are the things the folks in the stands or watching on TV feel Georgia really needs to do in the remaining games? Here are the consensus points raised by fans I’ve talked with this week:
Establish an effective pass rush. We haven’t sacked a quarterback in a couple of games now and haven’t really seriously pressured one, either. This is perhaps the most important of all the things Georgia needs to do. If the defense doesn’t start pressuring opposing quarterbacks, some of the games down the road could get every bit as ugly as what happened in Knoxville.
The young, frequently overmatched offensive line has to begin to show SOME improvement. Six games in, they’re not looking any better than at the start of the season.
The defense badly needs to work on fundamentals like tackling, and somebody needs to see that the linebackers are better positioned to help stop the run since our defensive line also appears overmatched much of the time.
Mike Bobo needs to help Matthew Stafford settle down and quit hurrying his passes. Whether that means rolling out more from the frequently collapsing pass protection or more screen passes or dump passes to backs, something must be done. Stafford isn’t developing at the rate he should have. Bobo said earlier this week that it’s part of the QB’s responsibility to be a leader and make everyone around him raise their game. It’s time Stafford truly made this his team.
Along those lines, Stafford must develop as a downfield threat. Yes, this involves better protection and receivers holding on to catchable balls, but let’s face it, Stafford’s timing has been awful on most of his long throws. If teams know we can’t go long, it’s going to make things even tougher for our short passing and running games.
Some team leaders need to step up and get the Dawgs fired up. The coaches obviously don’t know how to do this.
There’s plenty of talent on this team. It just needs to be used more effectively.
