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AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2008 > October > 01 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USA flag for insufficient coaching
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia was obviously woefully outmanned on both lines Saturday against Alabama, but that didn’t have to spell defeat for the Bulldogs. With adjustments, there are ways to play around such personnel mismatches, as was shown at least some of the time in the second half. But besides the line play and injuries, Georgia also was plagued by a poor game plan, what appeared to be insufficient preparation and coaching errors.
It’s hard to say whether Mark Richt and his staff got too caught up in Blackout fever the week before the game or just got outcoached. And no one who wasn’t on the sideline can really say why things were or weren’t done during the game by the Georgia coaching staff, but there was plenty to wonder about.
Why was the Georgia offense getting up to the line so much later than usual, eliminating much of Matthew Stafford’s time for reading the defense? Was Bama giving the Dawgs looks Mike Bobo didn’t expect? The result was that Stafford obviously lost faith in his line, often bailing out of the pocket prematurely and causing himself problems reminiscent of his freshman year (like overlooking open receivers while he locked in on a man in double- or triple-coverage, and lobbing a desperation pass into coverage that, naturally, was intercepted). And why, when the vulnerability of Stafford became apparent early on, did it take Georgia so long to switch to a max protect formation?
On defense, Willie Martinez was again slow to make adjustments and even then rarely blitzed and kept Georgia in a loose zone rather than playing man to man. The Dawgs didn’t shut Bama down in the second half so much as the Tide simply relaxed until it needed to tack on a couple of scores … and then it did so easily.
But the biggest problem, particularly in the first half, remained Georgia’s ridiculous penchant for drawing penalties, which played a big part in Alabama’s first two scoring drives and deprived the Dawgs of the fast start they needed against the Tide. Part of the problem was the lack of focus on the part of the players. Part of it is Georgia’s reputation, which means officiating crews have the Dawgs under a microscope and are going to throw every flag in the book with no wiggle room allowed.
But the chief blame for the penalty problem, at least in the Alabama game, belongs to Mark Richt. The head coach said on his Sunday TV show that the team obviously didn’t get the message from him about penalties. Maybe that’s because what he sent them after the Arizona State game was a mixed message. On the one hand he said that the Dawgs needed to cut back on penalties, but then he said that rather than any lack of discipline, the flags were a result of “playing hard” and noted, “You don’t want to take away the aggressiveness of your team.”
After the Bama game, he put it this way: “I’ve got to send a stronger message than I did before.”
Too bad it took him five games to figure that out.
Some of the calls in the Alabama game were really picky, but Georgia needs to recognize that’s how it’s going to be when you come in as the nation’s most penalized team. The officials are going to call everything in the rule book. And against SEC teams, the Dawgs aren’t going to be in a position where they can give their opponents any unearned advantage.
As I wrote Sunday, the Dawgs’ national title hopes are not dead, and that’s backed up by ESPN.com’s mock BCS standings, which have Georgia at No. 7, the highest ranked one-loss team. But players and coaches alike are going to have to pick up their game considerably to keep the Dawgs in contention. And keep their fingers crossed for more Top 10 upsets, too.
BULLDOG BITS: The black jerseys and Blackout were, of course, not responsible for Georgia’s loss. The Blackout did its job, which was to jack up fan fervor; the team just didn’t execute. That said, I think Richt should tell his team he isn’t going to bring the black jerseys out again until the players have earned them. And that means winning the big games, especially when they’re in Athens. … Georgia’s approach to kickoffs continues to be perplexing. Blair Walsh obviously is capable of putting it in the end zone. So just let him! Why give the other team the ball at the 38 or 40 when a touchback puts it at the 20? … The Georgia coaching staff may not have told punter Brian Mimbs to avoid Bama return man Javier Arenas, but I had the same thought Kevin Butler had watching Mimbs shank a couple of key punts Saturday, that he was trying to kick away from Arenas. Even if it wasn’t a conscious plan on anybody’s part, that’s what it looked like. … The Redcoat Band is competing in ESPN’s Battle of the Bands competition, along with Auburn, Clemson, Florida, LSU, Southern Cal and Texas, with each band playing the “Indiana Jones” theme and the winning school getting $25,000. You can see the performances and cast your vote at http://promo.espn.go.com/espn/contests/indianajones/voteBand
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Comments
By Ryan
October 1, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
I think most people have gotten over this one by now. After all, it’s Wednesday. The game was last Sat. I am a Dawg fan, and even I have moved on. I have also accepted that fact that this team isn’t as good as we all thought they were going to be. Two SEC games so far and two poor performances. That’s is the real issue. Enough speculation, this team needs to show up and play for 60 minutes. End of story.
By Dogbyte
October 1, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
I’m not expert enough to criticize a head coach. But, I do know enough football to criticize a defensive coordinator who insists on trying to make his players fit his scheme instead of making his scheme fit his players. Martinez is not getting the job done. When a player doesn’t get the job done he is replaced. Why shouldn’t it be the same with a coach?
By Dennis
October 1, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
This was the first real test since UF last year. Everything else has been hype. The worst thing to happen in the win stretch was to play the woefull Hawaii team instead of a good test that the Rose Bowl would have given with the real USC. Sugar Bowl just fed the hype. It would have been good to have been properly “measured” going into this year.
By DawgsForever
October 1, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
Plainly put, Alabama was bigger, stroner and faster. Knowshon is a great back, but he lacks breakaway speed. He gets run down from behind a lot. Tough as nails, but not a home run threat. It may very well be that UGA loses to LSU, Florida and Tech. It seemed that against SC and Bama, both of our lines looked like men playing boys, with us being the boys. We can match up with most anyone at the skill positions, but neither our Dline or Oline can produce much of a push. Every game from here on out will be a nail biter
By FLA DAWG
October 1, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
Bill,
I noticed Stafford running out of the pocket way too early. On the other hand I have not seen the kind of line dominance Bama displayed since The Dawgs beat Hawaii.
I’m not sure why once or twice every year the coaches do not have the players tuned right for a big game - last year vs UT for example.
We had little pass rush, excessive prevent defense scheme, poor offensive line performance and senseless penalties (again). All of this prevented our strengths in QB, RBs & Receivers to be neutralized in the first half.
Bottomline; Richt was out - coached by Saban.
By GADawg47
October 1, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this
Well you hit the nail on the head with this blog. Our team came out flat and scared. As a head coach you have to exert yourself and get the team angry and hyped about the game. There were no swinging huddles, no helment thumping, nothing.
The penelties should have been avoided. A coach should remove a player from the game once he commits a penalty. Depending on the severity of the penelty, should determine his re-enterance. The personal foul that reversed the fumble was the mood changer for the dogs. I know Bama had drove down the field on us quite easily, but if we retreive the fumble and get a score we stress a stressless team.
I will tip my hat to Saben, his kids came on the field ready to play football. He fired the team up and made them aware of what was up for grabs.
I respect Coach Richt and everyting he does, but he has got to start getting the teams mind on the game and not on ESPN Gameday. The team needs more emotion. “Hunker Down”
Goooo Dawgs….Sic Em!!!!!
By Dorsey Hill
October 1, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this
Dogbyte (and the rest of you part-time DC Cordinators),
We went 11 games without a loss. The same people who were calling for firings after UT last year, shut up during the 11 game win streak. I’m sure your measure of success is a 100% winning streak over 20 years. I’m sure you can do it so quit the job at McDonald’s and go into coaching, jackazz.
And while you didn’t do it I’m sick of the Erk comparisons. Erk was great but go back and look at some of the actual scores rather than the legend that you’ve created in your heads. We got beat pretty bad by large margins several times from 1965-1980.
And enough with the unspecified ‘adjustments’ and the thinking that man coverage and blitzing are panaceas. They are not. The long TD catch to Julio Jones at the end of the half was against man coverage. Go back and look at each play Bam aran in the first half and the down and distance. They threw a lot on 1st and 2nd downs and connected. There ain’t a whole lot a DC can do when the D can’t get 3rd and distance situations and when they do they commit a penalty.
In watching the UF/Miss tilt they talked about how Urban was complaining that opponents were playing man just 4% of the time when it was 40% last year. Why were they complaining? Because they want to see man coverage you dumbazzes cause they can exploit it.
We just got whipped up front and had a lot go wrong. They executed. We didn’t.
If any criticism of the coaching is going to occur it should be regarding the 4 first downs in the first half. 2 after the opening drive. The other issue is the fact that we simply can’t cover a kickoff.
But the way I look at it our coach is in the Top 5 in winning percentage over the last seven plus seasons (just under 80%) so we should be grateful and hopeful and not act like we know something they don’t because you really don’t.
By georgiagirl
October 1, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
The same people putting the Dawgs down, just like last year. This team is young and will grow-up, you all knew that they where young. But just as soon as they get better you”ll jump on the bagon.
GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don’t worry about the damning fans there are a lot that are behind you all the way, win or lose. Oh to the Bama fans Saban share a NC with USC in 2003, USC beat Mich, so Mr. Great share a National Champ, Les Miles LSU won the NC, Myers FLA won the NC, they did share or come in second, they won it.
USC played in the NC game. Get your facts right, go to google its all there. And it a shame that Auburn did not get to share or go to the NC, since they did go 13-0. But its all about the butt kissers, so do not lose a game Bama because they will rip you apart.
By FLA DAWG
October 1, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this
Fellow Dawg Fans,
Those of us who are commenting about problems are not Bandwagoneers. We support The Dawgs as much as you.
We want the problems identified and fixed so this does not happen again. Last year UT whipped our butts. Bama just did it again.
In both cases I KNOW we had the talent to play better than we did. For Bama to not only stuff us for no points but to score 31 in the first half means both offensive and defensive squads were ill prepared for the start of this game.
Yep, they beat us in both trenches - no argument there. But the extent of the domination was beyond belief in the first half.
A week from Saturday we will find out much character this team and our coaches have. To be a legit top 5 team we have to go out there and kick UT butt for 4 qtrs.
By sflander
October 1, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this
Whine, and Coach from the sideline. The Dawgs are BETTER than everyone every year. They are a Team like everyone else.No better, no worse. The Fans Suck and it shows when they lose, Suck it up and Prepare for at least 2 more WHIPPINGs
By sflander
October 1, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this
Whine, and Coach from the sideline. The Dawgs are BETTER than everyone every year. They are a Team like everyone else.No better, no worse. The Fans Suck and it shows when they lose, Suck it up and Prepare for at least 2 more WHIPPINGs
By swimdawg68
October 1, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this
You are correct on Martinez, he loves that soft zone coverage. Every game we have played this season we have made the other QB look like an NFL QB because of our soft zone. Willie needs to study how Alabama covered our receivers and deploy the same coverages. So far Allen is a fair cover corner and #3 is pittyful. Is he the best we have? If so, we have real issues with our DB’s. Our saftey play is modest. They play too deep and give up way too many underneath passes. The Alabama safeties were in on every pass Stafford threw over the middle, not so for our’s.
Martinez has been deploying that defense for years. Richt needs to make a change at DC at the end of the year. I hope he is not like Vince who rarely fired a position coach.
You are also correct on Kickoff’s. Fabres is another coach that needs to go. Walsh has shown he can put it into the endzone what are they thinking about?
By swimdawg68
October 1, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this
Hey Dorsey Hill, I have been calling for Martinez to go since West Virginia exposed us years ago.
The SEC titles we won were not with Martinez as the DC. If he remains, we will have difficulty winning another.
By Know Your Dawgs
October 1, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this
Yeah, but we still have these cool videos on the AJC. Maybe the AJC can just start printing the Bama score in our favor and in a few weeks everyone will think we actually won the game cuz the AJC said it’s so.
By Dorsey Hill
October 1, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this
Other than the WV game in which we came out flat because winning the SEC basically achieved the goals we wanted, everytime we have been described as “not ready” has been when we have faced a team that can run and pass with an experienced QB AND stop our run.
Playing on your heels on defense and going with a chuck-n-duck offense is no picnic, but occassionally you are going to run into teams like that AND either not play well and/or make mistakes and things can get out of hand quick. Bottom line is that we can beat teams like that, but we have to play well, not mediocre as we sometimes can get away with like ASU for example.
Who we are told are teh best coaches in America:
Tressel: killed at USC with months to prepare
Carroll: whipped at OSU after losing at home to Stanford last year.
Meyer: beat at home by an Ole Miss that had just lost at home to Vandy.
Stoops: We’re just waiting right?
Saban: has lost to UAB and La. Monroe at home.
Spurrier: Lost to Vandy two years in a row. Hasn’t won a conference game in almost a year.
These things happen to everyone.
By Jeremy
October 1, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this
Dorsey Hill, I can definitely see a difference in your analysis and most of the others on here. You have football knowledge. On georgiadogs.com under Xtra, CMR answers a question pertaining to the defense and simply spouted off about 6 or 7 different defensive looks they have given including during the Bama game. I love the armchair coaches on here. After watching the game about 4 times on my DVR since Saturday and replaying certain series’, etc; Bama’s first drive- PI was called. Their 2nd drive- roughing the passer on a fumble. A botched punt by us to set them up on their third drive. Another short punt to set up their fourth drive which another roughing the passer/late hit was called. Two more posessions later Green turned the ball over. So you see, if we execute on those plays which we are capable of, no 31 - 0 score at halftime. These are correctable mistakes which I believe the Dawgs will take care of over the next game(s). Stick with them folks and remember we dont get paid to coach SEC football. At least I don’t anyway.
Go Dawgs!!!!
By Dorsey Hill
October 1, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this
Hey swim idiot,
Martinez was the DC the last time we won the SEC, you moron.
It was the game just before WV, idiot. How do you even know how to type? Do you even have a brain, you moron. You inbecile.
Do you think your opinions still matter when they are based on such stupidity?
Get a clue before you get opinions and ‘calls’ for people to go. You should be fired from being a human being for being so damn dumb. I hope you aren’t out there procretating little morons?
By Realist
October 1, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this
Dawgforever had it right. Dawgs can match up with anyone in the country as far as skills positions go. But Bama was just plain bigger, stronger, and meaner on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Unfortunately games are usually won on the line of scrimmage no matter how great your skills players are. Same thing with S. Carolina. Their D-line pushed our o-line around quite a bit also. Its not going to get any easier from a physicality standpoint with LSU. They are just like Bama. Big,physical, smash mouth style so we will have a physical disadvantage against them just like against Bama. And the really bad part is that Bama and LSU may not be the only teams that physically push us around if S. Carolina was able to also. No game left will be easy, they will all be tough. I see 1-3 more losses. 1 on the extreme lowside but 2 more losses is more likely.
By GW
October 1, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
Forget Stafford’s interception into double coverage. It was 10 seconds left in the half and he was just hoping for a lucky break. What did he have to lose?
By alabamadawg
October 1, 2008 7:23 PM | Link to this
Every year fans scream about our defensive cord., every year the players on both sides of the ball get better as the year goes on. Have faith people. we got beat pretty bad but, at least the players never quit, and that says alot !!! Go Dawgs !!!
By No nonsense Dawg
October 1, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
Saturdays loss rests squarely on Mark Richts shoulders period. If Richts wants to get his team to ratchet up a notch , well he himself must do the same. While Richt is a remarkable person and has a lot of qualities he must lean a little harder on his team. Case in point, Richt lets his team off a few days before practicing to prepare for Tennessee that yes, is two weeks away. I think Richt should have sent his team a message and done just like what Urban Myer did at Florida. CMR should have his team practicehard this past Sunday for a actual timed 30 minutes of called plays. That would get the teams attention for standing around for the first 30 minutes. of the first half. The guys who committed stupid penalties would run the bleachers until they puked. Richt needs to lean on his coaches as well and stop the Fabris and Martinez bickering and start coaching. Sadly Martinez has some issues in his defensive coaching philosophies. Everyone including Fans,sport pundits and opposing fans know that UGA for the past few years know Martinez has soft coverage issues. The solution if it doesnt improve by seasons end is simple…Will Muschamp. Now before all you dawg fans who think that I think Richt should be just like Myer are wrong. Richt has character and Myer doesn’t and that is enough to make my point. Richt also needs to take a hard look at his strength and conditioning program at Georgia because of the mounting injuries. Lastly the players need to stay away from the media and quit making silly videos and answering questions on who they would like to stuck with on a deserted island. Its time to get focused ,players and coaches alike. Go Dawgs and GATA!!!!
By chazz
October 1, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this
I can’t help but wonder if Saban had a film of practice.
By Mikey in the SAV
October 1, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this
We will be fine…but I do have one nagging offense question-
Couldn’t we have tried some swing passes to Moreno or some quick hitters to 1 or 8 coming across the middle ?
The home run 40 yards down the field is the lowest percentage pass in the book…
By Bamaboi
October 1, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
Chazz
Saban don’t need UGA films. UGA so good they don’t practice right. U need BAMA practice tapes
By Whopper Dawg
October 1, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
Muschamp wouldn’t come. His next stop is the head one, oh say like at Tennessee. I am not a real big fan of Martinez, no idea what the defense game plan was and still don’t, we were out coached on that side of the ball by miles and miles or should I say points and points. It wouldn’t hurt my feelings to see him gone
Overall, the program is in great shape, we just need to get our head out of the black jerseys and back on blocking, tackling and playing within the rules.
By Richard Hamilton
October 1, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
Well the blame goes around to everyone on the team for this past loss. Martinez should mix up his coverages and blitzes better to try and keep teams off guard. He also is limited to some degree because our DB’s are not the best in the world, and our safeties aren’t very good either. You guys can hype R. Jones all you want but other than being a good hitter and decent run stopper, his coverage skills leave a lot to be desired. He has talent, but the light hasn’t clicked on yet. We have to get a better push from the defensive line. If you can’t rush the passer than you have no choice but to pressure the quarterback in other ways. I don’t understand why we don’t mix in corner or safety blitzes with the soft coverage.
Ole Miss put pressure on Tebow with their defensive front, which allowed them to play more zone coverage. We will get picked apart by Florida in man or zone if we can’t put pressure on Tebow. I really don’t see how this discussion has anything to do with being a true fan or supporting the team. I support the team 100%, but at this point in the season you have to adapt to your teams strengths.
By Villa Rica DAWG
October 2, 2008 12:59 AM | Link to this
Good article. I agree on every point.
By captain Midnight
October 2, 2008 2:51 AM | Link to this
This game looked a hell of a lot like the West Virginia and Georgia game. Got the hell beat out of us because we were not prepared and I think they took it for granted. Awful at the offensive and defensive lines.
By Really?
October 2, 2008 3:39 AM | Link to this
Hey Dorsey Hill, go find a dictionary and look up “irony”. You just called someone an imbecile and spelled it wrong. Imbecile.
By tbone
October 2, 2008 6:26 AM | Link to this
Willie Martinez needs to be fired.
By jerry
October 2, 2008 6:43 AM | Link to this
Dorsey Hill:
Why do you think they threw a lot on first and second down? I think its because they were not idiots and knew that Willie plays a very soft zone most of the time. And you need to calm down on your name calling. Everyone is entitled to an opinion on this blog.
By lakerat
October 2, 2008 7:25 AM | Link to this
Damn, Dorsey, you took the words right out of my mind. I sure have missed you since Lewis passed away! How are Waymon C. Wannamaker (a great American) and LouAnn Poovey?
By buck
October 2, 2008 7:51 AM | Link to this
The better team won fair an square….CMRs good coaching and motivation kept it from being a 3 TD loss…..bama is just a better team and we are soft on the lines…..that what happens.
By JB
October 2, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this
Good things usually come out of a arse whipping. Last year was proof……Let’s see what happens. Injuries are really concerning me. Can’t stand Saban, but I tip my hat to him, he gets it. He is not at Alabama to be popular. Martinez would not be allowed under Saban to play that same Scheme. We are a re-act defense, not an attack.
By Sicem
October 2, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
Knowshon Moreno touched the ball 6 times I think. If you have a Moreno you have to give him more of a chance to win the game for you. YES poor coaching. Bobo needs to be reeled in a little during the games he tries to play quarterback through Stafford in his mind when calling plays.
By Bailer
October 2, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this
cry baby, cry baby, cry baby CRY, A GOOD BUTT KICKING SURE BRINGS OUT THE BIG MOUTH georgia PUPPIES========CRY CRY CRY
By DawgMan
October 2, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this
Richt needs to drop the phony hype stuff, black jerseys, etc, and start coaching. He should start running the offense again—bobo doesn’t know what he is doing. The defense? Did it even show up the other night—-Martinez doesn’t have a clue about big game D.
By C-Town Dawg
October 2, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
The problem with Willie is like someone said. Its not that he plays solf zone its that his players can’t play that type of D and win. He looked great as a D-cord. at the end of last year but that is because he had Howard on the end dominating people. We have a very weak pass rush out of our front 4 and that is not going to get it done. We have to put in some blizes here and there. Change up what the QBs are seeing. An average QB can pick apart this week zone with no presure in his face. Defense wins championships. Go Dawgs we’re not done yet.
By Overzealous Pups
October 2, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
What I find hilarious, is all the smack talking these pups fans have been throwing around for the past few weeks, how they have the best team, will run the table, blah blah blah, then come up with all these excuses now, saying they knew the team was young, etc. We all just need to accept UGA fans have no clue what they are talking about when it comes to CFB.
By Andy
October 2, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
One thing that has been overlooked since the end of last season is the loss of key leaders among the starters. Georgia was expected to be great this year in large part because we returned most of our starters from our team last year that finished so strong. We did, however, lose some players, including senior leadership on the O-line (Velasco), D-line (Howard), and secondary (Kelin Johnson). Those were big losses, and we really need others to step into their shoes. We need leadership on the field to set the tone, fire up their teammates, and boost morale when bad things happen. That’s the coaches’ job too, but I suspect it makes a difference when you have players on the field echoing what the coaches are saying. Hopefully some guys are emerging as leaders on this team so we can make a similar run to last year’s season-ending winning streak.
By Missman
October 2, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this
No program in America is more overhyped each year than Georgia.
By Brad
October 2, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
Georgia has in-game coaching issues. Case in point from last season’s game vs UK: UGA could run the ball at will while UK was getting good pressure on Stafford all day long when UGA tried to pass. Yet repeatedly drives stalled when UGA tried to throw the ball rather than just run the dang thing. There’d be a holding call or a sack or at best an incompletion from Stafford while running for his life. A UGA special teams play and Andre Woodson having a bad day throwing (he had way too much time to throw, but kept missing receivers) are all that stood between UGA and a loss to UK.
Fact of the matter: UGA is good but not great. Last season’s finish was strong, but not as strong as it seemed since Auburn clearly had (and still has) issues, Florida was (and still is) a two man team of Tebow and Harvin (and Tebow was banged up for the UGA game), GT was GT, and then Hawaii was clearly not ready for a real football team of any sort. And don’t forget how they struggled with Troy between the Florida and UK games. This season, the South Carolina game and certainly the Alabama game show more of what UGA really is: a still deficient team and probably still a year away (and a few healthy players) from pushing for a national championship.
And BTW, I think the reason UGA is so penalized is because they commit lots of penalties. It’s strange to say they’re penalized because they’re the most penalized team. After all, how’d they get that way? Because they commited lots of penalties. Duh.
By Dan
October 2, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
As far as coaching goes, we have good position coaches who have been promoted to coordinators and both Bobo and Martinez are woefully insuffiecient. Bobo is a good QB coach and has done a good job developing Greene, Shockley, and now Stafford. But as a coordinator, he lacks that ability to be able to feel what a defense will throw at him. The same is true for Willie Martinez. He’s a great defensive back coach and he’s been able to get his guys to play above their ability. But the problem is that he has them lined up in that nickel package which is a pass defense, hence the underneath completions and the runs up the gut. It would be idiotic for Richt to get rid of both of these guys on his staff, but if this team goes 8-4 or 9-3 the next two years, he may have to make some tough decisions like bringing in another OC or DC. I’m not saying he should pull a Tommy Tuberville changing out OC’s like shirts. But in 2003 Hugh Nall was the OC for Auburn and they tanked that season going 7-5. Hugh’s a good O-Line coach, but like Bobo not a good coordinator. They brought in Al Borges as OC and went 14-0 the next season. Hell I don’t know what Borges is doing now, but I’d sure as hell take him at UGA and he’d be a great addition to Mark Richt’s staff.
By crs
October 2, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
We have this conversation every year, WM and his scheme. Here’s the bottom line, the scheme works great in general, the dogs play a lot of zones and play a lot of looks. This confuses quarterbacks seeing it for the first or second time but senior quarterbacks who have seen it and study it - make it looks really bad. We saw it last week with Parker Wilson and we saw it last year with Ainge, we saw it a couple years ago with Jason Campbell. Expierenced, patient quarterbacks exploit our system. Like any system it is not perfect. I have said for years I would like to see a more aggresive style, I also believe it would be good for recruiting. As far as the coaching being poor, did the coach make Green fumble, did the coach make the punter make one of the worst punts I have ever seen? Those were the key plays early that just blew the game open. That UGA came out in the second half and played with any vigor at all is a testimate to Richt and the coaches. Most teams would have quit. There’s a long way too go. And the defensive system some are complaining about will probably shine against TN and LSU and AUB and GT and have some problems with Vandy and UF. No system is perfect and the injuries don’t help. A season is a body of work not one game.
By dan
October 2, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this
Brian Van Gorder in his worst game never gave up more that 34 points let alone 31 points at halftime. The only time he gave up 34 was against LSU in 2003 in the SEC Championship. Martinez let’s look at some of Martinez’s losses: 31-30 to Auburn in 2005, 51-33 to Tennessee in 2006( although to be fair the offense put the defense in bad field positions all night with 3 INT’s), 35-14 to Tennessee in 2007 where the Vols led 28-0 at the half, and now this year 41-30 with the Tide leading 31-0 at the half. The bottom line is 1. Martinez is not the aggressive play caller that Van Gorder was, and 2. The Dawgs simply don’t have the talent on the defensive side of the ball that they once did. Name me a consistent playmaker on defense besides maybe Rennie Curran? Can’t do it! But I can name you a ton of guys who played for Van Gorder: Charles Grant (NFL), Will Witherspoon(NFL), Boss Bailey( NFL), Tony Taylor( NFL), David Pollack( injured during an NFL game), Greg Blue(NFL), Thomas Davis( NFL) Tony Taylor ( NFL), Odell Thurman ( kicked out of NFL). Clearly the Dawgs are insufficient on that side of the ball in comparison to the offense that has studs at QB and RB. I don’t doubt Richt’s ability as a coach, but he’s loyal to a fault with his coaches, and his recruiting needs work.
By wes
October 2, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
Yeah, Mark Richt failed to gameplan because he was so focused on the blackout magic and all.
Excellent point.
This GT fan even thinks the dumber rednecks who read this drivel deserve better.
By dogs, champs in their own mind
October 2, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
Is is time to say “we are rebuilding this year”?
By OldGold
October 2, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
Richt is a good coach, and Nick Saban is a proven winner. I was at the game with my Bama fan wife, and I saw an unprepared team get manhandled by a surprisingly good Alabama squad. I don’t know what they have been feeding John Parker Wilson, and even their kicking team, but It’s like night and day from last year. JPW is just a focused senior who’s playing like the QB that was recruited and UGA wasn’t in the game Bottom line. Take it or leave it, but just wanted to put in my 2 cents as a Tech fan that was at the game.
By KJ
October 2, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
No program in America is more overhyped each year than Georgia.
http://preseason.stassen.com/over-under/teams.html
By WildBill
October 2, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
I have had my say and I won’t elaborate. Here it is again. 1.The blackout sucked. 2.Repeating the same penalties sucks. 3.Coaching sucks. 4.enthusiasm sucks. 5.As of now, things can’t get any worse, so have a nice day anyway.
By jakesdad
October 2, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
I’m 2nd generation GT and I’ll be the 1st to say Richt is the best coach y’all have had in my lifetime and I’m 39 (yes, that includes St. Vince) but if y’all want to turn on him and run him off I won’t lose too much sleep over it (other than for the kind of person he is off the field)…
By voice of reason
October 2, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
You know what guys? I’ve been dogging out CWM after games like this for the past few years but the guy does a great job most of the time. I’ve noticed since he took over the D that if you’re going to beat UGA, you’ve got to get a lot of points early because you’re not going to get much in the second half. That’s exactly what happened Saturday night and almost every other loss we’ve sufferd the past few years. You can’t hate the guy because 99% of the time, he’s considered a brilliant DC. But low and behold we get our asses handed to us once in a while, some of you want to run him out of town. I actually believe that Bobo should be in a much hotter seat than CWM. He’s obviously still trying to come into his own as a coordinator. Maybe CMR should step in at times and relieve him of some of his duties when games are getting out of hand early. Remember, it was bad enough that we let them hang 31 on us in the first half, but for us to put the big egg on our own scoreboard in the entire first half is disturbing. We had better revive the wakeup call we got after the UT disaster last year or we’re in for a very rough second half of the season. I truly believe that we will overcome our problems and do what we did last year and then we’ll all have nothing but praise for CMR,CWM, and even Bobo. GO DAWGS! Hunker down!
By voice of reason
October 2, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this
Sicem, I believe KM had 9 touches and had to leave the game due to a severe contusion to his elbow. They don’t expect him to play in the UT game next week because of the severity of the injury. It sure is funny how we’re supposed to have a stable full of great running backs but… where were they? Caleb King needs to step in and shine every opportunity he gets or he’ll go down as the most over-hyped RB in UGA history.
By Rich
October 2, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
Ok, so two teams lost to alabama, both made questionable decisions…
Trade ya Tommy Bowden for Mark Richt. Please, take him!
By You heard it here first
October 2, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this
Sweet home Alabama— lord im coming home to you.
By kansasdawg
October 2, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this
Come on guy’s you have to start winning on the line. Hunker down and play hard and smart. A good team will not give the other team the advantage. We are still here for you guys. Now GO DAWGS !!!
By AltamahaDawg
October 2, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this
Dan 5 yrs ago the SEC did not resemble what it does today. Nobody was putting up those kind of points. The top scoring teams are 10 points higher now. And lots of folks put up 40 now. We did several times. Is every DC in the SEC seriously that bad?
Incidentally VG got his butt handed to him a couple of times by LSU and Auburn, and he did lose twice to the Zooker. Tn also came into town with a frosh QB and ruin was that supposed to be our senior heavy 2004 glory year, while he was the DC.
Yes to be fair the offense DID put them in a bad position in all of those losses you “examined” under WM. Does SEVEN punt in the first half in the 07’ TN game seem about right? (and a blocked punt, 2 yrs in a row) There isnt a DC in the country that has an answer for that, and not BVG. And are you seriously NOT holding the offense and special teams accountable for at least half of the Bama fault?
We run almost the identical defense as we did when BVG was here. I agree we dont seem to have many truly great players right now, but that was a dream team over a long period of time you were naming, not one team.
Truth be told our offense is way behind expectations, and has been for a few years, while our defense is about what we expected.
Not dominating, but there hasn’t been a loss in WM tenue as DC with the exception of the 05 Auburn game, where you can say it totally a defensive letdown, and the offense did all it could. (and frankly there were TOs in that game that kept us from putting it away when we should have) If the FB doesnt caugh it up, the game is over.
The fact is the guy has a nearly perfect record when only playing against the opponents offense.
Wanna pick on recruiting……why do we have a freshman O line for so many years . Are they all graduating in 2 years? is there ever going to be any upperclass linemen again?
By AltamahaDawg
October 2, 2008 7:29 PM | Link to this
The last time I saw Al Borgess, WM shut down his #5 ranked tigers.
A quick search produced “Borges resigned from Auburn December 10, 2007, after a steady decline in the team’s offensive production,”
His last 2 offenses where 8th and 9th in the conference.
He had been #1 prior to that so the point is that players and circumstances have a lot to do with it.
Bobo has had UGA as one of the top offenses in the SEC during his 2 years and thats saying something.
It should be encouraging to know they haven’t come close to the potential yet.
The other thing is that an OC has to work well with the head guy, and I think (like it or not) those guy love each other. The best OC in the world is no good to us if he doesnt fit.
By hop
October 2, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this
to blame stafford for leaving the pocket to early is very lame.
the kid was having to run for his life on most plays, if stafford is smart he would leave this patchy O/line and head for the NFL by year’s end before he gets seriously hurt.
By 757DAWG
October 2, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
The game is over and done with and we ALL drank the kool-aid again this year. I believe this is the third season in a row where UGA has been blown out of at least one game. I will not give up on the Dawgs and I am still hopeful they can make it to the ATL for the SEC Champs game. We all know you can lose a game or two in the SEC and still win the Natl Championship. But what concerns about what Bama did to us is they owned us in every phase of the game. They were better prepared physically, mentally, and better coached. Not only that, they were more intense and Violent than us! If you look at the lizards ‘06 season and LSU’s ‘07 season, even in the games they lost, they had their chance to win. They lost in overtime or the last couple of minutes of the game. They never suffered a knock out in their losses. UGA was totally dominated last Saturday and the season is only going to get tougher. We will really find out what they are made of these next two games. Hunker down, Dawgs!
By Royston Dawg
October 2, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this
No matter what, I still love my DAWGS!!! Win or lose, I love our coach, program, players, and our chance to win every game we play! Go Dawgs!!!
By murfdawg
October 2, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
Maybe someone can explain this to me. In 2007 in the first 7 games UGA was penalized 43 time and our opponents 45 times.
After the Fla game and the celebration, UGA has been penalized 104 times and our opponents 62 times. ( in 11 games).
This is not whining because Bama kicked our behinds. But let the facts speak for themselves. Somebody give me an explanation.
By Hunk Erdown
October 3, 2008 4:23 AM | Link to this
Call me the eternal optimist but IMO the loss to Bama could possibly be the best thing that could of happened to us. The way things are shaping up, we have a great chance of facing them again in Atlanta. Of course we still have this juggernaut of a schedule to get through, but Tn, Fla, and Auburn don’t look near as tough as I thought they would be. If our destiny is to play Bama twice this year, and we are to lose one of the two games to them, we just lost the right one, no matter if the score was 41-30 or 41-zip.
A lot of ifs and hope so’s but last year finished strange and this year may also. I hope that facing Bama’s monsters in the trenches will teach us a thing or two about Auburn and LSU.
I still have a half cup of kool aid left and I’m not ready to start firing or benching people yet. In the Bama game there were 4-5 unfortunate events that could have changed the outcome. UGA has proven to be great at 2nd half of game and 2nd half of schedule adjustments. How about we let the schedule play out before we start losing our minds and talk about firing folks….
By Hunk Erdown
October 3, 2008 4:28 AM | Link to this
I wonder how much of a difference it would have made if we had not lost Ellerbe after 3 plays? How much of a difference would it have made to have had Southerland healthy?
Before we play another team with such a lop-sided difference in the trenches, I suggest that UGA study the film on Ore. St. vs. USC… the same Ore. St. that just lost to Utah for their 3rd loss.
By T-Bone
October 3, 2008 7:12 AM | Link to this
Bill, this is nothing but a bunch of sour grapes. How dare you say that “Part of the problem was the lack of focus on the part of the players.” I dare you to go down to the locker room and say that to the players. The boys played hard. They just got beat by a better team.
And then to lay blame on the refs—more sour grapes. Do you really think that the refs go into the games looking for extra flags they can throw against a certain team? Don’t commit the crime and you won’t do the time! I can’t tell whether you’re paranoid or just arrogant.
Face it—Bama manned up and slapped you around and you didn’t respond.
By Pago Flyer
October 3, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this
The DAWGS always have a Top Ten recruiting class, but then nothing happens!
By MikeV
October 3, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this
I love UGA as a two-time Alum, and I take any loss hard. Do I wish we’d win every game? Damn right! Do I wish our coaches were tougher, smarter, etc.? Yes sir. But we’ve got to remain cognizant of a few things:
1) CFB is the greatest live entertainment in the world, but it’s largely based on the performances and abilities of kids. Sometimes they under perform, and sometimes they’re under-prepared.
2) As someone once said re: Notre Dame, ‘God’s usually on the side with the bigger, faster players.’ There’s usually a few teams/players/coaches that are better/stronger/smarter than you (U) on any particular Sat.
UGA doesn’t have a great OL or DL, especially DE, that is so impt on both sides of the ball. We have been pushed around a lot in the trenches during CMR’s entire tenure. I think he’s still growing as an SEC-coach (i.e., shaking that 90’s ACC mentality of speed is all that matters) as demonstrated by his decision last year to finally quit trying to be HC and OC. Maybe we’ll put more emphasis on getting more big boys in the trenches and turning them into big men that can slobberknock their opponent.
3) As sick as I get of his UGA-hating on ESPN, Granny Holtz is right re: ‘You don’t have to be the best team in the country on Sat. You just have to be the best one in the stadium.’ Sometimes we’re not, but about 70-80% of the time under CMR we are.
I often wonder if most of the Dawg fans that give us such a bad rap as being obnoxious are folks that never attended UGA or any college for that matter. Just wondering, especially after seeing some of the grammar-skills demonstrated on these blogs.
By ace
October 3, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
I just want to point out one of the really stupid things Richt did. He hired Kirby Smart and guess what he had him doing? Coaching the running backs. Here is a guy who played defense, coached defense under Saban at LSU and Miami and obviously was pretty good at it. Guess who the defensive co-ordinator is at Alabama, you guessed it Smart! I would trade ten Martinez’s for him. GEorgia will never, never, never have a dominating defense as long as he is there.
purrier last year was unhappy with his defensive co-ordinator so he hires another one, results, the best defense in the SEC. He did the same thing at Fla. he fired Zook hired Stoops and wound up with the best defensive team in the country. When you hire someone to do a job and they don’t do it, get someone else. Coaching is just like the business world, you either produce or you are let go.
By AltamahaDawg
October 3, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
T-bone, I think you’ll find that the midweek version of this particular blog will usually be nothing more than a compilations of gripes picked up from other pages.
By UGA stinks 80
October 3, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
Hey fatty fatty 2 by 4, good to see you are still spewing bile with your journalism!
By UGA stinks 80
October 3, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
Hey fatty fatty 2 by 4, good to see you are still spewing bile with your journalism!
By ChattHills Jacket
October 3, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
People, this is your TEAM and your COACH slow down on the overHYPE and Underacheiving. UGA will be FINE. You will lose to LSU and TECH, and you have a tough fight against UF and AU. Nothing like 2 jackasses fighting over the last turnip in the bucket. WAIT TIL NEXT YEAR AGAIN. ps Sunday School is so much fun after an UGA loss. You would think CHRIST was just Nailed to the Cross on Saturday after BAMA won.
By marie
October 3, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
it was UGA vs Murphy’s Law.
By Glenn
October 3, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
Tennessee’s offense is sick and willie Martinez is its cure!
By George P. Burdell
October 3, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this
Murfdawg:
Could it be that its hard for Coach Richt to tell the players to play with discipline when he basically ordered them to go out and intentionally get a 15 yard penalty in that game? I find it very hard to believe that UGA is being targetted by the officials, especially considering the fact that not every officiating crew has been from the SEC. Why would a Big 12 crew or whoever set out to make an example of Georgia because of what happened in the Florida game last year. If you look at the Bama game, most of the calls were no-brainers that had to be called. You hit the QB under his facemask and it will get called. It doesn’t matter if it was intentional or not.
To me, it looks like UGA has played without a lot of discipline from the Florida game on. That served them well, but too much of a good thing can come back to haunt you.
Tech has had a pretty wide disparity ( not as big as UGA’s) on penalties as well and I don’t think its because we are being targetted. We have gone out and had a lot of false starts, stupid personal fouls, pass interference, etc. and they have all pretty much been justified.
Bottom line is you can’t go out and play football the way Georgia has the last 10 -12 games and then gripe about the officials calling personal fouls. Man up and accept it or do something about the penalties. To base everything on some conspiracy against UGA just makes you look pathetic.
By Logic
October 3, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this
The Semen Holes have been getting away with murder in the penalty dept for years. It was part of the general strategy.The philosophy was the risk/reward ratio was worth it because the officials were afraid to throw the flag bc FSU was touted as an “elite” program. FSU receivers actually told the officials when to throw an interference call. It has caught up with Richt.
By Lee
October 3, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this
I’ve got to give Richt credit. For the past couple of years, I’ve been highly critical of the Dawgs for the “extrcurricular” activities. You know, the trash talking, pushing/shoving after the play. All the crap that leads to unsportsmanlike penalties.
They seem to have cleaned up the part of the game (so far).
By SickandTired
October 4, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
Georgia is just like Tonto. Every time the Lone Ranger sent him to town he got his A$$ kicked by the locals. Georgia has a few more trips to town this season. Baton Rouge, Jax, Auburn and at least one more trip to the front room in Athens to get thrashed. Hey Baby, let’s do another Black Out, that was cool.
By J Dawg 99
October 4, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this
KJ, I just looked at your link…. apparently you’re a retard who can’t read. UGA is one of the most underrated teams over the past decade. Good job buddy.
By Deja Vu Dawg'
October 4, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
every year u dumb uga fans get fat and bloated on expectations and booze, u wind up the same way every year hung-over and ever so uglier…
By AltamahaDawg
October 4, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
I think KF was being sneaky. Goodness know the haters would never look at anything factual without being tricked.