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AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2008 > October > 16 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWhat a Dawg fan wants
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here, at the midpoint of the season, are some random thoughts on where Georgia stands and things this Dawg fan would like to see:
One of those things is a return to the no-huddle offense. Mark Richt tried no-huddle when he first came to UGA but it didn’t last. Mostly these days Mike Bobo only uses it in the two-minute hurry-up mode. But when the Dawgs have been in it, they’ve generally moved the ball well, and in Matthew Stafford they have a quarterback well-suited to no-huddle since he calls a lot of signals at the line. Unless we’re looking to eat up clock (as in the fourth quarter last week), the no-huddle looks appealing to me.
Speaking of that fourth quarter against UT, that had to be one of the best drives a Richt team has engineered. I mean, 11 minutes! It ate up so much clock and was such a vintage Georgia drive that it didn’t really matter that it eventually bogged down and only produced a field goal. It had already accomplished its goal. I don’t know how much of a role fatigue on the Vols defense’s part played in it, but you’ve got to wonder whether maybe bringing in both fullbacks to block and running student-body left is something Bobo should use a bit more often to give Moreno and King a chance to eat up some yards.
And speaking of having both fullbacks in at the same time, that might be something we ought to do more often considering Georgia’s precarious tight-end situation. I don’t know if Bruce Figgins was pressured to hold off on surgery and continue to play or decided that on his own, but obviously the Dawgs need him badly. The much-traveled and apparently underperforming Kiante Tripp is back on the OL, and a friend who paid closer attention than I did to the tight end play last week said the undersized Aaron White was getting tossed around like a rag doll. We need Tripp Chandler back soon.
On the subject of fullbacks, it’s great to have Brannan Southerland back because he’s such a great player, but it seems also to have lifted Shaun Chapas’ game. Those yards he got after the catch last week were big!
I understand Bobo is having Stafford throwing all that wide stuff to allow him to get rid of the ball quickly before his protection breaks down and to try to get the ball to someone out in space since our line isn’t opening up huge holes most of the time. But last week we seemed to rely too much on those screens (and got bitten by it with that interception). With Vandy known for its success sacking quarterbacks, it’s likely to be an issue again this week. Wouldn’t quick dump passes to running backs serve the same purpose as the screen? And at least it’s positive yardage even if they don’t break loose after the catch.
Ordinarily, Georgia fans might need to worry about whether the team would be looking ahead of Vanderbilt toward the LSU and Florida games, but thanks to Vandy’s record and the SEC East race this year, that ought not to be a problem Saturday.
At least, that’s what we’re hoping!
NOT KIDDING AROUND: It was interesting to read the perspective of the MOMania blog about games at Grant Field being more family-friendly than those at Sanford Stadium. Of course, part of the problem with crowding and parking and pricing is that UGA tickets are in demand; Tech tickets aren’t. But what caught my eye was the complaint about UGA making even a babe in arms have a ticket. Here’s the problem: The blog assumes a college football game is a suitable outing for young children and babies. Nonsense. The games run way too long and much of the season, unless you sit under an overhang, it’s too hot. Plus the little ones don’t understand what’s going on and quickly get bored and uncomfortable, which means they begin to bother the other fans around them. Not to mention the numerous trips to the restroom, concession stand, etc. that also disrupt the folks sitting in the vicinity. And all of that applies no matter which stadium you’re talking about, but it’s particularly a problem at a sold-out game. School-age kids are fine. That’s when I started taking my children to Georgia games. But when it comes to pre-schoolers and babies, I feel the same way my late lamented colleague Mr. Smithee felt about cinemas: Babies have no more business being at a college football game than they do at a movie.
Comments
By GWJ
October 16, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this
Why would you suggest that Figgins might have been pressured to delay his surgery? I think Richt as well as Figgins have been very “open” with the media concerning this subject. Unless both Richt and Figgins are lying, the decision was totally Figgins call.
By Screwball Willie
October 16, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
CMR needs CWM to harness the power of the blitz ASAP. CWM is too stuck on Cover 2 to realize how precious of a gift the blitz is. The blitz must be nurtured and respected like a care bear, otherwise it goes down the drain with the BLACKOUT and EXCESSIVE CELEBRATION, two other gifts that have been wasted. This DAWG prays every night that CMR and CWM will come to their senses before it is too late!
By Cuz
October 16, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
Just win baby, just win, the rest takes care of itself.
By dawgfan1911
October 17, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this
I wish the dawgs coaching staff would open their eyes and stop being stubborn on both ends of the field. Blitz more on defense just make sure they are calculated and disguised. On offense be a little more creative. I know balance is the key but lets pass first to open up the run and run more crossing routes and slants to off set blitzes. On special teams let Moreno return punts more often to get better sield position. What do we have to lose? This staff will not be together long if this lack of productions keeps up.
By Hunter
October 17, 2008 8:35 AM | Link to this
Simple: BEAT FLORIDA!
By Hunter
October 17, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this
Simple: BEAT FLORIDA!
By Mikey in the SAV
October 17, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this
I like continuity on punt returns. Prince Miller would get all them if I had my way. Kickoff returns as well…
By Trent
October 17, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
This DAWG fan wants UGA to give Urban Meyer fits on Nov.1 and give him something else to whine about in ‘09!
By PBR=America in a can
October 17, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this
Bill i agree with the no-huddle offense. But I think we shouldn’t show it until the Cocktail Party. Anyways Go Dawgs and To Hell with Vandy
By Turner
October 17, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
I think UGA is soft. Alabama kicked our you know what. UGA better cut out penalties and better get mean or the rest of their schedule will eat them up.
By SAV'H DAWG
October 17, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
I would like to see some red zone offense involving Logan Gray at qb. This would allow some option type spread plays. The offense must score more TD’s vs field goals.
By AlphaDog
October 17, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
I’d love to see just a little creativity from the Offense, something along the lines of direct snaps to Moreno/King, its working wonders in the NFL, it should do the same NCAA, and I’d like to see Logan on the field for a snap1 or 2 times a game, just to give the defense something else to scheme against. I’m not saying become a gimic type offense, balance will rule in the end, but creativity can only be helpful in setting up the defense, and possibly catching opposing “d’s” off guard
By AlphaDog
October 17, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
ditto on Logan Grey seeing the field some.
By howboutem
October 17, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this
logan grey? Really? We have knowshon, staff, and Sutherland, and you guys want to use who? Cmon.let’s not get carried away How about some better play calling in the red zone
By WildBill
October 17, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
I am not an armchair qb. I agree with Turner about penalties. Those flags sap drives, energy, and positive attitudes. I noticed NC State had some sideline late hit penalties last nite. What the heck!!!! Make good hard tackles and leave the junk rough stuff alone. Those flags have no redeeming value, just negative vibes, especially with the fans. One more thing, this excessive celebration thing. Let your blocking, tackling, and running the plays correctly do your talking and leave that excessive celebration alone, including defense as well as offense.
By 3 Rivers jacket
October 17, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
LOGAN GRAY How is it that every fan that is every stupid fan always wants to see some guy who is not playing thinking he must be better. Believe me if Logan could help Richt would have him in there and he may yet but remember there are only so many posessions a game- maybe 10 so you cannot afford to give one away so that some Georgia fan yokel up in the stands can be satisfied. The idea is to win the game.
By Fleischman
October 17, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this
To drink budweeeeser, buy a new wardrobe at wal mart and forget the Alabama game.
By Hunker Down
October 18, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
A.J. Green is a freak
By jc_dawg
October 21, 2008 5:01 AM | Link to this
Frustrating…thats what I feel. This team was the best team in the country the last half of last season. Where are they? I can understand the OL issues because of there injuries. They do say that the OL is the motor under the hood.
On defense…the loss of J Owens did not help. I think M Howard was more of a beast at DE than we all even thought. Its just not the same team in the trenches.
The penalties have got to stop and the pass D better pick it up. Its almost like this Ga team is saving everything they have for the Florida game.
BTW….I see a major brawl breaking out between the Dawgs and the Gators before kick-off. Keep Moreno and Stafford away from that as there will probably be a few ejections.
By dawgthabootyhunter
October 25, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
1st score for Lsu. I saw the screen coming for a country mile, Martinez didn’t . Can we get some better play calling from the defensive coordinator, please?