The Junkyard Blawg has moved!
Along with the other ajc.com blogs, the Junkyard Blawg has moved over to WordPress, where the blogging and commenting experience promises to be better. Join us over at the new WordPress version of the Junkyard Blawg by clicking on the link below.
AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2008 > November > 09 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USIt was in the stars
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Although it was kind of lost amid the frequent special-team meltdowns and horror over just how incredibly inept the Georgia defense was against the Wildcats’ option running attack for three and a half quarters Saturday, Matthew Stafford played a pretty terrific game against Kentucky, even with several badly overthrown long balls.
At least, Stafford’s showing seemed to be somewhat overlooked amid the moaning and groaning in these parts about Georgia’s latest close-call win, saved by Demarcus Dobbs’ crucial one-handed interception. But his career-high 376 yards passing, three touchdowns and clutch plays, particularly when he scrambled out of the pocket to find A.J. Green up high in the corner of the end zone, were noticed by Sporting News Today, which named Stafford player of the day.
Mark Richt likes to call these “team” wins, but Saturday saw the team as a whole frequently trying to give the game away, only to have the most talented Bulldogs step up and get things back on track.
Notwithstanding his two fumbles in the fourth quarter (neither of which resulted in any Kentucky points, thank goodness), senior Mohamed Massaquoi continued his recent torrid pace, with eight catches for 191 yards and a touchdown. Most notable was his comeback after the fumbles, with his elusive running on that 78-yard pass play that set up Georgia’s go-ahead score.
And while the Dawgs’ offensive line (which took another injury hit) continued to be consistently inconsistent and was dominated in the middle by the Cats on way too many running plays, Knowshon Moreno still managed to get more than a hundred yards rushing and three touchdowns, mostly thanks to his own exceptional second effort on runs where he was given a very small opening and still managed to produce a big result.
It’s good to get a reminder of why these guys are stars.
POOCH KICKS: If there was the equivalent of an anti-game ball, special teams coach Jon Fabris’ stumbling units would be the hands-down winner this week. At least Blair Walsh didn’t miss any field goals. Of course, he didn’t try any. Most of the problems were the result of individual breakdowns, but that seam down the middle of Georgia’s kickoff coverage that resulted in a 96-yard return for the Cats has been evident for a couple of seasons now. Looks like Fabris needs help (or maybe Georgia needs a different special teams coach). … What to make of Georgia’s defense? While they occasionally got burned by being in the wrong scheme, which you can lay on Willie Martinez, most of the Dawgs’ problems stopping the run appeared to be due to poor tackling (particularly on the fullback dives up the middle) and missed assignments. I mean, why did it take the Dawgs so long to figure out that you have to cover both the QB and the pitch man on the option? Anyway, tackling and missed assignments are something the coaches ought to be able to work on. Considering we’ve got two more option-based running attacks coming up, that would appear to be Job One this week. … It was good to see Stafford throwing to Moreno. I bet we see even more of that in the remaining games. … It seems like those still recurring facemask penalties always come at the worst possible time. … Michael Moore once again had a couple of really nice catches Saturday. … Somebody needs to cut back on Scott Howard’s caffeine on game days. Whereas Larry Munson was known for getting into the game and turning a colorful phrase, on Georgia’s big scoring plays Saturday Howard sounded more like your average screaming fan freaking out. Exciting, yeah, but not the kind of play-by-play call likely to be quoted in years to come. Dial it down a notch!
.JPG)
-1.JPG)
Services »
Comments
By Lilburn Dawg
November 9, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
Bill, Stafford did have a pretty good day overall, but you hit it square on the head in your first sentence…paragraph….Stafford overthrew several long balls. That’s been my biggest complaint against him as a QB is that he can’t hit a long ball. He’s doing good to get it within 2 yards of the receiver on long ones. He either overthrows them, throws them to the left, right, or underthrows them, but just can’t seem to put it in the receiver’s hands like other top-notch QB’s seem to be able to do. If I were a pro scout, I would be a little worried about it myself. He can put it right on the money within 10-15 yards though!!
By FLA DAWG
November 9, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
Lilburn Dawg,
I’d take Stafford in a second. The high wind combined with an average O Line (at best) is problematic for any good QB.
Stafford can split a seam on a sideline pass, look off and throw center, throw the fade, throw the bomb and can even run a bit - “NFL QUALIFIED”.
Imagine if he had the time to throw the ball the way Tebow has!
Bill, Yeah, the facemask penalities are bewildering - another Willie Martinez problem easily corrected with his departure which will occur at the end of this season.
You phrased the game very well when you said the team tried to give the game away several times only to have the most talented players take it back. Obvious lack of preparation and gameday coordination. Coaching, coaching, coaching.
By the way, did anyone catch LSU / BAMA Game last night? I picked an upset and though I was wrong - I wasn’t too far off. An OT win by BAMA due to LSU mistakes (and BAMA mistakes for that matter). Keep in mind this LSU Team is a much more injured team than the one we played yet they game BAMA all they could handle.
Bottomline - We had the talent to beat BAMA & UF but were unprepared and uninspired. No insult intended to BAMA or UF - both Teams came to play and play they did. They took absolute advantage of our weaknesses and poured it on. The secondhalf comeback against BAMA wasn’t even close to call it an 11 point spread and the runup of points by passing TDs with timeouts in the 4th qtr by UF proved our D has no confidence in Martinez and that UF has no class. (Next season The Dawgs will need no reminder of what UM / UF did this season and pound The Gators at the annual “neutral” Florida site of Jax.
Well, it looks like a Bama / UF SECC with UF taking it in my opinion. I’d prefer Bama, but as a Dawg Fan I know we seldom get what we want.
By ColumbusDawgStyle
November 9, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
The wind had more to do with Stafford missing the long throws than anything. What disappoints me about Stafford is he does not set his feet when rolling out,even when he has time. This has cost us interceptions and missed scoring opportunities. Willie has got to go. Good secondary coach but the D hasnt been the same since VanGorder left.
By uga_b
November 9, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
I was there and none of the overthrows were that bad. Yes, it would be nice to hit all of them, but it is not like they missed by 5 yards. As to the two fumbles, both were helmet or pad on the ball which was the best display of defense all day.
Main problem I saw was us playing the nickel like they were running a spread. Defensive Ends routinely didnt get up field on the outside runs consistently giving them the corners. Further, I have just given up on seeing a big hit unless Reshad gets a good crack. Only real football hit on defense was 41 shoving that guy out of bounds.
I really think we have morphed into a finesse skill player team and I wouldnt mind just lining up a bunch of big, ugly, mean, son of a guns.
By murfdawg
November 9, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
I’ve been as quiet as I can about the play of the defense. But I can’t take it any longer. FIRE MARTINEZ!!! When you let a FRESHMAN wide receiver turned qb shred your defense for 38 points, something needs to be changed. I thought 38 against LSU was just one of those days. Then we give up 49 to fla(ok maybe 35) and now 38 to KY.Ridiculous!! Fire Willie!!!
You are right on about Stafford.The good thing is he saved the day for us. The bad thing, he looked like Joe Montana hitting Dwight Clark. The NFL will be all over him this spring. If Matt Ryan can get $72 million, Stafford should be able to get $85 million. I would hate to see him go, but money talks.
I will resign myself to accept the fact that we are just good. Not really good or fla and Bama good. I will take three more high scoring wins and get ready for next year.Go Dawgs!!!
By terry
November 9, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
Stafford has overthrown balls his whole career.CWM has to go soon!!! And take the special teams coach too!!!
By gregodawg
November 9, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this
The radio announcers mean nothing. We old guys loved em..they were our main gameday connection to the team.
Now, of course, almost all games are on TV and internet.
Unless ya gotta do a beer run in the middle of the game, who listens to the radio.
By Dr. Morpheus
November 9, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
Who would you nominate to replace Willie Martinez as DC? Only coaches who are plausible choices, please.
By Black Helicopter Pilot
November 9, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
Grego, you and I don’t listen to the radio announcers, but a lot of our fans have a thing about listening to the “liberal-media-elite” types from ABC, CBS, ESPN, Raycom, who all have obvious biases against us and nobody else. (tongue in cheek, here, Grego).
By Michael Scharff
November 9, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this
Several comments - 1) We have been about as badly bitten with the injury bug throughout the entire season as the Braves. Youth and inexperience have taken a tremendous toll on consistent good play by both the O and the D lines. 2) Even so, Coach Martinez, for whatever reason, had the defense playing “lights out” laast year after from the Auburn game through the end of the sason. For whatever reason, he has yet to be able to find the magic this year. I hate to say it, but today’s top tier college football demands consistent excellence, and Coach Martinez at this time is unable to produce. 3) Speaking of the radio broadcast, I can’t understand why there is a delay between what we see on t.v, and what I hear on my radio from the WSB network. I don’t get the 2-3 second delay from when I’m listening to 106.1 in Athens. Also, both in LSU and in Jacksonville, I was unable to pick up the closed circuit broadcasts, even on a digital radio. Come on, WSB, y’all can do better than that. 4)We need to watch out for the upset bug for the last two weeks. Obviously, both Auburn and Tech will be looking for redemption for what have turned into disappointing seasons, AND, Tech has the additional motivation of tryiing to break the Streak.
By swimdawg68
November 9, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this
I am afraid CMR is similiar to Dooley, he hates to fire a coach. Dooley to my knowledge never fired a coach, coach’s left on their own.
It really bothers me that CMR is so in love with Willie. I never like him as a DB coach and his weak (soft), schemes result in a Kentucky puting 24 points (I deducted the 14 given up by poor special teams play). This is a KY team that could omly put up 3 points against FLA.
If CMR fails to make a move on Willie at the end of the season, it will truely reveal a serious coaching flaw by CMR. I hope I am wrong, and CMR makes the move on Willie
By Huh?
November 9, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this
376 yards passing. 3 TDs, including a game winner. 60+ completion percentage.
Georgia fans response: NOT ENOUGH.
I’m starting to think this guy could shoot ligtning out his bunghole and it still wouldn’t be enough to impress some of you. Don’t you think your expectations might be a tad out of wack? Good grief.
By Dr. Morpheus
November 9, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
I believe our D lacks intensity and they clearly make too many critical mistakes; but, quite a few points yielded by Georgia have resulted from turnovers and special teams screw-ups. Statistically, we’re number 28 nationally (behind South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee (?). Miss State, LSU, and Auburn) and we’re giving up 309 yards each outing. That may sound bad except that no Big 12 D is in the top 50! Their ‘best’ D is Oklahoma (yielding 346 per game). Should be interesting when Texas Tech and OU tee it up. And I can’t wait to see the Big 12 and SEC match up in the bowl season.
By Bishopbulldawg
November 10, 2008 2:20 AM | Link to this
There is no doubt that Stafford has a great arm and probably a bright future. I just wish he didn’t have to throw long 32 times a game. What’s wrong with a few 12 yarders and down and out hitch patterns to set up the bomb. Why do we have to throw long every series, resulting in missed opportunities, no points, and sending the defense back on the field? Someone needs to explain to Stafford the concept of game management.
By Who cares
November 10, 2008 7:28 AM | Link to this
UGA is the new - oh, never mind - UGA is one poorly coached team, period!
The proof is 1) #23 trying to field a punt at the 3 yard line, instead of letting it go; 2). #23 NOT knowing that when he fumbled the attempt into the end zone that is a “muff” and he DOES NOT have to get it out of the end zone - just take a knee and we get the ball at the 20 - but no, he tries to run it out because he does not know this, and gets tackled at the 3! Just poor coaching!
By D.Ellis
November 10, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this
Huh?-Your telling me. I have learned this year that nothing pleases our fellow UGA buddies….but only if we destroyed every tema by 50.
What a game! That was exciting…fun to watch and great for college football and our team!. I mean more often that not to me SOME UGA games have been a bit boring this year….as in great for the win but not alot of excitment. The game verse Kentucky was an awesome game for fans looking to watch 2 teams go toe to toe and never give up until the end.
I’m proud of our Dogs for getting an SEC road win. For not folding the tent when we got dow!!!!
Hats off to Kentucky and their fans…the Cats played a great game.
I just enjoyed the game. It was a great one to watch.
GO DAWGS. BEAT AU!!!!!!!!!!!
By AlphaDog
November 10, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
Anyone notice the resemblance between Hines Ward attitude and work ethic and that of Mo Mass?
I think he’s gonna make a solid addition to some NFL team next year. Not saying he’ll be a star, but a consistent player for several years on sundays.
By 82DAWG
November 10, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
Exciting, fun game to watch. Stafford to Green looked like Montana to Clark! Next two games will probably look like Big 12 shootouts with Georgia needing to outscore the opposition to win.
By Sautee Dawg
November 10, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this
Bill
Ease up on Scott Howard, he’s doing a good job, kinda liked his enthusiaism saturday on the playcalling. Maybe ask him to help out coaching on special teams.
By dawgforlife
November 10, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
I like Scott Howard. I think he does a good job of calling the games. But I have to agree that the screaming when Georgia scored Saturday was a bit much.
By Ohiodawg
November 10, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this
Stafford’s performance was exactly what I’ve been waiting to see. He put the team on his back. As far as the long ball goes, all that is needed is a little more air under the ball to give the receiver a chance to run under it. Easier said than done. The reason it seems so easy for other QB’s is that all they have to do is drop back and throw it as far as they can. No joke. Well for Stafford to do that, the OL needs to give him a little more time. Don’t criticize the guy because he throws the ball 58 yards when he should have thrown it 56. I can think of 2 long balls Saturday that needed to be about 2 feet shorter and they go for 6.
By BuckheadBill
November 10, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this
Get off Scott Howard’s back, please. I’m just glad that someone that is connected to the UGA Athletic Association gets excited on gameday. Maybe it will rub off on coaches and team.
By aaron in arizona
November 10, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this
someone asked if willie needs to go then name someone to hire. i have two answers for that one.
put in coach Garner, d line coach, to be d coord. if not, then the guy at miss st. i mean, miss state is terrible offensively and their def keeps them in games. see the scores are much closer than one would think. i’m impressed w/miss st def. i don’t see any of their games this yr but stat wise, score wise they usually have low def scoring games.
By joe in alabama
November 11, 2008 5:50 AM | Link to this
I am a huge dawg fan living in alabama I think there is a real chance that we could get kirby smart away from nick saten whether you like saten or not he is the best d.c. in the country and he has been teaching kirby for years open up the check book and go get him I have lived here long enough to know kirby would jump at the chance to be a bulldawg again.
By Red Elephant
November 11, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this
Dogs mental toughness is light years behind talent. Mark Richt is a wonderful human being and an above average coach, but he has become ‘one of the boys.’ With all this dancing and jiving UGA is much more show than go. My Crimson Tide is not as talented as UGA across the board, but Coach Saban demands physical and mental domination. UGA is mentally weak….just look at all the yellow on the field….Something is wrong in Athens.
By amelia is. Mike
November 11, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
A ga blog with no TECHIES comments??? Whered they go???? I said just win Tech before you flap your wings off. Tech fans crack me up Being critical of the dogs all the time but dont take care of business theirselves. Tech needs another Reginald Ball type player.. Looks like the option is getting some Qbs hurt. Get ready to play some D against Ga. Green and Momass = lotsa yds.
By Ed
November 11, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
Stafford’s one of the least accurate bomb throwers I’ve ever seen, but his mid-range lasers are a thing of beauty. Think how good he could be next year if he stuck around, especially if something clicks and he starts throwing accurate deep balls. I wouldn’t blame him for taking the NFL money, though.
By pcdawg
November 11, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this
For all you bashing Stafford, think about this, who is the QB coach? this is the reason he does those things, he is coached to do them. He will get coached better in the NFL, and we will be wondering how he got so good.
I think Bobo the clown still coaches the QB spot, this is the real problem with what Stafford is doing.
By robdawg08
November 11, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
We should wax Auburn since they have no offense. Ga Tech has a good offensive scheme but look how a good NC defense shut them down ! The problem is that we don’t have a good defense. There is almost zero push and pass rush by our D-line. The linebackers miss way too many tackles (Gamble esp.). The only players solid on D are R.Jones and R.Curran.
Stafford indeed has the arm but makes poor decisions and forces too many throws when he should throw the ball away. Maybe we will find out just how good Logan Gray is is Stafford leaves…I feel confident that C.King (among others) can replace Moreno if he leaves as well.
The special teams (kickoff,punting,kicking) is as bad a I’ve ever seen at UGA. We need to get an accurate kicker next year. We know we will be in close games and B.Walsh doesn’t have it. Giving up 38 to a lousy,one-diminsional Kentucky team alone is enough to raise eyebrows about Slick Willie’s porous D !
I’m just disappointed that we were supposed to be a top 5 team and we’ve played more like a 15 to 20 team (which is about where we rank). I think losing so many O-lineman hurt a lot but good teams adjust. I still think the 2 missed field goals and Chandler’s goof cost us the Fla. game. That’s 13 points not made in the first half (the halftime score was 14-3 Fla.). Momentum was dead after that.
Go Dawgs ! Obliterate Auburn !
By DonkDawg22
November 11, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
GA has definitely not “lived up” to their potential. This seems to be a re-occuring them in our program. There are alot of defenders of Martinez on this blog, and quite frankly, I dont undertsnad why. Just an observation, but if you gave Spurrier, Saban, Meyer, or Miles the talent that we have this year, they win a championship. Period. My contention is that there is a fundemantal-philisophical problem within the the UGA coaching staff. Richt is a great coach and has done wonders for our porgram. I stil believe that he is the guy that will ultimately bring us a MNC title. However, I do not believe that he will do it with the coordinators he has. They do not compliment his laid-back style and “father-like” interaction with his players. We need someone to say “..if you make that penalty more the once, or if you blow that covergae again, you wont play”, and then kick them in the nutts! Where is the fire? Where is the passion?
Albeit, we have had some key personell losses tis year. But so did everybody. If we trult recruit the way that they say we have then we need guys to be coached up and step up. Marcus Howard stepped up last year. Someone earlier alluded to the fact that we have some nasty DE’s coming on campus next year. Richt, dont redshirt them! Play them and for the love of God dont let your coaching staff get ahold of them. Our best players are true freshmen theat havenet had the chance to get screwed up yet by our coaching staff. They are winners in HS and just keep doing what they have always done…win! (AJ Green, K Moreno)
By BE#3
November 11, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this
Remember ‘04 when the David’s were seniors and it was gonna be “our year”?Our DC was BVG and we finished 10-2 and with a #7 ranking. We didn’t have the injuries in ‘04 like we did this year. BVG was (and still is) a helluva DC but he never brought us a NC either. Yeah his stats are better than WM but I’ll take a NC over stats anyday. I don’t care how we do it, just do it.
By eddcunningham
November 13, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
For all of those fans who are wanting Coach Martinez, Coach Fabris, and Coach Bobo fired, I have a suggestion. Go to Coach Richt in Athens and make your superior intellect and abilities available to him so that you can show us how it’s supposed to be done. Then maybe Georgia will win every game 56-0 and shut up all of those Dawg haters out here on the internet. I personally can’t wait until next year when some of you are calling the shots. What a great season we’re going to have. Especially the coach who will be responsible for showing Matthew Stafford how to throw the deep ball, I guess we’ll have a lot of one play drives. Oh, wait that will put too much pressure on the defense. But, i forget we’ll have a real Defensive Coordinator that will give us three and out every series. I can’t wait. Damon Evans get ready to hand out some big pay checks.