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AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2009 > January > 02 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USGame ball to the defense … finally!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The temptation after Thursday’s Capitol One Bowl was to say that there was nothing wrong with Georgia’s defense this season that playing against a Big 10 offensive line couldn’t cure.
But that’s not completely fair. While it was obvious that the Dawgs’ defense was faster than its opposition, notching six sacks mostly without blitzing, there was more to Georgia’s shutdown of the Michigan State offense than that. Stung by criticism of their play this season, especially in the last game, and publicly disrespected beforehand by Spartan players, Willie Martinez’s players stepped up and performed with an urgency and efficiency that had been missing much of the time this year. They swarmed the ball carrier. They wrapped up tackles. And in the first half they managed to hold State to just 6 points, despite the fact their bumbling brothers on the Dawgs’ offense and special teams kept giving the Spartans the ball in Georgia territory.
Whether this defensive turnaround was the result of individual effort on the part of the players or a product of better coaching by Martinez is hard to say, but since he’s shouldered the blame for the lousy D Georgia played the second half of the season, we should give the defensive coordinator credit for this return to the kind of play Bulldog defenses have been known for in the past. For the program’s sake and Martinez’s, let’s hope this wasn’t a one-game aberration.
Some other observations on the bowl game in Orlando: Inconsistency has dogged Matthew Stafford throughout his time at Georgia and that was the case again Thursday. With his already shaky offensive line hit by another injury and the Spartans blitzing, Stafford seemed hurried and unsure, several times missing wide-open receivers. But after Georgia adjusted its protection in the second half, Stafford again showed the brilliance that has had NFL scouts drooling ever since he emerged from high school, particularly on that touchdown pass to Michael Moore where he pump-faked and then delivered a perfect strike. Still, most observers seem to think he’d benefit from another year of college play. Let’s hope he reaches that conclusion, too. … Why is it Mark Richt’s teams have such difficulty putting together two good halves of play? Georgia was obviously the better team Thursday but kept the Spartans in it through turnovers, penalties and poor special teams play in the first half. Speaking of which, Georgia’s kickoff game continued to be a woeful mess. One went out of bounds and then there was that ridiculous pooch kick that gave the Spartans the ball near midfield. Richt badly needs a come-to-Jesus moment on special teams before next season. … What is it with Mike Bobo and the red zone? Georgia came out looking great in its no-huddle offense and raced down the field, only to go away from the no-huddle and sputter once they were inside Michigan State’s 20. We’ve seen this time and again, where the offense is cooking and then Bobo goes away from what’s working. … That last series of the first half was a puzzler. Georgia gets the ball near midfield with nearly 2 minutes left and proceeds to eat as much clock as it possibly can running just three plays. Richt explained it by saying he didn’t want his defense to have to come back on the field. So what was he saying, that he had no faith Bobo’s offense could get a first down, much less score, with that much time on the clock? He figured it would be three-and-out and so told them to take their time? Strange. … Nice to see Michael Moore step up at wide receiver when Michigan State took MoMass and A.J. largely out of the game. … If that was Knowshon Moreno’s last game as a Bulldog, as many people believe, he’ll be missed as much as a receiver as he will a running back. That touchdown catch battling for the ball sure didn’t hurt his NFL stock any. He’s a special player. It’ll be a shame if we only get two years out of him.
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Comments
By Florida Dawg
January 2, 2009 11:48 AM | Link to this
The last two minutes in the first half of yesterdays game reminds me of the entire season…Richts explanation, I just saw on tape, DID NOT make any sence whatsoever. I was in the stands and everyone around me were yelling about it for 5 minutes…another lost opportunity…a BIG opportunity…gone. POOR clock management.
By Dr. Morpheus
January 2, 2009 11:57 AM | Link to this
The first half was deja vu as far as the offense is concerned. How Matt could look so bad is a mystery. Nevertheless, like Bill, I hope he comes back and Knowshon does, too. The TD connection between #7 and #23 felt so right. Perhaps it’s just wishful thinking, but I thought to myself that they could feel it, too. Perhaps they both can imagine the success they could have by staying another year, the excitement, the glory, the sheer fun of doing it one more time and having the year many hoped they’d have in 2008. What’s a few more dollars when you can have incredible memories for a lifetime and go down in Bulldog history as the greatest ever?
By Georgia Fan
January 2, 2009 12:22 PM | Link to this
Maybe the first half didn’t go so well because MSU is a pretty good team and was playing some solid D. Did this ever occur to anyone? No, of course not. We were supposed to beat them by 40 because we were #1 in the preseason. How silly of me to forget that. Some of you need to let things go and move on. We were as good this year as our record indicates.
It was a good win. I’m looking forward to 2009.
By Beetlejuice
January 2, 2009 1:11 PM | Link to this
**Cmon Bill…it was Michigan St!”
The same team that got clobbered by the only two good teams it faced—Ohio St. and Penn St.
Their offense was so lame, their quarterback so average, limiting them to 12 points is nothing to get your chest puffed up over.
There are a dozen or more bowl teams that would have hung the typical 30 points on the Georgia defense.
By Class of '98
January 2, 2009 1:15 PM | Link to this
When the ref would say “dead-ball, personal foul…” I found myself taking it for granted that he would then point to the UGA side.
It’s nice to have a couple of those go against the other side for a change.
And I hate to be negative after a win, but why do our defensive backs feel the need to get in the face of the receiver and trash talk after every measly incomplete pass? Act like you’ve done it before.
By Johnny Athens
January 2, 2009 1:17 PM | Link to this
It was a pleasant surprise to see the ref say “dead-ball, personal foul…” and point to the other side for a change.
Even though we still got a couple of those for ourselves.
By Fred Mertz
January 2, 2009 1:41 PM | Link to this
Yes, we have some wonderful trash talkers on the defensive side of the ball. Choir boy Mark Richt seems to encourgage it.
One of the reasons he is able to recruit such fine young future leaders of America year after year.
By GW
January 2, 2009 3:39 PM | Link to this
When will UGA play 14 pefect games in a season and win a NC to satisfy our whiny fans? We watch the pros play and make the same errors but expect UGA players and coaches to be perfect. Season’s over, let’s shut down this whineline.
By kemosabi
January 2, 2009 4:12 PM | Link to this
The defense had an excellent day. I wish we had 11 Rennie Currans. Ellerbe looked like his old self yesterday too.
Stafford’s play in the first half reminded me of Paul Crewe in the “The Longest Yard”. It looked as though he was intentially throwing it away. Stafford has been a good quarterback just not a great one. In my opinion he should head to the NFL, maybe he can live up to his “billing” there. He sure hasn’t at Georgia.
By Georgia Fan
January 2, 2009 4:36 PM | Link to this
Please define what you would consider Stafford living up to his “billing”.
By Lee
January 2, 2009 4:44 PM | Link to this
I’ve been a huge Mark Richt fan since his first season in Athens, but that last drive of the first half coupled with Richts asinine explanation is going to take a while to get over. I’m sorry, but I just don’t see a Meyer/Saban/Miles meekly going into the half.
Regarding Moreno and Stafford, I think both will go pro even though Stafford would be better served with one more year at the college level. Money talks and there’s just too much at stake to take a risk of a career ending injury without a financial safety net.
Finally, it was nice to see the defense GATA for a full four quarters. The game ball belonged to the defense. They won that game Thursday.
By Georgia Fan
January 2, 2009 5:08 PM | Link to this
That’s a good point Lee. I mean that last drive of the first half really turned out to be a game changer didn’t it? Instead of applauding the double digit victory, I think I’ll cry like a little girl about a meaningless drive in the 1st half. Yeah, that’s the ticket.
By GradyGrad96
January 2, 2009 6:32 PM | Link to this
Yeah, woo hoo. Great win. Not where this team should have finished the season. Defense did a good job. About time. I have changed my mind on Willie Martinez. He is the single greatest defensive coordinator in the game today. Just give him 30 days to prepare for each opponent and he’s awesome. How long would that make the UGA gootball season.
By FLA DAWG
January 2, 2009 7:40 PM | Link to this
One has to wonder about Richt at times - like the last couple of minutes in the first half of the bowl game. If he can’t time manage an offense better than that he (and we) are in real trouble.
I also agree that since we gave Martinez and the “D” so much grief during the year we owe them a, “Job Well Done” on this one. These guys were ready to play ball from the start. They played with heart, executed and NEVER GAVE UP. I’m damn proud of The Dawg Defense.
However, it does beg the question,”If they did so well on “D” against The Spartans then why couldn’t they do at least as well against other, lesser teams - like UT?”
Next season will be make or break for Martinez. As much as many wanted to see him go a couple of weeks ago, I think he may just surprise us next season with a stout “D” and keep his job.
By SOUTHGADAWG88
January 2, 2009 8:18 PM | Link to this
Why is everything about Meyer/Saban/miles?Saban went 6/6 last year.Meyer 9/4 Miles 8/5 this year.That tells me good coaches have down years from time to time!!We won 10 games!!!Get a grip!!
By SOUTHGADAWG88
January 2, 2009 9:01 PM | Link to this
If ALA loses to Utah are all you SABAN fans gonna flip and say “he can’t win the big game” all of a sudden?God forbid FLA loses to Okl are you URBAN lovers gonna turn around and say “He’s getting outcoached in the bowl games”?I notice that the Paul Johnson is a god!!!crap has cooled a great deal,My point is “FANS” tend to get carried away one way or another and for my money CMR is the man for our program.Who cares what the preseason rankings were?After losing Trinton and Jeff we were NOT the team we expected to be.Take your “GREAT” coaches in your mind and tell me which one would have “coached us up” better?10 wins is a damn good down year!!!!!
By stendec
January 2, 2009 11:52 PM | Link to this
Thank God Bama did not enter bowls as SEC champ! What a disgusting exhibition. Any way Bama and South Carolina can both be expelled from league? Kudos to all SEC teams that cared enough to win!
By wreckmaniac
January 3, 2009 12:06 AM | Link to this
Does this mean that Utah will end up ranked 3rd ? Or 2nd ?
By Clarke County Warden
January 3, 2009 12:08 AM | Link to this
All of the jaildawgs were supposed to be back by now and several are missing.
By Mr HAHA
January 3, 2009 12:15 AM | Link to this
Watching ALA & Utah tonight, ALA just got out manned on just about every play. I kept waiting on them to take control, only to have the Utah ‘D’ cut through the ALA ‘O’ line like a hot. sharp knive in soft butter. Yeah, I don’t want to hear about any suspensions or injuries to ALA—UGA has had 28 injuries this year-28!! So, ALA fans, now you know how much one ‘O’ lineman can hurt a team? Yeah, right. Thanks for embarrassing our conference.
By Mr HAHA
January 3, 2009 12:23 AM | Link to this
Hey Clark, are you related to Fulton County Warden? I think he knows Joe Hamilton —may have ‘hung’ out some.
By Cheerwino
January 3, 2009 12:40 AM | Link to this
No kidding stendec! Who knew it would be Kentucky and Miss. to represent.
By AltamahaDawg
January 3, 2009 10:03 AM | Link to this
Somebody explain to me how Mark Richt’s explaination about the last series in the first half was not exactly correct? And spare me the crap about guts and urban meyers. Reality only please.
By wishfull thinking
January 3, 2009 10:39 AM | Link to this
LOOK AT THE SUGAR FALLING OUT OF THE SKY !! Easy, Larry, it was just the Capital One bowl.
By Stu Holtz
January 3, 2009 11:06 AM | Link to this
Mark Richt seems to be stuck in the mindset that you can only win with black athletes on defense. I wonder what he thought as Utah’s defense dominated Bama last night.
By ATLDawg
January 3, 2009 11:22 AM | Link to this
I saw absolutely nothing wrong with the last drive of the first half. It was a close game. MSU played very good defense in the first half. Our offense couldn’t find any rythym and had already turned the ball over twice. So the answer is YES, Richt did not have faith in our offense to go down and score to end the half. Exactly what transpired in the first half that would have given him confidence in our offense? Why force the ball downfield and risk another turnover? Why give MSU another chance to score and momentum going in to halftime? We were only down by 3 and had a whole other half to regroup and regroup we did. It all worked out in the end.
I’m sick and tired of all the incessant whining. You people will whine about anything this year. Its old. This has not been a good season for Georgia fans. We have embarassed ourselves with all the whining.
By Rabun Dawg
January 3, 2009 11:38 AM | Link to this
Hello, we only won 10 games? Terrible season, huh? Yes, we did not live up to all of the pre-season hype, and thats what it was, pure hype! We should all be proud of this bunch for overcoming all of the injuries and the disapointment of not winning some big games, but I’ll bet there are a ton of programs that would have loved to have gone 10-3! And , congrats to Ole Miss, Vandy, UK, LSU, you made us proud, but really unhappy about what happened to Bama. South Carolina, join conference USA? Happy New Year to all, and Go Gators, make the SEC proud to have the NC Champ for the 3rd straight year!
By Sautee Dawg
January 3, 2009 12:41 PM | Link to this
AltamahaDawg
Think CMR was trying to send a message to his offense that he didn’t have any confidence in them making a 1st down and did not want to send his defence back out on the field before halftime. 3 points against one of the worst defences in the country in one half is not much to have confidence in. Whatever he said at halftime in the locker room must been woke somebody up. Defence played great. CMR said earlier in the week, that UGA spent more days praticing in pads, tackling, in preperation for the bowl game than they had all year combined due to injuries. That pratice payed off. Injuries hurt out defence this year alot more than CWM. Just my opinion
By tiftdog
January 3, 2009 9:25 PM | Link to this
We finally learned how to tackle during Christmas. But I wonder after 8 years of being a head coach, why do we always have to lean our lessons with a loss. I think Coach MR is a good coach, but it seems like that sometimes we just do not get prepared to do what we need to do. I don’t want to sound like I’m whinning because I am very proud to be a Bulldog fan and I do not want another HC, but please, football comes down to two basic fundamentals that I don’t believe we are very good at and that is blocking and tackling. So let’s just try and get back to the basic fundamentals of football for the 2009 season and for once be known as a well coached football team. If we do that, Coach MR can stay at UGA until he is 77 years old and he will be the winningest coach of all time.
By AltamahaDawg
January 4, 2009 12:02 AM | Link to this
I really don’t think he was trying to send any message. The staff would have already known at that point what they were going to talk about at halftime (some of it adjusting the protection ) and I doubt he thought he needed to say “see I dont have any faith in you”. He was just managing the game. I think he just did a risk-reward and decided given the situation, he wanted the first down to be sure they could kill the clock, before calling TO, and then took a couple of shots down the field. Not sure what’s such a “puzzler” about it.
By falcon willie
January 4, 2009 9:40 AM | Link to this
Utah made the SEC a paper tiger!!!
By falcon willie
January 4, 2009 9:44 AM | Link to this
IOWA also made SEC a paper tiger!!!
By falcon willie
January 4, 2009 9:53 AM | Link to this
Will OKLAHOMA further degrade the MIGHTYaverage SEC?
By falcon willie
January 4, 2009 9:59 AM | Link to this
Some of the jr. coaching staff at UGA are being considered for other jobs in the SEC,why doesn’t anyone want Martinez?Richt says he is the finest coach any where!
By Cuz
January 4, 2009 3:36 PM | Link to this
What’s the matter falcon willie. bummed out by being beaten by the geriatric Cardinals.
Iowa beat USC east. They play one great game per year and that happens to be the Dawgs. Lights out one game, then woefully mediocre afterwards.
I believe the Gators will bust that Sooner schooner. The Urban legend will continue.
By Brain Van G
January 4, 2009 5:55 PM | Link to this
Sorry guys, Please dont start taking those pictures of me off of your bedroom wall. I made a mistake. Who knew 3rd and 14 was in yards, I thought that was in inches. In hindsight mabe that was a bonehead call. Crashing the backers into the line usually works, makes everyone call you gutsie and aggresive, yea boy. Oh well, on to my next job.
By Mobile Dawg
January 4, 2009 8:19 PM | Link to this
Almost glad the college season is winding down, what a glorious day for a little golf down here in LA.
The Tide Nation is in total shock, things are really quiet. Dawgs have got things rolling in the right direction for next year hopefully, although with this staff unfortuately I expect the unexpected sometimes, like the last series of the first half, Altamaha. Can’t argue with the results, it’s just not me to sit on the ball when you’re trailing. AU is getting it’s ducks in a row and UT is making a serious run at putting a good staff together, Nutt made a serious statement with Ed’s recruits. I’m already looking forward to next year.
As much as it pains me, I wish the Gators well against OU, oh yeah, and hook’em horns.
By AltamahaDawg
January 5, 2009 7:30 AM | Link to this
Mobile, I understand, I think the entire viewing audiance wanted to see us do something in that situation but we dont have to live with the consequences. I rememebr we have attempted to score there plenty of times in the spot in the past, but that half was just “dodge the bullet after bullet”. I just think he had the staff saying, lets just not screw up and the players looking a little out of sorts. I also noticed on the replay that Stafford changed that first play at the line so the might have given him some more option, and he just didn’t see anything he liked there. Worst possible situation was a couple of incomplete passes, a lost yard run, and having to punt with a minute left. We would have all been real thrilled with that I imagine.
By Red Elephant
January 5, 2009 11:40 AM | Link to this
stendec,
Which SEC school do you pull for?
My guess is it is not the one that put the SEC on the map in the first place.
In any event, congratulations to Utah on their stunning win.
By RAMBLE ON!!!
January 5, 2009 5:17 PM | Link to this
yawn!!!
you fleabags want to trade BB coaches tomorrow night?
Both teams would probably play better.
By AltahamaDawg
January 5, 2009 10:41 PM | Link to this
Would be difficult to tell those cheesy mustaches apart woudnt it?