-- Richt lauded the work of both Joe Cox and Mike Bobo offensively, for obvious reasons. On who deserved more credit, Richt sort split the difference: "
It was a little bit of both. We have trained our quarterbacks to get us in the right situation. It’s a well planned out system, and we spend so much time on what we want out of certain looks. If you train the quarterback the right way, you’re not fighting an uphill battle with calling plays. But the quarterbacks deserve some credit, too, but who is training the quarterbacks? So Mike deserves credit for that, too. Joe was on target and guys are making catches."-- As far as the defense goes, it was about what you'd expect: "I'm not really excited about it but I do know we have the opportunity to continue to improve, and if we continue to improve the number of points will come down. The first thing we need to do is to improve the turnover ratio. … We have to iron that part out, and that will help tremendously."
Richt also said the defense had to do "a lot of little things better."
I'm going to guess that's not exactly what fans want to hear, but remember, Richt didn't go off the deep end after the offense stunk in Week 1, and that turned out fine. Let's not get too riled up just yet.
-- Richt complimented Caleb King's play, saying he showed no ill-effects of the hamstring injury that caused him to miss the first two games.
-- Drew Butler drew praise as well, and Richt applauded Orson Charles and Tavarres King on their first TD grabs.
-- Said he wasn't sure yet the severity of injuries to Vance Cuff (knee) and Justin Fields (shoulder).
I had planned to get an update on Akeem Dent, but that didn't pan out, so you'll have to wait on that one.
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13 comments:
I don't care what Richt says publicly but behind the scenes he better be ripping coaches and players a new one.
David-
What's your overall opinion about Georgia's Defense??? I just remember the days when it was hard to put up 20 points against us. Now, it seems like all of our opponents are putting up 30+ points on us. Will Mark Richt address these issues in practice?
Hey David - I'm sure you guys ask this but I'm interested in what the stock answer is to the directional kickoff "strategy" question. Does Coach Richt answer the question directly or does he dance around it? Taking that a step further, are kickoff teams coached to passively pursue the returner or is it just me that it seems like our teams don't arrive at the ballcarrier as quickly as other teams. I don't have any issues with our kickoff or punt return teams (save the vulnerability to fakes when we insist on dropping guys 8 seconds prior to the snap) nor do I have a problem with our punt coverage but our kickoff coverage teams and "strategy" are abysmal at best and it seems like we have the athletes, talent and leg to be a lot better at KO coverage. Thanks...
Jason
Here is the pathetic reality...
1) Last in the SEC in total defense
2) Last in the SEC in scoring defense
3) Last in the SEC in passing defense
4) Last in the SEC in interceptions
5) Second to last in SEC in sacks
6) Last in the SEC in allowing opponents 1st downs
7) Second to last in the SEC in allowing 4th down conversions
8) Last in the SEC in turnover margin
Defense not improving as Richt would suggest...or like. It is getting worse!
Where's our Willie Martinez update! :)
Great stats Texas Dawg! If those stats continue, I think they will spend an end to Willie at UGA. Even MR can't protect his friend at that point. Evans will make him fire him.
Jason -- The philosophy among the coaches is that the directional kicks give the kickoff teams a better chance to get downfield and cover the kicks and that there is an inherent danger to kicking deep. The problem, they say, is with the execution not the philosophy.
Texas -- Great stats. Thanks for putting that together, and I'll be using them tomorrow if you don't mind.
Muckbeast -- blame the Atlanta airport for the lack of posts today. I'll have lots tomorrow though.
I for one was happy to see that tackling in general has improved greatly, and when put in red zone situations the defense is fighting for all they're worth to hold the opponent to a field goal or less. Trust me folks, the schemes and philosophy are not the problem for the defense right now. Our players just are not making the plays they need to make to be successful...busted coverages, beaten in one-on-one match-ups in coverage and a lack of pass rush. Everyone's job should be on the line for playing time every week...COMPETITION. That might put a bit more heat to the feet of the players. Our DBs must play the ball better while it's in the air and when there is a chance to make a big play on defense, it must be made.
I for one was happy to see that tackling in general has improved greatly, and when put in red zone situations the defense is fighting for all they're worth to hold the opponent to a field goal or less. Trust me folks, the schemes and philosophy are not the problem for the defense right now. Our players just are not making the plays they need to make to be successful...busted coverages, beaten in one-on-one match-ups in coverage and a lack of pass rush. Everyone's job should be on the line for playing time every week...COMPETITION. That might put a bit more heat to the feet of the players. Our DBs must play the ball better while it's in the air and when there is a chance to make a big play on defense, it must be made.
Ok David. I'm looking forward to it! :)
*shakes fist at Atlanta airport*
More Willie stats for you David:
Brian Van Gorder – DC for 52 games (including both of our SEC titles this decade). Opponent scored 30 or more points only 1 time (34 points by LSU in 2003 SEC title game, the year LSU won the national title).
Willie Martinez (current) – DC for 55 games. Opponent has scored 30 or more points 13 times. (Auburn 31 pts. and West Virginia 38 pts. in 2005); (Tenn. 51 pts in 2006); (Tenn. 35 pts, Florida 30 pts., and Troy 34 pts in 2007); (Alabama 41 pts., LSU 38 pts., Florida 49 pts., Kentucky 38 pts., Georgia Tech 45 pts. in 2008); (South Carolina 37 pts., Arkansas 41 points in 2009).
I do not normally defend our defense but important factors are (1) most of the other SEC teams have played weak teams for the first 3 weeks and (2) we are 116th out of 120 teams on turnovers. Take away all of the turnovers and we win three easy games. We need to work on ball security. The biggest difference in this team I see is they do not give up. I have not seen this in a while.
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