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Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Tuesday Tidbits: Week 9

Lots of news and notes from today's early media session with Mark Richt and players:

-- Richt on starting Joe Cox: "We did think it through. It wasn't like we didn't have the conversation of what should we do. But in the end, the premise was, who gives Georgia the best chance to win this week and for the rest of the season. Quite frankly, it was unanimous that Joe is still the guy who can do that for us. We do think that we need to give Logan (Gray) an opportunity to play and see if he can become very productive."

-- Richt on Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger: "The young guys, we just didn't feel this late in the season it was time to do it and they (hadn't) earned the right to be the starter. My feeling was this: If you're going to put a freshman in there, you start him, and you start him the rest of the way. Well, did anybody really earn that? They didn't. Do you think one day they'll be great players? I think yes. I think both those guys have tremendous potential. We've got extremely high hopes for their careers. But to say one guy earned it over another, that didn't happen. That's kind of the thinking behind that whole thing."

-- Richt on Murray/Mettenberger redshirts: "That's pretty safe to say (that they'll be redshirted). But you could tell it was a discussion. It wasn't just like, 'Well, they're freshmen, it's Game 9, don't do it.' No, we talked about it."

-- Richt said Logan Gray will get at least one full series in this game, not just mop-up duty or spot work.

-- Florida's players said Brandon Spikes eye gouge was retaliation for stuff Georgia had done earlier in the game. I asked Richt if he had noticed anything. Here's his reply, and feel free to read between the lines: "The only thing I noticed that I could think of is there was a time in the game when, his helmet comes off quite often, you know what I mean? And there was one time where his helmet came off in the middle of a play, and he actually got hit with his helmet off. It was totally unintentional. Everybody was just playing ball. And that might have got him bent out of shape. But I don't know. I have no earthly idea about all that."

-- A.J. Green is expected back for Auburn. Joe Cox said he spoke with A.J. right after the game and said Green wasn't feeling bad. My guess is this is precautionary because it's Tennessee Tech.

-- Cox is in favor of a big dose of Marlon Brown and Rantavious Wooten this week. We'll see if Mike Bobo agrees.

-- Caleb King will start at RB. Richt says Washaun Ealey struggled at pass protection, and it was his missed block that led to Cox's second INT against Florida. Ealey will still play.

-- Richt on fan criticism: "I don't think one fan has brought up something that we haven't thought of. We think about all these things. We're trying to make the best decisions that we can make. It gets down to a couple things: One is your focus, and you must focus on what's important now, and that's what we're doing. We're focused on getting ready for this next ball game. That's what we have to do. That's what we're called to do. That's what we were hired to do. Then we try not to watch or listen or any of that type of thing because the bottom line is, I want to do things that give us the best chance to have success at this particular moment."

-- Richt on the possibility of empty seats on Saturday at Sanford Stadium: "I'm not going to try to control the things I can't control. I don't know what's going to happen. I wouldn't underestimate our fan base. They do love the Dawgs, you can tell by their passion, and I'm sure they want to support our young men. And we want the fans to handle adversity well, too. I can understand their feelings of being upset or being curious or whatever it might be, but we're all still Bulldogs, and we all still want to support these young men. So I think our fan base will do a good job."

-- On whether he'd consult a veteran coach who has more experience going through a bad season: "Coach (Tommy) Tuberville is in town tonight. Maybe I'll grab him and see what he's got to say." (He said it jokingly, I might add.)

-- On whether he's too nice of a guy to make the hard decisions: "Coach Bowden made that comment way back when I got the job. Let's face it, we've had the best winning percentage in the history of Georgia football. We've done pretty well. This year, we have not. So we were averaging 10 wins a year, have won the SEC twice, and we hadn't won one in 20 years. So it's not like we've just been floundering around. This year we have been. Let's face it. And I don't like it. People that know me well or the team or the coaches, they know that I've got another edge to me that maybe I don't show publicly all the time. Maybe that's what the public wants to see. But if you're going to be accused of something, being accused of being a nice guy is not the worst thing to be accused of."

-- There was one question I heard an awful lot the past few days, so I posed it directly to Richt. I'm not sure he really answered it, but I'll let you judge for yourself.

My question: As you review this season from Game 1 until now, would you say that there has been a fundamental flaw in how the coaches have handled this team, or are the players practicing better during the week than they are playing on Saturday?

His reply: "I really believe if we could protect the ball like we should and knock it out -- we've knocked it out, actually. We've forced 10 fumbles, gotten one. We've fumbled it 12 and lost eight. Why is the ball bouncing that way? I don't know. If I thought that fundamentally when the ball was on the ground, we've had a chance for it and were missing it and they're getting it, or if they're doing a better job of getting on the ball, but I've studied that film. For whatever reason, when the ball is on the ground, it ends up closer to one of their guys than one of our guys. Why is that happening? I don't know. It's just happening, but that's football.

"But I do think if we did a better job in that area, who knows what the record would be today? So that's definitely a big issue, but again, I'm not going to sit here and say we could have done that or should have done that. It's just like in the middle of a game for me. If something happens that is not good -- first of all, you know bad things are going to happen in a game. No one plays a perfect game. It never goes exactly the way you want. So if something bad happens, my personality has always been, I'm going to focus on where are we now and what do we have to do to win. I've stated that before. It's served me and Georgia and Florida State pretty well over the years.

"I'm not worried about who am I going to blame for this or blame for that, but just where are we and how can we win from this point forward. It's the same philosophy as the season goes on. I do want to try to correct anything that we can correct, but if you try to do too much, then you may have an avalanche, and you don't want that. You want to continue to believe that success is not that far away. And we're not too far off. We've just got to keep knocking at it until it breaks free and good things happen."

-- You might not love that answer, but I think Richt's response to why he's not looking ahead to next year is a good one:

"I can't do that. We tell our guys to finish the drill. We tell our guys to never quit. If we made that move with a young guy, I'd have the confidence that I could say, in all honestly, that he gives us the best chance to win right now. Because we couldn't come to that conclusion, we went with the guy that gives us the best chance to win right now. If we made a move and said, 'Hey, we're playing for next year,' in my mind, we've given up on the season. We've quit. And we don't quit at Georgia. We don't teach our guys to quit."

I don't know what's right or wrong here, but for all the people who complain about problems with heart and attitude and coaches allowing little things to slip, it's hard to argue with Richt's logic here. As a coach, you can't let your players think it's OK to give up on a job, and if you do, who knows what type of repercussions that creates next year.

I also talked to a number of players -- freshmen through seniors -- and not one said there is any serious problems in the locker room about the playing time being given to veterans at this point in the season.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ask him if he'd consider Tubberville as a candidate to replace Willie....

Randall said...

I liked Richt's comments. At least he sounded sincere and did not give us the "Arena" speech. Thanks David. Hopefully he can make the changes. He does realize that the ridicule come from passion not sourness. And yes, throw your record in our face. I like that. Shows he can take it and dish it out. He does not need the bed wetters on this blog running to his rescue.

Shan said...

On one hand, I like CMR's comments about continuing to fight, and not quitting. That shows heart and fire and leadership. However, there's another layer in his answer that is troubling. If he thinks making a move from a struggling, poorly performing, turnover-prone QB is simply "giving up on the season," then that says quite a bit about the other QBs (and how they're being coached). That perhaps they were highly touted and recruited, yet aren't living up to the hype talent-wise. Or that they aren't being "coached up" enough to be able to step in and contribute. Either way, it doesn't fill me with confidence.

Also, CMR didn't hesitate to consistently work in Shockley, even when we were in the middle of close rivalry games, and even when he had the NCAA's all time wins leader admirably running the offense. Sure, it gave the D a different wrinkle and something to think about, but part of it was also planning for the post-Greene future (and that wasn't considered "quitting" or "giving up.")

Anonymous said...

"The other QB's haven't earned it yet."

I can live with that.

Anonymous said...

"earned it"...Logan Gray has caught plenty of punts to justify earning it...

Marty Funkhouser said...

The trouble I have with Richt's notion of fighting to finish this year opposed to peeking toward next is he isn't deploying the forces that would accomplish both goals of giving Georgia the best chance to win this season while gaining valuable game experience that could be applied toward next. Quarterback isn't the only position where playing time has been won through seniority over actual accomplishment.

Anonymous said...

8. Loverboy -- Nah, no Canadians.

Agree on Loverboy. But Canadian Kim Mitchell rocked in those days.

Chris said...

"If we made a move and said, 'Hey, we're playing for next year,' in my mind, we've given up on the season. We've quit. And we don't quit at Georgia. We don't teach our guys to quit."

By that logic, didn't he already quit when he took out Cox and put in Gray?

Ben Rockwell said...

The next Dawg fan to suggest that Tuberville should come in and be the next DC needs to check to make sure that she/he didn't leaver her/his brain at home. That'd the most ridiculous and boneheaded assumption to make. I suppose you were also on the old Grapevine/DawgVent getting juiced up for Joe Lee Dunn every offseason.

Also, I really liked Richt's comments here. I don't know his demeanor when saying these things, but he hasn't looked happy since some point in the LSU game. He had an icy glare at one point, and it appeared to be on par with Urban's chilliest stares.

Finally, hearing from the HC when the season is in a tailspin is like hearing from the President during a national crisis; those that love him with love and those that hate him will hate it. I like hearing from RIcht during these times, and I like to think that he is going to be able to right this thing.

And for folks worrying about Murray/Mettenberger (sp?), anyone remember the last time the Dawgs started a RS freshman who didn't have any game experience AND didn't know the offense? This guy hasn't forgotten everything he knows about QBs since he moved to Athens.

Thanks again, David!

Go Dawgs!

BigMuddyDawg said...

Perhaps, at that moment, after 3 interceptions by Cox, CMR felt that Gray may indeed have given us a better chance to win on that day. If that is the case, I don't think it counts as quitting.

Thanks for the write-up, David.

UGA NATION Blog said...

"Ask him if he'd consider Tubberville as a candidate to replace Willie...."

I can answer that - No he is not considering it.

TT is looking to be a head coach. TT is looking to get another chance to redeam himself. TT wants a long contract and a lot of money. TT would not consider a coordinator position.

Georgia doesn't want TT. Georgia doesn't want to pay TT. In the long term TT would leave anyway, so there is no long term with TT, therefore no upside IMO.

I don't want to sound like there is no chance but let's be honest. TT will not land in athens, ga. If he does...in my opinion it will be a miracle.

Anonymous said...

I know that CWM is trying to get the defense to work. Maybe he can't communicate what needs to be done. Maybe his scheme is good but the guys don't follow. You can look at the scores against UGA since 2004 they start in the teens, then twenties, then thirties and now the last two years it is forties.

Watching the Falcons D last night reminded me of UGA D from 5 years ago. They have guys that are way too small at DB and the D line is made up of guys who are mostly average to avg+ at best (Abraham exempt). But they fly to the ball and make plays. UGA is not doing either. Why? The scheme appears to be the same.

Losses are OK. It's getting pasted that is unacceptable. With the talent UGA has, which is at least a B+ in the SEC, it is unaccpetable. I think CWM has gone stale here. He needs a change. UGA needs a change. It is not bad. It is part of coaching football.

Anonymous said...

Uh-oh, looks like CWM will be back next year after those comments from CMR (who I respect--except for holding his coaches ultimately accountable). In answering Dave's key question on coaches, CMR literally responds by saying that's how the ball bounces sometimes. The sad truth is that deep down, many Dawg fans know CMR will not pull the trigger--even after the likely beat down by GaTech. It will take a beat down in the bowl game to even get the hot seat started. Yep, get ready for another year of 30+ points against us again in the biggest games with a national audience. I'm not angry. I'm demoralized that the leader of our program won't hold his DC accountable.

Anonymous said...

Just a question... How did a 4-3 team "earn" the right to play in new uni's?

Ant123 said...

David, I posted this earlier so sorry if you have already seen this. But if you could look back and report on something it would really help provide a clearer picture about our defense. In Richts first four years here, what percentages of turnovers in our territory led to fieldgoals, touchdowns, or nothing. Then do the same then for the last 3 years and compare. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

The reason we've only recovered 1 of 10 fumbles is that our D doesn't swarm to the ball like it used to. The drop by the receiver in the UF game is a prime example - which you already mentioned.

Doshi said...

Many others of bulldawg nation are probably the same as me in that CMR needs to know that a lot of fans are angry, but it's not like we are against the red and black and against the coaches. We are against what does not work, and it is apparent that giving up almost 40 points a game every game does not give you a chance to win. I'm young, I don't know a thing about coaching, but I know that I bust my ass in school and a lot of other bust their ass at work, and I always look forward to expecting UGA win every game on saturdays. Now, I know you cannot win every game, but it's been hard watching us get embarrassed. We have the players and we belong in the elite. CMR can take us there, he just has to make it happen.

David Hale said...

Ant123 -- I love the idea. I promise I'll get to it. Hopefully tomorrow. Thanks for the suggestion!

Anonymous said...

Tuberville would be a nice quick fix for 2 years. Its a better shot than getting kirby smart or muschamp which so many loudly lobby for...

If not Tuberville who else would you want...If you don't have an ex head coach retread you'd have to have a hot shot young stud coordinator who only would want to be here for the short term anyway until they can bolt for a head coaching job.

I want someone proven as top tier DC. Where we know what we are getting not some guy from Directional U that could set us back another few years...

I believe Tuberville and Richt have mutual respect for each other have been through some of the similar ups and downs and came away from their trip to Iraq 2 years ago with a bond and friendship...

What does it say for the state of our program that with all the succes in the past 9 years Richt has had at UGA that there really has never been any High Profile or even Mid Tier programs try to swoon one of the coordinators away. BVG went to Ga Southern...Neil Callaway went to Alabama Birmingham or somewhere...

You'd think with the success the programs have had we'd have some coordinators jumping to job opportunites like Bo Pelini did from LSU to Neb...Chuck Amato from FSU to NCST...etc.

Don't get me wrong, it be nice to have a Bud Foster type that was content being the DC who has consistently fielded a team that ranked near the top nationally in defense year after year.

If not Tubbs then who with any kind of merit or resume'? I think if you say to Tubbs, "hey lets stick it to spurrier, meyer, kiffin, nutt, petrino, saban and miles for 2 years." he'd say yes...

Jake said...

Other college football coaches bench poor performing upperclassmen. Are they viewed as quitters? No. They are viewed as competitive and winners. Yet our coach continues with the status quo because "they've earned the playing time". Ergo: Cox has earned the job because he's loyal, a good kid, they all love him, and he will be gone after 4 more games. The season is in the tank anyway (nice facade though to claim we're still fighting for the season) so what's 4 more losses by the red head?

Then next year the season will be less than mediocre again and the excuses will roll out once again. The excuses next yr will be that key players graduated and #1 excuse will be: because we'll be playing an untested RSFr QB

And oh by the way. I take his comments to mean that this year has sucked because we got some bad luck bounces that happened to go the other way.

I suppose all of those times our secondary was non-existent or tackles were missed or our Def line had holes wide enough a Mack truck could plow thru....well you get the picture....I suppose all of that was "just an unlucky bounce" too.

In short: Martinez will be back in 2010. And so will Bobo.

Move over Vandy. UGA is about to push you out of the cellar.

Anonymous said...

I also liked CMR's response, and he is right. Cox does give us the best chance to win, and I have no problem with JC getting the start. I am pleased we are going to give Gray a better chance to show what he can do under the bright lights. We need to know going into Spring if he is capable of leading us into next fall. If not, we have to devote a lot of spring & fall practice to getting Murray and Zach reps.

I have never understood fans thinking CMR doesn't have a tough, competitive side. It isn't like the man doesn't have a pedigree that others are envious of. The man is a winner and a few games aren't enough to overcome the good. Our fans are two quick to get on the ledge.

As for the balance of the season, UGA can win out. After Tenn Tech, GT is the next best matchup for us. They play terrible defense, and need to run the ball to be successful. That is much better for us than a true passing team, or a balanced attack. I think Auburn is the third most likely win for us for the same matchup reasons as Tech. Kentucky worries me the most. Their style offense is the kind that gives us fits, particularly Cobb. It helps that only Tech is a road game. I simply don't get our fans rolling over in the face of GT, come on, it is Tech

Anonymous said...

AS for a potential DC...Crooms...he is an x NFL Defense guy and Richt likes him...

But if there are no moves you will see a hefty decline in contributions....all of the folks I know that contirbute are vowing to withhold next yr and I am in that boat as well.....

Anonymous said...

A job where you have idiots giving you orders about how to run something they know NOTHING about isn't worth having. Why do message board loonies think Richt should let you make his decisions? His job, his call, STFU.

Anonymous said...

I think our problems all start with poor defense. One bad year for CWM is one thing, but a track record of failure is yet another. It cannot be denied or obscured or brushed under the rug...there is a record there indicating CWM failure. CMR isn't going to come out and just say, "yeah, Willie stinks, he'll be gone after this year." So it's unrealistic to hope for some definitive answer from him at this point. But after yet ANOTHER year of poor D, if CWM isn't gone after this year, CMR could be. It would be throwing the baby out with the bath water...and it would really stink. But if keeping CMR means we have to keep CWM, then I'd have to let them both go because as awesome as CMR is, and as much as I have supported him, UGA will NEVER be a championship team so long as CWM remains there...you can go ahead and pencil in at least 2 blow-out losses a year. What makes me angry is that we are taking top talent and teaching them how to be losers. And when we make excuses for CWM, then we are necessarily blaming the players...we're telling the players they stink, in other words, when we say, "Well, we just don't have the talent we did..." or "guys just aren't gettin after it." This garbage goes a long way toward convincing our players that they suck...when, in reality, they're among the most talented in the nation. How can you play with confidence if you are a defensive player at UGA? I don't see any of our D players playing with confidence...can you blame them? They need a coach that breeds confidence, one with a record of performance...but in CWM, they have just the opposite.