Found This Interesting

Just saw this article from Chris Low at ESPN. Found it interesting even though may a little to optimistic:



Count me as one of those who didn’t expect to see Georgia teetering this early in the season.

But I also wasn’t counting on A.J. Green watching from the sideline for the first four games, nor did I expect the Bulldogs’ offensive line to be this pedestrian to this point.

Georgia has sorely missed standout receiver A.J. Green.I also wasn’t one of those who ever believed that Georgia coach Mark Richt was legitimately on the hot seat, and I still don’t. But I’ll say this: If the Bulldogs lose a third straight game this Saturday at Mississippi State -- which would be their seventh SEC loss in their past nine games -- I reserve the right to change my mind.

That said, I still think this team has what it takes to be a 9-3 football team.

Getting back into the Eastern Division race might be a stretch, but digging out of this hole and finding a way to manufacture a successful season isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

For starters, the schedule gets a little more manageable over the next month or so. In fact, the Bulldogs are likely to be favored in their next five games heading into the Florida showdown on Oct. 30.

It also sounds like Georgia’s going to get some players back this Saturday against Mississippi State. Richt is optimistic that running back Caleb King (ankle), offensive guard Chris Davis (knee, hip) and cornerback Branden Smith (concussion) will all be healthy enough to play.

The Bulldogs tackled better against Arkansas than they did against South Carolina, but had a couple of costly blown assignments in the secondary that led to touchdowns.

The thing you worry about most now with Georgia is a loss of confidence, especially going back on the road.

But this is where that veteran offensive line really needs to assert itself. The Bulldogs haven’t been terrible up front, but they also haven’t played nearly as well as this team needs them to if Georgia is going to salvage this season.

One of the most promising things about the Bulldogs’ performance thus far has been the play of redshirt freshman quarterback Aaron Murray.

He was supposed to be the question mark on offense. Instead, he looks like one of the best building blocks on this team.

He’s tough, fearless in the pocket, extremely mobile and has a strong arm. Granted, he’s hung onto the ball too long at different points through the first three games, but that’s not uncommon for a first-year starter.

The more Georgia lets him shoot, as Richt described it last week, the better he’s going to get.

Still, it’s obvious how much the Bulldogs miss Green. Kris Durham has played well in his absence, and Tavarres King showed up a few times last week.

But opposing defenses are still playing Georgia differently than they would if Green were in the lineup. Ellis Johnson, South Carolina’s assistant head coach for the defense, admitted as much two weeks ago.

As much as anything, Georgia has been a bit unlucky with the way the schedule has fallen.

That doesn’t excuse the missed tackles, blown assignments or mediocre play in the offensive line.

But is it possible that this is a pretty good football team that’s lost to two excellent teams?

Better yet, what would Florida’s record be right now had the Gators played South Carolina on the road and Arkansas at home? What would LSU’s record be? What would Auburn’s record be?

The good thing is that it’s all going to play out over these next two months.

Remember that 2007 Georgia team? The Bulldogs were 2-2 in the SEC after being routed by Tennessee the first week of October, and they also lost to South Carolina to open league play that season.

When everything had settled that season, the Bulldogs found themselves in the Sugar Bowl and won their last seven games – finishing No. 2 in the final Associated Press poll.

I’m not saying this is a Top 10 team or a team that’s going to run the table.

What I am saying is that I wouldn’t bury the Dogs just yet.

Lots of truth in that piece written by Chris Low. Reading what Chris wrote took me back to the posts on this board. Felt like I had read that before. As you mentioned in another thread, some solid posts on this site. Not a lot of garbage. Good article AllDawgs5.

Miss State has that huge QB, will prove interesting. Also, looking forward to the DB's play this week. Understand that Coach Lakatos could be heard all over the practice field this week.

Go Dawgs!

Not time to kick dirt on the Dawgs just yet !! Plenty of time to do that at seasons end.

Realy do need to take care of business in Starkville. Time to get mean and hammer away for four quarters. Let's get off this slippery slope and play Georgia football. Two weeks of warmed over 2009 football is way to much. I hope our equipment manger packed several cans of whoopass and we open them from the git go. As always Go Dawgs

Buc,

True that, I live on the East Side of Athens 8 miles from Sanford... Coach Lakatos was coming in L & C. When he took a break CTG picked up the slack. This ain't your WM coddle session. Three years we have a top 5 "D" in the country. There will be a Coach TG "House of Pain" in Sanford. Watch it grow !!

yankeedawg1 wrote:

Buc,

True that, I live on the East Side of Athens 8 miles from Sanford... Coach Lakatos was coming in L & C. When he took a break CTG picked up the slack. This ain't your WM coddle session. Three years we have a top 5 "D" in the country. There will be a Coach TG "House of Pain" in Sanford. Watch it grow !!

We have all talked about it yankeedawg1, and truthfully some improvement, maybe a lot has been seen on the D side of the ball. Like several have said on this site . . . give CTG some time, and I agree with that. Should not say this but will, expect it to be head and shoulders above what I have witnessed on the other side. Time has not seemed to improve play calling.

Also, have another thought, if I might. I am worried a bit about QB Christian LeMay staying committed to UGA. It is just a gut feeling, but if AM continues at this pace, playing time right off of the bat is going to be minimal. Especially if the offense uses AM in the shotgun. CL made it loud and clear that he wants to play right away, nothing wrong with that, want folks to compete. Just sayin' . . . . lots of folks going to be in his ear before signing day. Bank on it.

Agree yd1 - I'm looking forward to CTG's house of pain - would be nice if we saw a sneak preview of it tomorrow night - but have to be patient - he still has most of wm's guys to work with

Yes Buc - think you/wlayton and I have talked about LM and IC - I had wondered that if we somehow were able to have a pretty good year and AM does real good - would LM still sign come feb - I think his family and he really like UGA and they really want him to go pro - if he does decide to come no matter how AM does - would say that he thinks he could beat out AM for the job - and am also concerned about IC - I think it's the same - he and the family lean to UGA - but if cuz bozo is going to continue to under coach his talent - why would they come here - if CMR was coaching them - I believe they both come - no matter what - he can still be a great O coach

Both these guys have the capability to make a team become championship capable - IF we are going to take the next step - we must close the deal with them - they both have lots of options