Thoughts About UGA Football Program Now

Giving a lot of thought to this year.

Todd Grantham, have mentioned a couple of times, this is your group, looking forward to progress. Many of us see depth being built, do have to go back to one of your comments. You came to Georgia to play for National Championships. I don’t doubt that for a minute, you are wired that way.

Many say that we came close last season, some like to say five yards separated us from playing for the National Championship. For those that “still” want to throw the “five yards” into the conversations, ok.

My thoughts on that after a considerable amount of time has passed has me taking a different look at the “five yards”. There was a hell of a lot more to that game than the last pass.

AM and the offensive group as a whole had Nick Saban, Kirby Smart and the zillions of Alabama fans in the stands scared to death.

What happened in the SECCG simply comes down to the defense not being able to stop what Alabama did to them. So, why did the defense get their butts handed to them in the second half? I am not going to blame Mark Richt for that, he does not run the defense. On occasion, Richt has to collar Grantham and tell him to cool it when his blood pressure reaches levels unknown to most. Richt is hands off when it comes to running the defense. If you think differently, you and I can have conversation on that point.

Some will say . . . . Mark Richt is the Head Coach. Right, agree. Mark Richt should do this or that. Do you really believe that? Does anyone on this board or follow UGA football believe our head coach calls the different schemes that Grantham runs? Richt is hands off when the defense is on the field. The only things he hears comes through his head phones. Fact.

Let’s go in another direction. Does anyone on this board or others think that Todd Grantham could call the offensive plays? Don’t duck the question if you think that way. Todd Grantham is a defensive coach, period. Mike Bobo is a offensive coach, period. There comes a time when the entire group of coaches have to be on the same page, or damn close. I think and have said, we are closer. If I had to pidgeon hole Mark Richt . . . . It would be to put him in the hole as one of the best college recruiters in the country.

Mark Richt has told all of us that Mike Bobo runs the offense, and he sometimes suggests alternatives on a given call. I believe that, and I also believe that Mike Bobo might be better than Mark Richt now that he has carried the torch for several years. Mike Bobo or Todd Grantham at this point do not have to do the many things that a head coach has to do. Keeping the faithful happy, along with many other duties, tougher than some Saturday afternoon football games. This is not 1950 football.

I do subscribe to this thought . . . . We needed some changes to be made, and quite frankly some of the folks that I have conversation with seem to think that Grantham was close to leaving, very close because he needed another change on his side of the ball. Personally, think that one of the reasons that Grantham did not go back to the league was because the departure of Garner was in sight. My opinion, and some that I kick around with.

When I look at a defensive line coach that did not make his way to Orlando after spending so many years in Athens, reminds me of Willie packing his bags and moving on. Mark Richt had been too soft in some areas and it came to the point that after all of the “hot seat” talk, Richt knew he had to go in another direction.

Todd Grantham now has total control of the defense. I believe that we are close to some things that we have not seen in our leadership for many, yes many years. Can only speak for myself. I really don’t want to hear any excuses from any of our coaches. Talent is on campus, as has been said many times. If this group of coaches can’t move forward . . . . ?

Major dollars have found their way into the SEC. ESPN, Mickey Mouse still lives. As if the SEC were in the soup line. Going to make it tougher for other conferences to knock us off of our thrown. New head coach at Arkansas, wow . . . . Handwriting on the wall, some from the Big ? Whatever are bailing out.

Will stop, only because my fingers are tired. More to be said. What about you folks, no thoughts or ideas about UGA football? Going to be a while before fall, maybe all of us should lock our computers until then. Might happen.

Last year was said no excuses. 12-2 and most happy being SEC runner up once again and 2nd tier bowl, and Alabama running over our asses in the ATL just like LSU did the previous year in the ATL.

Total agreement with you Buc on "only 5 yards away" crap. We were a defensive front away from a NC. Wore our butts out and MaCarron hitting a deep one on our secondary who had no choice but to cheat and play the run.

No rebuilding excuse this year for either side of the ball. Grantham is in year 4 and has HIS coaches in place. Richt has HIS coaches in place on the opposite side. Head coach and Assistant Head Coach should be ready to rock.

Bottom line is a win in the ATL...............No Excuses............period........

ogredawg, hope you continue to post. You know the game, call it like it is. Said in another thread or two, crawls up my butt when I look at the most "popular" board, called the AJC, and a couple of folks that live on clicks, not football knowledge. Leave it to the COX folks, they have held Atlanta sports and surrounding areas hostage since the real journalism folks passed on.

ogredawg made this statement . . . . We were a defensive front away from a NC. Wore our butts out and MaCarron hitting a deep one on our secondary who had no choice but to cheat and play the run.

That my Brother is real football talk, someone that watched the game and understands. Will not award you a FIRST. Those are reserved for the AJC.

I believe this . . . . AM is going to come out firing, not going to play like a freshman quarterback, and it is up to the coaches to make the right decisions. Would not be surprised to see some conflict between players and coaches this season. AM is and has been all about the game of football since he put the pads on. His offensive coach did not come close to the talent level that he has. FACT.

As far as the five yard thingy . . . . maybe we forget what Conley did in Orlando. We lose that game to Nebraska . . . . "hot seats" all over again. Nebraska came to Orlando to win. They will be a handful again in 2013. My opinion.

Going to be bold again. I have a couple of friends in Columbus, Georgia that say Garner is after Grantham's butt. Too bad the recent scheduling has us returning to the Plains two years running. I dislike Abuurn more than ever before. We come out of Auburn with a win, we move up another step on the ladder.

With you ogredawg, don't want to hear the "next year" or "year after next". Conversations like that are never heard in Tuscaloosa. Either "can" or "can't".

We have a solid offense proven point machine. Can play with anyone. O line has a year together under its belt if the same ones start. Will leave that to coach Friend. I like his "Army of nine" concept.

D is young but deep and talented and very very fast. I believe we have reloaded and will be better than last year.

On paper this team looks like it could make it a special year. Will it be special? I hope so I really do. Am I confident more no than yes. Clemsun first and one at a time like I have always said.

Go Dawgs.........

ogredawg wrote: We have a solid offense proven point machine. Can play with anyone. O line has a year together under its belt if the same ones start. Will leave that to coach Friend. I like his "Army of nine" concept.

D is young but deep and talented and very very fast. I believe we have reloaded and will be better than last year.

On paper this team looks like it could make it a special year. Will it be special? I hope so I really do. Am I confident more no than yes. Clemsun first and one at a time like I have always said.

Go Dawgs.........

Totally agree with you ogredawg. Imo, if we can get by those first two games with "solid" wins (not necessarily large point differential but mistake free, methodical, good coaching on both sides of the ball, being played at a high level), then I think we can have a "special" year.

Win those first two and their confidence, swagger and momentum could make them unbeatable.

Still concerned about the D early on but believe the offense can outscore opponents until the D gets more experience and learns to carry out their schemes TOGETHER.

Excitedly reserved.....just beat Clemson and USC and let old "mo" take over.

Purty or ugly, matters not to me, as long as we get those first two in the "W" column and play solid football from there on we should be good to go. GO DAWGS!!!!!