I have read and heard folks talking about how Coach Richt and some players were so calm after the loss to Boise, how they just seem to sort of laugh it off. Of course the Rambo suspension really irritated media members because Richt laughed about that after the game, as if to say, "got you". Perhaps, maybe Richt was amazed that media members were still asking so much about Rambo after the loss-like, guys, really, you want to talk about a player that sat out of the game as much as you want to talk about the game we just played-now that is pretty funny. To me it is a bit humorous because the media today are all so interested in getting all the facts-breaking the story, they can't stand when they are the last to know-it makes them mad. For that, I say congrats to Mark Richt for being able to keep a secret. Back to my theory, perhaps, our team treated Boise as an NFL preseason game. Non conference, quality opponent but who cares if we win or lose-this game is all about preparing for what DOES matter, our SEC schedule. Ok, that is a bit of a stretch but certainly many, including myself, are still trying to figure out what is going on within the UGA football program. How can you prepare for a team for months, put together plans and they go so horribly wrong. To me, Boise 2011 was every much the same as Boise of 2010 so not like they changed anything. I guess we just all bought into the hype that this year was to be different. And, truth be told, it still can be. But, certainly the start of 2011 for us looks way too much like 2010 for us to have much confidence any change will happen. Which leads to the question, when was the last time a UGA team looked really dominant? I would have to say the Hawaii Sugar Bowl game. In the 2008 season, we had the preseason #1 team but did they ever really play like a #1 team-not that I remember. I continue to trace the fall of our program back to the celebration in Jacksonville. You could say, yeah but we went on to run the table and were ranked #2 in the nation at the end of the year. Yeah, that is true but what really good came of that? We all were ticked off that we got bumped out of playing for a title by LSU, we could have played LSU for the SEC title but down the stretch, UT won some very ugly games-maybe that was karma in play working against us. Then, with a #1 ranking and SI cover in 2008, we lost 3 games-including to Georgia Tech and two drubbings by UF and Bama-who, by the way, played that year and the next for SEC and National titles. Thing about the Jacksonville dance, it was NOT needed. We would have won that game regardless of that celebration-that was our day. I don't know, I know it sounds stupid to say but I really think that day in Jax is the day our program started to fall apart. All the off the field issues, the feeling of entitlement, the dancing on the sidelines, again, kind like the inmates running the asylum. I am pulling like crazy for Coach Richt to right the ship and lead us until he retires but the more and more I watch, the less hopeful I am that he can turn the ship back around. I will say however, until I know he is gone, I WILL NOT be talking about potential replacements.
Something that continues to bother me about our coaches, the lack of adjustments made DURING the game. I just read this morning that all our OL issues are correctable and have been taken care of already this week. Could we have not made some adjustments at the half, I am thinking maybe we did but maybe we couldn't and if that is the case, why not? Same goes for the D, we never adjusted in the second half to what Boise was doing-it was VERY clear Boise made adjustments at halftime-they took off just after the intermission. I can just remember Van Gorder was the master of in game and especially half time adjustments. I guess that is why he is now a DC in the NFL. Last year against SCarolina, they ran the same basic 2-3 plays the entire game and we NEVER could stop it. Boise was running the same stuff over and over and we couldn't stop it?? Is that players or is that coaching? I lean to coaching. Back to the offense, I mentioned before, why no huddle against a team like Boise-a quick strike, high scoring offense?? Seems to me you try to shorten the game-run the ball, ball control passing-short passes, basically just move the chains. Even if the no huddle works and you score, it still gives your D less time on the sidelines to rest. The objective is to keep the Boise offense off the field.
Rambo is back this week after sitting out a one game suspension for breaking a team rule. Carlton Thomas is also back, also sitting out one game for violating a team rule. As I mentioned before, Richt was a bit giddy that he kept the Rambo suspension from the press?? But, I do have to wonder why one kid's suspension was announced and known before the game, the other waited until after the game-that makes little sense to me. Also, Ray Drew should see his first PT this week. As for replacing Ogletree, looks like Sulek, Herrera and maybe Mike Gilliard. I still would love to see Jarvis Jones moved there simply because we have more depth at the OLB position but apparently that will not happen. So much for getting your best 11 on the field I guess.
Redshirt watch-the following true FR DID play against Boise-Crowell, Mitchell, Marshall, Harrow, Herrera, Moore and Sanders. I thought Swann also played but not 100% sure about that. Of course Drew did not and neither did the two potential OL kids. Also John Jenkins played and he was part of the 2011 signing class-so 8 so far have played. The interesting decisions will be about whether any of the other WR's play-Conley, Seay, Scott-Wesley, and then if Jay Rome plays as well. I think Ramik Wilson will play at LB. So, if I were to guess right now, out of 23 that ended up in Athens out of the Dream team class, I am going to say 14 will play. My list includes those listed above that already have played, Drew, Wilson, Swann, Rome, Dantzler and Andrews.
I must admit, I was NOT a fan of having GEORGIA instead of last names with so many new players. I look forward to our traditional uniforms for this Saturday. There will also be a new scoreboard on display which I am sure the fans attending will really enjoy. Tomorrow and Friday I will do my best to try to break down the South Carolina Gamecocks. They will enter Sanford Stadium a favorite to win for the first time in who knows how many years-considering our recent struggles and SCarolina being the SECe favorites makes a lot of sense to me. Gone are the days where Haney feels confident about winning games in Sanford, heck, I am getting to the point where losses don't bother me as much as they used to. But, I attribute that to my kids and my life really. UGA sports, and particuarly UGA football is what I am most passionate about in my life-besides my family. SO, I do get excited/nervous every Saturday but nowadays, as my son plays football and I help coach, my daughter cheers, I have become further removed from UGA football. Last year, my son was playing fall baseball and I missed a ton of games on TV-did listen on radio. I will miss probably the first half of Saturday's game due to watching my daughter cheer. I guess my point in putting all my personal business on my blog, remember when watching UGA games, there are MANY things far more important in life than a Georgia football game and the results of that game. I want my school to win just as much as anyone but I think over the past couple years, I have realized that the sun does rise after a loss. The world moves on after a loss etc. I suggest those that let football games bring you down, find other hobbies to go along with your football watching, don't let it consume you. Even in the good times, don't let it consume you. One thing all fans know, you are going to have good times as a fan and you will have bad times. There is not a single program that I can think of that has not had some bad times in my lifetime. It is going to happen, so just take the good with the bad. Enjoy watching and support UGA, good times and bad. Let our adminstrators do their jobs, if they think changes need to be made, THEY will make them. All we can do is support our team, voice our concerns yes, but support our school. Ok, off my soapbox.
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