FOOTBALL
Head coach Mark Richt and several football players met with the media Tuesday during the Dawg's weekly press luncheon. They offered the following comments:
Coach Mark Richt:
Opening statement:
We certainly had a disappointing loss last week. We have to get back on the winning track against Vanderbilt, that's our hope. Coach (Bobby) Johnson has done a really fine job there. Since we've been playing them for so many years, we'll go back years on the video and it seems like every year you progress, they are getting faster and more athletic. They are really playing extremely well, especially on defense. They have had their struggles on offense, but defensively they are really giving everybody a bunch of grief. Overall they are a very well-coached team. It is a team that Im sure is just as hungry for a victory as we are. We are looking forward to getting over there and getting back on the winning track.
On the Dawgs no longer controlling their destiny to win the SEC East:
I told them (the team) that. I said we don't control it. I said we aren't mathematically out of it by any means, but we can't sit here and say that is the goal. It may become the goal again depending on what happens with us and everybody else in the east. The main focus really is beat Vanderbilt. That's it, and that is what it is on a weekly basis anyway. That is not in our control anymore, so we are not really focusing on that right now. No one is happy. No one is excited about what happened by any means, but these guys are resilient. They are pretty tough guys, and its never easy to get it going again after a tough loss like that, especially one where you end up losing control of your destiny in the league. Those things are not easy to deal with, but they lifted hard, they ran hard. I think theyll be able to focus on whats important and start moving this thing in the right direction again.
On having promise going forward similar to 2006:
That's our goal. That's what we are shooting for, that's what we are fighting for. (Matthew) Stafford was a true freshman that year and I redshirted (Knowshon) Moreno that year. We were scrambling, fighting, scratching, clawing back then and dealing with some of the things we are dealing with now in regards to trying to keep a positive focus on the future. We've been there before. We don't like being there, but that's where we are at, so we are looking to have a very strong finish.
On Vanderbilts defense:
When you watch the film and you watch Ole Miss struggle like mad to get it in there, no one is just driving the field on these guys. If they are making something happen, a guy is making a play. Some where along the way, some guy makes a play. They get themselves in position to score touchdowns, but they've held people out of the end zone a good bit in the red zone. They've forced a bunch of field goals. The LSU game was very close at the half. Same thing with Ole Miss. They did a very good job defensively in the last game dealing with an offense that is not normal for them to participate against.
They are doing a good job defensively. You'd like to say we are going to line up and methodically move it down the field, but I haven't seen anybody do it yet. Guys are going to have to make plays, guys are going to have to get in situations and do something to kind of break the dam. The one thing as you watch those games, you'll watch the defense play, and the next series you'll see the scoreboard and a lot of times there wasn't a lot of offensive production from Vanderbilt. It helped the teams that were struggling against them. It helped Ole Miss, it helped LSU as they were trying to get some points on the board that their defenses were playing extremely well that day. I think they are underrated to answer your question.
On the team dealing with increased negativity:
On Sunday I just talked to them about making sure they stay focused on the important things. There are certain things you can control in life and certain things you can't control. What people say about you or your team or your coaches, you can't control that. All you can control is how you focus, how you prepare and how you keep your mental frame of mind. We have control over that, so those are the things that I talked about and really helped them understand that the only thing we can do that can be the most productive thing for us right now is to really focus on this ballgame. Everyday that we come in, whether it's lifting, running or practice, whatever it might be, lets focus on whats important and thats the only way well move in the right direction here.
On players who might see more playing time:
We mentioned Reshad Jones is probably getting too many reps. To get every rep is not good for anybody in my opinion. I think there needs to be a time when you are not on the field every single down. Prince Miller is getting a ton of reps. He's getting a ton of defensive reps, he's been the gunner just about every play on the punt team. He's been the punt return man, he's the safety on the kickoff team. He's playing a lot of reps, and we need to get Branden (Smith) in there more. Once we get in the nickel, we get Branden in there a good bit because Prince moves to the nickel. Again, I think he could use a break in there. Right now, offensive line I don't see any options other that what we've been doing right now. At receiver, I think our two freshmen have earned more playing time. I don't think there is any doubt about that.
On whether Logan Gray will see more playing time:
He's been practicing well the past two weeks, I know that. I wouldn't say thats out of the question.
On Caleb King:
I think Caleb is going to be OK. Caleb is going today in a non-contact situation. If everything goes well, which we expect it to, he would be able to go tomorrow and get any contact that we get. I'm not sure with this weather forecast what's going to happen. We may end up inside. Thursday, even though we dont put the shoulder pads on, we can still simulate some contact and actually get some contact with him to see how he responds to it. Everything is pointing thumbs up on him and Tavarres King for that matter. Vance Cuff is ready to go. He was really ready last week. He didn't get much playing time because of the amount of work that he had going into it. He should have a full week of practice. (Marcus) Dowtin, we thought would have a chance this week, but it's pretty doubtful. I think it's pretty much out of the question for Dowtin if I remember correctly. (Akeem) Dent, we are very hopeful for the next game for both of those linebackers.
On Joe Cox:
Joe has been a little bit up-and-down these last couple of games. I would say that yes he is still our starting quarterback. A lot of things go into the quarterbacks ability to play at his peak level. I think quarterbacks get maybe a little more blame than they deserve and maybe a little more credit than they deserve. I think if we all played together as a unit, I think Joes productivity will rise like it has in other games.
Tightend Aron White:
On the teams focus:
We can't be thinking about what's happening with everybody else with the SEC, what bowl we are going to get in or if we are going to get a bowl. Coach Richt said our main focus has to be our next opponent. He's always big on saying take one game at a time because right now the only thing that should be on our minds is Vanderbilt because thats our next opponent. He said nobody likes to lose and you should feel bad about it and sick to your stomach, but come your next practice you have to get in there and start working on the next team. You've got to forget and move on. Every season is not going to perfect and obviously not live up to your expectations, but right now we just got to focus on making the best out of the rest of our season. We've still got a lot of games to play.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Cuff Arrested
FOOTBALL
Junior defensive back Vance Cuff was released from the Clarke county jail today after posting bond on charges of "emerging from alley" and having a suspended license. He had been booked into the jail at 3:24 pm by the University of Georgia Police and was there less than an hour.
The suspended license charge is not a new one for several members of the football team but personally I have never heard of emerging from an alley being a crime.
Junior defensive back Vance Cuff was released from the Clarke county jail today after posting bond on charges of "emerging from alley" and having a suspended license. He had been booked into the jail at 3:24 pm by the University of Georgia Police and was there less than an hour.
The suspended license charge is not a new one for several members of the football team but personally I have never heard of emerging from an alley being a crime.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Boykin Sets Conference Record
FOOTBALL
Sophomore cornerback Brandon Boykin became the first SEC player to have two 100-yard kickoff returns in one season in SEC history when he returned a Tennessee kickoff to even the score in the second quarter of Saturday's game.
Boykin had already broken the school record after taking a kickoff 100 yards back for a touchdown versus South Carolina.
Boykin’s return versus the Vols also ties the longest scoring play on the road in school history.
The Dawgs had a 100-yard punt return for a touchdown in 1952 at Vanderbilt by Jimmy Campagna and a 100-yard INT return by Charlie Britt in 1959 versus Florida in Jacksonville. Since 1941, the NCAA put a maximum length on all plays at 100 yards.
Sophomore punter Drew Butler had to punt six times for a 49.8 average with four covering 50+ yards and one inside the 20. His first punt was his longest at 61 yards. He came in today leading the nation with a 49.8 average.
Redshirt freshman safety Bacarri Rambo caught a tipped passed for an interception and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. This was Rambo’s second career interception and the first defensive touchdown for the Dawgs this year. The Dawgs have had four INTs this year with Boykin also having two. This was the first interception return for a touchdown since Darryl Gamble returned a pair of picks for scores at LSU in 2008.
Redshirt sophomore split end Zach Renner blocked a punt with :23 seconds left in the opening half to give the Bulldogs two points on a safety as it went through the endzone. This was the third blocked punt of his career after he tallied one against Alabama and Arizona State in 2008. Renner tied the school record for blocked punts in a career along with Corrie Collier, Kendrell Bell and David Pollack. Renner’s latest punt block was the 17th for the Bulldogs in the Mark Richt era.
Sophomore placekicker Blair Walsh drilled a 52-yard field goal late in the second quarter. He is 5-for-8 from 50 yards or more in his career and 3-for-3 from that distance in 2009.
Sophomore flanker A.J. Green led the Dawgs with 60 yards receiving and tied his career-high with eight catches. It was the third time he had eight receptions in a game.
Freshman receiver Marlon Brown had his first career reception on a 9-yard catch in the 2nd quarter.
Freshman tightend Arthur Lynch started the first game of his career. The Dawgs started two tight ends on offense, six linemen and no wideouts after starting their first drive on their own 1-yard line.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot...........Tennessee won 45 to 19.
Sophomore cornerback Brandon Boykin became the first SEC player to have two 100-yard kickoff returns in one season in SEC history when he returned a Tennessee kickoff to even the score in the second quarter of Saturday's game.
Boykin had already broken the school record after taking a kickoff 100 yards back for a touchdown versus South Carolina.
Boykin’s return versus the Vols also ties the longest scoring play on the road in school history.
The Dawgs had a 100-yard punt return for a touchdown in 1952 at Vanderbilt by Jimmy Campagna and a 100-yard INT return by Charlie Britt in 1959 versus Florida in Jacksonville. Since 1941, the NCAA put a maximum length on all plays at 100 yards.
Sophomore punter Drew Butler had to punt six times for a 49.8 average with four covering 50+ yards and one inside the 20. His first punt was his longest at 61 yards. He came in today leading the nation with a 49.8 average.
Redshirt freshman safety Bacarri Rambo caught a tipped passed for an interception and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. This was Rambo’s second career interception and the first defensive touchdown for the Dawgs this year. The Dawgs have had four INTs this year with Boykin also having two. This was the first interception return for a touchdown since Darryl Gamble returned a pair of picks for scores at LSU in 2008.
Redshirt sophomore split end Zach Renner blocked a punt with :23 seconds left in the opening half to give the Bulldogs two points on a safety as it went through the endzone. This was the third blocked punt of his career after he tallied one against Alabama and Arizona State in 2008. Renner tied the school record for blocked punts in a career along with Corrie Collier, Kendrell Bell and David Pollack. Renner’s latest punt block was the 17th for the Bulldogs in the Mark Richt era.
Sophomore placekicker Blair Walsh drilled a 52-yard field goal late in the second quarter. He is 5-for-8 from 50 yards or more in his career and 3-for-3 from that distance in 2009.
Sophomore flanker A.J. Green led the Dawgs with 60 yards receiving and tied his career-high with eight catches. It was the third time he had eight receptions in a game.
Freshman receiver Marlon Brown had his first career reception on a 9-yard catch in the 2nd quarter.
Freshman tightend Arthur Lynch started the first game of his career. The Dawgs started two tight ends on offense, six linemen and no wideouts after starting their first drive on their own 1-yard line.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot...........Tennessee won 45 to 19.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Dawgs Ready For Tennessee
FOOTBALL
The Dawgs are on the road this week in Knoxville, Tennessee to take on the Vols in Neyland Stadium before an expected sellout crowd of 100,000-plus fans, kickoff is at 12:21 pm.
Tennessee leads the all-time series with the Dawgs, 20-16-2 overall and 8-6-1 at home, but the Dawgs have won five of the eight meetings since Richt took the helm of the program in 2001 including three of the last four games in Knoxville.
The first question addressed by coach Mark Richt before Thursday's practice was who the starting tailback would be with redshirt sophomore Caleb King out with a concussion and fracture in his jaw. Richard Samuel will start and split the carries with true freshman Washaun Ealey, who rushed for 33 yards on eight carries in his Dawg debut last week against fourth-ranked LSU, he has done well this week in practice preparing to play the Vols.
One of the featured matchups looks to be Tennessee’s offensive line versus the Dawg’s defensive front. “They’ve had a few injuries but they got five guys that play together on the line and do as good a job as anybody, and it will test us,” said Richt. Tennessee has allowed just six sacks through five games and they did not allow a sack last week in the loss to Auburn. Meanwhile, UT running backs are averaging five yards per attempt, which ranks fourth in the SEC.
Linebacker Rennie Curran
On the defense being on the field so much the last game:
It is just something you have to continue to be positive about. Not everybody is going to have their best day every game and at the same time you have to keep working hard, encouraging your guys and trusting each other. We are all in this together so we just have to improve on the little things and details because sometimes that what it is. All it takes is for one guy to not do something right and the whole entire unit will not do well.
On how close the team is to playing a complete game:
We are real close. If you watch us on film there is really only a few things that hold us back. Like I said, it's all about details and about every single guy doing things right on every play.
On some things going wrong every week:
Most of the time it is the same thing. Guys are not focusing when they are tired. The most apparent thing is when the fatigue sets in because guys start making mistakes that they normally wouldn't.
On Tennessee's offensive line:
Their line is senior-driven and they have guys that have had a lot of experience. They have backs that can carry the load as well. They got two very talented backs that can break tackles and make things happen if you let him.
On both UGA and UT being unranked playing each other for the first time since 1937:
Well it's a huge game every time our two teams meet up. There is a lot of tradition involved, a lot of emotions and goals that can be achieved for whoever wins. It is going to be a big game for both teams.
Injury Report:
Not traveling to Knoxville:
Caleb King - Concussion and Fractured Jaw
Tavarres King - Concussion
Akeem Dent - Hamstring
Marcus Dowtin - Finger
The Dawgs are on the road this week in Knoxville, Tennessee to take on the Vols in Neyland Stadium before an expected sellout crowd of 100,000-plus fans, kickoff is at 12:21 pm.
Tennessee leads the all-time series with the Dawgs, 20-16-2 overall and 8-6-1 at home, but the Dawgs have won five of the eight meetings since Richt took the helm of the program in 2001 including three of the last four games in Knoxville.
The first question addressed by coach Mark Richt before Thursday's practice was who the starting tailback would be with redshirt sophomore Caleb King out with a concussion and fracture in his jaw. Richard Samuel will start and split the carries with true freshman Washaun Ealey, who rushed for 33 yards on eight carries in his Dawg debut last week against fourth-ranked LSU, he has done well this week in practice preparing to play the Vols.
One of the featured matchups looks to be Tennessee’s offensive line versus the Dawg’s defensive front. “They’ve had a few injuries but they got five guys that play together on the line and do as good a job as anybody, and it will test us,” said Richt. Tennessee has allowed just six sacks through five games and they did not allow a sack last week in the loss to Auburn. Meanwhile, UT running backs are averaging five yards per attempt, which ranks fourth in the SEC.
Linebacker Rennie Curran
On the defense being on the field so much the last game:
It is just something you have to continue to be positive about. Not everybody is going to have their best day every game and at the same time you have to keep working hard, encouraging your guys and trusting each other. We are all in this together so we just have to improve on the little things and details because sometimes that what it is. All it takes is for one guy to not do something right and the whole entire unit will not do well.
On how close the team is to playing a complete game:
We are real close. If you watch us on film there is really only a few things that hold us back. Like I said, it's all about details and about every single guy doing things right on every play.
On some things going wrong every week:
Most of the time it is the same thing. Guys are not focusing when they are tired. The most apparent thing is when the fatigue sets in because guys start making mistakes that they normally wouldn't.
On Tennessee's offensive line:
Their line is senior-driven and they have guys that have had a lot of experience. They have backs that can carry the load as well. They got two very talented backs that can break tackles and make things happen if you let him.
On both UGA and UT being unranked playing each other for the first time since 1937:
Well it's a huge game every time our two teams meet up. There is a lot of tradition involved, a lot of emotions and goals that can be achieved for whoever wins. It is going to be a big game for both teams.
Injury Report:
Not traveling to Knoxville:
Caleb King - Concussion and Fractured Jaw
Tavarres King - Concussion
Akeem Dent - Hamstring
Marcus Dowtin - Finger
Weekly Press Conference, Part 3
FOOTBALL
Head coach Mark Richt and a delegation of football players met with the media during the Dawg's weekly press luncheon on Tuesday. They offered the following comments:
Coach Mark Richt:
On Tennessees new staff:
Anytime there is a new staff anywhere, the dynamic changes. Everybody has their own style of recruiting. You kind of get a pretty good feel of what each coach is like or what their program is like. Anytime a coach comes in new, one of the greatest things that he does have is that he is new and he can say this is our plan and this is a vision of what we want to do, and that can sell. Tennessee, Auburn, even when coach (Houston) Nutt went to Ole Miss last year, when those guys come in new they definitely create a buzz.
On Georgia tackling in practice:
We are still live tackling in practice today. Tuesday is the only day we will take guys to the ground, and well do it again today.
On the art of tackling:
I think people probably tackle less in practice than they did 20 years ago. It's hard to simulate tackling without tackling, thats for certain and thats why we spend time tackling in space. When I say space, some of our perimeter drills without the linemen, and well definitely tackle our inside running game. We used to tackle a lot in 11-on-11 situations, but we do less of that. There is an art of thudding. If you thud properly, you will do everything in a fundamental tackle other than toss the guy to the ground. If you thud properly, you can still keep your fundamentals of tackling. It's safer, but if you thud properly, you must move your feet, you must get in front of the man and you must bend your knees. If you are tackling, you might can lay out and grab a guy with your hand and rip him to the ground. In a thud situation were never looking to reach out and snatch a guy. The goal is to get in position to strike him. I say tackling has gotten worse, but I don't know if it has or not. I think the numbers are an issue. When you start grabbing and throwing guys to the ground, somebody is going to get leg-whipped or something is going to happen where you cost a guy a week, month or season.
On Rantavious Wooten:
Rantavious is a very high-energy young man. He has great body control, good speed and good hands. He seems to play extremely well under pressure. The week before he had two third down catches, two key grabs. Both of them were not easy plays by any stretch. He is getting better on a daily basis. He is a sharp kid and doesnt have trouble learning what to do any more than a normal freshman I guess. He is doing a good job.
Fullback Shaun Chapas
On the offensive struggles:
Well it is encouraging to know that although we still have a lot to improve on, if we put it all together I think we will have something pretty special. So it is something we strive to do and we are going to try and put everything together.
On playing with young guys and if their inexperience is hurting the team:
That might have something to do with it, but the young guys aren't the only ones messing up though so you can't necessarily say that. But experience is definitely huge and helps out a lot when it comes to making mistakes.
On how close the team is to playing a complete game:
I have full confidence in our ability to do that. If we just all go out and played focused and play hard like we know we can then we can do it.
Head coach Mark Richt and a delegation of football players met with the media during the Dawg's weekly press luncheon on Tuesday. They offered the following comments:
Coach Mark Richt:
On Tennessees new staff:
Anytime there is a new staff anywhere, the dynamic changes. Everybody has their own style of recruiting. You kind of get a pretty good feel of what each coach is like or what their program is like. Anytime a coach comes in new, one of the greatest things that he does have is that he is new and he can say this is our plan and this is a vision of what we want to do, and that can sell. Tennessee, Auburn, even when coach (Houston) Nutt went to Ole Miss last year, when those guys come in new they definitely create a buzz.
On Georgia tackling in practice:
We are still live tackling in practice today. Tuesday is the only day we will take guys to the ground, and well do it again today.
On the art of tackling:
I think people probably tackle less in practice than they did 20 years ago. It's hard to simulate tackling without tackling, thats for certain and thats why we spend time tackling in space. When I say space, some of our perimeter drills without the linemen, and well definitely tackle our inside running game. We used to tackle a lot in 11-on-11 situations, but we do less of that. There is an art of thudding. If you thud properly, you will do everything in a fundamental tackle other than toss the guy to the ground. If you thud properly, you can still keep your fundamentals of tackling. It's safer, but if you thud properly, you must move your feet, you must get in front of the man and you must bend your knees. If you are tackling, you might can lay out and grab a guy with your hand and rip him to the ground. In a thud situation were never looking to reach out and snatch a guy. The goal is to get in position to strike him. I say tackling has gotten worse, but I don't know if it has or not. I think the numbers are an issue. When you start grabbing and throwing guys to the ground, somebody is going to get leg-whipped or something is going to happen where you cost a guy a week, month or season.
On Rantavious Wooten:
Rantavious is a very high-energy young man. He has great body control, good speed and good hands. He seems to play extremely well under pressure. The week before he had two third down catches, two key grabs. Both of them were not easy plays by any stretch. He is getting better on a daily basis. He is a sharp kid and doesnt have trouble learning what to do any more than a normal freshman I guess. He is doing a good job.
Fullback Shaun Chapas
On the offensive struggles:
Well it is encouraging to know that although we still have a lot to improve on, if we put it all together I think we will have something pretty special. So it is something we strive to do and we are going to try and put everything together.
On playing with young guys and if their inexperience is hurting the team:
That might have something to do with it, but the young guys aren't the only ones messing up though so you can't necessarily say that. But experience is definitely huge and helps out a lot when it comes to making mistakes.
On how close the team is to playing a complete game:
I have full confidence in our ability to do that. If we just all go out and played focused and play hard like we know we can then we can do it.
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