UGA – Arky preview

Hands down the best pre game write up on the ‘net.  Enjoy.

http://viewfrom336.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-Week-03-Ark1.pdf

Time for Change

Don’t let my disappointment so far this season fool you – I’m still very upbeat about this years squad’s potential. I do, however,  think there are some changes that must be made.

No, no wholesale changes are needed. We don’t need new coaches. We have very talented athletes. But some things need to change on a philosophical and psychological level if this team is to realize its potential this year. It starts at the top.

As far as coaching goes, the “don’t make mistakes” philosophy needs to be replaced by “go make plays”.  A big deal has been made about Aaron Murray being too reigned in, but there are other players on the roster who deserve a shot to let their talent shine. Keep in mind, this may not be the week to go forward with all of these, as Arkansas has a very potent, pass happy offense. These are in no particular order:

Alec Ogletree. The prized recruit of the 2010 class hit a setback when arrested for stealing a moped helmet. He sat out the ULL game, a game he surely would have seen significant playing time. I wouldn’t recommend giving him his first SEC test against the likes of Ryan Mallet, although, I think he would have been a major help on the defense last week. He may make a mistake or two in coverage on occasion, but he will end up being one of the best tackling safetys UGA has had since the Blue/Davis combo half a decade ago. Who knows, maybe he could have tackled Lattimore.

Kwame Geathers. Yes, another Freshman. But this one’s a redshirt, so he has a little bit of extra seasoning under his belt. If Bean Anderson was switched to DT because he had trouble with assignments on the OL, and his new position requires more firing off the ball than surveying multiple alignments and shifts, then why can’t Geathers get in the game and just play? Coaches say he has some of the quickest feet of all the D-lineman, and is one of the strongest. Let him play, and let’s see if Uncle Jumpy taught him how to forklift.

Carlton Thomas. Tremendous talent who plays like he has everything to prove. So he’s small, big deal. Tyson Browning was tiny, and he saved our asses multiple times (and that play in LSU which should have saved our asses). Thomas may not be the best man on the field to help pass block, but consider the change of pace factor he offers. Ealey and King should no doubt get the bulk of the carries, but throw Thomas in from time to time. The way he waterbugs around out there is sure to frustrate a defense that’s already being worn down from the pounding coming from two runners who come right at them.

Others to consider for more playing time: Nick Williams – S,  A.J. Harmon – OG, Bruce Figgins – TE (keep Charles or White on the field, but flex them out), and Branden Smith – on offense!

The psychology of this team is in need of desperate change. The D was absolutely shell shocked in Columbia, and reverted back to the arm tackling ways of the past. I’m confident Coach Grantham and Coach Belin will be able to correct this issue. The D  played scared, but I know these two coaches will convince this defense that they are the intimidators.

On offense, same thing, but a more difficult fix. Richt says he’ll take the reigns off Murray, but that remains to be seen. We hear something similiar about a different player every season. So the jury is still out on that. Bobo needs to get out of the mindset that points are points. Yes, field goals can win games. But that doesn’t always work (see 9/11/2010 @ USC). The offense needs to attack and set the pace. Score some damn touchdowns!

This team is good. This team has talent. This team has experience.

The pieces are in place, so let’s get this puzzle put together.

MURRAY WILL WIN!

Don’t let Aaron Murray’s boyish looks and childlike zeal for the game fool you – he’s more than ready to play quarterback in the SEC. So let him play, Coach Richt.

  

Head Coach Mark Richt and Offensive Coordinator Mike Bobo both admitted after the loss to South Carolina that they think it’s time to “take the reigns off” of Murray. I ask, what’s taking so long?

 

Sometimes it seems to me that UGA and its coaches are the only ones in the country who baby their young quarterbacks. It’s one thing if you’re talking about a true freshman who’s only been enrolled in school for three months. Murray is a redshirt freshman who graduated high school a semester early to get a head start on his college football career. He’s been in the system for 18 months. You couldn’t convince me at this point that he doesn’t have a firm grasp on the playbook, or that he lacks the ability to execute it. On the contrary, Richt and Bobo have nothing but praise for their young signal caller.  

“We’ve just got to allow him to play ball. We’ve got to treat him more like a veteran.”, Richt said after the loss to South Carolina.

Well Coach, essentially, he is a veteran. He’s been in the program the same length of time as the average player finishing up their Sophomore year. Now it’s time to let him play like it.

If Richt and Bobo decide to not “take the reigns off” soon, you can probably expect more outcomes this season similar to this past Saturday. Unfortunately, if that’s the case, that could become a reality next Saturday.