Richt's Feet Not Yet to the Fire, But Warm Sensations Abound

In the aftermath of an embarrassing loss in Knoxville to Tennessee, UGA Athletic Director Daeman Evans has expressed concern over the state of Georgia' Football Program but said he is "confident" that Head Coach Mark Richt can find ways to get the program back to where everyone wants it to be. He may have to do something he doesn't want to do: fire some of his coaches.

On his call-in show, Richt was bombarded by questions from callers asking him if he plans to fire some of his coaches like Defensive Coordinator Willie Martinez or Offensive Coordinator Mike Bobo. In his answers, Richt did say that changes to that effect may have to be made eventually. "I think a lot of people expect blood. They want somebody to be let go and fired and all that kind of thing and maybe that's what needs to be done." Richt said to one critical caller. Richt went on to say to the caller, in so many words, that he and the team plan to do the best thing right now, which is preparing for the Vanderbilt game.

Some callers, echoing sentiment among many Bulldog fans, asked Coach Richt if and when Freshman quarterbacks Logan Gray, Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger, will get playing time this year. Richt answered by saying that it wasn't out of the realm of possibility, but highly unlikely.

It is a shame that a Coach Richt, who since his arrival at Georgia, has given Bulldog fans 2 SEC Championships and 3 BCS Bowl appearances (two of them wins) and several other winning seasons, is now experiencing the first serious trimmers of a vocational earthquake. It is true that Richt's club is near or at the bottom nationally in important statistics such as scoring defense and penalties, even though his recruiting classes are at the top tier nationally the last few years.

Play calling has been at times, at best, questionable, and the defense has not played well of late. I don't think Richt needs to can Martinez or Bobo just yet. I do think it might be a good idea to allow Aaron Murray to get a series in one of the upcoming SEC games. He, Gray and maybe even Mettenberger will need experience sooner or later. Actually, from what I'm hearing about Mettenberger, he may be better suited for a place like Georgia St.

If Georgia falls to the Commodores this Saturday, changes must be made. The problem is that Kentucky, the Gators, Auburn and Tech await, so what changes do you make. Do you fire Martinez in the middle of the season. Who would coach the Defense? Coach Richt is in a very tough spot.

The most disturbing thing for me is the penalties. That doesn't seem to be improving. Richt brought discipline when he came to Georgia 8 years ago. "Finish The Drill" was and still is the motto. There needs to be a "drill" to eliminate or drastically reduce the penalties on offense. Things like jumping off sides, false starts, and especially things like personal fouls cannot be tolerated. If these things improve, that's one step towards the type of successful football Georgia is use to playing, the type of football that wins games and championships.

This begins with Richt and his coaches. They must get back to the philosophy they started with back in 2001: discipline, finishing the drill. The players, in particular the Senior leadership, must take it upon themselves to buy back into Richt's standards. Georgia Tech Head Coach Paul Johnsos revival of the Tech program is eerily similar to what Mark Richt did back in 01. In Richt's second year, the Dogs won an SEC Championship, the first since 1983. Georgia Tech, thanks to Johnson's Spread Option Offense, is poised to make a run for the ACC Title this year. To summarise it all, the Dogs need to get back to 2001 basics