When do the players flip the "switch"?
by BCDawg97 on Oct 14, 2008 3:58 PM EDT
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PrintBetween the Alabama and UT game, reading the analysis and posting comments at various blogs, I've come to the conclusion that everyone is banking on this "switch" to come on and UGA will make another magical run like at the end of 07.
What is this switch? Who flips it - the players or coaches? Are they waiting for the same thing? Or at least when are they planning on "flipping" it? I know we were in the same position last year, but can we really count on lightning to strike twice? Obviously, we haven't played the "complete" game yet - another thing everyone is waiting to see. And of course, everyone is counting on the "win out and we'll be fine" theory.
Look at the polls this week. OU loses and only drops to #4. USC jumps 2-4 spots with a craptastic win over ASU. We defeat UT and stay the same in the polls. Teams like Ok State jump us. All of the Big 12 will play each other and eliminate themselves, but if there is a jumble of 1 loss teams between OU, USC, Alabama, Texas, Texas Tech, Missouri, OK State, Penn State and us, are you really confident that our loss to Bama won't be held against us like Va Tech's against LSU was last year? We aren't winning with any style points (and those of you that deny they matter are not being honest with yourselves) especially compared to the other glamour teams like USC, OU, Penn State or Texas that apparently are going to get a bit more benefit of the doubt. It is obvious that pollsters aren't just slotting people up and down anymore. They are going to look at HOW you lose (and win). Right now, UGA is viewed nationally as a good team, but not great.
I'll always be proud to be a Dawg even if the "switch" doesn't come on. I'll be at Vandy, the Cocktail Party, I'm making my first trip to Lexington this year, I'm debating a trip to Auburn and will be at the Tech game. And I do still hold out hope that this is our year.
GATA!
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Flipping switches?........
Last year the OL jelled – Marcus Howard stepped up to the plate – Moreno emerged as a top quality SEC RB – it had little to do with flipping switches.
I fully expect our Dawgs to look as if they flipped a switch in one of the up coming games but it will be the result of the experience gained to date not a sudden wake up or switch flip.
Im not so sure about that
Unless you guys have a string of five star recruits at OL, your offense will struggle. Alabama exposed your defense and with the OL injuries i just don’t see this team “jelling” like they did last year. I think you will win at least 5 of your last 6 but they won’t be on the same “amazing” level as last year.
Don't take life to seriously, you'll never get out alive.
You may be right...
… about that Bammer, but I highly disagree with your assessment of five star recruits. It should be painfully clear that it doesn’t take a bunch of five-star recruits to build a great o-line. It takes experience and a good coach, which Georgia has both. It’ll be interesting to see what happens, but the o-line looked pretty stout against a decent Tennessee defense even after the lone upper classmen went down.
Totally right
My point about the five star thing is that when you have to input freshman on the o-line to replace an upper classmen mid season, you better hope they have amazing talent (4 or 5 star) It usually takes 2-3 stars a few years to develop into dependable players.
Don't take life to seriously, you'll never get out alive.
No Switches....
Just experience. By the 6th game Freshmen aren’t Freshmen anymore. They have been through half of a season and should be starting to “get it” as far as scheme and assignments go. I feel fairly confident that either LSU or Florida will get our “complete game” ….at least I hope so.
I'm with you RocketDawg
These guys have been in the training programs since July, they are stronger and faster than when they showed up. They have half a season of game experience and are no longer freshmen. I expect our best game to come in the next few weeks or so. Hopefully we have two on 10/25 and 11/1.
Bammer what are you...........
thinking? Based on your comment one could only assume Bama has 5 star recruits shoulder to shoulder across both sides of the line of scrimmage.
Bammer....
For the most part I have enjoyed your posts and you certainly seem to know what you are talking about . That being said your earlier comment on this thread about “our defense being exposed” and “we aren’tever going to jell unless we have 5 star recruits” are pretty igonorant. I am really not sure where the defense was “exposed” against you or anyone else. They simply weren’t prepared in the first half and said as much after the game. I blame their performance more on the coaches than the personnel. Second of all our line has plenty of talent , it’s just a matter of coaching these kids up and preparing them to play. After 6 games in which they have all played at least some (if not started) so the “we’re new and inexpereinced” excuse doesn’t hold water anymore.
My point in all this (and I could be completely wrong as you cannot read body language or inflection of words on the internet) is to be careful. You are treading very close to becoming “one of THOSE Bama fans”. This is still the SEC and last I checked they hadn’t awarded you guys anything yet.
Yes
You are misreading me….
So let me start over and ill pose a question to you:
Are you not at all concerned about UGA’s o-line as it currently stands? Im concerned and im not even a UGA fan! Losing not only one but two LT tackles in the same year is not only amazing bad luck but almost impossible to over come. Why? Well for one, backups are backups for a reason. Mostly its due to their lack of experience but also because it boils down to not having the talent to unseat the starter. It also has to do with the the line jelling as a group. Playing together and taking snap after snap after snap, is how a line becomes one. Constantly “trying” out different combinations of lineman is only going to make it harder for them to come together (im sure you know this already ) Also, I played LT tackle and maybe besides the center, the LT is your best o-lineman. He’s your most athletic and usually has more experience than anyone else on the line. Again, replacing two in one year would be a mountain for any team to climb. I know if Bama lost big Andre Smith our line would be completely different.
So whats my point? For UGA to replace 2 LT’s in one season and make the line play well, your backups would have to be VERY good prospects. Not just 2nd teamers. They would have to aleady have the ability to start and the only reason they don’t is because they have an upperclassman ahead of him. This is not a hit on the UGA players is just a fact. Back ups are backups for a reason…
Ok, now about my statement on the defense. Was not the UGA defense ranked like in the top 5 against the run going into the Bama game? And didn’t we rush for like 200+ yards in that game? I would think we would have a different set of opinions of the 2nd half of the UGA/Bama game. I would say that our team backed off and you would say your team came alive. Both sides are probably right but we are both probably wrong. So when i say exposed i don’t mean to say they are bad but that perhaps they are a little soft. And when i say soft i mean, that if you have a big strong offensive line, you can probably take advantage of these factors. Controling the line of scrimmage is the most important thing in football. If you can’t do that, then your team will struggle. Its something that you will surely see against LSU. (im not saying you will lose but that UGA will struggle with LSU’s o and d lines.)
And im not sure how you got that i feel Bama has been given anything. But like you said, its hard to understand were people are coming from on these sites.
So i hope i clarified myself.
Don't take life to seriously, you'll never get out alive.
Upon further review...
I apologize Bammer. After re-reading my post I came off as snarky and mean spirited, I didn’t intend that at all.
The point that I was trying to make was that we had youth across our O line last year and are unfortunately in the same boat this year due to injury. I believe in Coach Searles and have the utmost confidence in his ability to coach these young players up.
I don’t believe that you rushed for 200 yds against us (not having looked up the stats I could be wrong) but I do remember that you only averaged less than 3 yards a carry. The total yardage was a result of killing clock in the second half.
You all have been VERY fortunate not having a significant injury this season and I think that you would agree that while the starting 22 for Bama are very good, the depth there is a big question mark.
Don't worry Bammer, you are a fine representative for your fanbase.
However, despite Alabama’s record, I believe that the first half against UGA this year was the best half of football they have played all year against a quality opponent. Every bounce went their way, JPW looked unstoppable which history has shown not to bee his typical M.O. I do remember the Clemson game, but they were handled by Maryland so that kind of loses its luster. I will be curious to see if they replicate the same kind of performance against LSU and Auburn. Also unlike us, you guys have been blessed to avoid injuries, which could hurt you guys given depth in certain positions. Any way, Good luck, Hope you win out the remainder of your schedule, and that we might meet again in ATL.
by dawgdayafternoon on Oct 18, 2008 4:47 PM EDT reply actions
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