Georgia Football Red Alert: 11 Urgent Steps UGA Must Take To Stay in the Race

Since Brandon Boykin downed Boise State's opening kickoff in the end zone for a touchback Saturday night, it seems as though Pandora's box has been opened on Georgia's much anticipated season.

Not only did the 'Dawgs drop the season opener on national television to the Broncos in front of a friendly crowd in Atlanta, they also lost one of their most important players, sophomore inside linebacker Alec Ogletree, for four to six weeks to a foot injury.

With a world of personnel issues to resolve at key positions coming into the opener and a myriad of other question marks and challenges facing this year's squad, the Bulldogs' worst enemy now is time.

The window of opportunity to address all of these concerns, to make needed improvements and, at the same time, attempt to establish themselves as challengers in the SEC East is already beginning to shrink.

When time is of the essence and a sense of urgency beckons, having an emergency action plan in place, outlining what needs to be done to address the problems at hand, is highly desirable. Here are 10 urgent steps that the Bulldogs need to take as soon as possible to remain in the title hunt for the duration of the season. Let's take a look.

Urgent Action No. 1: Have Chicken for Dinner Saturday Evening

Let's cut to "the chase." The Bulldogs desperately need to—perhaps must—upend SEC rival, reigning champion and preseason favorite South Carolina in Athens on Saturday to remain in the SEC "chase."

"Now, wait a minute," you may say. "Just because Georgia, or any other squad for that matter, loses its first conference contest, it does not necessarily follow that they are eliminated from their division race." That this is technically true, theoretically true and has been true, in reality, for a few teams in college football over the years is inarguable.

However, the list of teams that began their league season with a loss but went on to win their conference's title is likely a short one. Additionally, the average season outcome for teams that begin their years with 0-2 marks is no doubt in the poor to middlin' range, at best.

As motivator Zig Ziglar used to say, "It's not where you start—it's where you finish that counts," right? "Finishing strong" or "finishing the drill", as Mark Richt used to preach back in the day, is no doubt very important. However, that "how you start does not really matter much" is almost certainly a fallacious assumption.

The 'Dawgs need a big win "between the hedges" on Saturday or the curtain may likely be drawn on their title chances. 

Urgent Action No. 2: "Above All Else, Know Thyself"

This is Russ. He is just a temporary "UGA"—Georgia's permanent "standby UGA." He is keeping the little 'Dawg House at Sanford Stadium warm for whomever the real "UGA" will eventually be. Since he has a little fawn marking on his right ear, he must be a perpetrator, right?

Just who is the real "UGA"? Will the real "UGA" please get off your ice bag and identify yourself? The whole Bulldog nation is being held hostage by the keepers of "the UGA" in Savannah.

The point, of course, is not that the University of Georgia doesn't know who its mascot really is (though, they don't). The impression that many derived from Saturday night's performance is that the Georgia Bulldogs do not yet know who they really are, on either side of the football. They have yet to establish a well-defined sense of self. 

In the past, the offense has been a pound-it-out, play-action, "run then pass" attack, largely out of the I-formation. Talented tailbacks hammered away between the tackles, behind the surge of big offensive linemen and crushing lead blocks by burly, bruising fullbacks, wearing down the interior of the opponent's defense while lulling them to sleep for the pass off of that same look.

Is that still who they are, who they want to be? If so, they have to commit to it. It appears, however, that this may not be their forte. 

Defensively, the same is true. Who are they? Bend, but don't break? Big or quick up front? Primarily zone or man coverage, or hybrid looks? Contain or pressure, laying your ears back and getting up field on every down? Base defense or constant stunt and confuse? Soft or jam to make them beat you deep? Which is it?

Reassess. Decide who you are. What are the principles that you believe in? How can you best utilize the personnel assets that you have? What can you teach to those assets and how do you get them to execute effectively and consistently?

Decide and know who you are, who you want and need to be, how you can best be successful and then just do. Sell out and go all in. 

Urgent Action No. 3: You Wanted Him, You Got Him, Now Ride with Him

Last spring, Mark Richt risked minor sanctions by the NCAA on a stunt to sell Isaiah Crowell on coming to Athens. While on a visit to the Georgia campus with his mother, Richt brought some players in jerseys out onto the practice field in plain view of his visitors from his office.

He then escorted Crowell down, handed him a jersey to put on and had the players line up with Crowell in formation—all to give him a sense of what it would be like to be "the man" at a school known for producing quality tailbacks.

Ultimately, the 5-star recruit, ranked by some recruiting services as the nation's top back, signed with the Bulldogs, after which Richt made an allusion in an interview that many interpreted as naming him the heir apparent to the featured tailback position at UGA—all of this while UGA's two leading rushers from last season, Washaun Ealey and Caleb King, now departed for greener pastures, were still on the roster.

Where was Crowell when the offense took the field Saturday night? On the sidelines. Richt instead started Richard Samuel, a talented athlete who was moved to linebacker from tailback two springs ago because he was deemed expendable at that position (code for not going to play).

Crowell, a freshman, is going to make mistakes—and plenty of them. However, given that he rushed for almost 5,000 yards and scored 61 touchdowns during his high school career and averaged just under 12 yards per carry during his senior season, Isaiah seems the best choice around with which to build the 'Dawgs running attack.

He likely never blocked in high school, but he will learn. In the meantime, utilize him in other ways, like as a leak-out or dump-off secondary receiver.

In a perfect world, bringing him along slowly and allowing him to learn at his own pace might be nice if there were a proven commodity in front of him on the depth chart. But there is not—only one who was previously deemed not good enough to even be a running back anymore.

Instead, make the choice that Steve Spurrier made with Marcus Lattimore, a talent of similar pedigree and accolades, at South Carolina last year. Concede him his mistakes, make him learn on the run, give him a baptism of fire and put him in, coach—just let him play.

If he's a competitor—a winner—he will likely rise to the occasion and the gambit will pay off in spades.

Or, bring him along slowly and perhaps let the next coach be the beneficiary of his gifts.

Urgent Action No. 4: If We Know, the Enemy Knows

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "If life were predictable, it would cease to be life, and be without flavor." At times over the last few seasons, Georgia's offense has seemed lifeless and without flavor.

Sure, with some talented players and big plays the 'Dawgs still manage to generate some yardage and put some points on the scoreboard, but too often it's not enough—and often not until the day's fate has been sealed.

Much of the time, however, even Georgia's fans have evolved almost a psychic sense of their tendencies. They are often able, with sometimes eerie accuracy, to predict the next play that the Bulldogs will run in certain situations. The patterns and cadences of the calls, given the situations, have become only too familiar to the Bulldog faithful.

And if mere fans are able to pick up on these tendencies, then certainly Southeastern Conference defensive coordinators, being paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in jobs where the changing winds of football fortune can earn them a pink slip in the blink of an eye, are cataloging every time an opposing offensive player picks his nose, much less their predictable patterns and tendencies given down, distance and situation.

So, let's all do a cheer, "Be creative, be, be creative."

Rethink the patterns of play-calling. When they least expect it, do something different. Live on the edge a little. Decide what things you can do, teach them, insist on perfect execution and do them out of multiple looks.

You can still take a professional, scientific approach to it, but it is not mandatory that you be robotic, Make more calls like the jet sweep call for Boykin in last week's game. Be bold.

It seems a coincidence to some that this ennui, this predictability, coincides with Mark Richt turning the keys over to Mike Bobo. Coach Richt is loyal to Coach Bobo. That's okay. Loyalty is a virtuous trait.

However, many people, if their livelihoods were on the line and they believed in our own expertise and abilities, might swim technique their OC and start calling their own plays again—you know, like back when they were "finishing the drill" and on the up-and-up.

Some folks are great delegators, master laissez faire leaders. And others? Well, others need to get involved and get their hands dirty to be at the top of their games. Just sayin'. 

Urgent Action No. 5: Live and Learn the Long and "the Short" of Things

When looking at the statistics from last Saturday's game with Boise State, the first glance at the numbers can be a little deceiving. The discrepancy in total passing yards between the two teams was relatively minimal—a mere 25 yards separating the yardage of UGA's Aaron Murray (236) and Boise's Kellen Moore (261).

Likewise, the yards-per-catch stats were relatively similar—7.7 for Boise State versus the 8.1-per-grab average for Georgia. 

However, subtract Georgia's two big passing plays (36 percent of their total), Orson Charles's 36-yard touchdown reception and Malcolm Mitchell's first career TD catch of 51 yards in the fourth quarter, and the picture becomes a little clearer.

Boise State's longest reception of the night was but 20 yards. The first-down totals really tell the tale. The Broncos had 24 to Georgia's 13 and, therefore, dominated time of possession, 33:36 to 26:14.

Boise used a short passing attack to dink and doink the ball down the field all game long, maintaining control of the ball, keeping Georgia's wilting defense on the field and moving the ball into scoring territory with regularity.

The 'Dawgs need to learn from that experience. Ball control is critical, and their short passing game, in light of their uncertain rushing capacity, can help them to grind out yards, keep drives alive and give the defense more time to rest on the sidelines.

The short passing game, not just on the sidelines, but in the middle of the field, needs to be diversified and featured as a bigger staple of their offense. Big plays are great. They put points on the board and draw cheers from fans with an appetite for the dramatic. But they don't keep the defense off the field. As the old saying goes, "He who lives by the sword, ultimately dies by the sword."

Bare in mind ol' Aesop's fable, The Tortoise and the Hare and remember: Slow and steady often wins the race. That can often be true in a game where maintaining control of the ball is crucial. 

Urgent Action No. 6: "Hey, Mister, Can You Give a Big Man a Hand?"

The 2011 offensive line is reputed to be the biggest and bulkiest ever along the Georgia line of scrimmage. They have a new coach in Will Friend, former Alabama offensive lineman and UAB assistant coach.

While they are returning some experienced players, they are missing some key guys that were counted upon to help this year—most notably Trinton Sturdivant, who is lost once again to a knee injury.

Between injury and transfer, attrition has whittled away at their depth and a couple of untested players may have to earn their spurs in full SEC combat.

Last Saturday, they were largely bested by Boise State's experienced and quicker defensive front. During the course of the game, starter Kenarious Gates went down to an injury (he is supposed to be ready Saturday for South Carolina). Without a couple of big yardage gains on the edges by receivers, the Georgia ground attack managed a meager 72 yards, 12 of those coming off of Isaiah Crowell's longest gain of the night.

It appears uncertain as to how much this group will evolve, but they and their coach deserve to be given some time to see how much they can grow and to see if they can become a group that can convert their size into results, controlling the line of scrimmage.

In the meantime, Mark Richt and Mike Bobo need to do everything possible to provide them with the time and opportunity to mature, both individually and collectively.

Keeping opponents guessing by less predictable play-calling can help. Getting some of the skill guys with speed—players like Crowell, Boykin, Branden Smith and Malcom Mitchell—on the corners more often to soften up the middle may be a strategy.

Though counted upon on defense, Boykin and Smith are playmakers and they need to be involved with regularity on the offensive side. Actually using the talents of players like Branden Smith and Nick Marshall in "Wild Dawg" packages, as opposed to simply talking about doing so in the offseason, might be a plan.

Use more short passes, screen to both backs and wide receivers, throw to backs leaking out into the flats or on wheel routes: These are all strategies that might give this big ol' bunch a better chance to find their legs.

To that humble plea to help these guys out, however, let's add this one final suggestion: Step up to the plate, big boys; it's your time to walk the walk. Now go on with your big, bad selves.

Urgent Action No. 7: You Gotta' Have Da' Feet to Win

In place kicker Blair Walsh and punter Drew Butler, the Bulldogs have one of the most potent duos of kicking specialists in the nation—arguably the best. 

Last week, Butler made his normal consistent contribution, averaging just under 48 yards per punt. However, his effectiveness was somewhat minimized by the offense stalling well back in their own territory and by a breakdown in punt coverage resulting in a 49-yard punt return.

If the offense can pick up a least a first down or two each possession, then Butler's mortar-like leg can force the opponent to start pinned deep in their own territory with poor field position—assuming, of course, that the coverage keeps them there.

Except for kickoffs and PATs, Walsh may as well have been in a coat and tie or in the bleachers last Saturday. The Georgia offense did not make enough incursions into Bronco territory, except via big plays, to bring him into play.

Walsh is an extremely accurate field-goal kicker and a deadly threat to score when given an opportunity. He has scored 303 points in his career to date—and that's a bunch when you consider that they are being scored one and three points per pop.

The offense has to give these two feet a chance to impact the game. They are two of the best in the business today, but their contributions are largely subject to ball control and field position. Once again, it's all in the "O."

Urgent Action No. 8: Special Means Really Special, No Margin for Error

Across the board, the Georgia coaching staff must make certain that the very best schemes and personnel are in place on the various special teams. Drew Butler? Blair Walsh? Brandon Boykin? Those guys just need to keep doing what they're doing.

The rest have to be coached up to play lights out on every opportunity the rest of the way; the 'Dawgs absolutely, positively must excel in this facet of the game.

The punt coverage team gave up a 49-yard return last Saturday. You can't tell Drew Butler, "Hey, Buddy, lighten up on those punts; you're out-kicking the coverage!" If he can kick it 70 yards each time, he needs to do so (unless, of course, it is going into the end zone or the stands—but remember, the other team cannot score from either place).

Lanes must be run, assignments properly and consistently executed and sure tackles (gang, preferably) made each and every time.

The same is true for the kickoff coverage. The 'Dawgs can not afford to help their opponents out with good field position after kickoffs, much less easy scores, God forbid. It would just be downright unacceptable.

No blocked punts and no blocked PATs allowed. While the punt returns were virtually nil last Saturday (Boise's punter ran way from the receivers' alignment and pooched low-line drives down the field to keep the ball out of Branden Smith and Malcolm Mitchell's hands), this pair should be a threat when provided with the opportunity to run.

Yep, Georgia's special teams play needs to be extra special. They need to defend against big plays and provide Georgia with field position, scores and opponent turnovers as often as possible.

Urgent Action No. 9: "Bring It" (Not Talking Cheerleading) Like Scalded Dogs

When Todd Grantham brought his 3-4 scheme from the NFL to UGA the spring before last, it was explained as follows: The three linemen, down or otherwise, get upfield and bring pressure as a constant, while the fourth, fifth and sometimes sixth defenders come upfield to attack the ball from different spots and angles.

That was the beauty of it; the element of surprise, in terms of how many and from whence they would come. Attack, attack, attack the other team's quarterback and force indecision, hurriedness, blown blocking assignments, quarterback pressures, sacks and, most desirably, turnovers.

Last year, Grantham was extended patience given the fact that the system was new and the Bulldogs did not necessarily have the personnel suited to this linebacker-laden, speed-oriented defensive system. As a point of fact, however, Georgia improved in a number of defensive categories—most notably turnovers forced—last season compared to the woeful performance of the defense under Willie Martinez in 2009.

Frankly, the relentless pressure and attacking just hasn't materialized. Granted, the Bulldogs flew around the Georgia Dome turf and looked aggressive and confident in the first quarter. They pressured and got to the unflappable Kellen Moore early on.

But as the game wore on, the pressure diminished, as it did much of last year, and became less effective when it was brought. Typically, where it was coming from seemed relatively obvious to many observers. That's just not the way it was explained.

If attacking is how they want to play, then they need to commit to it and bring four, five and six coming with reckless abandon up the field consistently. If not, if they are to play base, vanilla 3-4, then it would appear that they will routinely become fodder for the SEC's shrewd offensive coordinators and cagey quarterbacks.

Come on, 'Dawgs—bring it like scalded dogs!

Urgent Action No. 10: Diversify Your Portfolio, Then Hide It

IF the commitment to "bring it" is made, then the other major adjustment that needs to be made right now is in the defensive secondary. After the last three seasons, Bulldog fans must suffer from a common, collective night terror the eve before each game and a communal nightmare in the nights that follow them.

The same theme causes their pregame dread that evokes the postgame terror. Somehow, some way, the opposing team, it seems, is being allowed to play more receivers than the 'Dawgs DBs can possibly cover, and open receivers run unfettered throughout the secondaries of their minds throughout the season.

In the second half on Saturday night, the Georgia secondary appeared helpless to cover the Broncos in zone coverage. Moore, in surgeon-like fashion, dissected the Bulldogs attempts to cover his targets, moving the ball incrementally and steadily down the field and into Georgia's red zone. It was a haunting and eerily familiar scenario.

The Bulldogs must mix more man coverage and combination coverage in with their zone schemes. They must change coverages frequently and disguise them as much as possible. If they are going to allow savvy quarterbacks like Kellen Moore or Stephen Garcia to draw a beard on what they are doing, then many a long day lie ahead for the Bulldogs.

Execute, play fast and play hard, but don't show your cards. Oh, yeah, and hope that those guys up front are "bringing it."

Urgent Action No. 11: Be Tough, Be Focused and Carpe Diem

Former Detroit Lions All-Pro defensive tackle Alex Karras once observed that, "Toughness is in the soul and in the spirit, not in the muscles."

What Mongo, a role that Karras played in the film Blazing Saddles, was trying to say is that toughness is really a state of mind and is internalized in your character. When the going get toughs and the pressure is great, both mental and physical toughness come from within. You can't buy them.

Many observers, including Mark Richt according to his reflections upon last year's Liberty Bowl debacle, have felt that the past couple of UGA squads have been somewhat soft and unwilling to sell out, leaving it all out on the field.

Where the 2011 Bulldogs fall on the toughness meter is still in question. Putting the new, rigorous strength and conditioning program aside, the players, individually and collectively, have to make the decision to be mentally and physically hard.

In addition, this group needs to put aside all distractions and focus upon channeling their inner competitive ch'i to be able compete at the level required to win SEC titles.

For instance, they need to tighten their chin straps so that they can focus more on the game and less on chasing down and re-installing their headgear. And instead of spending time jawing with opposing players, especially after just being beaten on a play, they could focus on their responsibilities and the next call.

Perhaps, instead of giving the "denied" signal on your knees, in a public display of personal swagger, when you and the whole world know that you committed a foul on the play, you could communicate with your teammates about what is taking place around you.

Focusing energy and attention on more productive endeavors such as these will be a requisite to competing week in and week out in this conference.

It was encouraging to hear of senior captain Brandon Boykin's postgame remarks to his teammates. What he and center Ben Jones need to do is to lead.Through peer pressure, they need to force this team to put aside all of the other external distractions and issues surrounding this season and come to grips with the fact that this is their time.

The bottom line is that when they cross the sidelines onto the playing field each Saturday, it is their team, their season, their pride at stake, their win or their loss. The players need to realize that they will never pass this way again—this is their time, each Saturday is their day. They must seize the day, beginning this Saturday, and make it their own.

Carpe diem. Take all the pressure in stride. As George Patton once said, "Pressure makes diamonds."