2009 Georgia Bulldogs Football Season Review

Yup, you read the title correctly. For all intents and purposes, this 2009 season has been a complete disaster for the Georgia Bulldogs. Following Saturday's recent 41-17 stomping from the Gators, the Dawgs' season is completely toasted.

There is going to be a lot of bad blood between fans and the program, but I want to also insist that Georgia's future is still bright. But, by future, I mean 2010 and beyond.

First, let me address the disastrous occurrences down in Jacksonville.

Strangely enough, I felt Georgia's offense looked the best it had in weeks. The running game was churning for the first time all year. I was very impressed with Washaun Ealy, and think he has potential to be a great running back for us in the next few years.

Also, I think the defense settled down and actually performed pretty well. With the running game and defense playing a tad better than usual, you would assume Georgia should have been in the game.

And I'm pretty sure they would have been to the end, had it not been for Joe Cox's three interceptions. Those turnovers were the game. Period.

I'm also going to be real here. I have some issues with play-calling. First, Georgia decided to run on a 3rd-and-15 early in the game. There was a zero percent chance an outside hand-off out of the shotgun was going to get that yardage against the defense.

I felt like Georgia's coaches were flat-out surrendering in that situation. It was unacceptable. If you do not have confidence in your quarterback after seven games and two weeks of preparation, you are at fault.

At least throw a ball down to the goalline at A.J. Green. You might get a touchdown, and an interception could not have hurt more than basically telling Florida early on, "We are not man enough."

Also, what was with the 3rd-and-8 play-action skinny post from deep in our own territory? A.J. Green got hung out to dry, because there were four Florida defensive backs in the area. Want to know why?

Because on 3rd-and-8, we thought play-action from our own endzone and having two skinny posts was going to get us somewhere. Terrible play-calling. Put at least four or five guys out into the pattern in that situation and give yourself a chance.

When it all comes down to it, Georgia is flat-out not showing up for big games. I know the defense was better this week, but it is your entire team's responsibility to win a game.

The allowance of 41 points was a result of poor offense as much as it was defense. Georgia has been giving up over 40 points in just about every big game they have played in the past few seasons. I get the feeling we just need to not show up in Atlanta later in the year.

And here is a rant for all of you. Those uniforms were the biggest slap in the face to Georgia football I have ever seen. .Talk about putting yourself in a hole.

The black pants were fine. As a matter of fact, black pants with the red helmet would have looked great! But those black helmets with the white stripe and that hideous red facemask looked like they came from a pee-wee locker room.

The Oregon Ducks probably were laughing at us as we took the field. Georgia's uniform is a traditional one. Again, the black jersey every once once in a while and the black pants every once in a while is great—I actually wish for that.

But I never wished for a different helmet, especially one that could likely be deemed the ugliest helmet in college football. Seriously, go find me an uglier lid and I will PayPal you 10 dollars.

And Coach Richt claims they have had those helmets for over a year. The players did not know, but I'm pretty sure had they known in advance, they would have said, "You know, coach, those look really stupid."

Let's not add insult to injury by wearing by far the worst uniform in Georgia football history during the dullest year of the Richt era. Come on, coach! CMR should be embarased.

Anyway, here is my agenda for the rest of the year. The season is over. Georgia cannot make the SEC title game. It is time we prepare to be good for the next few years to come.

First, we need to bench Joe Cox. All offseason we debated whether or not he was a Tereshinksi case or a Shockley case. Well, it is evident he is not a Shockley.

Tereshinksi got comfy with the bench and let Stafford come in to make his early mistakes in 2006. Georgia cleaned up to a 9-4 record and went on the following year with a quarterback who semi-knew what he was doing, and finished 11-2.

It is time either Logan Gray or one of the freshman quarterbacks get some playing time. I'm not saying Joe Cox is bad, but he had his shot. He threw three interceptions in the biggest game of his tenure.

It's time we take the program into account, not Cox's feelings.

It is also time to campaign to convince some very talented players to come back. Reshad Jones nearly left us this past year, so I feel like he is almost a lock to leave for the NFL. Rennie Curran will have a year left and his size might hurt his draft stock, but it will hurt if he decides to take off for the NFL.

We also need to adress the tailback situation, and again disregard feelings. It might be hard to accept Caleb King is not who we thought he was. He had a broken leg and he has not been productive. Also, people are whispering about Richard Samuel moving to linebacker.

I would favor that move, because then the backfield would consist of Ealy, King, and Thomas. It is clear Ealy is the best running back. He needs to be the listed starter by the time this year ends.

Yes, the season has four games at least to go, but I want the program to use these four games to solidify this seemingly torn football team before the offseason comes around. We do not need questions during the offseason, we need those questions to be answered now.

Tebow will be gone, and Georgia might just have a shot at getting back on track next year. This team is reminding me a lot of that 2006 team, which turned into a very, very powerful 2007 team—the type of team we all dream of.

The type of team Georgia Tech fans are afraid of. The type of team that puts 42 up against the Gators.

Oh, and CMR, please throw away those black helmets if you have not already. Thanks!

To all of those who are feeling the frustration as much as myself, may this horrendous season make our future domination that much sweeter.

Go Dawgs!