Munson’s first comment to Richt was about defense – theirs was very good and
we had to play a lot of it too. CMR thought it was a great battle, backyard
brawl, where nobody wants to lose. Super, sweet victory.
What about the wind? CMR didn’t think so, nothing like MSU or Fla games. Maybe
a kick was affected once it got up in the air. Flowers was also big for us –
setting up great field position.
Barron in Cleveland – asked about AJ Bryant. CMR agrees he is a rising star.
He just needs to continue to hone his skills. The whole group of WRs is like
that.
I asked how
LSU’s defense differs now from what Saban did? CMR says it's
a little different style. They don’t blitz quite as much or play quite as much
man coverage. Their DTs are giant, strong, hard playing guys who knock centers
and guards around. They do a great job on cadence. We’ve done well mixing that
up and will have to do that again.
Jeremy in Memphis followed up on the LSU defense and also wondered about all
the media hype conceding this game to LSU via bowl projections. CMR thinks the
hype is a good point. Jeremy also notes in some games LSU has blitzed a lot
and thinks we can burn their man coverage. CMR thinks the Tech game should be
good practice for this one. LSU plays more man coverage behind their blitzes
than GT. We provided time for DJ most of the time. We hit some, dropped some
and missed some.
Has DJ not run as much recently due to his injury? Will we try to roll him out?
There are different ways to do it – sprint out or bootleg. The reverse is the
same action as the bootleg and the reverse we tried got thrown for a loss.
Mark in Sharpsburg wonders if we should run the draw against their blitzes.
If you run it out of the gun and they bring more than you can block, you get
tackled in the backfield. We run a sprint draw and could motion a WR to block
a safety. If you run lots of draws you have trouble but occasionally one spits
out.
Kevin in Americus was pleased to see Lumpkin back near 100%. He also remembers
a pass play we ran early vs. LSU two years ago in the SEC Championship Game
to Lumpkin but he dropped it. CMR remembers it, and one to MoMass this game
on a slant where he dropped it – one of the few he’s dropped this year.
Eddie in Acworth loved seeing the GT fans crying after Jennings’ INT. Then Eddie
apologized for criticizing Flowers on punt returns, since Flowers had such a
big game Saturday. What about the tennis ball drill and what it did to DJ and
the WRs? CMR thinks sometimes if there are more drops, it gets in the head of
the WRs and QB. A QB might throw it different –maybe “catch it for them” as
Bobo says.
CMR: LSU on offense has been hot & cold, but that can be said of our team
too. CMR thinks we just need a plan to give our guys a chance to get after them.
This is an evenly matched game.
Scott in Grayson wonders if Kirby Smart might be able to help us this week.
Also, we might be better served to keep Russell in the pocket. He seems to do
the most damage by floating out of the pocket, flicking the wrist and hitting
a long bomb just about the time it looks like he’ll throw it away.
CMR – once you’re gone a year or two, scouting reports might not be worth much.
CMR agrees with the comment on Russell except he is a pretty good pocket passer.
When a QB rolls out and buys time, it is longer your guys have to cover.
Jeff in Roswell – impressed with Q. Moses. Richt notes he’s third in the SEC
in career sacks for active players. Also, Jarvis Jackson had 18 tackles per
coaches film. Inman had the same injury in the spring and was practicing within
3 days. Taylor is questionable.
Luke in Acworth wonders about how calls are screened. Also asked about Kade
Weston and Mike Moore. Richt on Weston – heat got to him the first day. Then
we got to see him in a morning practice and saw what he could do but then he
had a hamstring injury. Kade will really have to help next year.
Mike Moore is making great catches in practice. Several WRs pulled hamstrings
in practice for a time. Moore and B-Mac were the only WRs to go through all
practices in camp but Moore got dead-legged and that set him back. He’s gotten
used to the volume now, is practicing well and will get a chance in the spring.
Michael in Gainesville wondered about all those review calls early in the GT
game, in particular one where a ball was uncatchable due to being tipped. Richt
isn’t sure about the reviews himself and admits to being surprised by that review.
Maybe the TV copy is different from coach’s tape. CMR was hoping a play by MoMass
would be reviewed, given how he reacted to the official’s call.
CMR – Dawg Walk at the title game? Not sure exactly when yet and he isn’t sure
how to describe it. We’ll try to get the word out .. maybe 4:15 or so on Sat.
Louis in Hawkinsville thinks the Dawg Walk will be planned for near the center
gate of the Dome. CMR said fans called when we were there last time so we want
to get a jump on it this time.
Jeff in Delaware (listening on the internet) – really pleased to see
Lumpkin running the ball well and being back to his old self. He also asked
about screen passes and wonders why we don’t run those. Richt loves screen passes.
The last two times we played GT, we tried to run screens, but they pressure
well and do a good job of sniffing out the screens. Two years ago, we were one
of the better screen teams around. Teams figured that out and prepare for it
better now.
Sandy in Lilburn was upset with us throwing two passes after 9 yards on first
down but things worked out well. CMR joked that he wonders about some things
he calls sometimes too. We just missed a slant we thought would be there. Then
we had a play we thought would pop big but it didn’t work.
Tim in Rome asked about the WRs and is concerned about how many passes they’re
dropping. What can the staff do? Richt – this was an inexperienced group. There
weren’t a lot of guys who had game receptions. There is a learning curve there.
These guys will improve. You’ve got to continue to believe in your guys and
hope they’ll continue to work hard to make the plays when they count the most.
That play to McClendon was as pretty as one all year.
Arthur in Athens asked whether CMR thinks his play calling is too conservative.
Richt thinks anyone who calls plays gets criticized, simply because not every
play works. At times, he is conservative but there are times that’s the right
thing to do. Richt’s goal as a play caller is to do what it takes to help the
team win. When he was calling plays at FSU, he never thought of how it might
affect the defense or special teams. When you’re the head coach, you don’t think
as much about stats as about victories.
Example – the more balls that are caught, the more first downs we get and the
more plays we can call.
David wonders why we could end up in the Peach Bowl if we lose and SC go to
the Outback at 7-4. Richt says it might be economics. The only thing for sure
if the winner goes to the BCS. If you come up short you’re at the mercy of the
politics of the bowl system. One good thing is our Dawg fans have been good
at showing up for our bowl games. Richt hopes our fans jump into those hotel
rooms and make the bowls feel good.
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