Hard Line Just in Time
It seems many Georgia fans are continuing to question Mark Richt’s decision to dismiss Zach Mettenberger. They want an explanation for the seemingly hasty decision. They want details. Well, this ain’t TMZ and Mark Richt owes no one any explanations.
People have screamed for several years about discipline in the program both on and off the field. I myself have offered opinions that Coach Richt had possibly lost some control of the team and I got put on blast. Now that he seems to want to reassert himself, the other camp cries foul. It’s another example of how you can never please all of the people all of the time.
Maybe you think he should have given young Mett more latitude because he had the chance to be our starting quarterback. I say BS. It’s that kind of inconsistent disciplinary standard that breeds resentment on a team in my humble opinion.
I have seen Georgia fans characterize the Mettenberger decision as knee-jerk and reactionary. They think Coach Richt has initiated a zero tolerance policy. I haven’t heard that. I see no evidence of that. I don’t know that the “spring break incident”(click) was the first or last transgression on Zach’s record, do you? I have heard some rumors from fans, not the athletic department, so I will not spread that stuff. That friend of a friend stuff just doesn’t fly here.
I want to remind you all that some consider Mark Richt on the hot seat in 2010. I don’t, but many do. Even so, I have wondered if the changes in the defensive staff would be the only ones made in the culture in Athens. I think we have the answer. It’s one thing to dismiss a back-up punter(click). It sends a real message when your potential starting quarterback is told to hit the bricks.
Georgia Fans can’t have it both ways. Nor can CMR have different rules for your favorite guys versus the ones you could do without. If “Evil Richt” has returned, 2010 is gonna be great.
I believe in Coach Richt and can’t wait for the fall.
04/24/2010 at 5:42 PM
Look, it’s very simple as to what happened.
Z-Mett lied to CMR about what happened. We’ve seen Richt give players enough rope to hang themselves, and then STILL pardon them.
But the kid lied, and even for Mark Richt, he of the Bobby Bowden School of (No) Discipline, that’s a line that can’t be crossed.
It seems that Z-Mett got a little too hands-on with both a young co-ed (though NOT Rapistberger bad) and a cop at the bar.
When that info came to CMR’s attention, I don’t think he had any hesitation in saying bye-bye. You can’t be the leader of a football team if you can’t be trusted by your head coach.
It’s that simple.
Murray is the guy. Murray is going to be OUR Colt McCoy. Integrity. Leadership. Heart. Hard working. Athletic. Great.
Bank on it. The Dawgs are in good hands.
04/24/2010 at 5:16 PM
We have already dealt with 2 off-seasons where we were told that Richt was “clamping down” and saw very little on-field performance to back up that it helped us
04/23/2010 at 9:32 PM
Rex, I couldn’t agree more. Maybe I am getting older, but it seems to me that more and more of the fan base wants a combination of WWF smackdown and playstation instead of disciplined, solid football.
I think a lot of people got a serious man (or girl) crush on mettenberger’s skills at G-day and they think he was “the man.” Obviously, he’s not.
Now all the UGA fans with an identity crisis (young pups who don’t know what UGA football is traditionally all about…running the ball, defense, “no name” players) are afraid of what is going to happen to the program if we lose that “star power” at quarterback.
We had “star power” at quarterback with stafford…and how many SEC championships did we win? Until Stafford, How many championships did we win without “star power.”
Quarterback in college is more about being a manager than a “star.” Give me a boring guy who executes and makes smart decisions, and I will mop the field with your “stars” just about every time.
04/23/2010 at 1:52 PM
Amen! Keep spreadin’ the good word Rex!
In the words of one of my favorite characters EVER in a movie…Gunnery Sergeant Hartman – Full Metal Jacket “Your days of finger-ban%ing ol’ Mary-Jane Rottencr-tch through her pretty pink panties are over!”
No more BS in Athens! I say no more BS from fans either…I say some of them can hit the bricks too! Richt’s OUR man! The staff is OUR staff! The players are OUR players and they bust their hump to get the job done! Get behind ‘em ALL or find a new team to root for!
Let’s get it on!
IT’S GREAT TO BE A GEORGIA BULLDOG! LET’S GO DAWGS!
04/23/2010 at 12:29 PM
UGA fans should have learned one thing about Coach Richt over the years — his understanding that he is dealing with young men (often guys still in their teens) who are going to, at times, make bad choices. I don’t know what happened with Mett, but I firmly believe Coach did what he believed he had to do. I feel sorry for the young man. I feel sorry for his parents. I feel just as sorry for Coach Richt, because, utlimately, it was his decision that confirmed Mett’s dismissal. I also know it was Mett’s decision to make the wrong choices that set off the chain of events. Coach Richt owes me no explanation as to why he made the decision he did. I am certain he explained it fully to Mettenberger and to the young man’s family. That is all he needed to do.
04/23/2010 at 9:58 AM
Nailed it.
04/23/2010 at 9:10 AM
Spot On!
04/23/2010 at 8:12 AM