by Rex Robinson

Posts tagged “Willie Martinez”

Georgia Bulldogs Go in New Direction

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So shoot me. Are you  right 100% of the time? Georgia Bulldogs Head Football Coach Mark Richt made some tough decisions and let the world know today. DC Willie Martinez, LB Coach John Jancek and DE Coach Jon Fabris will not have their contracts renewed for 2010. Many Georgia fans are dancing in the streets, but I am not.  Sure the moves were necessary, but I can’t celebrate someone’s professional demise.

I know these three will land somewhere else if they choose to stay in football.  My old team mate Hugh Nall, who was the offensive line coach at Auburn a year ago, is the CEO of a trucking company in South Georgia now. Word is he is as happy as he’s ever been.

Whatever these coaches choose, I wish them well.

12/02/2009 | Categories: SPORTS | Tags: , , , , | 16 Comments »

CWM Ain’t Going Anywhere…

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Some Georgia fans hope for it, wish for it, even pray for it, but Willie Martinez will be on the Georgia sidelines in 2010. The defensive woes familiar to Dawg fans in recent years and especially 2009 might point to CWM, but CMR does not.

Mark Richt points in other directions, like youth, injuries and execution. He’d be right on those points, but how do you ignore the trends that have the Georgia faithful so faithless? You will have to ask Coach Mark Richt that question and believe me he will be asked.

One thing I can say is there aren’t many crucibles as hot as the high profile Division I football program like the University of Georgia. When the world wants to pull a team and/or staff apart like Dawg fans have this year, that team and staff either splinter and self destruct or they forge a stronger bond and survive.

Which do you think has happened?

Based on the last four games and especially the Auburn victory, I would say they have survived the tidal wave of criticism and are now riding it like Kelly Slater . I am convinced that Willie Martinez will return as Georgia’s DC because at the end of the Auburn game when things were in hand with a minute to go, Mark Richt and Willie Martinez embraced.  The joy and relief evident was powerful.  If I could read minds, I would guess they were saying WE did it. We DID it.

They have kept this team together. They have gotten better as the season has progressed. The staff may need some tweaking, but CWM is here for a while longer, I’m convinced of it. What say you?

11/16/2009 | Categories: SPORTS | Tags: , , | 40 Comments »

Playmakers Make Plays….Hmm.

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This is the roster for the 2002 Georgia Bulldogs that went 13-1.  The 2002 season saw VanGorder’s defense not only lead the SEC in scoring defense, but finish fourth nationally. The Bulldogs allowed only 31 points during the final seven games of the season on their way to eventually winning the Sugar Bowl and finishing third in the final national poll.

Below, I have highlighted some of the more recognizable names in bold. Both offensively and defensively, the list is some of Georgia’s greatest players ever. Could it be Bryan Van Gorder had more bullets in his gun to be more aggressive in his defensive play-calling?

No Name Position Ht. Wt. Class Hometown
63 Matt Adcock G 6’4″ 300 Sr Monroe, GA
– B.J. Albert RB 6’1″ 185 So Rome, GA
92 Gerald Anderson DL 6’3″ 320 Fr Waycross, GA
45 Boss Bailey LB 6’4″ 218 Sr Folkston, GA
15 Kenny Bailey RB 5’11″ 188 Jr Folkston, GA
30 Billy Bennett K 5’8″ 165 Jr Athens, GA
85 Jarrett Berry WR 6’5″ 208 Jr Lyons, GA
17 Greg Blue DB 6’2″ 201 Fr Atlanta, GA
84 Robert Brannon TE 6’4″ 233 Jr Charlotte, NC
70 Kevin Breedlove G 6’4″ 305 Sr Clemson, SC
60 Josh Brock G 6’4″ 309 Fr Cartersville, GA
24 Richie Brocker DB 5’9″ 181 Fr Woodstock, GA
1 Reggie Brown WR 6’2″ 195 So Carrollton, GA
31 Tyson Browning ATH 5’8″ 160 Fr Watkinsville, GA
22 Decory Bryant CB 6’0″ 185 Jr Orlando, FL
– Christopher Burgett FB – – – –
– Brandon Carley WR 6’2″ 210 Jr Brighton, MI
61 Jake Carter C 6’0″ 213 So Mcdonough, GA
48 Chris Clemons LB 6’3″ 223 Jr Griffin, GA
93 Nic Clemons DE 6’6″ 240 Sr Griffin, GA
– Antowin Clowers RB 5’10″ 233 Fr Macon, GA
5 Michael Cooper RB 5’11″ 222 Fr Sylvania, GA
– John Creech DE 6’0″ 250 Jr Roswell, GA
– Patrick Croffie RB 5’8″ 161 Jr Athens, GA
4 Kentrell Curry S 6’2″ 193 Jr Toccoa, GA
33 Ryan Davis S 5’11″ 191 Sr Columbus, GA
10 Thomas Davis S 6’3″ 219 Fr Shellman, GA
– Michael Difiore TE 6’4″ 224 Fr Marietta, GA
54 Dale Dixson DL 6’2″ 284 Fr Garland, TX
8 Terrence Edwards WR 6’1″ 175 Sr Tennille, GA
19 Marquis Elmore LB 6’4″ 250 Fr Folkston, GA
– Gordon Ely-Kelso K 6’2″ 212 Fr Athens, GA
11 B.j. Fields DB 5’11″ 182 Fr Woodbine, GA
– Zachary Fields S 5’10″ 180 So Hamilton, GA
– Adam Fleming OL 6’2″ 253 Fr Loganville, GA
71 George Foster T 6’6″ 322 Sr Macon, GA
– Gabriel Galt WR 5’10″ 172 Jr Athens, GA
51 Ray Gant DL 6’3″ 276 Fr Chapel Hill, NC
18 Damien Gary WR 5’11″ 175 Jr Athens, GA
90 Robert Geathers DE 6’4″ 248 So Georgetown, SC
82 Fred Gibson WR 6’4″ 180 So Waycross, GA
42 Tony Gilbert LB 6’1″ 242 Sr Macon, GA
26 Mike Gilliam RB 5’9″ 180 So Tallahassee, FL
97 Kedric Golston DL 6’4″ 285 Fr Tyrone, GA
14 David Greene QB 6’3″ 213 So Snellville, GA
46 Arnold Harrison LB 6’3″ 218 So Augusta, GA
86 Cedric Haywood WR 6’1″ 183 Fr Macon, GA
64 Chris Hewitt G 6’6″ 286 Jr Rome, GA
– Christopher Hickman FB – – – –
35 Edd Holland LB 6’0″ 214 Fr Saint Marys, GA
24 Albert Hollis Ii RB 5’11″ 197 So Sacramento, CA
55 Derrick Holloway LB 6’3″ 221 So Sharpsburg, GA
68 Darrell Holmes DT 6’3″ 271 Fr Atlanta, GA
– Jake Hooten T 6’4″ 222 So Columbus, GA
– John Huber LB 6’0″ 235 Fr Jonesboro, GA
72 Daniel Inman OL 6’7″ 302 Fr Hope Mills, NC
79 Alex Jackson G 6’4″ 345 Sr Quincy, FL
– Lee Jackson P 5’10″ 175 Fr La Grange, GA
44 Marcus Jackson DE 6’2″ 258 Fr Norcross, GA
– Max Jean-Gilles OL – – – –
23 Tim Jennings ATH 5’8″ 164 Fr Orangeburg, SC
– Adam Johnson WR 6’2″ 185 So Snellville, GA
25 Michael Johnson WR 6’3″ 213 Jr Tulsa, OK
29 Burt Jones CB 6’0″ 200 Sr Jackson, GA
6 Sean Jones S 6’1″ 201 So Atlanta, GA
– Brian Jordan WR 6’2″ 215 Fr Hartsfield, GA
83 Jonathan Kilgo P 6’2″ 206 Sr Silver Creek, GA
95 Brett Kirouac K 6’2″ 198 Sr Duluth, GA
56 Ian Knight C 6’4″ 283 Sr Snellville, GA
– William Koehler G – – – –
– Pete Kramer LB 6’1″ 209 Fr Snellville, GA
– Porter Lady G 5’11″ 223 Fr Savannah, GA
– John Loftin K 6’1″ 173 So Dallas, GA
– Rollins Luckey QB 6’1″ 206 Fr Atlanta, GA
– Jeff Lyons TE 6’3″ 229 Jr Lawrenceville, GA
75 Kareem Marshall OT 6’6″ 325 Sr Grover, NC
– Thomas Mayfield WR 6’0″ 168 Fr Peachtree City, GA
36 Bryan McClendon DB 5’11″ 172 Fr Atlanta, GA
77 Antonio Mercier OL 6’5″ 303 Fr Washington, GA
73 Bartley Miller OL 6’4″ 294 Fr Atlanta, GA
87 Martrez Milner ATH 6’4″ 241 Fr Oakwood, GA
9 Tony Milton RB 5’11″ 190 Fr Tallahassee, FL
2 Demario Minter DB 6’1″ 179 Fr Stone Mountain, GA
94 Quentin Moses DL 6’5″ 232 Fr Athens, GA
– Philip Nix S 5’11″ 189 Fr Dalton, GA
76 Jared Noblet DE 6’4″ 210 Sr Central, SC
88 Preston Pannell DL 6’6″ 240 Fr Cordele, GA
16 Cory Phillips QB 6’1″ 214 Sr Hartwell, GA
47 David Pollack DL 6’2″ 275 So Snellville, GA
20 Ronnie Powell RB 5’11″ 205 So Jacksonville, FL
80 Mario Raley WR 6’0″ 165 Fr Charlotte, NC
66 Dennis Roland Jr OL 6’7″ 287 Fr Bolivar, MO
– Olaolu Sanni-Osomo DB – – – –
– Ryan Schnetzcr C 6’3″ 270 Fr Newnan, GA
– Chris Shaw LB 6’3″ 197 Jr Hampton, GA
– Joel Shinpoch DE 6’2″ 225 Fr Acworth, GA
3 D.J. Shockley QB 6’1″ 186 Fr College Park, GA
– Jamario Smith LB 5’10″ 204 Fr Forsyth, GA
32 Musa Smith RB 6’1″ 226 Jr Elliottsburg, PA
37 Braxton Snyder FB 5’10″ 230 Sr Lexington, KY
78 Jon Stinchcomb T 6’6″ 282 Sr Lilburn, GA
57 Johnathan Sullivan DT 6’4″ 304 Jr Griffin, GA
98 Darrius Swain DT 6’4″ 295 Fr Decatur, GA
65 Randall Swoopes OL 6’3″ 310 Fr Athens, GA
50 Russ Tanner C 6’4″ 285 Fr Wrightsville, GA
43 Tony Taylor LB 6’1″ 208 Fr Watkinsville, GA
– Joe Tereshinski Iii QB – – – –
– Jeremy Thomas FB 5’11″ 258 So Loganville, GA
58 Will Thompson DE 6’2″ 235 So Warner Robins, GA
– Adam Thornton G 6’0″ 293 Fr Cohutta, GA
7 Bruce Thornton RB 5’11″ 192 Jr La Grange, GA
38 Kirby Towns WR 6’1″ 195 Sr Athens, GA
81 Michael Turner TE 6’4″ 253 Fr Snellville, GA
96 Ken Veal NG 6’2″ 304 Jr Cedartown, GA
49 J.T. Wall FB 6’0″ 258 Sr Milledgeville, GA
89 Benjamin Watson TE 6’3″ 251 Jr Rock Hill, SC
67 Reggie Weeks DL 6’4″ 290 Fr Smiths, AL
– Evan Wells RB 6’3″ 190 So Marietta, GA
53 Derrick White LB 6’3″ 224 Fr Union City, GA
27 Brandon Williams DB 5’10″ 177 Sr Moss Point, MS
– Tommy Wilson S 5’11″ 207 So Athens, GA
91 Shedrick Wynn DT 6’3″ 262 Jr Lincolnton, GA
29 Trey Young RB 5’7″ 178 Fr Athens, GA
– John Youngblood LB 6’1″ 220 Fr Douglas, GA

10/15/2009 | Categories: SPORTS | Tags: , , , , | 11 Comments »

Georgia Football Keeps it All in the Family

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It is very difficult to write openly and honestly about Georgia Football sometimes.  There is an unspoken rule of not being too critical of your coach or team in the public eye.  This is true for former players as well. This blog has been a tight rope because if I can’t be honest, it’s not worth doing. And blind loyalty is just that…blind.

But something that has occured to me lately is this notion of “family”.  In the best case scenarios it is real. I believe Coach Mark Richt has fostered that environment at Georgia.  I’ve seen recruits mention it as a big reason they chose Georgia over other schools. That’s great. The team should have that feel. But what about the coaching staff?

A head coach should foster the feeling of trust, good chemistry and maybe even family, but there is a point of diminishing returns.  I keep thinking of the company I worked for prior to starting Total Team Sports.  It was a family run business that had been around for over 30 years.  They liked to think it was a family atmosphere, but there were just a few true family members and close friends that were in the inner circle.

The problem inherent in some “family” situations is it clouds business decisions.  And make no mistake, college football is a business. You know that.  In any event, any response to the cries for the firings of Bobo, Martinez, Jancek and/or Fabris have been and will be slow in coming, as they should be.  Continuity on a staff is sometimes just as important as year to year results.

It may take Damon Evans taking Coach Richt off the hook and imposing his will to make any significant changes.  I’m not saying he should at this point. I think at the end of this season, every one should be honestly evaluated without emotion.  I believe Damon is that kind of person, which again is good.

Some Georgia fans seem to be unable to stop the micromanaging game to game, forget year to year. In this his ninth year, Mark Richt has orchestrated the DawgNation to it’s best run in history. And, most of the coaches in question were in the mix from the beginning. Do they need to continue to step up? YES. Do I want see anybody fired? Not really. But I am sure you are held accountable for your job performance.

They should too.

10/05/2009 | Categories: EDITORIAL, SPORTS | Tags: , , , , , | 13 Comments »

Georgia Fans, Check Your Balls Again

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Okay Georgia Bulldog fans, be honest. Have any of the first four games gone like you thought they would? When you were fretting all summer and looking into your crystal balls to foresee this year’s version of the Georgia Bulldogs, is this what you saw?  When I read posts this summer on DawgVent and even now on Twitter, those that speak with authority always make me laugh.

No one knows how this team will  perform week to week. Not you, not me, no blogger or sportswriter, not even Coaches Martinez, Bobo or Richt have a clue.  If I were a reporter having to attend practices or  press conferences in person or via telephone, I would be very frustrated. Because when I asked a question, why would I trust the answer?

How many times can a coach say we are making progress and that our running backs have more to learn, blah blah blah.  I always thought the most important aspects of being a great running back were instinctive. But I’m tired of being critical of Richard Samuel. I still believe Caleb King has looked better in the last two games, but the offensive line, a supposed strength of ours is under-performing and defenders are blowing up our backs before they even get to the hole. But at least Coach Richt has finally called them out. In addition, Georgia has reverted to the old pre-Knowshon habit of not letting anybody get enough carries to develop any kind of rhythm. See Thomas Brown-Danny Ware-Kregg Lumpkin. Every back I have ever heard talk about this issue says the same thing. I need the ball.

And why would anyone put stock in the notion that these Georgia Bulldogs would be more disciplined? Mat drills might help with agility and team building, but I always heard focus and discipline were in the mix as well.

I call B.S.

I would be perfectly happy with a lesser record in 2009 if I felt every player and coach were doing their best, but they are not and it’s not even close. It should not take until the fifth game to come together. I challenge anyone to tell me different. I hate to write negatively about the Dawgs, but an old mantra that seems to have died is the whole idea of getting the most from the players you have.

Do you feel we are getting the maximum performances from top to bottom?



09/29/2009 | Categories: SPORTS | Tags: , , , , | 8 Comments »

Georgia’s Membership in SEC is Under Further Review

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The gradual but accelerating decline of defense as a philosophy at The University of Georgia has caught the eye of the Southeastern Conference office in Birmingham. Michael Slive as the head of the conference has expressed a growing concern that UGA may not be up to the SEC standards of defensive football.  Last night after the Bulldogs 52-41 “win” at Arkansas, he was over heard saying, ” I hear the WAC is looking to expand”.

The SEC By-law that has been called into question is 5.3(a) which reads…an SEC defense must exhibit at least some desire to stop the other team’s offense while defending one’s end zone with aggressiveness, toughness and actually covering receivers and tackling the opponent.

The first two paragraphs of this post are a total fabrication, but it could happen! If things don’t change, we are in deep kimchee. Forget the bend don’t break thing, our guys look completely lost in pass coverage. Linebackers neither getting to the quarterback nor dropping into pass coverage, but settling into no man’s land.  Not enough catches are contested.  Potential interceptions dropped.

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Now, on quite a few occasions the Georgia defense has been put in tough situations. Turnovers are great for breakfast, in football, not so much. The fact that we have won with such a high number of fumbles can be looked at two ways. If we can possibly correct this and maintain our offensive production, we could have a special year. But that is a big IF. A failure to make said corrections will doom us to a very mediocre year.

Based on the Arkansas game, I’m betting Caleb King will have earned more carries and maybe even start. Almost any running back could have made the big run Richard Samuel made.  Aside from that run, Richard was largely ineffective.

Back to the defense. I understand why Willie Martinez is still using a soft zone defense.  With young guys like Brandon Boykin and sometimes Branden Smith, you can’t afford to risk man to man. Our men are too inexperienced. Bryan Evans has become quite the hitter, but has always been a weak coverage guy. Reshad Jones is pretty much the same  kind of guy.  These two are the new Thomas Davis/Greg Blue combo. Great in run support and make the occasional huge hit.  But you can count on them getting sucked up and burned deep every single game.  Georgia does not have the athletes to run a high pressure defense. Not enough pressure up front and our defensive backs are not talented or experienced enough to man up.

So smart guy,  what is Willie to do?

09/20/2009 | Categories: FUNNY PAPERS, SPORTS | Tags: , , , , | 27 Comments »

What’s that Coming Down the Track?

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A serious, full fledged heart attack.  If the Georgia Bulldogs continue to ride this roller coaster they’re on, taking pre-game medications will become a part of the tail-gating ritual. Do you want a Beta-Blocker Burger or a Digitalis Dog? Last Saturday I failed to take care of things before the game and by the second half I was feeling my blood pressure soar!

The only good thing about this ride we’ve been on is that we have such an upside.  I feel like our defense is like Forrest Gump before the braces came off his legs. They are being held back.  Let ‘em run Forrest!  To be fair, our guys have been a patchwork of players trying to deal with injuries and suspensions.  This week should be better as some of the missing pieces like Justin Houston come back.

Offensively we saw flashes of what could be. Richard Samuel, AJ Green, Branden Smith and Orson Charles all  showed signs of fulfilling the promise of their recruiting hype. Caleb King will probably see his first action of the season. The fact that Marlon Brown and Rontavious Wooten are still waiting in the wings, is very exciting. Logan Gray, the one snap wonder, has to be a little frustrated. It would be better to not play at all, than to go in for no apparent reason.

I really believe we need to continue to give these young guys reps because they need to get over any jitters now.  Let them build some confidence, so as the conference schedule progresses and Halloween approaches, this arsenal of weapons could be formidable.  Sounds like Coach Richt may understand the need to open things up more and more. I hope so.

09/18/2009 | Categories: FUNNY PAPERS, SPORTS | Tags: , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Fabris and Martinez, and The Truth Shall Set You Back

georgia_logo11It’s been quite a week for Georgia assistant football coaches Jon Fabris amd Willie Martinez. Both have had their share of criticism in recent years and both had opportunities to share their thoughts in the media.  Their respective units have struggled at times to say the least and both have been discussed in the Bulldawg Blogosphere. My question is this. Did either coach make you feel better in any of their recent opportunities in the print or online media?

Let me know what you thought of Fabris’ description of his kick-off situation and the process for determining who will man that unit. Did Willie Martinez come across as makng excuses and even pointing fingers in the AJC?

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Personally I did not feel better after either. Now I truly believe both the defense and the kick-off unit will be better. From winter workouts on, I believe the entire team has a renewed focus and especially the defense.  Coach Mark Richt is freeing up freshman to compete for special teams spots. That could let some young guy shine and not ride the pine.

Even so, the two coaches did not come across very well, in my opinion. Maybe Coach Richt should consider a new policy for allowing assistants to be interviewed.

08/22/2009 | Categories: EDITORIAL, SPORTS | Tags: , , , | 18 Comments »