Nick? Is that you?Georgia has closed down practice to all persons not closely affiliated with the football program this week. The media has reacted with 1) puzzlement, 2) mild resentment, and 3) accusations regarding accusations of spying. The attenuated logic that Saban once worked for a guy who spyed, therefore Saban must spy, is lighting up the media this week. This is what Saban's reputation has wrought. He's so hypercompetitive that he will employ any method to win that the Alabama athletic department can afford: spy satellites, invisibility cloaks, or a fleet of Africanized honeybees with tiny cameras attached to their thoraxes. I guess the logic isn't that far off as Saban was accused of trying to steal calls from the Pats last year, but Richt was accused last year too. Some reporters cite Searles as being a possible source of Richt's anxiety because he knows what lengths Saban will go to in order to get a win. While the concern may be real, this whole thing seems like a lot of trouble and risk for the chance that you might know what play is coming.
Frankly, I like the move. You shut down one possible advantage your adversary might employ. It should increase the feeling of isolation and focus during practice. And, the writers shouldn't complain that much because all they get to see is warm ups and special teams anyway.
Whether you believe the move is a result of spying concerns or not, the timing of the move is great. We've got a young team going on the road for a pivotal game before a large audience. It's a great way to get that attitude of us against the world that seems to work so well for visiting teams. Most writers say this is a red herring and spying is the real reason for increased privacy because none of the players seem to have realized that practice was closed.
Whatever the motivation, Richt seems to know what he is doing for road games. Until last year's loss at Kentucky, Richt had lost two true road games, one to an eventual national champion and the other to a team that went undefeated that year.
Quinton
Frankly, I like the move. You shut down one possible advantage your adversary might employ. It should increase the feeling of isolation and focus during practice. And, the writers shouldn't complain that much because all they get to see is warm ups and special teams anyway.
Whether you believe the move is a result of spying concerns or not, the timing of the move is great. We've got a young team going on the road for a pivotal game before a large audience. It's a great way to get that attitude of us against the world that seems to work so well for visiting teams. Most writers say this is a red herring and spying is the real reason for increased privacy because none of the players seem to have realized that practice was closed.
Whatever the motivation, Richt seems to know what he is doing for road games. Until last year's loss at Kentucky, Richt had lost two true road games, one to an eventual national champion and the other to a team that went undefeated that year.
Quinton
19 comments:
I am worried about this game. That is all.
It doesn't matter who's watching... we need a defensive coach that knows how to coach and understand making adjustments in the middle of the game and now wait for half time. Erk Russell can outcoach Willie Martinez TODAY! Yes, I know Erk is deceased... but is still a better coach than Martinez!!
No... I'm not upset... just P*SSED!
I agree with the actions by CMR, but the problem is now that Saban is already in everyone's head. I think closing practice actually adds a distraction to the practice week. And what is to stop Dawg players, the first time a play goes wrong, from wondering if it was because 'Bama knew what was coming? Saban's definitely won the mind games so far.
Paul- I respectfully disagree on this one. I think it is horrible timing and, as dancur47 states below - reinforces that Satan is "in our heads".
For someone who is so strong in their convictions like CMR (saying things like "we don't need to make any Special Teams scheme changes - it is execution") to deviate from what he's done for 6+ years....I find it disconcerting.
Add to this I'm married into a family of Bama grads leaves me with much concern for Saturday.
Go Dawgs!!
I was convinced that Spurrier knew what play we were running every time. They were almost always in the ideal defensive alignment for the play we were running. Coincidence? Maybe. Why should we even take the chance that someone might be spying. Just like the media following our troops into battle. Nobody needs to know what we do or who we do it with. That is all.
Agree Jasper, felt the same way.
I think this whole thing has a lot more to do with what happened vs. SCU than anything Saban-related.
Richt has shut down practice to the media before if I'm not mistaken.
I don't think Saban is in our heads at all. I heard yesterday that they definitely think that SC knew some things they shouldn't. That doesn't change the fact that SC didn't make us drop passes or over throw receivers or fail to make clean tackles.
I personally think this is happening b/c something is cooking scheme wise.
Regardless, you can bet that Saban has had to waste time trying to figure out what Richt is really up to.
BTW - I'm more concerned about Kirby Smart knowing our hand signals than I am about Saban watching us practice.
Paul, agreed on both, though I hope that the signals have been tweaked since Kirby left (in fact, I'd expect occasional tweaking as a matter of course)
I do think it is poor timing, but I inferred from Richt's comments that spying has happened to us before. Not certain if he is implying the South Carolina game this season or a match up with LSU previously.
In regards to Saban being in our heads or the heads of the SEC coaches, I think his assocication with Belichick in Cleveland while in Miami there were allegations of recording the NE audibles and line calls in a 9-0 defeat of the Patriots.
One of Richt's comments to the media was that "If we had an indoor facility blah blah blah".
Is Richt still fighting for this indoor thing despite his comments and retraction weeks ago? Is this indoor facility going to turn into a Richt UGA/FSU thing when Bowden leaves the head post?
If the only thing available to the public was watching the guys stretching and the punter launching cannon shots against the breeze what was Richt afraid of "spies" seeing?
Saban will have game film available to him that shows the team doing jumping jacks and punting on 4th down.
I would not worry to much about CMR heading back to FSU. Having to listen to endless amounts of Seminole ramblings at work, etc. it seems a foregone conclussion that Jimbo Fisher took the OC position at FSU on the condition that he would be the next head coach. Supposedly the head coach position was originally being held for Kevin Steele, who left to join Saban as Alabama's DC.
I'm psyched that we are dogs (no pun intended) going into this game (+3.5). Quinten is right on, the closed practices should encourage focus and the "us against the world" factor. GO DAWGS!
I think 'Bama is banged up from their phsical game last week. We played a cupcake and without expending too much energy, managed to take care of business mid-way through the 3rd quarter, rest our starters, and fool everyone into thinking we're Vanilla and unmotivated. I like our chances. I think Alabama is overly wired right now...and I spoke to my niece (a Junior in Tuscaloosa)who said they're already talking about LSU. Perfect.Set.Up.
Quinton wrote it.
Not me.
Every time I hear a fellow dawg bring up Erk - it makes me want to puke my dog bone. Yea- those were the good ol days- 7-3, 6-5, lose to Tech, etc. No championships. I love Erk too (RIP), but don't for a minute think he was any better than the bad ass dawgs of today.
BTW. Does it look like CMR wants indoor practice? Damn straight. Hit the hip boys, the coach has spoken.
And I'm tired of all this dawg wimpering about Alabama. (Saban this and that) And c.paul, do me a favor and slap your Alabama loving motherinlaw right in the face. If you are nervous, do me a favor and don't even watch the damn game. If you aren't a big dawg, go hide under the portch. Woof, Woof, Woof!
Chip towers has mentioned several times as summer camp went on the added restrictions on the media, so it shouldn't be a surpise practice is closing with recent happenings
Regardless of anything, if Stafford and the boys can execute, the Bama secondary will be in trouble. If our offensive line gives, then of course, we won't execute. Yet, if we can execute, Moreno and Brown can do their thing. But when Blackledge starts talking "back when I was with CBS," we're in big trouble. We're a better team in my opinion, but can our young guys stand the heat in Bryant-Denney? This is a make or break game as far as this year goes, but to hell with Saban. C'mon Stafford, it's your time to answer the hype. . .
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