Statick Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Martinez becomes focus of fans’ ireBy Chip Towers | Tuesday, November 4, 2008, 07:17 AM The Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionCriticism comes in a lot of forms and, after a loss like Georgia suffered last Saturday in Jacksonville, nobody is safe from receiving it. But from Day One in this forum I’ve been hearing it about defensive coordinator Willie Martinez.In many ways Martinez has never had a chance. He followed a relative legend in Brian VanGorder and you know what they say about following legends. But it had been a tossup for Richt about whether to name BVG or Martinez defensive coordinator when the two first joined his staff in 2001 and Richt wasted no time in tabbing Martinez the position when VanGorder began his football sojourn after the 2004 season.I’ve been a pretty staunch defender of Martinez the last couple of seasons. After all, the Bulldogs have averaged 10 wins his three seasons overseeing the defense and never finished worse than 18th nationally in total D. But he has become more difficult to defend this season.The Bulldogs have famously given up 128 points in games against their three highest ranked opponents this season — Alabama (41), Florida (49) and LSU (38). You can argue the offense didn’t help the cause in the two losses but, still, it’s the defense’s job to keep the other guys out of the end zone. With nine returning starters and a collection of other highly-recruited talent, Georgia is 11th in passing defense (217.6 ypg) and ninth in total defense (306.7). Worse, it is giving up 23.4 points a game. That’s 10th, or third from last, in the SEC this season.The points allowed continues a disturbing trend under Martinez. The Dogs have actually given up more each year — 16.4 per game in 2005, 17.6 in ‘07, 20.2 in ‘07, now 23.4.Here’s the bottom line, though. Even if it remained there the rest of the season, which it shouldn’t, it’s highly doubtful coach Mark Richt would make a change. He has repeatedly defended his coordinator and has always been outspoken about staff continuity being important to continued success. Besides, there is still a very good chance Georgia could finish the season 10-2, 11-2 with a bowl win. If so, that’s not exactly a colossal failure of a season.So I put it to you, the all-knowing blogosphere. Do the Dogs need a change there or just a change of attitude? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SacFalcFan Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 cwm has been a target for uga fans for years and for good reason.. i have wanted him fired for 2 years now, but there happens to be one uga fan who argued with me I was wrong.. i don't see him here the past few days, but i want him to defend cwm to me again.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slamee101 Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Crazily enough I don't feel he's really called bad games in the last two...but I've been vocal too about how much of a step back we took once we lost Van Gorder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SacFalcFan Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Crazily enough I don't feel he's really called bad games in the last two...but I've been vocal too about how much of a step back we took once we lost Van Gorder.FIRE HIM PLEASE MARK RICHT.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slamee101 Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 FIRE HIM PLEASE MARK RICHT..I'm telling you...I worry about him like I did with Mora. I actually think Mora was a decent coach...but didn't have it in him to let go of Donatell or Knapp. Martinez isn't the worst...but I definitely think we can do better.I thought about our situation when I looked at LSU's defense this year. Sure they lost some starters, but I think the loss of Pelini has been huge for them. I wonder if Miles will stick with the current DC down there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawDawg Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Van Gorder was the real deal as a DC. Look at what the Falcons' LB's are accomplishing under his direction. Lofton is even a serious contender for NFL Defensive rookie of the year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawDawg Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 And I don't think Coach Richt will ever fire Willie because their history together. It'll need to come from Damon Evans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Destroyer33 Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 I really miss the swagger and attitude Van Gorder brought to UGA's defense. We haven't had a nasty defense since he left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SacFalcFan Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 And I don't think Coach Richt will ever fire Willie because their history together. It'll need to come from Damon Evans.then damon needs to make that move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capologist Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 I can understand wanting Martinez fired but not before Bobo... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SacFalcFan Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 I can understand wanting Martinez fired but not before Bobo...i want them both gone, but i am in the minority in my fan base. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan9124 Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 I've never liked Bobo and I think Martinez has hidden behind talented D Linemen for a number of years now. But this year, we don't have those top notch guys, and the ones we did have got hurt, so his mediocrity as a coach is showing big time...It has been obvious to me for the longest time that Bobo is not the coordinator we need, I have no clue why he is still here...Richt needs to do this immediately after the season. If he lets it fall on Damon Evans' shoulders it's gonna be a mess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slamee101 Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 i want them both gone, but i am in the minority in my fan base.I'm with you. I think Bobo will get a pass b/c he's been the OC for a year and a half. I mean, he could take a demotion back to QB coach while we bring in someone else but I don't think he'd want to do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slamee101 Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 I really miss the swagger and attitude Van Gorder brought to UGA's defense. We haven't had a nasty defense since he left.You hit it on the nail! We've had the players but our D hasn't even had that same hit you in the mouth type attitude since he left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Destroyer33 Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 You hit it on the nail! We've had the players but our D hasn't even had that same hit you in the mouth type attitude since he left.Yeah it's a crying shame too.....When Van Gorder was here you might have beaten him but you were guaranteed a few bent face masks and several days in the training room for your efforts. Now it looks like we're playing two hand touch under Martinez. I can only remember one big hit from this season and that was on ST's from Demarcus Dobbs during the Central Michigan game. Other than that I'm drawing a blank. If I was an opposing player I wouldn't exactly fear Georgia's defense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slamee101 Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Yeah it's a crying shame too.....When Van Gorder was here you might have beaten him but you were guaranteed a few bent face masks and several days in the training room for your efforts. Now it looks like we're playing two hand touch under Martinez. I can only remember one big hit from this season and that was on ST's from Demarcus Dobbs during the Central Michigan game. Other than that I'm drawing a blank. If I was an opposing player I wouldn't exactly fear Georgia's defense.Exactly! I feel like we've got just as much talent at those positions...they're just not being coached up. Guys would run and be in space but would be fearful of Sean Jones, Odell Thurman, Thomas Davis, Boss Bailey, etc. I don't think our D really strikes fear in too many... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SacFalcFan Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 oh did I say fire cwm.. fire willie.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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