The writers all seemed to lock on to two or three points from Mark Richt’s speech at Media Days yesterday: his decision to show more fire, the hype around the Dawgs and a possible title, and the decision to have his team celebrate too much vs Florida last year.
Here goes:
Jay G. Tate of The Montgomery Advertiser writes that Richt decided to become more fiery after his team’s loss to Tennessee last year.
Kyle Veazey of The Jackson Clarion-Ledger writes that Richt’s friends and family have always known him to “get riled up.”
Tommy Hicks of The Mobile Press-Register thinks the change in personality is paying off for the Bulldogs.
Two more stories on Richt’s emotional shift after the Tennessee game (by Travis Haney of the Charleston Post and Courier) and how that game changed Georgia’s season (by Robbie Andreu of The Gainesville Sun).
Georgia is aiming for a national title in 2008. “This year we want to put ourselves in that position,” said Mohamed Massaquoi. “We control our own destiny.” Just like Luke Skywalker.
Joseph Person of The State wonders if the hype surrounding Georgia is something the Bulldogs can handle.
Richt heard questions about the national championship early and often during this press conference.
The folks at nola.com (that’s The New Orleans Times-Picayune site) wonder if Georgia’s schedule might be too tough to tame.
Richt feels that the hype could be a good thing for his team. “It could be a blessing if you look at it as one of the greatest opportunities of your life and you put the work into even being in position to have a chance (to win a national title).
And here are a number of stories dealing with Richt’s motivational ploy versus Florida from:
The Memphis Commercial-Appeal
The Gainesville Sun (regarding Richt’s regrets over the move)
The Orlando Sentinel (saying the Richt doens’t need to apologize for anything)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
and The Athens Banner-Herald (saying that the new grudge between Florida and Georgia is good for the rivalry)
