The Dawg Stephen Blog

Dont Ever Forget

2012-01-20T16:54:00.002-05:00

The motto of 2012.

Go Dawgs

SEC Predictions for Week 3- Sept 15th & 17th

2011-09-15T16:34:00.002-04:00

This week the SEC gets featured on thursday night as well as Saturday afternoon and to be honest I am kinda glad. I am not back with the NFL yet, and probably wont be for sometime. I have been waiting for football all week long and cant wait to see the dawgs get a win under their belt this week. Until I can step into Sanford again, I will be glad to see SEC football. So here are my thoughts on this weeks matchups...Feel free to call me out and tell me how wrong or awesome I am when its over. Let's start with Thursday.

Thursday Night Lights with Lester Miles & Daniel Mullet

AKA- LSU @ MISS STATE

The man who played Obi Wan to Tim Tebow has his guys rolling in directions they havent been since they were beaten in the GA Dome by Peyton Manning and the Great Pumpkin. Mullen is a good coach, but he hasnt beaten ANYONE in the west other than Ole Miss. Sure he beat UGA and Florida last year, but neither team was at their best at any time last year. Say what you want about him being great, but until he does more than that I am NOT impressed nor asking for his hire anywhere near here. The verdict is still out on him in my court. That loss to Auburn last week didnt help any. Les Miles team Destroyed Oregon in a game that I thought would be closer than it was. of course that many turnovers will make things look much worse than they are.. right Georgia? I like what Mullen is doing over there in Starkville, but lets face it. Over there its coach or ..or...or... well you get the idea. I think Miss State will hang around, but LSU is still pretty good. 28-19 LSU wins it.

Awbarn @ Clem & Son- Well, last year, Clemson went down to the plains and gave the tiger-eagle-showmedamoney-all in-plainsmen all the wanted. Turns out Auburn got their moneys worth and Cam was able to lead his team to a close hard fought win. Auburn lost all those players but found a way under the salary cap to have another good recruiting class. They used the rest of their money to have a lucky horseshoe surgically implanted into their head coach. This game is at Clemson, and while they dont really impress me yet, they got a VERY good recruiting class themselves. Auburn holds the nations longest winning streak, but this week the luck runs out. 27-17 Clemson

Ole Miss @ Vandy- Vandy is headed in the right direction and under new coach Franklin they are gonna knock people off that they shouldnt, and hang tough with those who needed a easy game. Ole Miss lost a ugly game to BYU, and this game is basically a pick-em. I think Ole Miss will win, but Vandy is gonna do what they always do.. 24-20 Rebels

Coastal Carolina @ UGA- After the toughest schedule based on rankings in GA history, the dawgs should get a win under their belts this week. Just be dawgs!! not meeeooowww cats ok?Dawgs win big. 42-3

Tennessee @ Florida- Well, how do you pick this? This game comes down to the QB's. According to the guys in Chattanooga, Tyler Bray is better than Peyton at this point in his career. (smokin something i say) The gators are under new Coach Will Muschamp, and neither team has played anyone yet. Conference openers can be tough to pick. Bray has been terrific, but really hasnt played any competition to speak of. I am also anxious to see what the lizards can bring at the QB spot in Brantley. Its a home game for Florida, and therefore I give them the edge. Lucky for UGA, both these teams play LSU AND BAMA and both should lose to the bayou bengals and the tide, so if GA can beat them both, then we would finish ahead of each of these teams in the east, barring a horrible collapse in effort. I will take those odds. Therefore, it dont really matter who wins to me since I hate them both, and UGA doesnt benefit either way at this point really. So I will take the swamp things by 4. Florida wins 30-26

Navy @ South Cackalacky-- Carolina Covers whatever the line is. NEXXTT!!!

Louisville @ Kentucky- I think the cats win this. Even without Randall Cobb, who left them for the NFL and 108 yard kickoff returns. Cant think of a score. Kentucky wins I say.

North Texas @ Alabama- Saban and his guys have yet to play anyone that much stronger than a state championship High School team, and this week is no different. We wont know how good Bama is until they get into conference schedule. Bama kills these guys 51-7

Troy @ Arkansas- While Troy slips up and plays people tough from time to time, they are no match for the hogs. Petrino and his boys throw it all over the yard. Hogs 34- Troy 10.

See yall @ the dawg walk in Athens!!

Go Dawgs

So What Now?

2011-09-12T19:42:00.006-04:00

You have heard it said, and read it on the T-shirt "It's not the size of the dawg in the fight, its the size of the fight in the dawg". Never has that been more true than now. Everyone questioned how Georgia can replace its top 2 receivers from 2010. Then the 2 leading rushers were gone. What about the top Offensive Tackle suffering a 3rd injury?

Then the first 2 games do not go according to plan. The offseason went pretty well actually. The team worked harder than ever within the new S&C conditioning program. They got stronger, faster, more conditioned for the 4th quarter. Then Georgia faced its toughest 2 game opening schedule in its history. The first game we lost our starting inside linebacker and got beaten by a worthy yet puzzling opponent. The 2nd game the gameplan was better, the practices had been effective and both sides of the ball seemed to click. Turnovers and special teams cost the team 28 points and yet again regardless of only allowing 17 true points on offense, the team loses a heartbreaking loss. When Sunday rolls around, the OTHER starting inside linebacker has been lost for a few weeks.

So what now? How do you handle the first 0-2 start in 15 years? How do you respond to the adversity of being thin at important positions? I tell you how. You show up THIS week. You cheer as if undefeated Alabama were coming in to face our dawgs. (face it, we want them in the dome and you know it)

Look, I saw a difference in the team last week. I SAW IT!! We shot ourselves in the foot, and we lost. I saw the intensity that hasnt been there in a long time. Im mad that it left. I think things are on the right track. Im not saying, keep this guy, or fire that guy, im just saying, we have 10 games left. TEN GAMES!! and whether or not you want changes, or you support the entire staff, you have a job. GET BEHIND THIS TEAM!!! Let the season play out, and let the results, or lack thereof speak for themselves. We aint helping nothing by griping in public. If you wanna diss or criticize, just do it in the right way. More on that later.

GO DAWGS

Stay The Course

2011-09-11T14:56:00.003-04:00

Look, I am not "happy" with 0-2. Starting with the toughest schedule based on the opponents rankings in UGA history only means you work harder in the offseason and focus earlier instead of a tune up game. I know there are people out there who are ready to throw it all out, and will look at record only and be "done with it" all.

As you know, I havent been one of those people and I am not right now. I didnt like week 1. I thought we played hard, but poorly executed. I questioned what the coaches would come up with since really South Carolina was a bigger game. I questioned would the players come out focused due to the fact the "lunatic" fan base didnt have the brains to leave the players alone.

I wondered if the offensive staff would run a play package better set to getting the ball into space and into our play makers hands. I wondered if the defensive staff would have the players up to the challenge of handling the best running back we will play all year, and against the coach who we hate the most.

Regardless of who you THINK ought to be coaching the dawgs, and I know some of you aint gonna like this, but we got the right man. That loss was NOT a product of bad play calling. (42 points) That loss was NOT a product of bad defense. (17 true points allowed) The coaches had them ready on both sides. They did. No argument there. Our quarterback picked a bad time to not protect the ball. A INT returned for touchdown, and a fumble from him returned for a touchdown, along with a bad exchange to the running back, cost us that game.

They got us on the fake punt. We "whiffed" on a tackle. I hate it. It was like a kick to the face after a knockout punch from Mike Tyson. Every time Georgia took the momentum and was in a place to put the game away, we handed it back to SC, every single time.

I went into SC knowing it was going to be tough. I walked out sick because we didnt just out play them, we outplayed them, and handed the game back to them finding a way to lose it.

When Mark Richt came to Georgia, these are the games and the culture that he came to change. Now he is faced with changing it again. Look, I am NOT loving the way things went in the last couple of years. I am not happy with it, but im still a dawg. Bottom line is this.

I didnt see any fireable offenses last night. Sorry you did. You are wrong.
Offense plan was fine. Quarterback messed up. Freshman fumbled. Fix it. (it can be)
Defense never ever ever quit, and had a FINE plan. (only gave up 17 true points)
SPecial teams missed a field goal.

I saw a freshman who CAN handle the load. He will be a star and is everything we hoped.
I saw a defense GLAD to have Bacarri Rambo back, and a star emerging in Sanders Commings.
I saw Jarvis Jones take his performance from 1st game, and double it. Hes a monster.
I saw playmakers, at MANY positions, and I saw us put them in position to succeed.
I saw the replacement for Kris Durham. His name is Michael Bennett.
I saw 2 guys who could replace AJ Green. One of them will. It may be the freshman Mitchell.

I saw a team whos coaches had them ready according to gameplan. I am sickened by the loss, but guess what? I am just a fan. You think you were sick? you were hurt? think of those players. they are 10 times sicker than you. They are working hard. Whether you think this guy needs to go, or that guy is toast, do your team a favor and shut up about it.

This team is FUN to watch. I havent been that into a game in a while.. I was PROUD of the fight in this team. Whether or not you feel like it, that was a HUGE rebound and step in the right direction last night. This season could play out to be something special, or it could go wrong, but stay the course, get in your seat, attend the games, support the team, stay the course and find out.

The team deserves your support. Stand together and judge it at the end. Stay the course dawg fans. Just wait and see. There is something different about the makeup and chemistry of these guys. I am watching closely, and I see it. If you will control yourself and your emotions, you do too.

Shout out for Pat's Well Being

2011-08-23T17:29:00.002-04:00

Throw out school loyalty, throw out your hate for orange. This is about a true legend, and a lady to be respected. Pat Summitt of the Tennessee Lady Vols has been diagnosed with early onset dementia. Our prayers, thoughts and well wishes here at the Dawg Stephen blog go out to her.

I had the chance to meet her 2 years ago at the SEC basketball media days, sit across the tables from her at lunch, and spend about 35 minutes one-on-one talking with her just about life in general.

Think how intense and mean spirited she seems when coaching a game. Now do a 180 degree turn in your thinking. Regardless of how much I hate orange, (AND I DO) I could not walk away from that interview and lunch with ANY hatred whatsoever for Pat Summitt the lady. She talked about hard work, dedication, how she was raised and the faith of her family that makes her who she is today. Truly one of the nicer, down to earth people I have ever met.

She didnt have to be nice to me. She had never met me, and she certainly didnt have to be nice to a guy wearing a "G" on his hat, but she did. She spoke with me as if I were the most important person she would speak with that day. I was more than a little saddened to hear of her condition, and I took just a moment to whisper a prayer for her and her family in this time.

Regardless of how you feel about Tennessee or what you THINK you know about Pat Summitt, take a moment and throw some well wishes her way. This is bigger than rivalry.

Coach Richt Had Other Things On His Mind...Like Coaching

2011-08-22T11:50:00.002-04:00

I am just about sick of hearing people complain about the NIKE uniforms. I am almost to a point that I want the dawgs to wear them all year long just to stick it in some of your faces. Alas, there I go again with the mean spirit. I had promised to be a nicer, kinder, gentler Dawg Stephen this year, and I be hanged if some of you arent already on my fightin' side. I am with McGarity on this one. The Georgia "G" is still the same, and they DID use the school colors ok??

Some people have pointed out that "Saban wouldnt have put up with this!!" and "Saban didnt let Nike mess with tradition" My thoughts??? Maybe Coach Richt was too busy coaching to fool with this stuff.
Ya think? It may have even gone something like this....

Saban: "Leave tradition alone, I am not going to say it again, I have coaching to do"
Richt" "We are bound by Nike to wear it, do something the players like, I have coaching to do"

(if you watch the NIKE video, the narrator @ the :26 mark says "Get After Them Agressively").. VERY nice placement

The bottom line is this. The Players LOVE THESE UNIFORMS!! (i do too) They have been focused on Boise for MONTHS... They are gonna be juiced and pumped regardless, but they just want a little "Swag" for their coming out party against Boise. Let them have a little fun...Is there anything wrong with that? I didnt think so. Besides, if this is all you have to complain about come Sunday September 4th, I dont think that will be too much of a problem. Bottom line? Get behind the players and this team NO MATTER WHAT!! Know this brutal heat that you have sweated through this summer? yeah, they have to.

SPREAD THE RED on September 3rd.
GO DAWGS!!!

Facts Before You Speak, Get Over It Son, I Am With The Players!!!

2011-08-20T19:35:00.008-04:00

Im reading a lot of people who are complaining about the Nike Pro-Combat Uniforms for the Boise State game in the dome. I am not one of them. Is this the uniform I would have designed? Nope. I would have stayed with silver britches. I just like that combo. Am I against these things? NOPE!! I am in favor of these uniforms and I am gonna tell you the reasons why.

1. ITS NOT A MOTIVATION GIMMICK- For it to be motivational gimmick, it would be something to spring on the team all at once to fire them up. In case you havent noticed, these guys have been fired up for months. I have followed players on facebook and twitter and ALL they have talked about since the spring has been Boise and SC, Boise and SC! They have been preparing and this stuff had nothing to do with it. They are ready.

2. GEORGIA DIDNT REALLY HAVE A CHOICE- This is part of a contract one of two ways. Either its part of the contract with Nike which we HAVE TO OBEY, or its part of the deal of playing in the Chick-Fil-A kickoff. Either way, its released 2 weeks ahead of time, so as Coach Richt said, theres "time to get over it". So for those who are pointing their fingers at McGarity or Richt, you need to get your facts in line before you spout off.

3. BOTH TEAMS ARE DOING IT, & ITS NOT A NEW IDEA- This isnt anything that Coach Richt came up with, this is something that NIKE has done, and has involved both teams. Its merely Nike just saying, here is the one game you wear what we say, and here is how you are gonna do it. Boise is doing this too, and if you were fan enough to be at the spring game you heard Gary Stokan on the big screen announce that BOTH Teams would be in home colors. We knew something was up then. Get over it!!!

4. THE PLAYERS LIKE IT.- Sure Coach Richt said it "excited the players" but that was 5 weeks ago. Thats why he showed it to them then. They are young men, and yes they got a little excited. He did this BEFORE fall camp even started. So that after the initial "high" was gone, they were still focused on the task at hand....preparing for Boise. They have commented that yes they cannot wait to "put them on" and play, but they know its just one game, and theres a job to do.

I have heard from people that this is from a coach who has lost his grip and a program with no upward direction. What a joke statement that is!!! This is about a coach with a retooled focus and a team who if he asks them to will run through a brick wall to defeat the opponent. Coach Richt hasnt lost his grip, and he hasnt lost this team. He has total control of this program, and anyone who is CLOSE to the program and hasnt lost their ever loving mind can see that.

This is one game, its FUN for the players, but as you all remember, their "fun" from seeing these uniforms wore off about a month ago. They will put them on September 3rd, but when they put them on, it will be nothing but looking good for them then. They will have spent a month of grueling practices and workouts in the brutal summer heat. These players will know what is at stake, they will be taking on a top 5 opponent on national TV, and a chance to put this program back where it belongs at the top of the SEC.

Greg McGarity is the Athletic Director we have been waiting on, and he will not put up with mediocrity. Lucky for us, Coach Richt isnt going to give him reason to.

Now you got 2 choices, you can either gripe and complain like the malcontent that you are, or you can search deep down, think about the players, decide either you are with us or you arent, put your red on, get your tail down to the dome EARLY, and lets show the nation that not only is our team back, but our support for them never left.

SPREAD THE RED

September 3rd, 2011
GO DAWGS!!!

Daaahhhlin' you look stunnin!!!

2011-08-19T17:47:00.003-04:00

I have spoken with someone who HAS seen the NIKE combat uniforms, (no i will not tell you who, because they were told not to tell, and they HAVENT shown me or told me)...but they have said the Bulldog Nation is going to be THRILLED with what Nike has planned for us.

We should rest assured, this is not a gimmick, this is a contractual obligation to our clothier, and therefore something we HAVE to do. I was told, if you dont like these, then you arent a dawg.....

Go dawgs!!!

Gators wear... well you know.

2011-08-18T11:37:00.003-04:00

Taken from the always terrific "people of walmart" website. This was taken in Florida. Good to always count on the gators in this time of waiting for football.

..And The Man You'll Be, Dear "Watts"son

2011-08-15T18:21:00.003-04:00

Ok, total shoutout to the local guy!!! He's from my hometown, so any awesome news I hear about a local kid who chose to go play for my dawgs thrills me to no end. I wake up to read in the "Chattanooga Times Free Press" that Watts Dantzler from Dalton, GA is 2nd string for my beloved Georgia Bulldogs today. Thats just awesome!!

Lots of people around here are really rooting for him to not only do well, but to EXCEL in football in Athens. I have a few friends from around the Dalton High program and all of them have glowing reviews for Watts. It seems they were right. Watts is now penciled in as the backup to senior Gordy Glenn at LEFT TACKLE!! (yes you heard me.. The "Blind Side" of Aaron Murray)

You can read the entire article and interview HERE, but these are the things that thrilled me the most, and to me addressed the typical concerns most have for a true freshman.

Watts said -"I just came in working hard and learning as much as I could as fast as I could. When they told me I was 2nd string, I just tried to get in there and WORK EVEN HARDER"

Ok, so work ethic seems to be great, and the hard work seems to be there, the focus and the willingness to get after it every day. I'm smiling.

When asked about Cordy Glenn he replied- "Ive learned tons of stuff. He's really good, and hes a really good teacher. When I am doing something in a rep, hes always behind me, so after the rep he will tell me to take a smaller step or a bigger step or whatever. It's great to learn from one of the best in the nation."

One of the things that I heard most from observers in the stands evaluating Watts as a incoming freshman, was the he "needs to work on his feet" ...UMM. Ok smarty, now that is being handled, what else you got???

He also said at the end of the interview - "Its been fun at Georgia, but its been really tough. I know that in the end there will be a good payoff"-- You are right Watts.. there is a good payoff. It's called being the MAN and starting at left tackle for the University of Georgia. We cant wait to see you out there!!!

Get used to seeing this guy Dawg Nation, hes gonna be a star.

Go Dawgs!!!

Leading By Following (for now)

2011-08-11T15:58:00.004-04:00

It was only a 1:50 minute video clip, but the interviews stuck out big time. Georgiadogs.com posted a short interview with Ray Drew, John Jenkins, and Damian Swann on thursday. It is very obvious why these guys were allowed to speak with the media, they are well spoken and represent the program well.

Ray Drew- " The speed at this level is what I have to get used to, and crank it up a notch because everyone here is good". He went on to say the Boise game is going to be a big game for the program but also a big game for HIM since it will be his FIRST EVER GEORGIA GAME!! Here's to hoping that the entire fanbase shows Ray that we are behind him, and that he busts onto the scene in a big way that night.

John Jenkins- "I look up to all the seniors, all those who have been here before me" he said that he is "looking forward to doing his job the best way he can, because he has a job to do"

Damian Swann- commented that he would not get on the field, if he didnt step up his game and learn from those who have been here before him. The quote that impressed me the most? When Damian said "my time will come". I like that he sees the chance to play, but that it wont come easy, he will have to earn it. (and I KNOW he will) Concerning the Boise game, He says "Georgia can play with anyone in the country", but its up to them to just do it.

These guys are only 3 members of the "dream team" recruiting class of 2011. They are going to be counted on to be leaders on the team not only in 2011, but for years to come. So far, they have heard, seen, and noticed that to be what they should be, they need to give it their all, but appreciate those who have paved the way.

Get after it guys, we are behind you!!!

23 more days!!

Go Dawgs

Jarvis Jones-- Great News For A GREAT Dawg!!

2011-08-09T13:06:00.005-04:00

Ok, admit it. You did NOT expect to hear the good news about Jarvis Jones this soon. You expected it to drag on, and on and on and on. You didnt expect to hear from the SEC this quickly much less the NCAA regarding Jarvis Jones. Then we we did hear from them we didnt expect the news to be good. It couldn't be right? After the debacle and waiting that was the ordeal over AJ Green last year, there was just no way we could expect a full clearing to play for Jones. We needed him too bad out there against the horsees and the cackalackys.

Guess what? As bad as the defense and the team needed Jarvis out there, I think that JARVIS himself needed the good news even more. He went to USC and didnt stay (DONT BLAME HIM AT ALL).. they told him there he wasnt healthy and couldnt play. He came home to Georgia only to sit out a year redshirting and busting his hump on the scout team working to make his teammates better in the worst year at Georgia in many many years. Now this junk that he may or may not have received benefits and could miss playing time. After all this work??? You might as well cut off his left leg, I think that might have been less damaging to him.

From what I have seen and can tell.....Jarvis Jones is a FIRST CLASS guy. I had the chance to talk to him briefly before the final home game last year against Tech, and all he wanted to talk about was how much he wanted to play football. He said " I cannot wait to get out there, I cant hardly stand it". He didnt have to take the time to stand there and talk with a fan he had never met, but he did. He was more than happy to pose for a picture and THANK ME for supporting the dawgs. He even went so far as to use the picture of us together (seen above) as his profile pic for a couple of days on facebook.

He has fought, sweated, and pushed to get better and make his teammates and the PROGRAM better for a full year knowing he wasnt going in the game just yet. He came home to the place his heart was all along. He DESERVED to have his hard work rewarded with this decision. His heart is at Georgia, and hes putting every bit of it to use. Thank you NCAA for getting this decision to us in a timely manner. The team needs Jarvis on the field, and the program needs more like him.

Go Jarvis, and GO DAWGS!!!

A Closer Look- Sterling Bailey

2011-08-08T16:08:00.003-04:00

26 days to go, and we continue a daily (alphabetical) look at each of the incoming players of the 2011 football signing class. Today we look at Sterling Bailey.

STERLING BAILEY
OLB, 6-5, 260lbs
Gainesville, GA, East Hall HS

Before we get into any stats, let me say this is one of the guys that I cannot wait to see in action. All around football player, and sure to be a contributor early, often and for years to come. Ranked as a 4 star prospect by rivals.com, Sterling was listed as the #8 Defensive End NATIONALLY, and the 6th player overall in the state of Georgia, and the 105th best player overall in the NATION. NICE!!! Scout.com ranks him as a 3 star prospect, te #37 DE nationally. ESPN.com ranked him as the #10 DE nationall, and he was invited to play in the US Army All-American Bowl as a senior.

Sterling played football, basketball, and participated in track and field for his school. He participated in the Georgia Olympics in shot put. He looks to be a good fit in the OLB-Rush End position in the "3-4" scheme of defense. Looking forward to great things from this guy, and I am really excited to have him as a dawg.

**Tomorrow's focus**-- WR Devin Bowman

GO DAWGS!!!

A Closer Look-- David Andrews

2011-08-07T20:53:00.002-04:00

So just about everyone is blogging, posting, or scrambling to read the posts about the upcoming college football season. Optimism abounds, and everyone is undefeated. Less than 4 weeks remains now until the best of all sports begins. Here at the "Dawg Stephen" blog we noticed in the handy dandy UGA 2011 media guide that there were 26 players signed in the incoming class. We know that 26 players either did not report or do not remain, but nevertheless we want to begin a daily look at the incoming class between now and the opening game. To be fair and partial, we will look at each of them in alphabetical order. Today we look at offensive lineman David Andrews.

DAVID ANDREWS
OL, 6-2, 275lbs
Norcross, GA- Wesleyan

At first look you might think, well 6 feet 2 inches and 275 lbs. Nothing really jumps off the page at you there right? Read deeper into the bio. David came out of HS rated by rivals.com as a 3 star prospect, but as the #37 overall prospect in Georgia., and the #9 center NATIONWIDE. He was rated as a 3 star prospect by scout.com and as the #6 center nationwide. The AJC rated him as the #41 player of their top 50 in the state of Georgia. David earned the 2010 Gwinnett County lineman of the year, as a senior recorded a 92% blocking grade average, 58 knockdowns and did NOT allow a sack. He also knows how to win, as he helped lead his team to a Class A state championship in 2008 as a sophomore. With Ben Jones leaving after the 2011 season, I think this guy could be a center for the future. Why is no one talking about this young man? Looking forward to seeing him 'tween the hedges in the future. Your thoughts??

GO Dawgs!!!

**Tomorrow's spotlight--Sterling Bailey**

Its all about entitlement and earning your keep

2011-07-15T13:06:00.003-04:00

Well, theres no "middle ground" on the Richard Samuel situation. Either you totally love it, or you totally hate it. Some feel that the young man who came in as a 17 yr old freshman and played at 17 years old in the toughest league in college football didnt have what it took then or takes now to be a running back and be successful at it. I beg your pardon, but I think you are wrong.

Those who are ready to get rid of everything and everyone (including the dead mascots) in Sanford Stadium and start afresh and anew will disagree with this post entirely but I am used to it, so I press on.

This move isnt about "jerking the kid around". Its only the 2nd move. It's not about not knowing what to do with your talent, and where to play them. It's simply about one thing. COMPETITION. Its about whoever the starting running back is when Georgia steps onto the field at the GA DOME being prepared and having earned his starting spot.

In case you havent heard, UGA signed an elite running back in this past years signing class. He was to come in and challenge the 2 existing running backs for their jobs, but he would have to EARN IT. He would be in the mix with redshirt freshman Ken Malcome and they together would push the senior and the junior for their jobs. Make them EARN IT. Whoever the best man was at the end of the day would start. Plain and simple.

There has been a lot of people who have said "Georgia is playing like they think the other team should just bow down and hand the game to them" I have heard it all before. "They act like they are entitled to win". Maybe some did, and maybe some didnt. I cannot read minds, I am not at practice, I dont sit in on the meetings, so I dont know. I have guesses that the workouts from Coach T are probably not entertainment, but I can only guess. I dont know for sure.

What I do know is that from what I have seen and read about Isaiah Crowell he is a good kid. A good young man who will work hard and work to get better. I have no reason to believe any different. He said the right things to the media when he signed, and when he came on campus. However with the top 2 leading rushers from last year gone, and the depth at his position so thin, it would be safe to assume that he would be "the man" leading into the season and without much competition to make it happen. I dont think for a second that Crowell has a "sense of entitlement" but without King and Ealey it would be easy to take a play or two off in practice or in a game knowing the position is yours.

Not to mention the knowlege of the system, the playbook, the blitz pickups, who has experience and can help Crowell and Malcome? Where are the leaders to teach these guys the ropes? They need someone who has been there before, who has at least been "in the arena" Isnt that what we were hoping Caleb was gonna do? Face it, thats what we expected. A year of Caleb showing Isaiah the "ropes" and then handing him the keys to the car with 3 years left to drive it. Well now that aint gonna happen.

Call it what you will with the moving of Richard Samuel back to the backfield, but there are many many reasons why this is not only a good sound move for the program, but its good for the players who will still be there when Samuel is gone. Honestly, I am looking forward to seeing what Samuel can bring to the table, now that he is 2 years older and mature. I think he may be better for the future and for the Crowell/Malcome duo than we think.

GO DAWGS

Quotes from The SEC 2010

2011-07-08T10:54:00.004-04:00

I started thinking about some of the headlines from 2010, the stories that made news, and the ones who didnt make any sense. Stories of arrests, suspensions, wins and losses that made no sense, and so forth were abundant. Auburn bought--(err sorry) brought the SEC its 5th straight BCS mythical national championship, a Dooley coached at Tennessee, and the dawgs just werent themselves. This got me thinking, if i had one quote from each team in the SEC from last year what would it be? A little humor here, but hey, deal with it. FYI-- some of these (most of these) are actual quotes. Maybe these could be slogans for the teams, who knows?

LSU- "Nothing tastes as good as Tiger Stadium grass"-- Les Miles

Tennessee- "Stick em up!!" -Football players at a midnight cheeseburger run to the store.

Auburn- "Show me the monaaaay!!!" Where is the money?? It is "all in" Cams pocket of course.

Miss State- "who's ringing that bell?" (every year)

Georgia- "Nothing like partying like a Bulldog on a Saturday night"..( or a monday, or tuesday, or wednesday, or thursday, you get the idea)

Florida- "Time To Die!!"-- Chris Rainey, suspended indefinitely, only to return the week of the Georgia game in Jax, where its "time to play"

South Carolina- "I need to rent a room, at your BEST AVAILABLE RATE...." wink wink

You May Still Be A Dawg If.....

2011-06-07T22:15:00.005-04:00

Ok, so everyone knows what I'm doing. Im copying the ol "redneck if" thing, but hey its still fun. Who knows you may even want to get involved. There are those who are only fair weather fans, and will only go to a Georgia game or wear the red and black if the team is winning. When the team loses they are harder to find than a doughnut at a police station.

Then there are people like me, who will wear the "G" no matter what happens. I know the sun will still rise and the team will be back after a loss, and will never let up after a win. I'm gonna get my tickets and show up in my seats, at the dawg walk, hold up 4 fingers at the end of 3rd quarter no matter what. So where do you stand? I came up with a few ways to ask yourself, "Am I still a dawg, or have I lost touch with the fight?" So heres a few ways to check where your loyalty lies.

(Keep in mind, all these are ACTUAL facts from friends of mine and others I have met)

If the "over/under" on dawg flattering articles from the AJC for 2011 is 5, and you bet the UNDER... You may still be a dawg.

If you know that the offensive line center for Boise State is 5'11 284 and you are daring him to block Kwame or John Jenkins.... You may still be a dawg.

If you cannot look at a pair of jean shorts without thinking of mullets and Jacksonville....you may still be a dawg.

If you wouldnt be caught DEAD in a visor no matter what color it may be...you may still be a dawg.
If you have ever had an animal named Champ, Boss, Herschel, Chester (Big Cheese), Vince, Butts, Charlie, Hines, or even Blue....You may still be a dawg.

If your bride to be voted to see Jacksonville for your honeymoon... You got one great dawg there son!!!! Hold on to her.

If you wonder how a stadium in Atlanta can be built so horribly despite being on the campus of engineers, You are still a dawg.

If you visit this or other fan written dawg blogs daily, you need to get a life, but you ARE still a dawg.

If the sound of Krypton Fanfare brings chills and makes you want to put "4 fingers" in the air everytime, you may still be a dawg.

If you had some type of "redcoat band" song played at your wedding...hats off to you, you are still a dawg.

If you are still reading, and have one of your own to add... hit the comment button below and let's here it!!! you are still a dawg.

GO DAWGS
EVERYONE WEAR RED ON SEPTEMBER 3rd!!!!

It's Gettin Better Already

2011-06-06T09:25:00.005-04:00

Last year was miserable. I am not talking about wins and losses, I am talking about the HEAT. My seats were moved to a beautiful prime location on the 35 yard line on row 44. I was in heaven, until I sat down for the first game which kicked off at 1pm. There wasnt a cloud in the sky, and it was 127 degrees.

Game after game I sat there, begging for shade, sweating in the heat, bathing in sunscreen. Face it, the more games I went to that kicked off at 1pm, I was seriously doubting that move of seating. I am wondering if the heat, and the stress of the burning hot sun had something to do with the poor mascots health issues.

2011 is a better season already. My friend Bill Brittain told me so. follow him on twitter @wbrittain74... Oh yes, there is HOPE!!! We were talking about the upcoming season in what is usually a 3-4 times a week phone call to discuss our various opinions and game plans, and he mentioned the first 2 kickoff times had been announced. The first game is against a top 5 opponent of course but its also a NIGHT GAME & INDOORS!!!! Add in that of the 70,000 people in attendance, and somewhere in the neighborhood of 58,000-60,000 will be clad in glorious BULLDOG RED. The 2nd game against Carolina isnt exactly at night, but its a 4:30 pm kickoff so at least when we get into the 4th quarter, there should be a little relief one would hope. As Bill says, "Its gettin better already"

I know Russ isnt complaining. Im not either.

GO DAWGS!! ALL FANS Wear RED ON SEPTEMBER 3rd!!!!

This Is Crunch Time for UGA Football

2011-06-04T10:16:00.006-04:00

Some may think that the first 2 games of the year are the 2 biggest weeks of 2011 for UGA football. Some out there may point at that stretch of games from Florida, to Auburn then @ GA TECH are the weeks that matter most. Some may think that it is the SEC championship game where the dawgs look to return the first weekend of December.

None of these come CLOSE to the importance of the next 8 weeks. These are the days that worry me most. Over the next few days all the incoming freshmen will arrive on campus for summer conditioning and workouts to get in shape for the 2011 season. They will arrive in Athens for the next stage in their lives. They will move into the dorms, some may even do a few summer classes. They will have moved away from home for the first time.

So why is this crunch time? Their parents arent around. Neither are the coaches. The coaching staff isnt allowed time with them until fall camp begins in August. So from June 4th until the beginning of August these young men will have lots of time alone in the beautiful city of Athens, GA. No supervision, so what could go wrong? As you all know, there have been issues in the past with just a few that felt that more fun than the usual was needed. This wound up costing the dawgs in the arrest columns in the newspaper and in the local jails. It also found a few players on 2 game suspensions. I do not blame these guys for having fun, I dont blame them at all. They just made some bad choices at a bad time, but these times wound up costing the team as a whole in a big way. No one wants to go into the season missing players and without a full complement of weapons.

While the first game in other years has been against a game on paper that was already won, this year isnt the same. UGA opens against a TOP 5 oppponent in week 1, and against the #8 team in week 2 and that one is a CONFERENCE GAME.

With what I am hearing from some of the incoming players, I dont really see this being a problem this year. The incoming guys seem focused, seem to be well behaved and making it a priority to be a dawg in ways to make us proud off the field as well as between the lines. But this IS crunch time. Right now is the most important part of the 2011 season. People talk about erasing the perception that Georgia isnt an elite program. People talk about erasing the thoughts that maybe GA players cant behave in the offseason.

The way to put the football program back on the map is by winning those first 2 games, by defeating 2 top 10 opponents in a row to begin the season and take the early lead in the SEC east and announce that we have a team to be reckoned with. The way to make that happen is to get rid of the behavior perception. We signed a great recruiting class full of great young men. This is their first crunch time, this is their time to begin the resurgence.

GO DAWGS!!!

(EVERYONE WEAR RED ON SEPTEMBER 3rd)

Me, Bryan, and CMR

2011-06-01T23:37:00.005-04:00

When Coach Richt came to town, it just so happened that me and Bryan Rodgers wore the SAME SHIRT!!!

So Bryan's wife Melanie, (the smart one of us all) made sure that we got our pics together with the man in charge.

My dad always told me, dress like you goin somewhere, so I guess I got this one right.

Cam and Terrell-- Switched at birth???

2011-06-01T14:58:00.011-04:00

Cam Newton and Terrell Pryor. One and the same, or switched at birth???

Oversigning- You Do It Or You Hate It

2011-05-31T09:14:00.005-04:00

So now that the entire nation is aware of "oversigning" and what it really is, the problem may have gotten too big to ignore, or should I say, too visible to ignore. While the schools who are doing it tend to just pretend like its no big deal, those who do not practice this hideous recruiting method detest those who do, and may have gotten their voices heard.

SEC commissioner Mike Slive said "It's more that just grayshirting or oversigning, its overshirting, grayshirting, early admissions, and summer enrollment" No suprise here, but Nick Saban says "it would affect the quality of our league". Houston Nutt is one of the reasons that this problem is so evident since he is the one who signed 37 players in 2009. (The limit is 28) Steve Spurrier said that academics are so bad in South Carolina, that he needs a buffer to be able to weed out those who dont make it with their grades to be able to have a full class of signees every year.

Mark Richt, Florida's president Bernie Machen, and even good old Paul Johnson from the NATS have all spoken out against the practice. No surprise here, but it seems like those who are in favor and practice this dont want a rules change, and those who try to do things right are against it because they cant look themselves in the mirror or sleep at night while being a slimebag.

Then there are those like SEC commissioner Mike Slive who arent going to do anything about it until he is forced to. Kinda like not letting Cam Newton's investigation get in the way of any championship run he was on, or the potential money for the best conference in College Sports.

Do you think if Auburn had lost that game to Clemson, or LSU, or Arkansas that Ol Cecil junior would have been clean? Dont even think so friend.

What I look forward to more is that when the rules change is put in place, hearing the weasels scream "foul". Right Saban??

Why Are You Shocked?-- Tressell Edition

2011-05-30T10:55:00.002-04:00

Immediately when I woke up this morning, I do what I do first every day. I put on a pair of pants....ok, well I dont always do that first, but I did turn on Sportscenter and THEN I put on a pair of pants. Immediately I was greeted by the news that Jim Tressell has been fired (he was asked to resign) and will no longer be the head coach at Ohio State and its buckeye crazy world.

I am wondering why this is such a shocking revelation. Who actually thought this guy would be around when the season commences? Or maybe there were some who thought because it was the media darling OSU that they could actually get away with this and the "sweater vest" himself keep his job. After all, they actually got to play the bowl game and let the coach and his rule breakers push their suspensions back until the 2011 season. However, this is hardly a shocking revelation. A look closer makes you wonder why he hasnt been let go long before now.

1. The players sold or traded jerseys, rings, pants, and whatever else they could get their hands on without caring at all for their status. .. the problem? Tressell KNEW and didnt tell anyone.

2. Tressell was asked if he had any knowledge of this. HE DENIED it.. yes he LIED to the NCAA and to his university.

3. Tressell knew and covered it up. Oh yeah, he knew BEFORE the 2010 season. He played ALL these players while keeping everything on the "down low"

4. He forwarded emails to individuals who were close to these players in an attempt to cover all bases and keep this info FROM NEVER getting out. He went so far as to contact an FBI agent.

So I am not shocked that he resigned, or was fired. Im not shocked at all. Im a little surprised it took THIS long.

Im not even shocked that all this went down at all. Im not shocked the players were doing those things, and I am not shocked that the coach covered it up. Anyone ever heard of Maurice Clarett? Im not shocked. Look up which school has the MOST secondary NCAA violations since 2001. Look it up. Guess who? Thats right. THE ohio state university. The most violations in the last 10 years. How long did Tressell coach at OSU? Right again. 10 years. Nuff said. Not shocking at all.

Tell Me Something I DONT Know!!!!

2011-05-25T16:22:00.008-04:00

Remember last year when Washaun Ealey switched from #24 to #3? Remember how I stated not only was Georgia going to have a "3-4" defense, but the combination of Ealey and Caleb King in the backfield at running back gave the dawgs a OFFENSIVE "3-4" punch as well? Sure you do. How many of you were around a WEEK later when the so called, self proclaimed, sometimes wishy-washy, hard to figure out where his loyalties lie, "life long fan" of UGA Bill King came out with the EXACT SAME HEADLINE? That's right.. a WEEK LATER Mr. King came out with that SOOOO original Headline when the Dawg Stephen blog beat him to it by a touchdown of days.

Guess what? Ol' King is at it again with the "headlines over a week old but a brand new blog post". I wasnt the only fan who noticed that the Whitfield County Bulldog Club was NOT attended by the state newspaper last week. After all, they have only attended EVERY OTHER SINGLE MEETING by Coach Richt and Fox. Why werent they there? Im not sure they knew about the Bulldog Club get together. They couldnt notice. How could they? The marvelous AJC had their heads too far into the bowels of the MUSCHAMP FLORIDA GATOR club meeting in Atlanta. A pure slap in the face in my book. My facebook messages to Jeff Schultz and Bill King were returned with the answer of "I saw the Florida Meeting as a bigger news story" (Schultz) and "I do not cover these events, I work as a story editor..." (king) I find this STRANGE on Bill Kings part, as he said he didnt report on this stuff, yet the VERY NEXT MEETING, he writes a story.

A story by the way, that covers the VERY SAME topics that Coach Richt focused on in dalton. The topics that we all heard him cover a WEEK AGO!!!! So either get up to date Bill, get the AJC to step up and cover the IN STATE team, or go somewhere else. What you tried to feed us today was old, it was outdated, and we are ready for more. If your employer had been where it should have been last week, you would have known this. Reason # 5,761 (and counting) that we cant stand the AJC.

Let it be known that there has been only ONE bulldog club meeting uncovered, and they chose the gators instead. And they wonder why we question their motives when they write about the dawgs. For the record, I overheard a UGA official ask someone why the AJC wasnt there... he noticed.. oh yes he noticed.

What Do You Want In A Dawg?

2011-05-12T08:56:00.000-04:00

We have all heard the expression "Its not the size of the dawg in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dawg". I dont expect UGA to win 100 games in a row, or win a Crystal football BCS championship EVERY year. I dont expect to NEVER lose to our rivals. I just want to see good execution, never say die effort, and the attitude that the team can overcome anything. This got me thinking, what kind of fight do I want to see in 2011? What do I expect on any given week this season? The dogs should be able to accomplish 12 simple things that would make me very happy, as well as themselves, the coaching staff and the whole Bulldog family.

1. Be able to tame a herd of wild broncos
2. Serve the biggest fried chicken buffet ever witnessed in Sanford Stadium
3. Whats a Chanticleer? (we should handle that)
4. Turn back anyone who "rebels" at Ole Miss
5. Be the biggest dawg in the fight when the OTHER dawgs come to town
6. Be able to whip anyone who "volunteers" in Knoxville.
7. Go to Vandy, win, and not leave with any injuries
8. This week is SIMPLE. Eat MOOR GAYTUR.
9. Ag the Aggies
10. This week.. Score more points that Auburn pays their players.
11. Cats and dawgs.. Dawgs should kill the cats.
12. Exterminate the bugs... with more fans at THEIR place than they have.

Return to the same place we started the season.. the GEORGIA DOME for a conference title.

No problem right?