Mark Bradley

By TheAntiMe

February 11, 2009 12:11 PM | Link to this

Same Bat time, same Bat channel, same batty columnist! :P Just kidding, **MB.

By Herschel Talker

February 11, 2009 12:14 PM | Link to this

Good improvement. But a better improvement at the paper would be firing T Moore.

By Mark Bradley

February 11, 2009 12:15 PM | Link to this

Biff! Sock! Zap!

By Left to Right

February 11, 2009 12:17 PM | Link to this

Please tell me you have gone back to the ‘fro and the ‘stache.

By MikeJ

February 11, 2009 12:30 PM | Link to this

Wait T Moore is being fired?????

Hallehuah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By BugKiller

February 11, 2009 12:30 PM | Link to this

It’s like Pete Clemenza said:

“Leave the ‘Fro…

… bring the ‘Stache.”

By Mark Bradley

February 11, 2009 12:36 PM | Link to this

The only changes to my rather unfortunate appearance have been, alas, the ravages of time. But thanks for the concern.

By Dale Mitchell

February 11, 2009 12:53 PM | Link to this

You have officially arrived as the one of the select few in my feedreader. I hope you are sufficiently impressed at this accomplishment.

By Mark Bradley

February 11, 2009 1:50 PM | Link to this

I’m not only impressed — I’m honored.

By Mac

February 11, 2009 1:51 PM | Link to this

I hope Cox bought you a new Ikea daybed for your new home … you know, for the occasional well-deserved siesta. We ain’t gettin’ any younger, you know.

By Mark Bradley

February 11, 2009 1:56 PM | Link to this

Tell me about it, Mac. Or, better still, look at the gray hair in the photo on the new blog.

By bali

February 11, 2009 2:05 PM | Link to this

what is hapeening to the sporting universe. first phelps smoking dope, Then Arod, or ster od , tests positive to roids, now you tell me the picture of you is an old photo………….. wow think i will start reading the business section or start doing crosswords

By Mark Bradley

February 11, 2009 2:10 PM | Link to this

Sorry to shatter any illusions, Bali.

I do the New York Times crossword every day, for what it’s worth. It’s supposed to be good mental exercise for us senior citizens.

By Rabun Dawg

February 11, 2009 2:13 PM | Link to this

Hello Mark, In spite of the criticism that you receive with regards to your predictions and other matters, I truly enjoy reading your columns. I know that you are deep down a UK homer, but that’s okay with me, as I have been a long time “Cat” follower myself, listening to Caywood for years on WHS at night when they came in clear channel. After all, being a lover of roundball from H.S. days and 50’s UGA grad, I had to adopt someone’s team to love, as UGA roundball has been painful to watch over the years. The game last night was a great one to watch, happy the Cats won, but felt sorry for the Calathes at the end as he was doing all he could to keep the Gators in the game. Would love to see that kind of thing in Athens, and maybe, just maybe it will happen in my lifetime. However, the window for that happening for me is getting shorter with each passing year. Keep up the good work, and I look forward to your new blog format!

By Matt Winkeljohn

February 11, 2009 2:19 PM | Link to this

Where’s it moving to, and why?

By Mark Bradley

February 11, 2009 2:28 PM | Link to this

Thanks, Rabun. (And I’m not really a Kentucky fan, but don’t tell anybody. I grew up rooting for Louisville — my dad graduated from U of L’s dental school.)

And Matt, it’s just moving to a different URL on AJC.com. As to why … well, I’m told Wordpress (the new platform) is more SEO-friendly than Movable Type (this platform here).

And what does SEO stand for? Glad you asked. Search engine optimization. I have taken two classes on that very subject.

By Jim Brantley

February 11, 2009 2:44 PM | Link to this

Sounds interesting. Mark, you are one exceptional journalist. Not aware of your age, but I hope to be enjoying your articles for many years to come.

By Bud Wiser

February 11, 2009 2:47 PM | Link to this

I just looked at the new site, and it appears that someone took your photo shot after you scraped the top of your head on a freshly painted door jamb, so I assume it came with the digs?

Keep up your fine work.

By Mark Bradley

February 11, 2009 2:53 PM | Link to this

Thanks, Jim. And even though you were too polite to ask, I’m 53. (Though I believe I could pass for 52.)

By SlimG

February 11, 2009 3:05 PM | Link to this

Here’s a real question. In your opinion Mark, of all major pro sports teams in Atlanta, name one move for each team that could take each to the next level. One pick or free agent acquisition. Look for your reply soon.

By Skeezix

February 11, 2009 3:20 PM | Link to this

Mark: You can try to hide by changing URLs, but that won’t deter Bobby Knight. He will keep searching the net until he eventually finds you. Then BK will throw a chair at you for all those mean things you said about him.

By All Honor to His Name

February 11, 2009 3:20 PM | Link to this

Keep up the good work, esteemed columnist!

Oh, by the way, since it’s the “Battle of the Blues” tonight, can we get a quick prediction on the ACC stretch run? Will it come down to Carolina or Duke or can Clemmons or Work Fortress sneak in there to claim the crown?

By Mark Bradley

February 11, 2009 3:51 PM | Link to this

I can’t see Duke beating Carolina. I can’t see Wake or Clemson finishing ahead of either.

By Mark Bradley

February 11, 2009 4:00 PM | Link to this

SlimG, that’s a good one. Off the top of my head: Jake Peavy to the Braves, Karlos Dansby to the Falcons, Josh Childress back to the Hawks and Bobby Orr to the Thrashers.

By Michael Scharff

February 11, 2009 4:01 PM | Link to this

Hi Mark - “the times, they are a-changin.” Will we still be able to access you from the AJC Sports on-line home page? I HOPE so. I can’t find John Kessler anymore (erstwhile dining raconteur) except through the “Print edition ” link, and even then, his articles are hard to find…

By Dr. P.

February 11, 2009 4:14 PM | Link to this

Mark, I am a college professor at a state university. When I saw that Ole Miss had signed 38 players, expecting a third not to qualify for admission, I became curious about the NCAA admission and SAT standards. Athletic departments are reluctant to talk about this subject for some reason, and I have searched a number of sources with no luck. I know the high school graduation test has hindered some in-state athletes. Also, when a player fails to qualify, does the college pay for tuition to prep schools like GMC and Hargrave Military, and do those players remain committed to the college that signed them, or are they fair game for other schools? Do they count against scholarship totals? This would make a good topic for a future article.

By Mark Bradley

February 11, 2009 4:44 PM | Link to this

The college can’t pay for prep school tuition, and the players who go to prep school are free to attend any college. (I know a little about this from family history: Bear Bryant recruited my uncle, the late Rob Williams, for Kentucky but Rob wound up spending a year at Georgia Military. When he got out, Bryant had gone to Texas A&M and Rob went to Louisville instead. Where he was the starting quarterback on a team that won the Sun Bowl.

And yes, Michael, and thanks for asking: Access from the AJC Sports home page will be the same as always. It’s just the main blog URL that’s changing.

By Skeezix

February 11, 2009 5:07 PM | Link to this

Duke -vs- Carolina? the last 10 games they have met they are both batting .500; …..this year, as was true last year, Carolina has the edge on talent, but no one saw Boston College beating UNC at Chapel Hill and no one saw the Clemson blow out of Duke. Last year Duke won at the Dean Dome and UNC won at Cameron Indoor. So who knows?

By Mark Bradley

February 11, 2009 5:13 PM | Link to this

I obviously know nothing, Skeezix. But I don’t think Duke is playing very well. And I think Carolina is starting to roll.

By jeff grady

February 11, 2009 6:12 PM | Link to this

Know what SEC football players and fans are doing tonite?

Watching ACC basketball!

By NEXT#13

February 11, 2009 7:26 PM | Link to this

J.G.NO WE AIN’T WE ARE GOING TO OUR RESPECTIVE FOOTBALL SITE’S AND READ ABOUT THE NEW KID’S JUST SIGNED LAST WEDNESDAY!!!I DON’T BLAME YOU FOR WATCHING B-BALL IT’S ALL THE ACC’S GOT!!!HEY MARK TO QUOTE THE GRATEFUL DEAD SONG IN REGUARD’S TO THE NEW PIC…”A TOUCH OF GREY KINDA SUIT’S YOU ANYWAY” AND I AGREE YOU COULD PASS FOR 52 MAYBE EVEN 51 IN FAIRLY DARK ROOM!!!

By Mark Bradley

February 11, 2009 7:28 PM | Link to this

Why, thanks.

By 74Dawg

February 11, 2009 7:45 PM | Link to this

Mark, that was funny about Bobby orr to the Thrashers. Unfortunately, in the real world his agent would tell Waddell to trade him or get nothing when he scrams as soon as he becomes a free agent. And anyway, it is real hard for one guy to beat six, so I’m not sure which level you are referring to Waddell has spent several years now turning the thrash into the best minor league team in the NHL. Heck,last year he went and got the best minor league coach he could find.

By Navigator

February 11, 2009 7:48 PM | Link to this

I may disagree with you (especially about Kentucky basketball), but I wish you the best, and hope you’ll continue to write your blog a long time.

By jeff grady

February 11, 2009 8:06 PM | Link to this

Recruiting: 4/5 UNC, followed by UGA, SC, etc. How long do you need to check out the recruiting rankings?

By Bama12titles

February 11, 2009 8:07 PM | Link to this

Mark,

We’ll be looking forward to more entertaining blogs from you and most of all debating each other endlessly about our passion college football. Keep up the good blogs. I’m assuming you will be doing just college football or mostly college football.

By George

February 12, 2009 7:15 AM | Link to this

Congratulations. If indeed that’s in order? I always enjoy your missives, but become more and more concerned about some of the comments generated on selected topics (Tech, Georgia, etc.). I trust we’re not seeing the very worst.