AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2007 > December > 21 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USMerry Christmas! See you in New Orleans
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In the spirit of Christmas and, after a very busy regular season, we’re going to shut down the blog for a few days to celebrate the Holidays. We’ll meet again next week when I get to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl and the BCS championship.
Until then, here are my Christmas wishes for some very special people.
1. The City of New Orleans: A prosperous, but safe, bowl season. The city has been rebuilding towards this moment since Katrina hit. Hundreds of thousands will come to New Orleans to celebrate the Sugar Bowl and the BCS championship game, which will be held just six days apart. The hospitality industry will do their part. They always do. The folks in charge of security also have to do their part. It won’t be enough for New Orleans to be safe. It must also be PERCEIVED as safe.
2. Bobby Petrino: A sense of humor or something, anything, that makes this man seem like a human being. He has gotten beaten up in the press worse than any coach I can remember and a lot of it is well deserved. But some of it, as is the case in today’s media culture, was over the top. Here is the reality Petrino must face. At some point every coach, no matter how good he is, has to engage the public and rehabilitate his image. That’s because every coach, no matter how good he is, will someday need the benefit of the doubt. Because of Petrino’s personality (or lack thereof) and because of his flirtation with Auburn in 2003, nobody was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt when he left the Falcons. Some of the complaints about the Falcons coming from his camp might have had some merit. But nobody was listening because Petrino has made no deposits in the bank of personal credibility.
3. Paul Johnson: For Josh Nesbitt to be a quick study. Taylor Bennett may be the Georgia Tech quarterback in 2008 as Johnson installs his offense in bits and pieces. Urban Meyer did this at Florida with Chris Leak in 2006 but gave Tim Tebow enough snaps for him to get comfortable with the offense. I guess you could say that it paid off in 2007. Nesbitt, who played at my old high school (Greene County), is a very gifted athlete who must now learn to make split-second decisions. That is what makes Johnson’s offense so effective. You need to watch a lot of film, lad.
4. Phillip Fulmer: The right offensive coordinator. Fulmer, as you might imagine, has received a lot of interest in the opportunity to replace David Cutcliffe. The word I get is that Fulmer will take his time and won’t make a decision until after January’s coaches convention, where he will have an opportunity to interview a lot of people in a very short time. Still, the decision comes down to this: Does Fulmer stick with the comfortable or does he do something a little bold and outside the box-at least for him? Part of Fulmer’s problem with portions of the Tennessee fan base is that they are, for lack of a better term, simply BORED. That happens when coaches have been in one place for so long. Staff changes provide the opportunity to get the fans juiced up again.
5. Bobby Bowden: Some good news and some equally good vision about the future. The cheating scandal at Florida State is bad. I won’t try to sugarcoat it. But this kind of stuff is so far removed from the head coach that you can’t lay it all at Bowden’s feet. Still, he is in charge of the football program so, like it or not, he has to take responsibility. It sure would help Bowden to win the bowl game over Kentucky.
Here is the greater concern. The suspensions of 20-plus players will carry over into the first three games of next season. If Florida State comes out of the gate slowly and the season goes South, it will be time for Bowden to take a hard look in the mirror. After watching Bowden’s magnificent career, it would break my heart to see it end badly for him.
Merry Christmas, folks. Thanks for your support this year.
Tony B.
Comments
By Jeff in Roswell
December 21, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this
Thanks for the Blogs Tony! Merry Christmas!
By David-ATL14
December 21, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this
Merry Christmas yourself Tony B. Job well done.
By XXXX
December 21, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this
Nesbitt’s talent requires that he become #1 immediately. There’s no time for a “QB transition” period. If the Sou Miss guy is becoming the defensive coordinator what does this tell us about Tenuta ? Where’s the rest of this story ?
By JB
December 21, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this
We Dawg fans are very happy you didn’t mention us. We must get this top 5 class signed, get these young men in the weight room another year and wait on 2008, which despite our schedule next year, we will be a hard team to beat next year. Thank you coach Richt. Merry Christmas !
By Realistic Ricky
December 21, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this
Petrino deserves everything he has received from the press, players and fans. I predict (and hope) he will fail miserably at Arkansas and will then finish his career as an offensive coach at some middle of the pack D1 school.
Thanks for the blog, Tony! Hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
By 82DAWG
December 21, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this
I am taking my 12 year old son to the Sugar Bowl and safety is a huge concern. We will probably stay in the hotel and just go to the game. Even that makes me a little nervious.
By Nick
December 21, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this
I agree Nesbitt’s talent will give Tech the best chance to win next year, but selfishly I would like to see Taylor Bennett be the QB there forever.
Great stuff as always Tony, Merry Christmas!
By Archie Bunker
December 21, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this
Merry Christmas, Tony. Enjoy your column/blog.
Take Tony’s “safety message” to heart — I went to a previous Sugar Bowl, without tickets. I was hanging around outside the Dome (within a block) after the game started with a friend of mine, and we were quickly surrounded by a roving gang of “urban utes,” bent on mayhem. We were serendipitously saved by an off-duty cop who happened to be walking by towards his car on his way home … and he seemed about as scared of the mob as I did.
Lesson? Stick to the crowds in the tourist areas, and don’t wander off. Be careful and have fun down there.
By bamadon
December 21, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this
I hope Coach Bowden will retire after the Music City Bowl. He is a class act and nice person. Tony and all the people who read and write on the blog have a merry x-mas and happy new year!! ROLL TIDE AND GO DAWGS!!
By shane #1
December 21, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this
1-new orleans is and always has been a tough town.i would encourage everyone to enjoy the french quarter and other attractions,just stay on the main streets.this area is heavily patroled and the n.o. police are used to dealing with rowdy crowds.82dawg,feel free to take your son into the quarter in the daytime,also the garden district is nice and he will enjoy the streetcar ride.the”old city”at night is no place for children,but adults can have a blast,just stay out of alleys and avoid side streets.watch the drinking and STAY ALERT! 2-bill clinton’s spin doctors couldn’t save petrino now. 3-johnson will do well at tech,if the fans will be patient.it may take a year or two.4-fulmer is right to take his time and find the right person.are you listening arthur blank? 5-i hope coach bowden can retire in his own time and with dignity.
By Jaded Jacket
December 21, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this
If Taylor Bennett doesn’t produce early, I don’t think Paul Johnson will leave Josh on the bench for long. Taylor Bennett is no Chris Leak!
By Forrest Gump
December 21, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this
The fact that Bobby Bowden was far removed from the cheating scandal is no excuse. I have heard this from everyone from Army Generals to business people to Michael Adams (basketball 101, etc.) “I didn’t know this was going on or I would have stopped it.” That is BS. If you didn’t know it was going on, you weren’t doing your job. Or, you didn’t want to know it was going on so you didn’t look. Whoever reported this at FSU had some real character. Universities and coaches typically employ graduate assistants to teach and tutor athletes, and these assistants have no job security like tenured professors. A couple of years ago, a teaching assistant at UGA was assaulted by a football player over a cell phone cheating incident. She was initially going to press charges, but the problem vanished just like Mike Vick’s reefer bottle.
By randy
December 21, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this
It’s a sad day when people are scared for their lives when they walk down ANY city street in this country. See where 40 years of liberal laws and policies have gotton us? We have no morals in this country any more, and we have no leaders in this country who are morally sound. Look at Hillary Clinton and Hussein Obama. Two candidates who believe in goverment funded partial-birth abortion! Please people, open your eyes, were losing a grip on this country, stop voting for these idiots.
By Rusty
December 21, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this
I’m not envious of anyone heading to New Orleans this bowl season. The Sugar Bowl is more of a curse than a blessing.
Bowl Picks have been released…
http://www.rustybanks.com
By War Eagle
December 21, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this
Merry Christmas Tony, cuz, zoo, MURPHY, BigDawg, Hunk, Eric, shane, madmerf, RxDawg, Roswell Ed, Gen Neyland, Atlanta Gator,auburnsux, Samoan, to our buddy high in sky,Buck, and all my dawg friends. THANKS FOR THE DAMN BLACK JERSEY TRICK, WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR…HAPPY HOLIDAYS
By reebok
December 21, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this
Merry Christmas Tony, thanks for the insights all year. Georgia will be on of the best teams in the country in 2008…but Coach Paul Johnson gives Tech new life. It will take 2-3 years. I hope Tech gets to play FSU early next season!
By azcat225
December 21, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this
Great post, Shane; agree with all you’ve said.
Only things to add:
Thanks, Tony, for the blog.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.
By gdawginkalamazoo
December 21, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this
82dawg, yes shane #1 said it best. French Quarter in the daytime only retreat to the hotel when the sun goes down and stick to the crowd going to the Super Dome. It is a nice place to visit.
The only time Fulmer “thinks outside of the box” is when he orders the bucket meal. It will be interesting and probably tough next year in Knoxville with a new QB and new OC. At least we hope so.
Petrino and Saban will probably share a table in the cafeteria at the SEC coaches meeting because nobody else will sit with them.
Paul Johnson, aka “Our next victim” might get something going it will be interesting to watch. New offense, new QB, new coach.
Time for Bobby to maybe step down. Like you said the man has too much class and too much history to go out this way. This pretty much shoots the beginning of next year before it starts. I don’t know how the recruiting has gone the past couple of years to know whether or not the talent is there to take the slack of losing so may players.
By CD
December 21, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this
Hey Randy, This is a football blog. And, by the way, Republicans have been in the White House for 70% of the past 40 years.
By DC
December 21, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this
82dawg, I took my then 10 yr old to the 02 season /03 sugar bowl. We did walk around in the qtr on new yrs eve..he did not really like it, but he did like the zoo and the swamp cruise we went on. We did stay in the qtr so getting there was not a huge issue. I think this yr will be diff since katrina…Alot of thier police force quit and they have not all come back…I am going to be very cautious. It is a nasty town but fun
By gdawginkalamazoo
December 21, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this
War Eagle, Merry Christmans. I will be pulling for you guys in the CFA. Is it true that you guys are going wear orange unis against us next year?
By shane #1
December 21, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this
war eagle,thanks and merry christmas to you.ditto for all that post on here,even baloney and white and gold!a big thank you and merry christmas to all the sportswriters at the ajc.tony,we appreciate all your insight,chip and carter,thanks for the info.i am sure buck will have a great christmas,what could be better than celebrating the birthday with the MAN himself!
By Corndawg
December 21, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this
82Dawg: The media ALWAYS blows a good protest out of proportions and turns it into a “public safety” issue. I saw this all the time living in DC. New Orleans is in the hospitality business and will not allow anything to happen to you or your son. The bigger risk is that you get drunk or some other football fan gets drunk and exposes your son to behavior he hasn’t seen before, but will surely see again as he gets older and goes to more and more football games. I say relax, enjoy the good restaurants, go down to the river and check out the boats, stay away from Bourbon St. after dark (because of your son vs. the drunk football fans) and have a good time.
By gdawginkalamazoo
December 21, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this
82dawg, check out the video of the protest in NO on the ajc home page. Try to avoid that area during the day.
By Jack G
December 21, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this
Coach Bowden wont retire until Coach Patrino retires or dies.
Folks its an EGO thing Bobby wants the alltime wins title and will coach til he drops dead to try and get it
Time to go with dignity Coach Bowden.
Always quit at the top of your game.
By all means
December 21, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this
It’s time for Bobby to hang it up.
By Gator Nation
December 21, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this
Thanks Tony for the blog. It was enjoyable. Looking forward to next year already.
Safe and happy holidays to all.
Good luck to all SEC teams in their bowls.
By Mississippi GA-Dawg
December 21, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
82Dawg: 98 grad here, living in Mississippi now, close enough to New Orleans that I’ve been numerous times since Katrina. Most of what you’ve heard above is correct, but I will add that since Katrina, the business district and french quarter have bounced back to nearly 100%, except for a noticable lack of service staff. Even less than a year after Katrina, I went down with my wife and some friends for Jazzfest and we all felt perfectly safe the entire time. Just like any big city, stay smart. Go where the tourists go. If a street makes you nervous, don’t walk down it. If you’re staying in the quarter or business district, I would suggest cutting over to Poydras (rather than Canal)and walking to the Dome from there, but again, wait and see where the other crowds are. Forget about a taxi. I’ll be staying in the quarter, and as of now plan to walk a few extra blocks to avoid walking all the way down Canal late at night.
As far as your 12 year old, the french quarter at night probably won’t be for him, and even I will avoid Bourbon for some of the more low key places on New Years eve (try Royal, Chartre, and maybe Decatur). And at risk of having to stand in line even longer myself, make sure you hit Cafe Maspero (on Decatur) for some jambalaya. Also, while it may seem a little too touristy, an early carriage ride around the quarter is great and offers a good history and view of the quarter. While I’m far from an expert, as a Dawg alum who’s had a chance to experience N.O. a little more than if I still lived in Georgia, I’ll be happy to answer any other questions anyone has at lawyerinms@hotmail.com. And as always…GO Dawgs!
By kauai dawg
December 21, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this
Great article as usual Mr. Barnhart. Merry Christmas. Does anyone think that Brain Van Gorder should team up wiht Petrino? They both are always looking for the greener grass and have a do it yourself removable mailbox?
By nole vic
December 21, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this
Happy Holidays Tony. You are the best in the biz.
By GA Dawg
December 21, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this
A little off topic, but if Tech doesnt want tenuda, do you think he will come coach the D at Georgia?
By G8TR
December 21, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this
Said it yesterday and will say it again anytime Coach Bowden is given another free pass by the media, as Mr. Barnhart has done here….Remember, this is a program and a head coach that invented the “Aw shucks they’re just boys…” excuse for every imaginable type of misbehavior over the course of Bobby’s tenure. Will the media ever move beyond their unquestioning, kid-glove treatment of this guy’s tenure at FSU? Just because Bobby’s a dadgum nice guy and a folksy, easy, quotable interview subject, he’s apparently been given a lifetime pass for 30 years of inconsequential neglect of discipline at FSU. It would be legit sports journalism if all of the career retrospectives on this guy would ever catalog all of this program’s inactions and look-the-other-way leadership. So these days he’s not an on-field coach anymore (that’s Jimbo’s job). And now he’s not accountable for anything, either on OR off the field?
By DawginLex
December 21, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this
Merry Christmas Tony and to all of the “legit” bloggers. That does not include the dude who has the woody for Mike Bobo.
Beat the crap out of Hawaii.
By yellowblood
December 21, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this
From what I understand Nesbitt was a life long UGAG fan that we won over because of our great Tickle Piles. Here’s hoping he can lead us to victory against them so we can have a exhilarating post game Tickle Pile at their expense.
By GM
December 21, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this
What is a tickle pile?
By jk
December 21, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this
ACC was 4-2 versus sec in 2007, clemson spanks auburn
By BullDawg Rick
December 21, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this
Merry Christmas to you Tony..
UGA 38 ‘Bows 26
See you in New Orleans!!
By XXXX
December 21, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this
It sounds as if Tech and/or Johnson didn’t really make a strong effort to keep Tenuta. If Tenuta had decided to leave it seems as if he would have been a little more involved in some of the various head coaching interviews. It seems to be a little late to be interviewing now. I, for one, would like to have kept Tenuta but what counts is what Johnson wants.
By FLA DAWG
December 21, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this
Florida State will lose with or without those players against Kentucky.
jk; I’ll bet you a blog Auburn knocks off Clemson by at least a TD.
Thanks Tony for intelligent insight and straightforward comments (well, usually!).
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
By Atlanta Gator
December 21, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this
Sadly, your comments regarding public safety in New Orleans is not news.
Time to leave it alone. Hopefully, the AJC columnists have had enough bloodsport for a while. I haven’t read where any of the AJC columnists have apologized to Les Mile for pointedly questioning his truthfulness and candor, and I don’t believe Coach Petrino owes anyone an apology for leaving the train wreck formerly known as the Atlanta Falcons.
Taylor Bennett is not Chris Leak, and Josh Nesbitt is not Tim Tebow. Other than that, you may have a point.
If Phil Fulmer does not reach outside the Volunteer family for his new offensive coordinator, he will be looking for a new job after the 2009 season is over. I will accept cash bets, starting at even money.
Bobby Bowden needs to find a passionate hobby, because it is past time for him to exit the Division I stage. A hobby, that is, other than football. It’s never too late to take up fly-fishing.
Merry Christmas to you, Tony, and to all of the usual suspects among my AJC blogger friends. May Saint Nick bring y’all the victories you desire during bowl season.
By shane #1
December 21, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this
ga dawg,by all reports tenuta is bound for lsu,besides,cwm did a good job this year.cwm has really brought this young d around.IMO,he did a better job than tenuta.johnson wants his own people around.as hc,that is his right.jk could try doing a little research,he always post the same thing,though many have shown him wrong.i can think of three acc losses of the top of my head,vt lost to lsu,ga tech lost to uga,n.carolina lost to s.carolina.oh i forgot,fla st lost to uf,that’s four losses!maybe jk thinks he is funny,like yellowblood and the tickle piles.
By NGaDawg
December 21, 2007 6:17 PM | Link to this
I wont to wish everybody a merry christmas and a happy new year. DAWGS will be #one again in 2008 and again for all you techsters out there. There is no way Tech will EVER beat the DAWGS in ANY sport. That has been proved time and time again. I told yall last time you did get the best coach, except CMR, but it wont matter when the DAWGS come to town!!!And don’t start saying you will win like every redneck Tech fan up here does because you know it will never happen GODAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!
By omg
December 21, 2007 6:39 PM | Link to this
shane#1 - the only ACC victories over SEC that I can remember off the top of my head are FSU over Bama, Clemson over SC, and Wake over Vandy. If there is a fourth, I have not come up with it yet.
NGaDawg - your delusions of grandeur are amusing. Never in any sport? You realize that that is almost impossible, don’t you?
By Hoopie1
December 21, 2007 6:55 PM | Link to this
The SEC won at least 3: LSU beat Va.Tch, Fla beat Fla St, Ga. beat Ga Tech. that’s off the top of my head.
By NGaDawg
December 21, 2007 7:10 PM | Link to this
Well omg, Im just saying that the DAWGS are better than anything tech has ever seen before. the Sec is by far the best confrence in the country. Just watch close and hear the radio and tv even the announcers know that is true. I am surronded up here by many “tech neck” fans in N. Georgia and they know it but cant admit it that DAWGS are #one in the nation much less in GA. There is no way for Tech to beat the DAWGS in 2008. We’re to strong. if you look at everyone of our players coming back for next year there is no way to stop us and the Defense will be top 5 to. As I said Tech used to be up there but now it is the DAWGS time and will never, never change from that. We are #one now even through they didn’t vote right. If you read the ajc (the ones who really know more than national press about the DAWGS because they see every game unlike the northern voters) they all said we got robbed. So if we really should be champs this year and you think about all that power coming back next year AND play in the SEC (the best confrence) you tell me how anybody can say that Tech could stay with us even if we play our worst game ? Tell me that, (if you can) look at all my DAWG nation posters on this blog and you will know for sure that there are 10 times more DAWGS than jackets. we filled up they;re stadium last year and will do it again this year, and the year after that probably to. I dont want to argue with you if you can’t see straight.
By omg
December 21, 2007 7:25 PM | Link to this
I can’t see straight? You’re the one who said that they would NEVER beat UGA in ANY sport. What are the odds of that? All you are talking about is football. Perhaps you are right, and UGA should be retired as the GOD OF ALL COLLEGE SPORTS, so they can look down from their lofty perch at the peons who currently play college sports. I mean, why bother playing if there is zero percent chance that any team can beat you?
By NGaDawg
December 21, 2007 7:32 PM | Link to this
And one more thing omg, you might want to check out recruiting ratings while your at it. Go to any of the DAWG cites and check the ratings, we’re #one again in recruits, so add that to what I said above and you have a very simple recipe for a championship can you begin to see what I’m saying now? Tech is like #twenty something in recruits and lost to the DAWGS 6 times in a row AND we’re bringing in the #one recruits (AGAIN) and you think Tech has a chance ? how does that make sense to you? None of this is personal I just dont understand how you can’t understand what is right before your eyes? I’ve got to go back to work now but good luck against Duke and Samford and Troy . The DAWGS will be busy with Tenn. Fla. Auburn and LSU. And if you ever want to join a big boy confrence come in the SEC.
By NGaDawg
December 21, 2007 7:42 PM | Link to this
omg I know sarcastic when I see it “lofty perch?” I wont sink to your level, I obviously got a better education (at least in manners) than you did. The sarcastic remarks are something you didn’t think I would see but I did. Just ask Fla. who the new rulers are for the SEC. They were good and beat us several times in a row like we do yall but that sure didn’t happen this year did it? Won’t happen next year either, definatly not next year for the same reasons I said before. GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!
By mowreck
December 21, 2007 8:23 PM | Link to this
To whom it may concern, there are TWO other QBs who are enrolling into Ga Tech next that can BOTH run coach Johnson’s offense … I hate to say it but I don’t believe Taylor Bennett will run the offense next year. Ever seen Taylor run with the ball except not to get sacked?. One QB is from Marist who runs the wishbone and the other, was committed to Middle Tennessee and decommitted to come to Ga. Tech. This QB can run Johnson’s offense AND throw the football. I saw film on him in Rivals100 and he looks very good. So, I wouldn’t get solid on any QB right now till next year. GO JACKETS!
By ga dog
December 21, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this
it will be a better christmas if all would shut up about petrino, college football is a better game than the pro, no question, he takes a pay cut yes, pro football is turning into basketball, less folks whatch and is dying a slow death the sec was awesome this year and just got a ton better
By ripkelly
December 21, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this
trees grow jobs!
By ripkelly
December 21, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this
trees grow jobs!
By jacketbacker
December 21, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this
How could anyone not be academically eligble at UGA?? I’ve never heard of that. Basketball coaching 101?? C’mon. That school is a joke. How hard is it to pass recreation and leisure studies? It’s the farm system for the NFL. If UGA players don’t make it in the league they go back to their litttle p** ant towns in south Ga and work at Mcdonalds. The funny thing is Richt actually sounded surprised his players passed. Go ‘Bows and Go Jackets!!
By LSUIdiot
December 21, 2007 11:45 PM | Link to this
trees greaux jobs!
By BDR
December 22, 2007 1:09 AM | Link to this
Jackoff Backer…
Don’t be so stupid…
Get your head out of your a$$!!
By shane #1
December 22, 2007 1:10 AM | Link to this
jacketbacker,believe it or not guys do lose their elegibility at uga.we lost our best cover corner before the start of the season because of academic problems.we could have done what tech did and played him anyway but we chose to obey the rules.i understand that you guys will get all your scholarships back next year,having paid your debt to the ncaa for your cheating.BTW,keep putting south ga down,we have some good talent down here and uga can keep signing them as long as you tech guys keep your snotty attitudes.most of the south ga kids that don’t go to uga go to auburn or fsu,but clemson,uf and even wake forest recruit this area also.so the kids that tech doesn’t recruit can be seen on the other sideline,waiting to kick your sorry butts!one more thing,when you put down a players academic ability you really should learn to spell elegible!
By Eric1
December 22, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this
Merry Christmas and WAR EAGLE!!! See you at the Peach…uh… Chicken Bowl! Let’s beat Clemson and get next season off to a good start!
By Matt Stafford
December 22, 2007 9:10 AM | Link to this
yellowblood,
I haven’t seen one of your tickle piles as you call them but I have seen a Dog Pile. Give it up on the Tickle Pile stuff because we are going to make one big Dog Pile right there in the super dome. We will all be spooning. I can hardly wait!!!
BTW - At least I have pictures of our capabilities. Where are the pictures of your so called tickle piles??
http://deepsouthsports.blogspot.com/2007/05/talledega-days.html
Our new chant for 2008: LEAVE NO DOUBT, LET’S SPOON ALL ABOUT
See ya’all in the big sleazy and if I miss you there, look me up at Dega. It is BYOK (bring your own keg) this year.
Merry Christmas and Happy Spooning!!
By Marteenus
December 22, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this
Josh Nesbitt can run Coach Johnson’s Offense better than the two QBs that you (mowreck) are talking about. This kid can and will out play both of this guys any day. Check his film out on Rival.com. Josh has ran this offense in high school, and with the number he put up,it only made him the 8th best in the country at doing it. Josh is the QB that you want to have the ball in his hand at the end of the game, because he is a winner. Josh only needs the ball in his hand to show Tech fans that they do have a winner under center and that’s Mr. Nesbitt. Coach Johnson… if you want to win Started Josh Nesbitt in the bowl game and watch what he can do for you and Tech!!!!
By Dan Cox
December 22, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this
OK, i usually do not comment on these blogs but here goes. For all of you sanctimonious people dogging Petrino and Saban for leaving. Guess what? You were not mad when they were lured away from LSU and Louisville. I for one was embarassed and disgusted with the display of the free Michael Vick thuggery act by D Hall and his posse. Arthur Blank has allowed this atmosphere of no discipline to flourish and I doubt it is what Petrino signed up for. If Mr. Blank chooses to employ players who have no respect for the game, he will reap what he sows.
By Dawgbyte
December 22, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this
Tony, thanks for all the good blogs and Merry Christmas to you, as well.
By FLA DAWG
December 23, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this
I’m interested in watching The Hawaii Bowl tonight for 2 reasons;
How well do the Hawaiians support Bowl Games.
Boise State at 10-2 playing little ol’ ECU at 7-5 in a down year. Boise should beat ECU by 4 TDs. But ECU is loaded with players from the south. Can you say upset?
By FLA DAWG
December 23, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this
Well,
The stadium is half full.
At half-time the score is Boise State 14 - ECU 31.
Did you catch June Jones’ “Not Ready For Prime Time” appearance!? Shellshocked and worried would be an appropriate way to phrase his demeanor.
Good Luck to ECU in the second half and Go Dawgs!
By FLA DAWG
December 23, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this
Well, well!
A 7 & 5 southern college football team hangs 41 points on a 10 & 2 WAC team.
Now Hawaii, let us introduce you to one of the best teams in the SEC / Country……….UGA.
UNCHAIN THE YARD DAWGS ‘N LET ‘EM EAT!!!!!!!
By falcon80
December 24, 2007 2:37 AM | Link to this
If Bobby Bowden is a class act then I am the f’n Pope! Dadgummit, how is little ol’ me supposed to stop recruiting Criminoles! Guess ‘cause media myrmidons like Barnhart keep kissing my A**.
By Gen Neyland
December 24, 2007 8:37 AM | Link to this
War Eagle
Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Years
zoo
New QB Atop Rocky..? May be the Peyton/T thing all over again…We might not win it all, but we could can spoil somebody’s party…plus the Dawgs get the week off prior to UT—UGA in ‘08.
The biggest problem at Neyland North in 2008 will be getting the skilled talent play time. The right OC will bring renewed interest in the Orange and White. Mr. Garner, want your old job back..? Possible room for advancement…
Merry Christmas to ALL…
By Elmer Fudd
December 24, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this
No Bulldogs are academically ineligible for the bowl game? There’s something screwy here.
By Bugs Bunny
December 24, 2007 11:20 PM | Link to this
Awesome, Elmer Fudd is the perfect handle for a techie. A persistent dolt that always loses. Merry Christmas! Oh yeah, 7 in a row!!!!!!
By ARdawg
December 25, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this
Well I’ve been out of pocket a few days so my big mouth hasn’t been on the blog. Tony, regardless of the jabs I take at your blog column, it’s never personal and always on topic. Thanks for doing a great job and Merry Christmas to you too. Enjoy N’awlins.
A couple of responses to your points:
I travel to New Orleans frequently for either business or pleasure, I love that place, this from a born and bred South Georgia Bulldawg. Even pre-Katrina N’awlins was not a safe place. Percentage wise it is even safer now. However, your caution of safety is warranted in most any city attending for a bowl game and especially New Orleans.
Bobby Patrino has been run through the meat grinder and IMO unjustifiably so. He was completely within limits entertaining an Auburn offer as well as leaving the hemorrhaging Falcons. Thats the biggest lot of undisciplined football players assembled in the country on any team. They’re support of the felon Michael Vick is downright disgusting. Blame Patrino? NO! Blame the Falcons. Patrino is a good coach that wants to coach in the best in the game, the SEC. The Razorback Nation loves him and that is all that should matter. The espn talking heads and other media be dammed.
Bobby Bowden has given much to college football and deserves an opportunity to go out on top. Time will tell whether or not he can pull it off. Good Luck to Bowden. I expect the Bulldogs across the stateline will have much to say about that.
Also, Merry Christmas and the happiest of holidays to my friends, the FFOC’s, Altamaha, Cuz, Shane and all the rest. Great blogging with you guys.
See ya in N’awlins
GO DAWGS
By FLA DAWG
December 25, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this
The only chance Ga Tech has of beating bulldogs is in the Humanitarian Bowl against Fresno State. If The Jackets can play a full game of defense the way they started the game against The Dawgs and put together some kind of offense for that bowl game they could win it.
By ET77
December 25, 2007 6:53 PM | Link to this
Merry X-mas to Tim Tebow … this girl is HOT
http://www.gatoralert.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Go-Timmy-Go.html/Itemid,/
By War Eagle
December 26, 2007 7:56 PM | Link to this
ET77, Florida won NCAA 2006, football championship with only loss to Auburn, won NCAA basketball championship 2006-07, Heisman tropthy winner Tim Tebow 2007, majority of colleges will not have this results in their entire HISTORY. My point is Florida with AD Foley HAS done the best in ADMINISTRATION and COACHING in the country, making DREAMS OF LIFE TIME to many.
By DAWGFAN
December 26, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this
ANYONE HEARD IF THERE WILL BE A “DAWG WALK” IN NEW ORLEANS AND IF SO -WHEN AND WHERE ??
By Gary
December 26, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this
Tony.When did you graduate from Greene County? I worked there 1968=70 with GaPower. Kept stats for footbal team. Go dawgs. We will beat the rainbows pretty bad.
By toby young
December 31, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this
HEY TONY..IF YOU NEED A INTERVIEW WITH THE OLD BALL COACH YOU CAN FIND HIM AT HOME…GET IT..STEVE IS HOME…CHICKEN CURSE LIVES IN COLUMBIA..GO CLEMSON