AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2007 > December > 31 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSights and sounds from the French Quarter
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
New Orleans-After a couple of days hunkering down behind this computer, I finally got out last night and had a nice dinner in the French Quarter with a couple of AJC colleagues. I attended a function at Pat O’Brien’s, stood on the balcony and took a couple of sips off a Hurricane (not for the faint of heart), and did my obligatory walk down Bourbon Street on the way back to the hotel.
It’s really interesting what you see and hear when you get out amongst the folks. For example:
1. Hawaii’s here and their fans are great, but Georgia OWNS this town for the next two days: It was a Sunday night and a couple of our favorite places, like the Napoleon House, were closed. But that did not slow down the Bulldog Nation, who are already out in full force and barking their way through town. These guys and girls, ladies and gentlemen, already have their game face on. They want a win over Hawaii and a preseason Top Five for 2008. They will be ready tomorrow night.
2. Tenuta is going to be a hot coach: As soon as Georgia Tech’s Humanitarian Bowl is over today, look for Jon Tenuta to get pretty busy. SMU, which threw a ton of money at Paul Johnson trying to get him to come to Dallas instead of Georgia Tech, may want to talk to him about being their head coach. I predict he’ll land at LSU or Michigan as a DC.
3. Keep your eye on Auburn: Like the consummate poker player he is, Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville is always thinking several moves ahead. I’ve got the feeling that we’re going to see more of the new spread option attack, recently installed by new OC Tony Franklin, than most people think in tonight’s Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson. Now this is just me guessing out loud. But could it be that Tuberville wants recruits to see the new offense and get excited? It’s just something to think about tonight as you watch the game.
4. The national media loves Mark Richt: In an age where guys like Bobby Petrino get the headlines and embarrass the coaching profession, we here in Georgia, especially those of us in the media, are lucky to have a guy like Mark Richt as the head coach of the state university. That’s the message I get from my national media friends. You don’t have to worry about Coach Richt ever lying or deceiving or pitting one school against another to get a raise. Here’s the other thing my friends say: Take care of this guy and his family. Word here is that AD Damon Evans and President Michael Adams are going to do just that in the near future.
5. Old news department: There was a report out of Kansas City that with the brand new stadium being built by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, the Cotton Bowl wants to become a BCS venue.
Well, duh. Atlanta, Orlando, Houston, and Tampa also want to be in the BCS. The question is, will the BCS get away from this “double-hosting” model (two BCS games in one city) in the next contract? The sponsors, like Allstate here in New Orleans and Tostitos at the Fiesta, don’t want that. The discussions on the future of the BCS, which will really crank up at a meeting of the commissioners in Miami next April, are going to be very interesting.
Comments
By bamadon
December 31, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this
I hope the dawgs win by 3 or 4 touchdowns. Have a good time tonight everybody and please don’t drink and drive. Georgia is lucky to have to Coach Richt and I hope CLEMSON hangs 50 points on the cow college tonight!! ROLL TIDE AND GO DAWGS!!
By DawginGermany
December 31, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this
FIRST!
By DawginGermany
December 31, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this
I can’t wait for the game tomorrow! I hope my Dawgs embarrass the Warriors, I am getting tired of this “we belong” thing coming from the smaller schools. Yeah, yeah, we all know about Boise State last year. I also know about Boise State’s trip to Athens in 2005….
I am so grateful to have Coach Richt leading this football program. We couldn’t have asked for a better coach and mentor for our Dawgs. Here is to many more years of sucess with Coach Richt and company.
Happy New Year to everyone in the DAWG Nation. Be safe and enjoy the SUGAR bowl!
By DawginGermany
December 31, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this
I can’t wait for the game tomorrow! I hope my Dawgs embarrass the Warriors, I am getting tired of this “we belong” thing coming from the smaller schools. Yeah, yeah, we all know about Boise State last year. I also know about Boise State’s trip to Athens in 2005….
I am so grateful to have Coach Richt leading this football program. We couldn’t have asked for a better coach and mentor for our Dawgs. Here is to many more years of success with Coach Richt and company.
Happy New Year to everyone in the DAWG Nation. Be safe and enjoy the SUGAR bowl!
By DawginGermany
December 31, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this
I can’t wait for the game tomorrow! I hope my Dawgs embarrass the Warriors, I am getting tired of this “we belong” thing coming from the smaller schools. Yeah, yeah, we all know about Boise State last year. I also know about Boise State’s trip to Athens in 2005….
I am so grateful to have Coach Richt leading this football program. We couldn’t have asked for a better coach and mentor for our Dawgs. Here is to many more years of success with Coach Richt and company.
Happy New Year to everyone in the DAWG Nation. Be safe and enjoy the SUGAR bowl!
By Hoopie1
December 31, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this
BamaDon, dude you’ve got to drop that 50 year old “Cow College” comment from Bear Bryant. I grew up as a Bammer and always thought that comment was real lame. The “farmers”, which have actually attended AU, have a lot more dignity than all of the “used car salesmen” in the state of Alabama that have never even seen the UAT campus and are Bama fans”. AU 21 Clemson 17. WDE
According to My Cattle.com, All SEC schools except Bammer, USC and Vandy have agricultural schools. In fact, so does Clemson. So the question becomes, why isn’t Bama a cow college?
By RxDawg
December 31, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this
I’m pretty confident that we stomp a new island in Hawaii tommorow. I’m not so sure about AU tonight. I’d prefer them to win bacause I usually pull for the SEC in bowls. The coaching change and all of a sudden new “system” doesnt always pan out agains a quality opponent. Then again, I guess Clemson cant exactly count on studying the film either. Should be a good one, but unfortunatly I think Clemson pulls it out. (yes i know i cant spell thank you)
By boots
December 31, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this
Tony, great post and glad to know the Dawg folks are showing up strong. I know a lot of friends who are leaving tonight & tomorrow, so all the hype about Hawaii bringing 50,000 has to be overplayed. However, I am sure anyone who doesn’t pull for either team normally would love to see a huge upset and the islanders win this game. I expect the Dawgs to come with a passing attack of their own. If we only go with Moreno (who is THE man), then Hawaii can key in on him like Tech did. But look where that got them… Love having balance.
Regarding CMR, the ESPN website last night had three features on the Dawgs: Mark’s piece on CMR, one on the GA youth and the last one on QBs from Texas. Great seeing us get the love, although ESPN should have shown us more love a few weeks ago and we might be playing in the Rose or NC game…
By Richard
December 31, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this
Hawaii 34 Georgia 28
You’re such a predictable SEC Homer…very pathetic, indeed.
By Zeb McKluskey
December 31, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this
RX, I hope you’re right. I myself am a little worried. Word is, Moreno’s got a taped up ankle and 2 starting linebackers are not 100%. Hey Zoo, Cuz and Alt, have you guys been watching Rennie Curran? He is a BEAST!!! Rx, I think we take care of business, but I’m not on the field chasin anyone around. Should be an awesome game, but if we get beat, the disappointment level of the Ga crowd will be thru the roof. I’m not dissing Hawaii in any way, they are the only undefeated team in the country. I think we should win this game but by no means am I going to say that we should blow them out. If we lost, I wouldn’t be surprised. I only say that for myself. If you prepare yourself for disappointment, you are never surprised.
With that said, our DAWGS need to come out FIRED UP for this game!!!!!
I congratulate all who made the trip to N.O. and hope you all have a safe New Years.
Oh, and tech is finally coming back against Fresno. Come on guys, make the state proud.
By Kendall
December 31, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this
Sending this from the Dauphine Orleans hotel in the FQ. Man, is this fun. Spent last night at the Cats Meow and had a blast. No city like New Orleans. Everyone should come on down and visit and spend some money. Go Dawgs.
By Rod
December 31, 2007 5:40 PM | Link to this
Im worried Georgia chose to practice at the dome instead of at Saints practice facility. They have not been able to lift weights all week while Hawaii has at the saints practice place. We need to be strong and dominate the line of scrimage.
By War Eagle
December 31, 2007 8:17 PM | Link to this
New Orleans is hopping! I’m pulling for the dawgs and they are pulling for te tigers.
All of the Hawaii fans are just glad to be recognized in a bowl game. They are so genuine and down home people, much like us southerners!!
WAR DAMN EAGLE! go dawgs!!
By Cuz
December 31, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this
Go Tigers, the right ones, SEC baby. C’mon War pull one out. Right now Clem’s son’s University is ahead, pass em like they are standing still.
Tomorrow, Back in Black baby…..
By Eric1
January 1, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
Sorry to disappoint you, bamadumb. Auburn wins Peach Bowl! War Eagle!!!
By Buddy
January 1, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
Go SEC. It’s time that we all pull for the best in the USA,, SEC. Good luck to all SEC Teams! Bring it home,,,
By Pago Pago
January 1, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this
We’re still scared to death of The Rainbows. It’s possible they can have 21 points in the first quarter.
By Pago Pago
January 1, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this
We’re still scared to death of The Rainbows. It’s possible they can have 21 points in the first quarter.
By LSU
January 1, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this
LSU Tigers will be BCS Champions. All the Georgia crybabies thought they actually had a legitimate shot to be in the big game - you didn’t even win your own division in the SEC much less the conference. I think Hawaii will give you all a game, but UGA should win - it’s a decent SEC program, and decent schools in our conference are usually much better than top-rated schools in every other conference. Examples: Kansas, Illinois, Virginia Tech, Ohio State, etc.
Have fun in New Orleans, Bulldog fans - we appreciate your long green $$$.