Home > Jeff Schultz > Archives > 2008 > July > 01 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USThe Tuesday Countdown
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
10.I didn’t see the funeral procession for Uga VI. But I keep having this vision of car doors opening, several dogs jumping out and stopping to tinkle by a tree before proceeding to the gravesite.
9.Oh calm down. I love dogs, but please. The guestbook on AJC.com is now 173 pages long. The groundskeeper was a pallbearer. A Baptist preacher presided. Uga was carried in a dog crate. His entry was accompanied by “The Battle Hymn of the Bulldog Nation.” Admit it. If you lived anywhere else, you’d be falling off a chair, laughing.
8.Three Georgia players were arrested for battery over the weekend. Must be emotional fallout.
7.Alex Rodriguez has been seen recently in the company of Madonna. Must be emotional fallout.
6.Warrick Dunn never mentioned any players by name. But coming off his experiences with the Falcons, with the likes of DeAngelo Hall and Jimmy Williams, it doesn’t seem surprising he told Sportsline.com: “When I came in, my generation was different. We respected the guys who came before us. … Now you have a lot of young guys who don’t care about the past. … Don’t act like an a-hole. There are too many guys who act like that. I’ve seen too many guys who just want money and power.”
5.How long before Bobby Cox stops convincing himself that Jeff Francoeur (3-for-29, .239, .213 with runners in scoring position) will play his way out of this slump and sits the lad down for a while?
4.This is the kind of guy Bob Hartley is: I phoned him two weeks ago asking for an autographed picture as a funny going-away gift for Craig Custance, who now works for The Sporting News. Bob’s response, “I might be in Atlanta that week. What if I just come to the party?” And he did.
3.On a related note, Hartley is willing to cut you a deal on his house in Sugarloaf.
2.Don Waddell is slipping. He’s not even a good liar any more. His explanation for buying out Alexei Zhitnik less than two weeks after he said, “We think he’ll be a big part of our team,” is nonsensical. He claims things changed after the Thrashers drafted defenseman Zach Bogosian. But a veteran player doesn’t go from being “a big part” of a team to no part of a team based on one draft pick. Dept. of Duh: Waddell wanted to trade Zhitnik and couldn’t.
1.There are legitimate arguments on both sides of the, “Is Josh Smith worth the money” argument. But if you’re the Hawks, can you risk him becoming the player he can be in another city?
Comments
By GATORZONE
July 1, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
Poor UGA… Seriously, one of the best mascots Ever.
By Herschel Talker
July 1, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe18z5uZd2M
By Rimfire
July 1, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
Josh Smith is kinda like Jeff Francoeur, a local kid with enormous skill and potential, but goes into prolonged brain farts. IF either one would begin to show some maturity and patience, watch out. They could actually reach their potential! You gotta pull for them, if you hadn’t already pulled out all your hair…
By Milton Jeff
July 1, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
I’m glad Dunn called the VT THUGS out. We’ll miss a classy guy like Warrick. Damn Dawgs better stay out of trouble..don’t freakin blow this guys. Bench the French!! Waddell needs to have his a** kicked all over this city. Why does the Spirit continue to ruin these teams. Oh yeah..gas will be $4.50 this weekend. Happy 4th everyone.
By Supes
July 1, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
Mr Jeff Schultz
How long before Bobby Cox stops convincing himself that Jeff Francoeur (3-for-29, .239, .213 with runners in scoring position) will play his way out of this slump and sits the lad down for a while?
While I applaud you for this point, (I was expecting you to join MB and TM in the cruisade to defend Jeff Francouer at all cost), I don’t think sitting down Francouer is the answer.
You don’t correct mechanical flaws, as well as get confidence back ridding the pine. He’s got to be sent down for a while to work on his overall approach at the plate, pitch recognition, situational hitting, and overall everything involved with what made him a successful hitter last season.
However, recent quotes from Frank Wren are quite disturbing if you are an Atlanta Braves fan…”he’s the ride it out” kind of GM. Meaning Jeff continues to struggle and hurt the Braves with his lack of production in the lineup.
By GoDawgs701
July 1, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this
Did Buzz pass away too???
Just wondering if the Tech player accussed of rape was suffering emotional fallout as well.
By GM
July 1, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
If Frenchy had the team’s best interest at heart he would go to Bobby and ask to be sent down until he is able to get his hitting problems worked out. If Bobby Cox had the Braves best interest at heart he would help Frenchy pack his bags. To bad Lillibridge can’t hit , then we could ship Escobar back down until he gets his attitude straight. There are moves that need to be made to strengthen this team for the future and if done early enough maybe make the Braves competitive this year. Even if Kotsay has to play right and Prado in left that would be significantly more competitive than what is being run out there daily.Whatever happens don’t mess with the starting rotation even if that means releasing Hampton and Glavine.
By CoastDog
July 1, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
Who is Bob Hartley?
By HomeDawg
July 1, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
Nah, he was just horny.
By Ted Striker
July 1, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
That was interesting what Dunn had to say. On another Falcon’s note, I’ve concluded that Brian Finneran is really from an ALTERNATE UNIVERSE.
The proof? December 13, 1999. Falcons sign “practice-squad” player Brian Finneran to a short-term contract. He’s been twice released from other NFL squads. Fast-forward to 2008. Finneran is a nine-year veteran — outlasting all but 2 players on the entire Falcons roster. Gone too are numerous draft choices and free agents that came AFTER his short term signing.
Somewhere, in an alternate universe far, far away, Todd Blackledge is Hall of Fame QB. Those other 1st round QB’s from ‘83? Didn’t pan out.
Finneran — phone home…your alternate universe misses you
By Jerry Springer
July 1, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
The State of Georgia is always a great source for humor and a barrel of laughs. Just take one look a the Governor. Where do you think the Show gets most of the material?
By DC Dawg
July 1, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
Jeff, I’m a UGA grad, class of ‘89, who does live in another state. Virginia. And I’m not laughing.
By Michael
July 1, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this
Jeff, I’m a UGA grad, class of ‘98, and I agree with you. The pomp and circumstance for a dead dog is embarrassing, and frankly disrespectful to both the dog and his owners.
By To Hell With Ugag
July 1, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
Jeff,
I live in this state and I am laughing my a$$ off at the ridiculous trailor park trash mutt fans. When I get tired of laughing at the dog funeral I can check the police blotter on any given day and laugh some more. LOSERS!
By Wings fan in Ga.
July 1, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this
To Hell WIth Ugag, I agree. Don’t you think the real face of UGA should be the mug shots of all of the football players getting arrested and not some silly dog?
By CarolinaJacket
July 1, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
So how many of the last three posts were from the same person? Why attack those who have suffered a lose? Hate to tell you folks, but your day will come one way or another one of these days.
By Najeh Davenpoop
July 1, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
For once I completely agree with Jeff Schultz… we’re talking about a dog, man. Not a human, not a human, we’re talking about a dog. We’re talking about a dog. We’re talking about a dog. A funeral for a dog? With pallbearers and a preacher? Seriously? Y’all are insane.
By Najeh Davenpoop
July 1, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this
Rimfire, there’s a huge difference between Josh Smith and Jeff Francoeur. Francoeur is a mediocre player with great talent. Josh Smith is a good player with great talent. It’s a much better bet investing money in Josh, because even if he never becomes great, he’s still always gonna be good. Francoeur is not even consistently good yet, so investing big money in him is a much riskier proposition.
By hotrod
July 1, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this
I the words of Warrick Dunn, Mr. schultz your an a-hole
By Proud dawg
July 1, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this
Mr. Schultz You are entitled to your opinions as anybody else… but as a journalist you are an idiot!
By Proud dawg
July 1, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this
And oh yes, I can do better!
By The Grinch
July 1, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this
The Georgia Bulldogs are by far the most beloved team in this state, and it’s not just because they’re good. There’s an awful lot of atmosphere surrounding the program, and the mascot creates a lot of that. Uga’s are adorable, lovable and funny, and he provides an image people love to rally around. He is an image of the spirit of the team, and while I understand some people who don’t understand spirit, good times and enthusiasm related to sports (I.E. apparently an awful lot of people who post on the AJC) I find it even more disturbing how many of you hate dogs. When Vick got arrested, it was nothing but post after post of “Who cares, it’s just a bunch of D——d dogs” and now that the symbol of UGA dies (who also happened to be a great dog) it’s “Who cares if he died; he’s just a D—-d dog.” Do any of you own a dog? If you do, would you care if it died? Do you pull the wings off insects and set fire to stray cats for fun? No wonder this city is so sterile and devoid of soul.
By Roswell Ed
July 2, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this
I heard that UGA’s pallbearers were:
Scooby Doo
Huckleberry Hound
Chopper
Deputy Dawg
Hong Kong Phoey
and Spike
++++++++++++++++
Grinch you missed the boat on this one.
No one is saying that they dislike dogs but that the attention that is paid to this one at the time of his death is bizarre.
People try to humanize dogs.
My biggest pet peeve that I witness daily is morons driving around town with their dog in their lap.
Not only is it dangerous to you but its dangerous to the dog.
Leave your freaking dog at home jackar$e.
What about all the emotion that was wasted on Barbaro? Take several seconds off of his mile time and people wouldn’t have been sending him flowers but feeding him to their dawg.
+++++++++++++
Another day and another 3 dawgs in the jail house.
Does this surprise anyone?
++++++++++++++
Why no mention of the Tech player Jeff?
Last I heard rape is a lot more serious than what these three idiots did.
Oh wait I forgot this is an article about sports and sports teams not Popular Mechanics.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Can you imagine how much a player at VT gets away with in Blacksburg?
Look at what they become when they are away from there.
I can not find any evidence that Beamer is molding these boys into men.
From what I can see is that they come out worse than they go in.
++++++++++++++
Will someone please tell Madonna to cover up.
She’s 50 for God’s sake.
It’s never good when you would rank at the top of almost anyone’s all time scank list.
Like throwing a hot dog down a hallway.
By Gene
July 2, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this
There is a real possibility that drunken football players thought UGA VI was a female hanging out in the athletic dorm and groped him to death. The whole heart attack thing and Tim Burton like(The Big Fish) funeral is another Adams coverup.
By Snoop Doggy Dog
July 2, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
I am disappointed that the Big Dog, Sonny the Stooge didn’t declare a day of mourning and put UGA in the capitol rotunda. What about a statue on the capitol grounds?
By D.Ellis
July 2, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this
It was a sad day to lose a good DAWG.
Others might be laughing but we don’t live there….and they don’t live here. I personally laugh at the ceremony for that stupid Groundhog day thing….now that’s funny
All 2 of them did was touch a girls stomach….or her DNA landing zone. The 3rd one punched some dude in the face for making fun of the Death of Uga. That a boy.
She’s pretty freakin ugly. He’s just another notch on her craft-matic
Someone should have slapped D-Hall in the face….with baby powder…..more than once…and especially when he got a pick being down by 24 in the 4th quarter..but would still drop to his knees at mid field and act like an idiot. D-HALL WAS AND WILL ALWAYS BE HOT GARBAGE W.Dunn-Thanks for the good years.
Never.
Thrashers sucked with him and suck without him. Sounds like a good dude though
Is it the same neighboorhood with the Bunny Ranch on hole 18? If so where do the bids start?
D.W. is Hotter Garbage
If they want a cahnce in Hel$ of competing they better resign J. Smith.
By Rob Hicks
July 2, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
Who the hell is Bob Hartley?
By Sautee
July 2, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
Najeh*
Ha Ha, you sounded like Iverson talking about practice.
;-)
By The Grinch
July 2, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this
Barbaro’s a completely different story. He wasn’t the 6th generation of his family having literally thousands of children line up every year of his life to hug him and take photos. He didn’t represent anything but a greedy owner who overbred him. It was sad, but past about 20 minutes of coverage it was more a case of America not having enough to do, I think.
By Brendan
July 2, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
Marian Hossa signed a 1-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings, for $7.4 million. Anyone believe that he’s just “biding his time” for Waddell to trade Kovalchuk away, after contract negotiations fail with him next July (‘09), so that Hossa can return to the team for the 2009-10 season?
Anyone?
Dayum. We’re running out of naive hockey suckers who will believe anything the Thrashers organization spews. Jeff Schultz, there are rumors that Don Waddell offered UFA defenseman Brian Campbell 8-years/$60 million. That’s a cap hit of $7.5 million. Instead, Campbell opted to sign with the Chicago Blackhawks for 8-years, $56.8 million, for a cap hit of $7.1 million.
In case anyone is wholly unfamiliar with ice hockey, Chicago is a team that hasn’t won a home playoff game since April 22, 1997, a 6-3 win over Colorado, in a series they lost, 4-2. Since 1998, the team had one playoff berth, in 2002, where it lost to St. Louis, 4-1.
Which means what?? Well, it means that Brian Campbell thinks the Blackhawks’ future is a whole heckuva lot brighter than the 28th place Thrashers. And it also means that Brian Campbell, and particularly his agent, thank Don Waddell for driving up the value of his recent contract signing.
Still, Jeff, it does make me think the ASG might actually be “concerned” about ticket sales. I mean, ponying up $60 million for a player isn’t exactly being “cheap.” That the player agreed to less money to a team that drafted eight spots behind the Thrashers is, uhh … rather telling.
Jeff, do you think the ASG finally realizes that their choice of GM is hampering the development and advancement of the Thrashers? Or does someone have to break out the “sock puppets” to explain it to them? If coming away empty-handed along the blueline in Day One doesn’t send a message to the ASG, what will? Seriously, consolation prizes like Wade Redden, M.Roszival, Marc Streit, and M. Commodore all went ELSEWHERE. When players won’t sign in Atlanta no MATTER now much money you throw at them, isn’t that the proverbial “wake up” call? I guess not.
For the ASG, it’d take more than just the morning percolations to experience this epiphany. It’d take 14 steaming hot pots of coffee poured over their heads.
By Najeh Davenpoop
July 2, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
Haha Sautee, I’m glad someone picked up on it.
By kurtz
July 5, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
If Georgia fans could bottle the sentiment and ceremony they display for their mascot and direct such compassion toward their fellow man, we would all live in a better world. On the other hand, worship of an idol out of proportion to its social benfits and consequence risks comparisons to other cults. Inward, inward, always inward.