Sports Columnists

By desertbrave

September 21, 2006 10:59 AM | Link to this

I think the Braves just made the playoffs next year by signing Wickman. I also think that this season will re-energize (for lack of a better phrase) the Braves front office. I think Chipper might have been on steroids in the past or something similar because of how he has broken down so many times so suddenly. I know I want anyone to win the World Series except the Mutts. Excellent piece Mark.

By ebineezer

September 21, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this

The Falcons offense will have to start pulling its own weight if they are going to make the playoffs, the defense is going to need some help eventually. Wickman is a good start. The Dodgers, momentum - no, letdown - yes. The World Series always goes through the Yankees. The Phillies?? Anybody but the Muts!! Throw out the replays! Take the good and bad calls and roll with them. Run Vick, Run! Ryder cup…yawnnn Chipper needs to get with Julio and do(take) whatever he is. Notre Dame, ha ha, I hope they lose every game. Is there a bigger media darling in the country? Louiville surely put Miami in its place after those thugs from Florida went to jumping on their bird at midfield. The Canes got what they deserved. Cain’t blame Bobby for following the greenback trail.

By baerdawg

September 21, 2006 11:09 AM | Link to this

I think the Dawgs split with Auburn this year and return to the Sugar Bowl.

By Brad in KY

September 21, 2006 11:11 AM | Link to this

Chipper is getting hurt a lot, but when he does play he’s still extremely productive. That has to be a reason to think that Bradley’s wrong to claim that Chipper is aging “gracelessly” and faster than any pro athlete he’s seen. Is he aging faster than, say, Eddie George did? Bernie Williams? Brett Favre? NO WAY! The claim is ridiculous.

Here are two oft-cited and closely related inferences that are frequently made: if an older player gets hurt, it’s because he’s “aging.” If a rookie makes an error, it’s a “rookie” mistake. These are simply ways of speaking to avoid thinking.

Finally, there has never been a shred of evidence to support the thesis that a “dramatic” or “important” victory leads to any kind of “momentum” for a baseball team. So it should come as no surprise that this is the case with the Dodgers.

By KneeJerk

September 21, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this

I think the Braves would be in postseason with Wickman an entire year. Rest of staff blew 27 of 47 oppeortunities. WOW! I wonder where we’d be if we didn’t cast off gary Matthews Jr. during Spring Training a couple of years ago. Leftfielder anyone?

By RA

September 21, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this

Mr. Bradley,

You have one redeeming quality, you don’t care what any of us think, feel, or say about what you write. It’s actually kinda charming and reassuring in a way that I can’t quite explain… Anyway, don’t start thinking about us now. You’ve gotten this far by being who you are. You may as well stick with it…

By truckstop

September 21, 2006 11:35 AM | Link to this

Loved 2 comments: 1. By Mark: “I think the Falcons are finally — finally! — figuring out how to use Michael Vick.” 2. By ebineezer “Run Vick!, run!”.

And now, one from the peanut gallory (me): The Braves will only and always go as far as their pitching (starters, relief and closer) will allow.

By AFinPC

September 21, 2006 11:42 AM | Link to this

I think Bobby Petrino passed his interview for the Miami job with flying colors last weekend…I don’t think a closer will help the Braves reach the postseason…I think it’s only a matter of time before a defensive genius finds a way to stop the spread option…I think that’ll probably be Gene Chizik(Texas’ D-Coordinator) I think the Dawgs will lose 4 games in the regular season…Tennessee, Florida, Auburn, and Tech…I think I’m right about all of this!!

War Damn Eagle!!

By truckstop

September 21, 2006 11:44 AM | Link to this

Oh, yeah. One more comment I (really) liked: By ebineezer: “Notre Dame, ha ha, I hope they lose every game” and, I might add…”go back into oblivion (mediocrity) where they have been the last 15 years”. This one goes out to Terence Moore.

By Nikki

September 21, 2006 11:54 AM | Link to this

I think the falcons will not obsess about cold weather because the new guys will help squash that attitude from the minds of some of the old guys. (Note to Vick: No covering up with a parka every time you come to the sidelines to get a play from the coach.)

By scribe

September 21, 2006 11:54 AM | Link to this

It figures that you would take a cheap shot at chipper when he isn’t in town..

By Frenchy Fan

September 21, 2006 11:57 AM | Link to this

Chipper is definitely getting old. It seems like every other game he injures himself. Maybe the Braves staff needs to think about splitting the duties at third base between Jones and Aybar. It’s obvious Chipper can’t go out there everyday. We need to start thinking in terms of the team and not in terms of Chipper. He’s getting up in age and it’s time for the Braves staff to realize that they need to think about everyone else on the team!

By Roger

September 21, 2006 12:12 PM | Link to this

Chipper has had the injury bug for a couple of years now—remember his supposed rookie year-torn knee-he has always been a true warrior on the field and plays as hard as he always has—yes he is older but the Braves without his bat,it’s just not a lineup.

By Darrin

September 21, 2006 12:35 PM | Link to this

I think the Falcons will make the playoffs and I think it won’t matter if the Bears got the #1 seed, just playing THEM in any round will be difficult, home or away. It wasn’t the cold, we lost to Philly, we lost to the Bears, but we beat the Packers back in ‘03-the sight of the infamous Ice Bowl. We can play in the cold, it was just that the Eagles and Bears, were gulp!, better than us at the time. As far as Chipper goes, yes it is weird how that man has broken down more than my car lately, but all they talk about is trading Andruw- what’s up with that? At Andruw he plays everyday. As far as Wickman goes, had we acquired a couple pf months sooner, the Braves ould make the playoffs and Smoltzie wins another Cy Young award. Oh well, maybe next year…..

By Darrin

September 21, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this

I think the Falcons will make the playoffs and I think it won’t matter if the Bears got the #1 seed, just playing THEM in any round will be difficult, home or away. It wasn’t the cold, we lost to Philly, we lost to the Bears, but we beat the Packers back in ‘03-the sight of the infamous Ice Bowl. We can play in the cold, it was just that the Eagles and Bears, were gulp!, better than us at the time. As far as Chipper goes, yes it is weird how that man has broken down more than my car lately, but all they talk about is trading Andruw- what’s up with that? At Andruw he plays everyday. As far as Wickman goes, had we acquired a couple pf months sooner, the Braves ould make the playoffs and Smoltzie wins another Cy Young award. Oh well, maybe next year…..

By HC

September 21, 2006 12:53 PM | Link to this

Mark! You think? Congratulations on trying something new, you idiot.

By matt

September 21, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this

I don’t see the Dawgs losing to UT or Tech. Even if they do, i’ll take an 8-4 record with a true freshman starting at qb. The experience he’ll get will be invaluable. I think 9-3 is a worst case scenario for the dawgs. As far as Chipper….I don’t know what’s up with him, I love him, but I don’t know if the Braves can keep him AND AJ. I think, Tech has an 8-4 team, best case. I think as long as the Falcons let Vick do what he does then they’ll get back to the playoffs easily. I think Notre Dame aint the only team who’s overrated, and that includes the dawgs!

By Barry

September 21, 2006 12:55 PM | Link to this

Hey Yall:

It doesn’t matter if the Falcons play Chicago. Who the hell is Chicago? Last I heard is they haven’t won any chanpionships in years. Why are we even talking about them this early in the game. There are other teams in the league that are equally better than Chicago. And one team is the Atlanta Falcons. They have the defense and the offense to beat any team this year. Atlanta is the threat they every one should be worrying about having to confront. I am telling you folks who do not know football, watch and see. Carolina and Tampa Bay is just a taste of things to come. so get ready you scary, doubting football fans. Be afraid. Be very afraid of the Atlanta Falcons. And you can print that!!!!!!!!!!

By matt

September 21, 2006 12:55 PM | Link to this

I don’t see the Dawgs losing to UT or Tech. Even if they do, i’ll take an 8-4 record with a true freshman starting at qb. The experience he’ll get will be invaluable. I think 9-3 is a worst case scenario for the dawgs. As far as Chipper….I don’t know what’s up with him, I love him, but I don’t know if the Braves can keep him AND AJ. I think, Tech has an 8-4 team, best case. I think as long as the Falcons let Vick do what he does then they’ll get back to the playoffs easily. I think Notre Dame aint the only team who’s overrated, and that includes the dawgs!

By dawgfacedboy

September 21, 2006 01:02 PM | Link to this

I think that when you lose 93% of your scoring offense (USC) and probably close to that (Texas) to the draft, with unproven freshman taking over and you only beat 3 teams with winning records the year before(Notre Dame)and you lose 10 of 11 starters on defense (Ohio St.) yet you all are in the top 4 the next year labeled as the best teams in college football, competing for a NC, there is something SERIOUSLY wrong!!!

By Bookie

September 21, 2006 01:04 PM | Link to this

I think Chipper is lazy. After the 1955 season, the Yankees sent Mickey Mantle to the Mayo Clinic where they put him on a regiman of exercises. Mantle, notoriously lazy and a barhop with Billy Martin and Whitey Ford, did his exercises, stayed in shape and had his greatest season in 1956. He later slid back into his old ways and his production started slippping. Chipper’s injuries have all the earmarks of not being in physical condition for playing major league baseball on a daily basis. Remember, he still b*** about having to water ferns for his Dad when he was growing up. Professional athletes (indeed, everyone) all learn that they have to spend more time on physical fitness as they age.

By dawgfacedboy

September 21, 2006 01:11 PM | Link to this

I think that when you lose 93% of your scoring offense (USC) and probably close to that (Texas) to the draft, with unproven freshman taking over and you only beat 3 teams with winning records the year before(Notre Dame)and you lose 10 of 11 starters on defense (Ohio St.) yet you all are in the top 4 the next year labeled as the best teams in college football, competing for a NC, there is something SERIOUSLY wrong!!!

By dawgfacedboy

September 21, 2006 01:12 PM | Link to this

I think that when you lose 93% of your scoring offense (USC) and probably close to that (Texas) to the draft, with unproven freshman taking over and you only beat 3 teams with winning records the year before(Notre Dame)and you lose 10 of 11 starters on defense (Ohio St.) yet you all are in the top 4 the next year labeled as the best teams in college football, competing for a NC, there is something SERIOUSLY wrong!!!

By 82DAWG

September 21, 2006 01:44 PM | Link to this

I think it is SERIOUSLY wrong that dawgfacedboy felt the need to post the same ludicrous message three times.

By mars hall

September 21, 2006 01:45 PM | Link to this

Brad in KY:

nobody, other than you, said chipper was aging “gracelessly”. somebody did say he maybe used to take steroids, and maybe he did. rule #1: read first, then comment.

By KneeJerk

September 21, 2006 01:52 PM | Link to this

AFPC, how can you say that Wickman for the entire year wouldn’t get us into the playoffs. We’re 5 games out now. Wicman is like 15/16 in save opportunities. Everyone else is 20/47. Even if we were a horrible 30/47, we’ed be EASILY in the playoffs now.

By Doc Hill

September 21, 2006 01:53 PM | Link to this

I think…You and your flunkee Terence should be placed on mute.

Congrats on a new idea, you bumbling idiot.

By dawgfacedboy

September 21, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this

82Dawg-sorry about that, my computer was acting weird and it didn’t look like it normally does after I post and am waiting. You obviously don’t blog much because that happens to people several times on these things. What exactly is ludicrous about that message?

By Jim J

September 21, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this

Okay, the Braves now need to exercise the option on Smoltz. You signed Wickman, JS, why not go ahead and lock up Smoltz for next year. Your rotation would be Smoltz(#1 opening day starter, JS) Hudson (cause nobody will take him off our hands) Chucky James, Kyle Davies, and either a healthy Mike Hampton or Cormier or Villareal as 5th starter. Not bad. Bullpen will be fine with Wickman at the end, Baez in the eighth, and a couple of pickups. Goodbye Yates, Ray, and Paronto. McCann catching, LaRoche, Prado, Renteria, and Lugo on the infield. (Lugo will be available if the Dodgers miss the playoffs.) Thorman, AJ, and Francouer in the outfield. That’s right, no Chipper. Unload the bum while you can still get something. Keep Ward and Orr on the bench. Keep Tony Pena on the club to let Renteria get him ready. Find a veteran bat off the bench. ( NOT BRIAN JORDAN) And get back to first place. Batting order opening day: Prado, Renteria, Lugo, AJ, McCann, LaRoche, Francouer, Thorman, and Smoltz. Question: If you have to get rid of Chipper or AJ, which one goes??????????????????????????

By 82DAWG

September 21, 2006 02:09 PM | Link to this

I think it is SERIOUSLY wrong that dawgfacedboy felt the need to post the same ludicrous message three times.

By Mark Bradley

September 21, 2006 02:12 PM | Link to this

I think Mark Bradley is a literary genius, an incredibly good-looking stud, and the best sportswriter of his generation.

Furman Who?

By Brandon

September 21, 2006 02:36 PM | Link to this

I think the Gators are overrated this year and I think time will show this.

By brandon

September 21, 2006 02:38 PM | Link to this

I think the Gators are overrated this year and I think time will prove it.

By Matt

September 21, 2006 02:42 PM | Link to this

I’ll tell you what’s ludicrous….giving someone hell for posting something more than once and then you yourself posting more than once!! HA!!!

By Ace

September 21, 2006 02:46 PM | Link to this

I think Bobby Petrino won’t go to any other college. He’s got a great situation where he is - only game in town, yearly shot at BCS in weak conference, nobody to be compared to. Now when the NFL comes calling…

I think the Braves will learn a lot from this season and be much better next year. But I think next year’s prognosis hangs largely on Hudson (if he’s around) and Hampton.

Every time I think about the fall of Florida St, I think Mark Richt was a great hire.

I think Chan Gailey is a really good guy, but not a great coach.

By Ace

September 21, 2006 02:47 PM | Link to this

Tying some things together…

I think I would enjoy seeing what Bobby Petrino would do with Vick.

By Gary

September 21, 2006 03:19 PM | Link to this

I think that if the sale of the Braves goes through, they are in big trouble. They are being purchased by a guy looking for a tax dodge for the sale of his Time-Warner stock. He is not local and doesn’t really care about Atlanta and the Braves by all indications. He only has to cut salaries and not lose money for three years (the Marlins come to mind?)and can sell them at a tidy profit even if they are reminiscent of the 80’s Braves at that time.

By Jason

September 21, 2006 03:22 PM | Link to this

Yeah. I think you should’ve commented on the Thrashers pre-season victory over the Panthers. We went up 4-0 in the 1st period, and over all, looked really good. I think you totally missed this one. Braves. Falcons. You talk about already old Tech games. I think you should get with the program!

By Jason

September 21, 2006 03:23 PM | Link to this

Yeah. I think you should’ve commented on the Thrashers pre-season victory over the Panthers. We went up 4-0 in the 1st period, and over all, looked really good. I think you totally missed this one. Braves. Falcons. You talk about already old Tech games. I think you should get with the program!

By Jason

September 21, 2006 03:24 PM | Link to this

Yeah. I think you should’ve commented on the Thrashers pre-season victory over the Panthers. We went up 4-0 in the 1st period, and over all, looked really good. I think you totally missed this one. Braves. Falcons. You talk about already old Tech games. I think you should get with the program!

By Jason

September 21, 2006 03:24 PM | Link to this

Yeah. I think you should’ve commented on the Thrashers pre-season victory over the Panthers. We went up 4-0 in the 1st period, and over all, looked really good. I think you totally missed this one. Braves. Falcons. You talk about already old Tech games. I think you should get with the program!

By braves fan

September 21, 2006 03:27 PM | Link to this

I KNOW the Braves will be in the playoffs next season. The bullpen blew 20 saves before Wickman joined the Braves. I know he can’t be perfect for a whole season, but if he’d been here and converted just half of those 20 blown saves, the Braves would be leading the Wild Card by 5 games. And they wouldn’t have had such a terrible June as they did because of shot confidence in the bullpen. They have one of the better offenses in the NL and have 6 potential starters for next season. Odds are in their favor that they don’t lose 4 of their starting 5 next season, as they did this one. All those things add up to 85-95 wins.

By Mike in Loganville

September 21, 2006 03:34 PM | Link to this

The Falcons have finally conceded that Vick is a lousy passer and given up on the West Coast offense. As soon as the defenses catch up and/or Vick gets hurt ( which ever comes first) we are in trouble without a balanced offense. I like the improvements on defense but the Falcons have put all of their eggs in Vick’s basket and he will always break enough to make things messy.

By Connie Lingous

September 21, 2006 03:37 PM | Link to this

I think Bradley should wear his hair poofy again … if he can.

By Jon

September 21, 2006 04:09 PM | Link to this

HELLO BRAVES FANS…..What team have you been watching to believe that because they signed Wickman, you’re all of sudden getting to the Post-season next year?? I guess you forgot how bad your starting staff(Outside of Smoltz and James) and also the rest of your bullpen, which was one of the worst in all of the NL. Every team in the NL East except for the Nationals has better pitching than you and last time I checked, that is what wins ballgames! LEt’s see James do it for an entire year and that this is not a Fluke Half a season and see if Smoltz has one more good year in him and don’t mention Huddy because he has been garbage since coming to the NL(look at the stats, they prove that) and Hampton is below-average…..Post season, maybe in 2009-10

By Jon

September 21, 2006 04:10 PM | Link to this

HELLO BRAVES FANS…..What team have you been watching to believe that because they signed Wickman, you’re all of sudden getting to the Post-season next year?? I guess you forgot how bad your starting staff(Outside of Smoltz and James) and also the rest of your bullpen, which was one of the worst in all of the NL. Every team in the NL East except for the Nationals has better pitching than you and last time I checked, that is what wins ballgames! LEt’s see James do it for an entire year and that this is not a Fluke Half a season and see if Smoltz has one more good year in him and don’t mention Huddy because he has been garbage since coming to the NL(look at the stats, they prove that) and Hampton is below-average…..Post season, maybe in 2009-10

By Jon

September 21, 2006 04:10 PM | Link to this

HELLO BRAVES FANS…..What team have you been watching to believe that because they signed Wickman, you’re all of sudden getting to the Post-season next year?? I guess you forgot how bad your starting staff(Outside of Smoltz and James) and also the rest of your bullpen, which was one of the worst in all of the NL. Every team in the NL East except for the Nationals has better pitching than you and last time I checked, that is what wins ballgames! LEt’s see James do it for an entire year and that this is not a Fluke Half a season and see if Smoltz has one more good year in him and don’t mention Huddy because he has been garbage since coming to the NL(look at the stats, they prove that) and Hampton is below-average…..Post season, maybe in 2009-10

By Jon

September 21, 2006 04:12 PM | Link to this

HELLO BRAVES FANS…..What team have you been watching to believe that because they signed Wickman, you’re all of sudden getting to the Post-season next year?? I guess you forgot how bad your starting staff(Outside of Smoltz and James) and also the rest of your bullpen, which was one of the worst in all of the NL. Every team in the NL East except for the Nationals has better pitching than you and last time I checked, that is what wins ballgames! LEt’s see James do it for an entire year and that this is not a Fluke Half a season and see if Smoltz has one more good year in him and don’t mention Huddy because he has been garbage since coming to the NL(look at the stats, they prove that) and Hampton is below-average…..Post season, maybe in 2009-10

By Jon

September 21, 2006 04:15 PM | Link to this

HELLO BRAVES FANS…..What team have you been watching to believe that because they signed Wickman, you’re all of sudden getting to the Post-season next year?? I guess you forgot how bad your starting staff(Outside of Smoltz and James) and also the rest of your bullpen, which was one of the worst in all of the NL. Every team in the NL East except for the Nationals has better pitching than you and last time I checked, that is what wins ballgames! LEt’s see James do it for an entire year and that this is not a Fluke Half a season and see if Smoltz has one more good year in him and don’t mention Huddy because he has been garbage since coming to the NL(look at the stats, they prove that) and Hampton is below-average…..Post season, maybe in 2009-10

By KneeJerk

September 21, 2006 04:55 PM | Link to this

I think that a Braves fan that thinks we’ll be fine with Scott Thorman as an everyday leftfielder needs to watch more baseball.

By GATA Eagles

September 21, 2006 04:55 PM | Link to this

I just love reading blogs when they read that the Braves should have kept this guy and that guy. But what they do not understand is that we get productive players in return. That’s we write blogs and do not sign checks for MLB players. Yes, it’s frustrating not to have your home team in the playoffs, with a line-up that could have featured Matthews Jr., A. Jones, Francoeur, J.Dye, C. Jones, and a rotation with Smoltz, Schmidt, Hudson, and Hampton. But thats baseball. I will guarantee one thing. When spring rolls back around I will be watching one of the best Braves roster in a long time, with the young player finally getting great playing experience. ie. McCann, Francoeur, LaRoche, James, Davies, etc.. Wait and see.

By The GM

September 21, 2006 04:55 PM | Link to this

I think you Dawg fans are delusional. No way will the Dawgs even win the SEC East. They have no passing game, and good SEC defenses will sit on the run and stop them completely. And dont start crap about South Carolina. You may have shut them out, but Furman, (yes 1-AA, southern conference, Furman held them to 27 points while scoring 20 on their vaunted defense that held UGA to only 18 points! Had the Puppies not played 3 High School teams to start the season you would definitely be hurting now. But who cares, you’ve got another horrible team coming in this weekend. That’s the only way Richt can get his 10 win seasons is to play a bunch of cupcakes.

I also think that Chipper has taken steroids at some point in the last few years. When you have a guy in his early to mid 30’s in great shape all of a sudden start to fall apart, a la Barry style, somethings up.

I think the Wickman signing punches the Braves postseason ticket for next year. If the Braves had him this entire season we would have already clinched the Wild Card.

I think Michael Vick will carry the Falcons offense into the playoffs, and their defense will get them to the Super Bowl.

Go Braves!!! Go Vols!!! Go Falcons!!!

By The Man

September 21, 2006 05:05 PM | Link to this

I think that Mark Bradley likes men.

By The Man

September 21, 2006 05:09 PM | Link to this

I think that Mark Bradley likes men.

By david mayhall

September 21, 2006 05:28 PM | Link to this

Brave fans what is wrong with you, we need about 3 years out of the playoffs so the fans will return to ball games if they start to win again. Trade Chipper the guy will still be of value to an A.L. team as a D.H. and get some bull pen help. Go Mets

By Doug

September 21, 2006 05:51 PM | Link to this

I agree with TheGM that Georgia needs to stop scheduling so many cupcake teams, but if we took Georgia Tech off the schedule then somebody’d complain about that.

By HAWK

September 21, 2006 06:01 PM | Link to this

I saw a stat that if the Braves went just 13-14 in June (which was the GREAT BULLPEN IMPLOSION) they would be 2 games up on the wild card

By ChicagoBrave

September 21, 2006 06:07 PM | Link to this

I think Chipper Jones is really unlucky. I also think he’s aging at the most alarming rate of any great athlete I’ve ever seen

I think “The Murph” fell apart a whole lot faster: .295 with a career high of 44 homers in ‘87, .226 and .228 the next two seasons, and never more than 24 homers again. That was sad and “alarming” to watch.

By Judge

September 21, 2006 06:27 PM | Link to this

I think you hit the nail on the head with that “Chipper aging rapidly” theory. Either you’re right or he’s the biggest cry baby in the majors. For the last couple of years he plays a few games then sits out several because of a sore toe, finger, wrist thigh, etc. Biggest mistake JS has made recently—and he’s made more than a few—is giving up the options on Chipper’s last two years and making them paid up. Looks like it amounts to a lucrative pension for Chipper.

By Judge

September 21, 2006 06:27 PM | Link to this

I think you hit the nail on the head with that “Chipper aging rapidly” theory. Either you’re right or he’s the biggest cry baby in the majors. For the last couple of years he plays a few games then sits out several because of a sore toe, finger, wrist thigh, etc. Biggest mistake JS has made recently—and he’s made more than a few—is giving up the options on Chipper’s last two years and making them paid up. Looks like it amounts to a lucrative pension for Chipper.

By BirdDawg

September 21, 2006 06:45 PM | Link to this

I think, Bradley, that as long as you still think that the Bugs can beat Georgia in Athens, that you have no right to think about anything.

By Keith S.

September 21, 2006 10:47 PM | Link to this

I think Mark Bradley ran out of interesting ideas about three years ago.

By The Man

September 21, 2006 11:14 PM | Link to this

I think Mark Bradley pokes men in the a$$

By Head Coach

September 22, 2006 12:59 AM | Link to this

Ditto Mark ! Chipper is soon to be ready for early retirement , bad wheels and all. Genetics have done him no favors and the only hall of fame that he will get into will be the Braves hall.

By allenlaw

September 22, 2006 01:30 AM | Link to this

Gee whiz, “the GM,” at least look up some facts before you post. South Carolina did not play Furman, it was Wofford. And such comparisons do not work because of injuries (remember that USC lost folks as a result of the Georgia game) and because USC played soft with a lead in the second half.

Only a child takes week by week comparisons seriously. South Carolina certainly is not a strong team, but that does not detract from dominating them in a game where UGA lost its starting quarterback early.

By Trill Phil

September 22, 2006 04:46 AM | Link to this

Take this post from a guy who used to be at TF DAILY from the end of 2002 until last season:

The Braves will NEVER, i repeat, **NEVER EVER do s%^&$ in MLB besides brag about 13 YELLOW FLAGS and only 1 RED FLAG on the “wall of fame” in left field with the kind of outdated complacency that runs rampant throughout their managerial and on field personnel.

Not 4 nothing folks but when your “great GM” trades an ENTIRE ROSTER of future ALL-STARS before they’re given a chance to blossom in exchange for hired mercs PRETENDING TO BE “EXCITED” about winning a FREE HAT and a T-SHIRT… oops I mean a DIVISION TITLE for 14 years str8, and not making it past the FIRST ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS for the past FIVE SEASONS then something is wrong, don’t you think?

As much as we “loved” guys like Gary Sheffield, JD Drew, Antonio Alfonseca, Roberto “oh no not another HR” Hernandez , Jared Wright, Shane “Hackjob” Reynolds, Ray “the burger” King, Rus-ty Ortiz, Kenny Lofton, Mike Hessman (remember him? me neither), Dan Kolb (LOL), Chris “I just gave up another HR” Reeksma, Quilvio Vargas (?), Robert Fick, etc b/c I saw 1,2 many to keep track of, were they REALLY worth mortgaging the Braves future for that short-term glory??

Sure be nice to see JERMAINE DYE hitting em out with AJ, RYAN KLESKO mannin 1st with no brain lock, Jason Schmidt in a nice 3rd starter role,TOM GLAVINE proving folks wrong as the 1st starter (like he IS DOING with them thar Mets), Tim Spooneybarger and Jason Marquis as good setup men, oh yeah RAFAEL FURCAL plugging the gaping hole at 2b (and the lineup; sorry but Edgar aint what he USED TO BE y’all), Gary Matthews jr and Charles Thomas providing what this squad needs the most:* SPEED*, heck even DJ could’ve stayed on longer than he did.

As long as JS was living in the present of the T-SHIRT and HAT days, he wasn’t preparing for the SEE YOU NEXT YEAR THANKS FOR COMING TO THE FINAL SEASON HOME GAME WITH NO PLAYOFFS years.

Also, as long as Bobby C keeps letting his f%$& up bullpen and playoff game 1,3,and 5 (these were the games we’d ALWAYS LOSE) starting pitchers give tha game away EVERY YEAR, without trying to MANUFACTURE RUNS instead of hoping the “hired guns” would bail him out by bashing a few out of TF in the clutch (which as we all know by now they didn’t) WHY on God’s green and blue Earth would y’all ever even dream of winning it all, let alone a WS?**

C’mon now if he’s “THE BEST MANAGER IN MLB” then how did he get his teams outplayed by the GIANTS, CUBS (the friggin CUBS?), and ASTROS? How did a guy like DUSTY BAKER, who’s ona hotter seat than a fat guy on the sun in Chicago right now, OUTMANAGE him with 2 DIFFERENT squads? How did ol Coxie not c Houston’s powerful lineup and pitching staff as a dangerous wild card team 2 YEARS IN A ROW?? Why was Rafe the only guy stealing bases, and better yet, Y DID HE ONLY DO IT WITH 2 OUTS ALREADY? Why still “swing away” when u r down 2 runs late in the game and your 7,8, and 9 hitters are up to bat? WHY SEND REITSMA IN after he gave up 2 HRs ina row the previous game4? WHY LEAVE JARED WRIGHT IN WHEN HE GAVE UP 5 RUNS ON 3 HITS, THEN PUT REITSMA IN TO RELIEVE HIM?

It goes on and on folks I doubt the AJC has enough space for me to type that much tragedy w/o being on the payroll. All i can say is that I CAN”T MAKE S^%$ THAT UP, 4real.

BTW: Chipper’s through, it’s true. Sorry:-( If AJ lays off the curveballs, you’ll NEVER NOTICE though. Ditto for LaRoche and Francouer.

I Think if the Thrashers don’t make the playoffs this year, y’all won’t be back for the next one. Bad enough we got the Hurricanes & Lightning as Stanley Cuppers in the same division no less…..

Holla back yo!

By mart

September 22, 2006 08:21 AM | Link to this

Would you agree that Chipper’s decline matches those of other once-great athletes who took steroids? Steroids will give you great numbers for a while, but the crash comes fast and hard.

By Gene

September 22, 2006 08:21 AM | Link to this

Mickey Mantle’s production slipping? He may have been a drunk, but I wouldn’t call him lazy. Chipper is another matter, and he is no Micky Mantle.