UGA blog finds new home
Morning all. As I’ve said a couple of times this week, we’re converting this blog over to a WordPress platform and it will be a permanent move the first of next week.
Those of you who are regulars probably know that I’m not what you’d call techno-wizard when it comes to these things. But from what I understand the technology offered in this new format should make the blogging and commenting experience better for all. Of course, I’ll be learning as we go along, too. But I’m hoping to provide more pictures and video and things like that which should bring the blog more to life.
Of course, this blog is nothing without all you guys so I want to heartily invite (read: beg) you to come over to the new site by CLICKING HERE ON THE NEW ADDRESS and save it in your browsers. As of Monday, Feb. 23rd, this will be the permanent home of the UGA blog you so love or, in the case of some of you, love to loathe. If you’d prefer to copy and paste or just memorize, the new address is: http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/.
See at the new place!
AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2006 > November > 28
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Your take on the season
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Amazing what a difference a couple of games can make, huh?
Just a few weeks ago, Georgia fans were jumping off proverbial buildings and bridges. Four losses in five games. Defeats to Vanderbilt AND Kentucky. “Almost losses” to Colorado and Mississippi State and Ole Miss.
People, even some that blog in other areas on this site, were calling for heads. Fire Martinez, they said. Fire Callaway. Fire Eason. Fire Jancek. There were even a few hysterical “Fire Richt” cries.
As they say, you can’t spell FANATIC without FAN.
But we’re not here today to say, “I told you so.” Oh no. I certainly would not have predicted an Auburn-Tech sweep for the Bulldogs, not after what I’d witnessed covering every minute of every game this season. But I would like to offer a brief sprinkle of reality to today’s proceedings.
As close as this season was to being a total disaster, it might have been even closer to being a near miracle. The truth is, this was a major, major rebuilding year for the Dogs. Not only were they having to replace the quarterback –- the last two being two of the best of all time -– but they were having to do it behind a revamped offensive line. They were having to replace seven offensive starters, six defensive starters, 75 percent of the secondary and 49 percent of the receiving yards.
Georgia loses its best deep threat receiver (Sean Bailey) before the season ever started. Then what happens? It loses its starting quarterback in Game 2, its All-American placekicker in Week 5, its starting tailback in Week 6 and offensive linemen off and on all season.
All those people clamoring for Richt to start freshman Matthew Stafford got their wish, then watched in horror as he threw 12 interceptions in nine games. In retrospect, having to start Stafford will be good for Georgia’s future but, I don’t care what you say, it was not good for the present.
That said, think about this: Georgia played absolutely horribly -– particularly in the final minutes –- to lose to Vanderbilt and Kentucky teams by a total of six points. If the Bulldogs don’t make bonehead mistakes (see above paragraph) in those contests, they win ‘em both and they’re sitting here with 10 wins again.
And lest we forget, it’s not like probable SEC champion Florida blew Georgia off the field in winning 21-14 in Jacksonville. In fact, if not for an egregious fumble returned for a touchdown, the Dogs possibly could have pulled that one out, too. Who knows?
Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not delusional and certainly not a homer. I know some of those games could have gone the other way, too. The reality is this: Georgia remains a top-notch program that had a lot go wrong for it one season after having a lot go right the previous few years.
So what happened to the Dogs this year? I don’t know, but if 8-4 is a disappointing year, they must be doing something right. Your thoughts?
