UGA

By honest_abe

January 17, 2007 04:12 PM | Link to this

chip, i find that comparison unfair in that how many dropped passes did staff have to deal with? add that to a very inconsistent offensive line and at time a non existent running game and you have a struggling offense. matthew didnt’ get into a groove until the end of the year. i dont’ think any of us can make an accurate prediction until staff completes a full season. at this point i dont’ think he is as good as eric zeir, but i think his potential is greater!

By Scooter11

January 17, 2007 04:13 PM | Link to this

Stafford was jerked in and out of the lineup early on, and that lineup may not have been as strong as what Zeier had his first year. With better future continuity in playing time, Stafford will prove to be the real deal, and he’ll have a better supporting cast. Better we got him than “Tulsa” Mustain or Teeblow. Nothing but upside with Stafford at UGA.

By Scooter11

January 17, 2007 04:15 PM | Link to this

Meant to also say that it is futile to compare quarterbacks by stats. It’s all about wins. David Greene wasn’t always pretty, but…

By Dawgman

January 17, 2007 04:15 PM | Link to this

Zeier was the team back then. Hopefully, Stafford will be an integral part but not expendable. Zeier was not expendable. I still can see Zeier face down in the mudd in J’ville after the phantom time out and the touchdown called back. Stafford will have Richt luck while Zeier had Goff luck. Big difference.

By jacson

January 17, 2007 04:25 PM | Link to this

Eric was very good…not great. Stafford brings something to the table that, in conjunction with his vast skills that nobody questions, is more valuable than all the statistics you can count…..CONFIDENCE…and…that translates to the players on the entire offensive side of the ball. Everyone plays at or above their potential because they know they have a leader who will not quit and if given support, will always give the team a chance to beat ANYBODY, EVERYTIME. A Coaches Dream.

By AltamahaDawg

January 17, 2007 04:32 PM | Link to this

Chip, didn’t you see Buck was going into the hospital today? Are you trying to give him a breakdown as well. Stafford not the greatest player ever?? Huh?

Buck, just kidding, thought you’d enjoy the barb, I imagine you are about tired of all the sappy get well soons.

The ironic thing about Staffords is that, By all rights, those of us who had realistic expectations about his progress are actually quite pleased. On the contrary, those that had him carrying the weight of an entire football program on his back, before he actually took a regulation snap, should be rather disapointed in his performance this year. Thats is IF the truth were told, which of cource, has never been the case.

By ConyersDawg

January 17, 2007 04:32 PM | Link to this

Wow Chip you have really made this blog what the dawgnation has desired. A great place to come and talk dawgs with different topics and current things that are going on with our dawgs.

Thank you for not shying away from our hoop dawgs. The future is bright for them. I saw our prized recruit last night dunking it looked like every time he got the ball J Price. We have some great athletes that are going to take us over the top and athletes that will get some national attention.

On to the QB’s. Here is the deal with Staff. He is taller then Zeier which is a plus and has all the tools. He is being coached by Bobo of course but also a man who has coached 2 Heisman winners. They will tailor this offense to his strengths and you will see a much improved and excellent qb in Stafford come fall who will begin to show you why he will be the best qb ever at uga.

That’s not to put down Zeier who is one of my favorites. If Staff comes close to matching Zeier with the win production of Greene he will go down as the best ever at the QB position for Ga. He has the tools to lead us to the Natl. Champ.

I still would have loved to see Shockley one more year. We would probably be all talking about him being the best. DJ would have lead us to 11 wins this year maybe 12. Call me crazy if you want but with DJ we don’t lose to Kent. and Vand. and with the way the D played against Fl, DJ would have led us to a win there. Where does the 12th game come from? Tenn. There is no way they get the ball and do what they did second half with DJ there to keep the ball out of there hands.

We really need to wait another year though before you can really make assessments on Staff and his stats compared to Zeier.

By mcdawg

January 17, 2007 04:33 PM | Link to this

different team different offenses can’t compare at this point

By P-Dawg in Tulsa

January 17, 2007 04:34 PM | Link to this

Compairing the 2 right now is BS. Stafford will be a great QB. One definite issue, this year, was that he was played to soon. He should have stayed and developed behind JTIII longer, but that was cut short. Stafford has every tool to be an all everything QB at UGA. He simply needs an O-line that is consistant, solid, and healthy, and he will probably set several records of his own. I really look forward to the next few seasons.

GO DAWGS!!!!

By g3

January 17, 2007 04:34 PM | Link to this

Stafford was 6-2 as a starter, not 6-3.

By Spanky

January 17, 2007 04:34 PM | Link to this

If Scooter11 was any more right, he’d be a preacher!! I couldn’t agree more! You also have to consider the O-line then and now,..BIG difference!Our current o-line has been an issue for the past 3-5 years. With that said, I think our new O-line coach will make a pretty big impact. Things are looking up!! Also, you could actually see Stafford “get it” during the Auburn game, and was able to execute the gameplan. Now,I think Stafford is smart enough, mature enough, and damn-well good enough for us to compete nationally! Take it to the bank,…it’ll clear!

By 2N4YEARS

January 17, 2007 04:39 PM | Link to this

Not trying to be a Stafford Homer here, but lets wait until he starts his 1st FULL season before we start comparing him to anybody. If Richt thinks he’s something special, then that’s good enough for me. His last 3-4 QB’s are currently on NFL rosters. How about Zeier??

By Arkansas Dawg

January 17, 2007 04:41 PM | Link to this

I’m sorry Chip, but I don’t think you can compare QBs without taking into account the coach. I promise you that in the end, Stafford/Richt will be much better than Zeier/Goff.

By ConyersDawg

January 17, 2007 04:47 PM | Link to this

Zeier was confident! Shoot, I always thought the best position the dawgs could be in during Zeier’s years were 3rd and long. You knew he was going to make a play.

BTW dawgman, what do you mean Zeier was the team. He played with Andre Hasting and Doak award winner G. Gearst. There problem was the leadership.

Zeier was not the team. That was a loaded team back in the early 90’s.

By JB

January 17, 2007 04:50 PM | Link to this

There is a silver lining in those 13 interceptions. He is a balls to the walls type QB who wants to win, and does not hesitate to throw the rock. The interceptions total will come down as he plays more. he is not passive and when he clicks, he will click. good things to come.

By Bryan G.

January 17, 2007 04:51 PM | Link to this

Zeier was excellent. You have to remember, though, as a freshman he had Garrison Hearst and Andre Hastings. Stafford would LOVE to have that kind of firepower.

Lest we forget, Zeier’s freshman team, like Stafford’s, lost to Vandy but beat Auburn and Tech.

In the end, Stafford will certainly win more games than Zeier did. We have a much better D now than we did back then (even though Randall Godfrey, Phillip Daniels, etc., were quite good individual players).

By GATOR MEL FROM PLANTATION

January 17, 2007 05:00 PM | Link to this

gators owned you either way and will continue to…you could have joe montana and we would still take ya…all between the ears…TITLETOWN GATORS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Scooter11

January 17, 2007 05:06 PM | Link to this

Thanky, Spanky. Have only recently begun to see your name again. My boy, Shock’Em, says ‘hi’.

By Trey

January 17, 2007 05:07 PM | Link to this

unfair assessment. Stafford did have a rough year, but it’s just a much different situation.

By Scooter11

January 17, 2007 05:11 PM | Link to this

Gator Smell: We are looking forward to Stafford vs. Teebow, now that it’s their teams. Are you?

By Don

January 17, 2007 05:11 PM | Link to this

Please give some consideration to the dropped TD passes, there were clearly 2 drops in the bowl game and I lost count during the reg season.

By Don

January 17, 2007 05:12 PM | Link to this

and 3-0 against the last 3 ranked teams he played.

By braveswin

January 17, 2007 05:13 PM | Link to this

if zeier and stafford were both on the roster it would be stafford to start.however EZ was and is one of the greatest Bulldogs ever and it is unfair to EZ to compare because of the infinate deficiencies of the coaching staff during his tenure…go dawgs….boo vols

By FYI

January 17, 2007 05:28 PM | Link to this

While I know that Zeier played as hard as he could, we always seemed to play just good enough to lose during his career.

During the Zeier era, Georgia never won a game that it trailed with less than 4 minutes left in the game. Stafford has already accomplished that with his drive v Ga Tech. During the Zeier era, Georgia never won a game against a team that finished the year in the top 15, Stafford has already accomplished that with the win over Auburn.

Also, Zeier started v Vandy his freshman year and was benched during the loss (Tally brought us back only to have Parkman miss 2 FG’s in last few seconds - had 2nd try after penalty). Stafford did not start and replaced Joe T only to have Bailey’s kick potentially cost Georgia the win.

Zeier’s coaches were not too shabby - McDuffie and Greg Davis (Texas OC).

By Joseph

January 17, 2007 06:21 PM | Link to this

The difference is that Eric was coached by a marginal coach at best. Coach Richt knows something about bring QB’s along. How many Heisman Trophy winners did Goff coach? Mathew will do well within Richt’s structure and will not have to carry the entire team on his shoulders. How many SEC Champonship rings did Eric and Goff have? Be patient, MANY good things will to the UGA faithful that wait.

By DwagHater

January 17, 2007 06:26 PM | Link to this

Tebow will beat you mutts the next three years..GO GATORS!!!

By Joseph

January 17, 2007 06:35 PM | Link to this

Provided that Tebow and the rest of the team can stay out of a Florida State Correctional Facility…..Go Dawgs!!!!!!

By RunningDog

January 17, 2007 06:43 PM | Link to this

Chip,

It’s way too early to start any serious comparisons. I love Eric and would not want to choose sides. I will say that Matt is taller, which is significant, and has a better, more proven coaching staff behind him. No comparison of Goff’s tenure upside a staff that has 3 SEC Championship appearances and 2 titles. Matt does get at least 6 more shots against the “Big 2.”

By Big Dawg

January 17, 2007 06:49 PM | Link to this

DwagHater only God knows what will happen in the future. As for the next 3 GA vs FL games they should be close and exciting as both teams are stocked with impact players at every position. But this blog is about Matthew Stafford and is not about Stafford and Tebow. BTW IMO we will beat you next year because Stafford got his experience under fire this year and at the end of the year we were a very good team while Tebow will have to go through the maturation process next year w/o Chris Leak to step in when he makes mistakes. I could be wrong but it will be exciting at the World’s Largest Cocktail Party over the next several years finding out.

Go Dawgs

By Keary

January 17, 2007 06:55 PM | Link to this

Don’t even try to compare the two. Zeier was UGA’s best QB. Other than ‘92, his teams were horrible and he still was amazing. If Stafford is half as good we’ll be lucky.

By greg talley

January 17, 2007 07:07 PM | Link to this

my vote’s going for EZ

By ray goff

January 17, 2007 07:09 PM | Link to this

eric played on one of my HEART teams…stafford’s ensemble probably has more talent but there was never any more heart than my squads!!

By gatorman

January 17, 2007 07:10 PM | Link to this

it does not matter who is at qb….we have much more talent than you and far more speed…ask the buckeyes….TITLETOWN GATORS RULE!!

By wild thing

January 17, 2007 07:14 PM | Link to this

geez ..the zeier years…we were praying to get in to a ‘BIG’ bowl…like the gator bowl!!…ha///still trying to forget…new era in athens…hey gators///who has more sec championships in last 4 years…alleygators or bulldogs…and don’t give me that national championship aura…any sec person knows it is much harder to win the sec than that game almost 2 months after season…..GO DAWGS!!

By Not-A-Blogger

January 17, 2007 07:33 PM | Link to this

Hard to make that comparison, given how the receivers played this year.

If they didn’t drop 50 passes, I’ll eat my Tivo.

At least 7 in the Peach Bowl, and Stafford still won. How would his numbers in that game look without the drops?

By midniterider

January 17, 2007 08:04 PM | Link to this

only time will tell the sec east is going to be one hell of a place to winn in 07 thats is for sure much less to winn it all

By 77DAWGt

January 17, 2007 08:06 PM | Link to this

I love Zeire as QB. Though, Stafford should compare to Tarkenton and Elway and not Zeire

By midniterider

January 17, 2007 08:09 PM | Link to this

and not your right tske away the drop passes this year and i think the only game the dogs drop is tenn but i do think matt will winn more games and big games then ez did

By midniterider

January 17, 2007 08:13 PM | Link to this

77 Elway is who Matt reminds me of too same hard nose play

By 77DAWGt

January 17, 2007 08:27 PM | Link to this

CMR, please get some JUCO WRs quickly. Stafford will be around only 2 more years. until we get the 5-stars WRs, then we can compare him to Tarkenton, Elway, morino. But noth right now.

By spike

January 17, 2007 08:51 PM | Link to this

EZ was a great one, but I think Stafford may be better for one good reason. He has a better head coach and OC that Ez had in his day.

By thebigdawg

January 17, 2007 08:53 PM | Link to this

Dude, are you serious? Anybody with half a brain realizes the potential in Stafford’s right arm. Comparing Eric Zeier and Mathew Stafford is asinine. Come on man!

By **By Chip Towers**

January 17, 2007 09:02 PM | Link to this

Greetings from Bud Walton Arena. I’m sitting courtside here at the palatial building Wal-Mart built. Been here at least a half-dozen times over the years and this is the emptiest I’ve ever seen the place. Don’t know if they’re not fired up to see the Hogs play the Dogs or just aren’t fired up about their own Hogs. Might be because the temperature hasn’t hit 30 here in two days. So, who knows, maybe Georgia will catch them flat or cold. They’re about to tip off so I’ll see ya!

By Kasey Kahne

January 17, 2007 09:26 PM | Link to this

I’m not sure which QB is better, but I sure wish I could see the Dodge truck rock em sock em robot commercial 10 or 15 more times during the same game…

By 69dawg

January 17, 2007 09:51 PM | Link to this

Just one big difference Stafford has the size to go with the arm. EZ was too short and it showed in the pros. Stafford may not pass EZ at UGA but he will be in the NFL a lot longer.

By Hunk Erdown

January 17, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this

With the exception of the Gator fans, there have been some of the best posts on this blog that I’ve seen in a long while.

Really tough to compare EZ and MS. The supporting cast is so much different. The program has seen vast improvements. And yes…. all those dropped passes.

Stafford looked like a kid trying to learn how to drive new Corvette with a stick shift, while his only driving experience was farm truck with an automatic. He started hitting his stride late in the year, and personally, I think the humility he learned with the INT’s and losses will prove to be incredibly beneficial. Matt has ice water running in his veins, seems very comfortable, and has almost unlimited potential. If he could somehow become more “fleet of foot” we could only imagine how good he will be. As far as trying to compare the two? I would have loved to see Zeier with Bobo and Richt leading him along.

If the receivers continue to perform like they did the last three games and we can protect him in the pocket we are in for a ton of fun with Stafford at the helm.

By Hunk Erdown

January 17, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this

BTW, it should be against the law to have this kind of topic without Buck here to participate.

By Tas Smith

January 17, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this

Stafford improved he only threw one INT over the last three games, plus I would like to inform you that Tennessee is definitely not apart of the big 2. Especially when you exclude Tech and Auburn.

By Gen Neyland

January 17, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this

Hunk Erdown is right…Poor timing, C.T.

By Filling in for Buck

January 17, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this

I knew that my boy Matt was the real deal from the moment that he committed. bUT WHAT REALLY CLINCHED IT FOR ME WAS THE AUBURN GAME. NOT SO MUCH HIS PERFORMANCE ON THE FIELD, AS WHAT I SAW ON THE SIDELINE. IT HAD RAINED ENOUGH THAT A PUDDLE FORMED IN FRONT OF THE BENCH. i SAW mATT WALKING TO THE BENCH AND I SWEAR WHEN HE GOT TO THE PUDDLE AND WALKED IT, HIS FEET NEVER WENT DOWN INTO THE WATER.

tHE OTHER THING IS THAT, AS MUCH as Matt learned this year, cMR LEARNED TOO. WHEN CMR CHANGED THINGS UP TO FREE MATT TO “DO HIS THING”, mATT ABSOLUTELY EXPLODED INTO THE BEST qb TO EVER STEP ONTO THE GRIDIRON.

By Hunk Erdown

January 17, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this

To all the blog regulars—

Since Buck is unavailable, let’s all honor him by posting what you think he would say if he were here. Maybe it will be a spirit lifter to him if he comes back and sees it. Whaddya think?

By hop

January 17, 2007 11:27 PM | Link to this

THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STAFFORD AND ZEIER IS STAFFORD WILL PLAY ON SUNDAY’S WHILE THE Z MAN SAT ON THE BENCH NEARLY HIS ENTIRE NFL CAREER.

ALSO, ZEIER DID NOT HAVE A GREAT ARM. THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS HE FAILED TO BE A STARTER IN THE NFL.

ALSO, STAFFORD IS A BETTER ATHLETE WITH GOOD RUNNING ABILITY,BIGGER AND TALLER THAN Z.

IF THE GEORGIA RECEIVERS, COULD CATCH THE BALL STAFFORD’S STATS WOULD BE EVEN BETTER THAN Z.

By dorsey hill

January 18, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this

Stafford has far more talent and upside. If he turns out to be as tough as Zeier then that will be a special package. He may not put up the numbers that Zeier did though because we won’t completely abandon the run like we did when Zeier was around.

Bottom line is that Zeier was as tough as nails and a great college QB. Stafford on the other hand will be a great pro. Also, Zeier never won a championship of any kind. If Stafford doesn’t win a NC I’d be disappointed. I think its a reasonable expectation given the other pieces that are in place.

By BIG MAC

January 18, 2007 12:17 AM | Link to this

To 2n4 years: When you say what about Zier being in the NFL now, well the guy is 34 years old now. He did play in the NFL as a part time starter and that is more than David Greene or DJ will probably be. Get some facts straight before you speak about the best passing QB in Georgia history.

By bigdawg is an idiot

January 18, 2007 12:29 AM | Link to this

Message to the big dawg. Your statement is the one that is asinine. How could you say that Stafford is so much better than Zier. Were you aware that when he finished his career just 12 years ago he had passed for more yards than anyone in SEC history, or are you one of those bandwagon fans that came on in the 2002 season. At least try to act like you know something before you post things so strong. Do you even know what number Eric Zier was without looking it up?

By kauai dawg

January 18, 2007 02:50 AM | Link to this

Zier was awesome and the early 90’s team was a good team that couldn’t overcome 6 TO’s against Tennessee and then our unfortunate Florida trip. By the way does anyone remember that team beat a well known Ohio State team with ESPN’S Kirk Herbstreet at QB. Stafford did improve and will continue to get better and better.

By YANKEEDAWG

January 18, 2007 07:08 AM | Link to this

All I can say is if we see Stafford due more of those Green fake hand offs, and his quarterback draws, theres no stopping him! Now I predict Moreno will take over as the starting tailback, by the 2nd quarter of the OSU GAME. As far as all these gaytor fans posting beware Urban will be gone before Tebow! The difference between MR and UM is that MR shows loyalty something UM knows nothing about to the schools and players he coaches! He is a great coach and he will be gone by 2008.

By Lane4411

January 18, 2007 08:18 AM | Link to this

Zier, was handicapped by having Goff as the head coach, do not remember who was coaching the QB’s. MR, is one of the great developers of QB’s of this generation, behind Spurrier.

Stafford, has superior physical talent and the influence of MR. Bobo, may be the OC and QB coach, MR’s influence is the reason for Bobo’s development. Had Bobo played for MR, would have played in the NFL, as a 2 or 3.

Key for Stafford is mental,physical talent is obvious.

By Sic 'em

January 18, 2007 08:46 AM | Link to this

Stafford’s certainly going to be one of the best to grace a Georgia uniform at the QB position but it’s way too early yet to compare him to Zeier. Eric Zeier was truly one of the greatest passers in college football history and it’s a shame that he didn’t have a coaching staff that knew how to use him appropriately. Also, even though he was mostly a backup during his tenure in the NFL, given the recent success of shorter QBs like Drew Brees, I would wager that if he were to come out now, he would have a much better opportunity to take over a team as a full time starter.

By VickMustGo

January 18, 2007 08:52 AM | Link to this

You have apples and oranges here… but good topic for discussion. A stat that we don’t have, but I would like to see on Mr. EZ is YAC … MS had more drops than anyone in the league and if my failing memory serves me right, MOST of EZs yards came AC. MS can go down field like EZ could only dream of…

This is truely a team game … I personally believe MSs talent potential is much greater than EZs … take nothing away from Mr. Z.

(Please take note of the defination of “potential”, not saying MS is going to be all world, but I honestly think he has a legitimate shot.)

By Sic 'em

January 18, 2007 09:05 AM | Link to this

VickMustGo, Zeier did have some quality talent at the receiver position but if I remember correctly, it was pretty much standard procedure in the Goff gameplan to throw at least 4 or 5 bombs during the course of the game, many of which were completed. As I recall, this contributed to one of the knocks on Zeier’s offense - that he scored too quick and never gave the defense enough time to rest.

By Mike Bobo 17 INT

January 18, 2007 09:07 AM | Link to this

It is all about W’s, and not statistics. You can hammer stats all day long, but until there are more championship trophies in the cabinet, the debate is closed.

By 82DAWG

January 18, 2007 09:07 AM | Link to this

Biggest difference I can see: I never remember Zeier engineering any last minute game-winning drives to pull out a big win. Stafford did it against Tech and brought UGA back from the dead against VT. No true comparison can be made, however, until Stafford finishes his time at UGA.

By AltamahaDawg

January 18, 2007 09:17 AM | Link to this

Buck will definetely be pretty diappointed to have not had the chance to post in this one a dozen times. I predict he will make that up many times over (Stafford posts)irrespective of the topic next time.

I dont get the idea that somehow Goff held EZ back. While his win total were certainly not that great, the guy had I cant remember how many 400 yard plus games. How many more yards can a QB get. How exactly was Goff responsible for that guy not being as good? Not winning as many, maybe.

I really dont think you are going to see MS and this coaching staff trying to have 500 yr passing totals. I predict we will continue to try to be just as balanced as we have been for the past 6 years. If anything , I think EZ prabbaly got showcased MORE than MS will. The debate is who is going to be a better COLLEGE QB, not who will be more successful or have the advantage of a better supporting staff. No question MS will be more successful.

But if we must talk about coaching differences, the reason EZ didnt win a championship was he never had much stability on the defense to back him up. He simply couldn’t outscore everyone in a shootout. Coach Martinez ended up being one of the biggest reasons we got away with playing MS this year.

By Don

January 18, 2007 09:39 AM | Link to this

Chip, you must have been drinking in an airport bar when you thought this topic up. How do you compare the two at this point in Stafford’ career? Zier clearly had better receivers to throw the ball to. How many of Stafford’s interceptions were passes that should have been caught but intercepted after bouncing off the receiver’s hands? You can come back with this blog in three years.

Can you start a blog on the basketball team. Great game last night. I know you enjoyed it since you were there. I caught it on ENPNU. I would like to see Steve Newman launching more threes and T. Brown launching less.

By jason

January 18, 2007 09:55 AM | Link to this

I think it is too early to tell, but if 50% of the drops were caught then Stafford’s numbers would have been comparable to Zeier’s or better. I think Stafford will definitely have as good or better career than Zeier for the fact that we have better coaching and more talent coming in.

By gdawginkalamazoo

January 18, 2007 09:56 AM | Link to this

Buck our prayers go out to you today my friend.

DOn’t know if you can compare the two. MS was put into a crappy situation as far as starting etc. IMO that ruined the middle of the season for us. If MS had been chosen as the starter and worked at the entire season from day one, you would have been looking at different #’s and record. I think he would have “gotten it” a lot sooner and developed more quickly than with the platooning/starting/not starting that went on. Just like recruiting I am a wait and see kinda guy. If the WR’s start catching them and the OL blocks we are looking at a great one, not good but great. IMO EZ was a great one for the Dawgs. All his records point to that fact at this time. But given his potential MS’s name can be entered into the books if he plays another 3 years.

By Matthew at the SLC

January 18, 2007 09:59 AM | Link to this

Altamaha,

Goof held Zeier back because he was such a poor coach. And that is the main difference in Eric Zeier’s career, and what will be Matthew Stafford’s career: Coach Mark Richt. Coach Mark Richt is the difference right now. I do not believe that Zeier had any signature wins under his belt in four years. Yeah, he wupped Tech a lot, but he never beat Auburn with an unranked team, either.

Matthew Stafford, as has been mentioned, also has the distinct disadvantage of playing on a team with the absolute worst wide recievers coach in the country at the helm. Now, I do not like to be critical of the coaching staff, but six years of getting lousy wide reciever production from great talent cannot be ignored. To do so would be akin to cutting off your nose to spite your face. It just doesn’t make sense to ignore the horrible job Coach John Eason is doing. Six years is more than enough time to grade him as a position coach. This is why I never wanted to jump on the “Fire Coach Willie Martinez” bandwagon last season. Two years isn’t enough time. But Coach John Eason has had six years here, and he’s done nothing but make tremdous talent worse, it seems like. Does anyone wonder why Fred Gibson and so far, MoMass, had their best years as freshman? Could it be they were continually coached down?

I believe, unless a change is soon made, Coach John Eason is going to have a negative impact on Matthew Stafford’s career here at UGA. It’ll be like Calvin Johnson in reverse. Instead of Calvin Johnson having his college career not be as spectacular as it could have been thanks to terrible QB play, the Bulldogs wideouts, being coached down by Coach John Eason, will throw off track which should be a great, record-setting career for Matthew Stafford. The talent lines up for him. It’s all there for the taking. He could surpass Greene’s record for most wins. He could have a 4,000 yard passing season, maybe two.

But will widereciever play, due to Coach John Eason’s continued ineptness, derail Matthew Stafford’s career? That is the question that is more important than Eric Zeier vs. Matthew Stafford. If anything, I don’t want Matthew Stafford to be anything like Eric Zeier. What did Zeier win as QB here? Yes, I’ve already said he didn’t have a great coach, but still. I want Matthew Stafford to be David Greene and DJ Shockley. In Bulldog QB Lore, I’d take those two in a heartbeat over Eric Zeier. And Matthew Stafford seems to have a nice combination of the two. He’s has that icy calmness in the huddle and the pocket that Greene possessed, but he’s more athletic, not as athletic than Shock, but the guy can move, and he has a stronger arm than Shock, which we all remember from his countless bomb TD passes his senior year.

I understand the want to compare Zeier and Stafford, but I say why aim low? Aim for the guys who led this team to titles. Aim for Greene, Shockley, and Tarkenton; Belue, Goff, and Lastinger. Yeah, some of those guys might not have the stats that Zeier had, but they had rings, and Belue, while people deride him as No. 34’s football handler, he’s the one with the ring that says National Champion on it, and his arm won the Dawgs some tough games before I was even born.

So let’s not compare Stafford with Zeier. We want a QB who wins titles. Who cares about stats? Leave the stats to Teeblow and that selfish turd, Mustain. We want Stafford to lead this team to more SEC Titles, not individual achievements. Right?

By SwimDawg68

January 18, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this

Stafford reminds me of Danny Weurfull from Fla. He has the arm to throw a dart and also demonstrates the ability to throw touch passes (just like Weurfull). The best part about Stafford, he is a leader like Weurfull, and I predict like Weurfull, he will win a Heisman and lead UGA to a National Championship. His play in the second half against VA. TECH was nothing short of GREAT! I can hardly wait for next season to begin. I doubt you will see any Vandy or KY loses next year. I also predict we will defeat the “water lizards” next year.

By Gen Neyland

January 18, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this

I’m only in the reading mode on this topic. I’ll click on this blog during the course of the day in anticipation of reading a diatribe from The King of Twing, The Queen of Sling, the one, the only all knowing…BuLLdawg

Come on out to play, BuLL. The faithful await…

By jbirdawg

January 18, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

If the worst that we can say about Matt is that his FR play was at a level, very slightly, behind that of Eric Zeir’s, then that is OK with me. Eric Zeir was a great college QB. Not just good. On top of that, one of the top three to ever play at UGA. Zeir had a solid supporting cast his first two years, but that changed his last two. I will never forget the rain game in Jax, when Spurrier was getting on Danny Wuerffel about bad passes and Spurrier said, “you see #10 over their? It doesn’t seem to be bothering him.” That said, right now, I believe Matt brings more to the table than Eric. His ability to elude the rush and run for positive yardage, in today’s speed game, is a major plus. He looked like a polished JR in his last three games. Yes, he had a bunch of INTs earlier. Consider this, Chris Leak had 9 INTs in his last 9 reg season games. Stafford looked better than Leak in Jax. He withstood the UF rush and only got better as the game went on. With a little help from Milner things could have looked a lot better that day. I don’t mind him being compared to Zeir at all.

By Legitimate reasonable observer

January 18, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this

Zeir’s record against the Gators was 0 - 4. Stafford’s record is only 0 - 1 but give him time. He will match Zeir in another 3 seasons!

By crs

January 18, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this

Look, once Stafford got comfortable, he was very good against Auburn, clutch against Tech, and a real leader against VT. If he can trim some of the mistakes, he will be everything we hoped for and more. If we hang onto him 2008/2009 could be very special times in Athens.

On a seperate subject, I am kind of disappointed with how we are closing out the recruiting season. I think we have done a fair job of addressing our needs on both lines but we desperatly in my opinion need a couple more guys to come to Athens, Bailey would be huge and it would be great to get one or two more offensive lineman. If we don’t get anything else and there is the typical attrition due to grades, etc. - this could end up being a rather medicore even poor class.

By crs

January 18, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this

Losing Charles Johnson could very well equal an extra loss next year, I think, particularly early in the year we could really struggle getting heat on opposing quarterbacks.

By AltamahaDawg

January 18, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

Matthew, we do not disagree, but we certainly are talking about different things. I was not trying to compare the accomplishments of the UGA programs as a whole during seperate eras and coaches, and the QBs who had the benefit of such. I dont disagree with any of that, just wasnt the topic IMO. I was talking about EZ as a college QB. How do you think MS would have faired under Coach Goff, or EZ on one of Coach Richt’s better teams? Suffice it to say EZ would have a few more signature wins?

I know you were just repsonding to my question, but I was asking for a bit of specifics as to how Coach Goff handcuffed EZ as a player, not just a generalization that he was a “poor coach”, or that fair better now. BTW those us us who were around then, remember Coach Goff’s career as far, far, more complicated than just being a poor coach, which he was not. He was a poor hire at the time for that position. But Yes I like Richt better as a head coach too.

You are absolutely correct, player are remembered by signature wins and he didnt have many. But some unbeleivable personal efforts. I dont think I’ll ever forget sitting in the old Gator Bowl during that driving rain and watching EZ try to single-handedly beat UF. Didn’t but IMO, one of the best efforts ever.

By honest_abe

January 18, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this

what’s israel doing taking a trip down to gainesville?

By AltamahaDawg

January 18, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

crc, some of that last fews are yet to take thier official visit to UGA, and scheduled it last for a reason. Lets let it all skake out before labeling it.

By Hunk Erdown

January 18, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

test

By RedandBlackAttack

January 18, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this

Stafford looked pretty good the last three games. However, the interceptions have to stop. Three INTs a game is unacceptable. I would have liked to see Coach Richt cool Stafford down after two picks and let Joe Cox get some more time by finishing the games. Stafford is the starter, but keeping Cox sharp will only help in the long run. He is a winner too.

Remember, Joe Cox played real well in high school after Leak left for Florida. Cox broke a lot of Leak’s records.

This spring and summer should bring some good competition for both Stafford and Cox. It will only help to improve both of those talented QBs. The Dogs will be better for it too! Gooo Dogs!!!

By trey braid

January 18, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this

Please consider a section for GA Southern University in the AJC along with Georgia and GA Tech… The school is one of the most sucessful 1AA football programs for the last 20yrs last season not withstanding—- thank god VanGorder is gone and they have hired Hatcher from Valdosta State…. Valdosta State is another school highly sucessfull… Trey

By War Eagle

January 18, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

Stafford could REALLY be the man if UGA had or recruits receivers like LSU and Florida. He would have developed more confidence this year, if so many passes had not been DROPPED. What can I say, he looked like Heisman against Auburn??. Still upset about the lost, but we play at Sanford Stadium next year, lock city game!!!!

By Hunk Erdown

January 18, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

Matthew at the SLC—

Help me out. How has Eason been coaching the receivers down? It seems to me that the only real problem has been dropped passes. I know that CMR and Eason have gone through a whole littany of exercises to try to help the guys focus more to correct the drops. Tennis ball machine, extra practice time, numerous drills, lost starts, and even some Psych 101. Certainly dropped passes are a game changing type problem, but what else can you do when you sign talented atheletes who should never have made it to this level if they can’t do the most basic part of their job- catch the ball. I agree that it is strange that some of these guys seem to be fine as freshmen then start having problems, but what could the coach possibly be doing to cause it? I could understand it if the problem were coachable errors like poor pass routes, lack of hustle, fumbles after the catch because of technique, etc. But what can you do if a guy rises to the College level, after playing catch for all those years, then all of a sudden gets plagued with an inability to catch a football that has just hit him in his hands? Doesn’t it have to be some kind of mental block, or lack of focus?

I’m not saying that I’m a huge fan of Eason, but in all fairness, I don’t see how it should all be blamed on him. Do you think he is a poor coach in other respects or is the dropped passes the reason you think he should be fired? What other aspects of his job do you feel he is failing at?

Thanks

By ConyersDawg

January 18, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/espnu/index

Buck, God is with you my friend. I posted the link above to Steve Newman’s winning shot against Ark.

Chip you got to fill us in. I don’t have espnu but I followed the game on yahoo sports and could not believe we came back like that.

You people who have questioned Felton will probably not respond for a while now. Just like the Hawks I knew it would take Felton about his 3rd year after Harrick’s leftovers were gone to start seeing a Felton type team.

Chip this team is poised enough to make it to the dance this year and next year will be one of the top teams not only in the sec but the country.

In case you missed it Folks, Felton can win and he can do it in the toughest opponets areana’s. A win in Ark., Kent, and on and on. The basketball program is getting on a roll and with the 21st ranked class coming in next year we are only looking up.

Go Dawgs!

BTW regulars, we really need to get Buck down for the g-day game!

By ConyersDawg

January 18, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

BigDawg do you have Buck’s e-mail address? Let me know how I can get it.

By Hunk Erdown

January 18, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

War Eagle—

Have you ever seen the SEC have as many strong teams as it appears to have right now? I’ve been a fan for a long time and know that the SEC has pretty much always been one of the strongest conferences, but I mean this year it looks like anybody has the potential to beat anybody.

By USMC-DAWG

January 18, 2007 01:41 PM | Link to this

Apples and Oranges.

By AltamahaDawg

January 18, 2007 01:50 PM | Link to this

Hunker, you know I have been defending that same thing about Eason for a couple of years now. Maybe you can get a answer. I never did beyond that Gibson and Brown weren’t All Americans. I’m not a particular fan of his either, and maybe somebody fresh might snap something, but lets be fair. Actually Gibson’s case was injuries off and on. In Browns case, he improved every single year, and then Edwards set numberous school and and SEC records. I also seem to remember a few lesser names making HUGE plays for us at WR over the past few SEC runs. Thats not an accident. MoMass is far from being able to tell how his carreer is shaping up. Comparing his number this year and last year , given the entirely different situations they were , is far from a simple analysis of a poor coaching job. All the talk is how bad the rec. hurt MS, but nobody wants to admit his inconsistancy did nothing to help them either. A fair amount of those “drop” were just not making a great catch. I’m no sports shrink, but I’m trying to imagine a young man under pressure to make a play, thinking, it this going to be over my head, hit me in the shoes, 2 foot behind my stride, or a lazer beam dead center…….oh crap, just missed it. Here is my prediction….everybody looks like a lot better coach next year.

By Quincy Carter

January 18, 2007 02:10 PM | Link to this

Man, I think it’d be too early to judge young Matthew. Dude only 18! He ain’t no 22 year old freshman like I wuz!

And, Mike, bro, what was you thinking? I told you, have somebody holdin’ for you for when you get off the plane! All that money and you can’t pay no dude to do that for you? Cheaper than paying off herpes girl.

Oh, well, Odell and me gotta go. Smoke weed every day!

By Michael

January 18, 2007 02:42 PM | Link to this

Best QB’s 1. David Greene 2. Eric Zeier. 3. In a couple of years it could be Staffordwith the possibility he could be ranked even higher. The comparison between Eric and Stafford at this point is not even close. Eric was great in spite of Goff. If anyone remembers way back when, Goff did not have the respect of the team then, and it was up to our O-coord. Wayne Mcduffie to make adjustments and speeches at halftime.
I saw in a previous post mention that Stafford had to deal with dropped passes. While that is most certainly true, Eric had plenty of no help from Andre Hastings and Brice Hunter who both dropped critical passes against Tennessee that would have won games in ‘92 and ‘94 respectively. I look forward to watching Stafford making some great Georgia memories in the coming years, but after their respective freshman years Greene and Zeier have to rank above Stafford.

By Big Dawg

January 18, 2007 02:55 PM | Link to this

ConyersDawg

I received an email from Buck a little while ago he is fine. He said he was groggy and will be checking the blog again later tonight and that he would post then. Go to his company’s web site: strollseattle.com

By Hunk Erdown

January 18, 2007 03:18 PM | Link to this

Altamaha—

I agree 100%… Course we’re just a coupla old blind homers. I did think it ironic how when JT3 completed passes, they were bad passes with unbelievable receptions, but with Stafford his were either all drops or the other prize winning quote that none of his interceptions had any impact on the games, whatsoever. But “we’re” the blind homers. The fact is, as far as Eason goes, I could care less if they replaced him, but I think there should be another reason than the “drops”. It would be interesting to find out how many more drops we had versus an average year. I’d bet it’s not as far off as everyone thinks. Just more compounded in people’s minds because the games were so close and we really needed every catch we could get. It did seem like a lot though. Of course JT3 had a bunch in that first game, but everyone wanted to act like the throws were just too weak to catch… even though they hit the receivers in the hands. I still think Stafford has got incredible potential, and I too think that this coming year will prove to be much better especially with Bailey and his leadership coming back into play. MassTransit seemed to turn the corner toward the end of the year. But I think the sleeper in the group will be that tall kid from Dalton (I think?) Kris Durham? I just took my meds, can’t remember his name.

Buck— If you’re able to see this, I’m pulling for you bro, get well soon.

By mark

January 18, 2007 03:21 PM | Link to this

Hunker & Altamaha- you guys don’t want to blame Eason for poor and inconsistent WR play for the last 5 or 6 years. You’d rather chalk it up to the players not coming to play. You’d rather blame it on the pressures of the game or the players just not rising to the occasion. Who’s job is it to get them ready? Who’s job is it prepare them for game day? Doesn’t the fact that we’ve had inconsistent and sometimes downright awful play from our WRs under his coaching strike you as more than just a coincidence? THey are big time WR all over the country and in our conference making big plays and being dependable every Sat. WHen you have the all time winningest QB and DJ shockley and now Stafford we should be turning away 5 star WR because we don’t have enough scholarships!

By mark

January 18, 2007 03:28 PM | Link to this

Hunker- you must be a blind homer like you said. Making great catches sometimes and dropping sure catches is the definition of inconistency. That’s been the argument of Eason’s WRs. INCONSISTENT AND UNRELIABLE!! The fact that these kids’ futures are bright when they get here and they leave having an inconsistent and overall dissappointing career is more than coincidence. Either they aren’t that good to begin with and we shouldn’t have recruited them or it’s coaching.

By ncdog

January 18, 2007 03:39 PM | Link to this

Eric Zeier was a hell of a college quarterback. But unless my memory is playing tricks, we’ve never had a QB during my lifetime who has the rifle-arm potential of Stafford. I’ve NEVER seen a Georgia QB throw the ball like that.

By Hunk Erdown

January 18, 2007 04:10 PM | Link to this

So Mark—

What exactly is it that Eason is doing to these kids who have been able to catch passes so well in the past, that they are offered scholarships by multiple big name Universities, but under his tutiledge all of a sudden they forget how to catch? Again, we’re not talking about poor pass routes here, just the ability to catch a ball that hits them in the hands. You really believe that Eason is doing something to make them drop passes? Please enlighten me how that is even possible. By the time they get to UGA is it your opinion that Coach Eason’s priority is to teach them how to catch? If they don’t have that down, they shouldn’t be recruited.

The fact is that they “DO” know how to catch. Dropping passes is a mental lapse. They either “hear footsteps”, try to run with it before they catch it, or just plain lose concentration. All the coach can do is teach the fundamentals, run them through the practices and drills, and try to instill positive confidence in their ability. When the chin straps are buttoned and the whistle blows, the player has to do what got him here, catch the friggin ball. Coach Eason can get Martrez Milner in shape, coach the pass route, and teach him how to make a move to get open. When all of that works and Milner is wide open in the end zone and the ball is thrown right towards his open arms, it is no longer the Coach’s responsibility. When that ball bounces off of his hands its on the receiver not the coach. If you don’t get that, then you really should try to find that turnip truck you fell off of and get back to the farm, son.

By gdawginkalamazoo

January 18, 2007 04:44 PM | Link to this

Hey maybe they should focus less on dropping the ball and focus more on catching the ball. Psych 101. Focus on the positive. Just like my golf game, imagine the shot. Hey #7 pass me that water bottle again. Fizzizle!

By Hunk Erdown

January 18, 2007 04:49 PM | Link to this

Hey Gdawg, how u been?

Actually thats exactly what Richt tried to do just before they kinda turned it around at the end of the year. He also told them to quit worrying about it and just go out and have fun.

By AltamahaDawg

January 18, 2007 04:52 PM | Link to this

Were the bad passes from Stafford the total fault of Coach Bobo? Why is it ok to be critical of JoeT and not blame his position coach for 5 years?

All we are saying is IF somebody knew what Eason was doing wrong, it would sure be easier to buy the argument he was coahing them into these drops. I just dont see how he failed to teach them how to catch a football when they have been doing it since the 5th grade. Its got to be some vodoo head deal he is putting on them, because they damn sure KNOW how to catch a ball and have since 7th grade. That should be the ONE THING, he would not have to teach them. As Hunk points out, the coachable stuff, they seem to do very well.

They are his responsibility though and I woudlnt be surprised to see him moving on, nor would that upset me. just trying to be fair.

By AltamahaDawg

January 18, 2007 04:58 PM | Link to this

zoo………now the whole damn ayatolla tribe is here!

By I-DOG

January 18, 2007 05:06 PM | Link to this

Jbirddawg is right. Zeir was a very good college qb and had his best supporting casts in his first two years. Zeir did not lose games because he couldn’t move the offense or score. Some of those defenses were very bad.

His team finish ranked 8th in 92. They should have finished in the top 5, but the TN loss was not his fault. As one poster already pointed out… at home against TN, UGA had 6 TO’s (mostly fumbles not interceptions that were Zeir’s fault). They moved it all day on TN and STILL had a chance to win, but turned it over AGAIN at the TN 40. The FL game was an absolute classic last second win by the gators.

The D during the Zeir tenure was very bad in many years. Philip Daniels was a good pro, but we used to joke the the P in his name stood for potential… thats all you ever heard about him during his UGA tenure.

Stafford is still writing his story. He struggled during the first half of his Freshman year with TO’s (is that a big surprise?).

I wouldn’t want any other QB in the SEC starting for my team.

Carter, this is an interesting topic and you have done a good job on this blog.

Can you answer this question? Which other returning SEC player next year would you rather have behind center? I’ll take Stafford and we will see how his career unfolds. I sure like what I see to this point.

By Hunk Erdown

January 18, 2007 05:07 PM | Link to this

Yep they are his responsibility. All I was really asking for from Matthew was to tell me what it is, specifically that he thought Eason was doing wrong. Maybe there is something? But before we talk about taking away a man’s livlihood, and kick him to the curb let’s hear exactly what he’s done wrong instead of these generalized comments about how he is inept or he’s coaching them down. Just wanted to know what that means, exactly.

By I-DOG

January 18, 2007 05:31 PM | Link to this

Receivers:

We don’t need “better” more highly recruited receivers like LSU and Florida as War Eagle has suggested. Of course, we have one committed for next year in AJ Green (did you see that U-Tube Video) I usually don’t get that excited about recruits but WOW!!

The players we already have,SHOULD be able to catch the ball consistantly. We have 3 and 4 star WR’s that were rated in the top 100 players in the South (Goodman,Momass, Harris, Moore, Wilson etc…) and you have to expect that they can catch balls that hit them right in the hands… not EVERY time, but very consistantly. I’m not talking about circus catches with 3 people draped on you, I’m talking about a 12 yard curl pattern that hits you soft in the hands while your stopped and looking straight at the QB!!!

It isn’t recruiting, it is something else (hint: Coaching). Our receivers are good enough to get open (that is supposed to be the hard part). Think about it, how many drives stalled this year because we couldn’t find anyone to throw the ball to, everyone was covered. (did it kill more than onee or two drives all season?)

All they have to do is limit the horrible drops to maybe 2-3 per game and we are a very tough team to beat next year.

Richt is very close with Eason, as close as any of the coaches and Eason’s job is safe despite UGA dropping more passes than any other team in the top 25 this year.

By I-DOG

January 18, 2007 05:42 PM | Link to this

Hunkerdown:

What has Eason done to coach them down? I don’t know. All I see are the results. The better question is “has he coached them up”? Who else besides Reggie Brown has gotten better during the last six years? I admit that Goodman is starting to show flashes in his third year (top 100 player in the South). Is that good enough?

Is he a good coach? Maybe he is, but with the talent on the roster… we should be better at this position.

Besides the drops what has he done poorly? If the receivers drop more passes than anyone in the top 25, then it doesn’t matter how sharp the routes are, how well they warm up, how fast they hustle back to the huddle, or anything else. If the receivers can’t catch better, UGA can’t win the SEC.

This is not the only year where our receivers have not “developed” It is Eason’s job to make sure they do. He has had six years.

By Buck Cochran in the NW

January 18, 2007 05:59 PM | Link to this

GUYS THANKS FOR YOUR KIND WORDS. I WAS SOME KIND OF GROGGY AND COULD HARDLEY KEEP MY HANDS STAEDY TO POST……..HUNK ERdown, IN SPITE OF WHAT YOU SAY I DON’T REALLY BELIEVE YOU’RE A “BLIND HOMER”. SOMETIMES BUT NOT 100%………THIS IS SPECIAL….ALTAMAHA, DON’T THINK YOU CAN THROW BARBS AT ME AND I WON’T PICK UP ON IT. ANYONE JUST READ WHAT PEOPLE ARE POSTING ON THIS BLOG TODAY. i DON’T HAVE TO POST A DOZEN TIME BECUSE THE DAWG NATION IS SAYING IT FOR ME. WM HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH MS PLAYING TIME IN ‘06. STAFFORD PLAYED BECAUSE HE WAS THE BEST WE HAD, PERIOD. MR FINALLY GOT SO TIRED OF PEOPLE WHO DIDN’T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT THAT HE WENT PUBLIC AND SAID THAT STAFFORD’S PASSES WEREN’T THE REASON THEY WERE DROPPED. NOW, STAFFORD DID THROW SOME BAD PASSES, AS YOU SO QUITELY POINTED OUT IN A SLAM AT HIM. BUT , HE BY FAR THREW PASSES THAT WERE CATCHABLE AND THEY WERE DROPPED. COACH RICHT HAS ALREADY MADE SOME COACHING CHANGEES THAT YOU’RE NOT AWARE OF. i NOT SAYING THEY INVOLVED THE RECEIVERS COACH BUT IN ATHENS AT THIS TIME, EVERY IS OPEN FOR EXAMINATION. GIBSON DIDN’T MAKE THE PRO’S BECAUSE HE WAS AFRaid to go across the middle. BROWN JUST GOT WHAT? A NEW CONTRACT FOR HOW MANY MILLIONS MORE. THE WR’s POSITION COACH WILL BE EXAMINED ALONG WITH EVERYOTHER POSITION COACH AND IT’S ABOUT TIME. NOW, I’LL JUST LET THE REST OF THE DAWG NATION ANSWER YOU. I’VE SAID ALL I NEED TO.

By I-DOG

January 18, 2007 06:09 PM | Link to this

Altamaha Dawg:

We usually agree, but not this time.

IF Stafford does not get better in 08, then YES it is Bobo who takes much of that blame (along with Richt and Stafford). I don’t think that will happen.

IF Eason was dealing with All freshman and we had 7 drops in the bowl game (according to the announcers), then that is not his fault.

Our DE and DT’s sure “developed” during the last six years. (Owens, Pollack, Moses, Johnson, etc…)

DB’s - How much better has Oliver gotten, how about Davis at Safety? Thornton got better every year.

OL - Nick Jones, Max J G, Shackleford, many many others seemed to improve each year (even Daniel Inman got better (not smarter) Most folks never really thought he would play when he was a Freshman.

There are many many examples of players developing at other positions. How about Greene and Shockley, but how about at WR? (sound of crickets chirping).

We have not developed WR’s during the last six years. Why is that?

By toemeetsleather

January 18, 2007 06:15 PM | Link to this

godsey was better than either one…go jackets!!!

By AltamahaDawg

January 18, 2007 06:25 PM | Link to this

Hunker……specifics? come on man, in here?

I-dog, we also threw more interceptions than anyone in top 25, do you think coach Bobo’s job is safe because he is good freinds with the coach?

Eason had three main guys for 4 of those 6 years and they were all pretty good. Brown got better, Edwards got better,(sec records aint just lucky) Gibson got better at the position although his number were eratic, due to injuries. Last year we really had a committee, and this year is very well cronicled, so I wouldnt say there were all those years when he failed to produce anyone. Who in your opinion was a great reciever coming in that never really developed due to Eason. I also seem to remember a couple of no name guys making great plays in the past few years. Injuries have also played into it.

Eason had All-American and national champions at FSU, so maybe it’s UGA that is the problem. That is ever bit as plausible as he just suddenly forgot how to teach receivers after being one of the best in the country.

By AltamahaDawg

January 18, 2007 06:38 PM | Link to this

glad to have you back, Buck. I barb because I care. Why is it I mention that maybe Stafford didnt throw every pass perfectly and its slam, but folks in here insisting we FIRE somebody is just an observation?

I-Dog I was just using Bobo as an example, I obviously do not think he is responsible for every bad pass or int. And who are these upper class talented WR we have that are backing up? For the record, Greene and Shock threw plenty of ducks and INT as upper classmen. QB overthrows somebody 3 feet and the stands just go, “oh gosh”, WR misses one, lets fire the coach.

By JAYSUER

January 18, 2007 06:49 PM | Link to this

A lot of Interceptions A lot of Interceptions A lot of Interceptions A lot of Interceptions A lot of Interceptions

By AltamahaDawg

January 18, 2007 06:50 PM | Link to this

Buck, dont misquote me there, I never said WM was the reason we played MS. I said his squad allowed us to survive it. Defence won those last three game, not MS. OH NO! DID HE ACTUALLY SAY THAT! You go get the defence we had in in the 90s and trust me, those freshman mistakes would have been a disaster. Dont make our everything I say as a slam about Stafford. I have said before, he came a lot closer to pleasing me than he did living up to some others expectations. I think I’ve been the best fan he has in here. I’ve been honest about him. I’ll leave the Matthew Stafford topic with this, no way, absolutely NO WAY, would he have improved as much as he did had he not had to fight his way into that starting job, and you can bet your butt the coaches have been pointing out to him exactly his faults, not making excuses for him.

By Hunk Erdown

January 18, 2007 06:59 PM | Link to this

Milner just had stone hands… I would bet he gets no better in the pros where he will have someone different to coach him up. If you take away just his drops over the last few years the team looks much more in line with the average drops of most teams. But you have to admit the big rascal had a knack for getting open so we threw to him a lot. It seems that the general consensus in here is that if the player has a problem catching the ball it is the Coach’s fault, so I will just agree to disagree and “drop it”… (pun intended)

By AltamahaDawg

January 18, 2007 07:00 PM | Link to this

I-Dog, if its not important to look at what he is actually doing and as you say, “results” are the only thing that matters…………then Coach Eason is easily the most winning, most successful WR we have ever had.

By Sic 'em

January 18, 2007 08:01 PM | Link to this

Looks like cameltoe’s off his meds.

By SamoanDawg

January 18, 2007 08:12 PM | Link to this

Hunk Erdown.. Milner the big rascal had a knack for getting open b/c the whole nation knew he can’t catch.. so they just ignored him.. lol.. just kidding man. Actually, he can catch hard-difficult passes, but he can not catch the easy ones. Why? Dunno.. I don’t have the slightest idea.

But, I think our WRs will step up and catch heaps of passes. I’m excited about Trip Chandler catching some TDs and moving the chains. He just needs to improve on his blocking. I like to see more of Coleman Watson in the action too. He looks like a playmaker. I’m sure the SEC haven’t heard much about these two knuckle heads, but they will. Our O is going to put up some huge #s/points.

I’m so ecstatic and I just can’t hide it..

By Sponge bath

January 18, 2007 09:00 PM | Link to this

Big Buck, stop blogging, I’m ready to bathe you. I want to see if you are as gifted as Rodney Garner…and everyone get off Stafford, he’s a freaking freshman…Towers is an idiot for starting this topic, and frankly, they should have used the AJC to wipe Saddam’s britches after they snapped his neck the way Greg Blue used to hit WR’s.

Now, where were we, Buck-master…?

Oh, I see why you are BC in the NW…you tilt up and to the left….

By Dave in Kansas City

January 18, 2007 09:25 PM | Link to this

Bottom line is MS is a better all around player than EZ. EZ was loaded in 92 with Hastings and GH and still couldn’t beat UT or UF. Don’t talk about fumbles, everyone makes mistakes, and quit making excuses MS, while still a freshman (yes! FRESHMAN) has way more upside with way more less talent. We need to get WRs that hang onto the ball. MM has gotten better, but we need to get someone opposite of him. I’m really waiting to see how the RS TE Brown (?)develops with MS.

As everyone has pointed out the coaching staff is way different. MR is heads and shoulders above Goof. It will be very interesting to see how far along MS develops between his Fresham and Soph. seasons.

By Chuck Uga

January 18, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

I’m just looking forward to the beatdown UGA is going to give Florida next October. Then we’ll be 2-2 over the past four games on our way to playing dead even with those guys. It will be a CRUSHING reality for them to realize UGA is just as good as Florida’s best. Then Miami and FSU will recover and UF will be back to normal winning the SEC East once every six years! And no more fluke titles (thank you USC for losing to UCLA even though you would have DRILLED us or Ohio State) like they had earlier this month.

By SamoanDawg

January 18, 2007 10:43 PM | Link to this

Man, we got so many weapons on offense. If Coach Stacy Searels can developed these big young dawgs on the line coming in, I think we’ll be a team to be recogn with.. scoring machine.

Our interior D-line is going to be awesome. It should make DE/LBs job much easier. If our front four can put pressure/penetrate to the backfield, the rest is a piece of cake. Thats how we beat the Hokies in the second half. They couldn’t sustained our front four. The new comers w/experience at DE will pick up where Bigbully/QMo left off. Howard/Battle will rely on their speed to contain the edge of the line and should be able to handle the power plays. LBs will fly around and supplanted some heads into the turf.

Secondary is young and much improved toward the end of the season. Paul will handle one side all by himself. I don’t think many QBs will challenge him. Bryans/Brown/Allen all have gained experienced on the other side.

We’re definitely okay at Safety w/Kelin coming back. CJ Byrd should have no prob filling in. I like to see more of Reshad Jones there too. I hear so much about him, laying some woods in practice.

By brad

January 18, 2007 11:48 PM | Link to this

I will say this; I’ve never figured out how the Dawgs managed to NOT win the NC in ‘92. We had Zeier, Hearst, Mack Strong, Andre Hastings… the list goes on. I was recently relocated to the northwest back then, so I didn’t get to see any game other than that great victory over Ohio State and Kirk Herbstreet (to his credit he doesn’t seem to hold that loss against the Dawgs, unlike a famous ex-Gator QB!). I still will pull out my tape and rewatch that Citrus Bowl once and awhile…

By Kyle

January 19, 2007 08:34 AM | Link to this

The defenses in EZ’s day were not as stiff against the pass as the ones in the SEC today. Also, the entire league, save for Miss State and, to a lesser degree, Ole Miss, is much better than in EZ’s day.

In short, the passing yards and stats were easier to come by over a season in EZ’s day.

IMO, not a fair comparison.

By mark

January 19, 2007 09:30 AM | Link to this

Hunker & Altamaha- I don’t necessarily think it’s something Eason is doing but rather something he’s not doing. Obviously the drills they do aren’t working. All I’m saying is that outside of the OL that has been the most underperforming position we’ve had in the last 6 years. Maybe you’re right. Maybe it’s something in the water up there, but whatever it is Eason and dawg receivers work like oil & water. Don’t try and explain coaching to me. I’m a baseball coach. If my guys can’t field ground balls then I have to find someone who can. If i don’t have anybody else well then I’m screwed! Players who follow this pattern over a number years begins to reflect on me as the coach. I will probably get fired because I’m either recruiting players who are overrated or I’m not doing my job as a coach. If players continue to underperform at a skill position i’m responsible for then how am I not to blame? Benching them for a series or a half is hardly punishment. Try running their asses into the ground and sitting them until they decide they can perform the job they were brought there to do!

By AltamahaDawg

January 19, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

Kyle, the only problem with that theory that EZ played in an time when team were inferior, is that would include the team he played on as well. So wouldnt that even out? By your theory any team in the SEC back then committed to the pass should have been able to do so with ease. Florida would have seemed to me to be the more prolific passing team of the early 90’s and they didn’t put up the numbers EZ did.

By Hunk Erdown

January 19, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this

Mark—

You made some good points, my only thing is that as far as the underperforming, the biggest thing seems to be the drops…Know what I mean? They seem to run crisp routes most of the time, and they seem to get open most of the time, its just so friggin crazy that they lose concentration at the most crucial of times.

Before I jump on a bandwagon to fire Eason, I’d like to see one season of how things are now. It may have a positive impact on the receivers that CMR is freed up from Off Coordinator duties and can spend some time with Eason to fill in any weaknesses. Same goes for the other coaches. I personally think it will make a world of difference all around.

By I-DOG

January 19, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

Altamaha Dawg:

I think the QB situation this year and the receiver situation over the last several years are two different things because… we had a true freshman playing QB that got very few reps in pre-season practice (3rd string)and didn’t get starting reps for part of first quarter of the season.

Stafford and Bobo own those to’s, I’m not absolving them from responsibility, but look how MS improved this year. Watch how he improves next year. Look how Greene and Shockley improved every year under Bobo and Richt’s coaching and you have to admit that MS looked better against Auburn, Tech and V-Tech than he did against CU, Ole Miss, and Vandy in the early part of the season… a lot better. Which Widouts had similar improvement?

UGA has a ton of 3 and 4 star receivers that aren’t True Freshman any more. We played only one Frosh this year. All we heard is how he catches EVERYTHING that comes to him in Spring and fall camp and over Summer workouts. the kid has hands. Then the season starts and he displays mediocre to poor hands in the actual games (although he is a freshman and will hopefully improve each year).

You asked who has not reached their potential under Eason?

Mario Raley, just completed his senior year after redshirting. (did he reach his potential)? After five years with Eason, I would say he was a dissapointment. It is too late to help him now, he is done.

It is AJ Bryant’s senior year, I hope that he has a great one, but if he has 8 catches all season, will he have reached his potential? He has just one more season for the DAWGS and in three years this incredible athlete has done very little. I know he had some ‘string problems his Sophmore year, but talk about a guy with potential that hasn’t produced yet.

I agree that Reggie Brown got better at UGA (he was a very highly recruited playr coming in). I give Eason credit for that. Fred Gibson was a hot shot whose best seasons were his Freshman and Senior and I would say that he didn’t reach his potential. he caught a lot of passes and helped win a FL game which gives him near hero status lately, but does anyone really think that we got Fred’s best?

At DB, Paul Oliver was highly recruited and really struggled his first two years (one redshirt) He just wasn’t getting it and some of us thought he would be a bust. However, look at his RS Soph season and then this year. He is a legit All SEC performer. Steady improvement from year to year and from beginning of season to end of season.

Look at Bruce Thornton and how he slowly got better each year at CB or Remarcus Brown or Bryan Evans… then look at Mo Mass and Fred Gibson.

I understand that UGA has won a lot of games under Richt and yes Eason, but when I say results for WR’s, I think we need to look at the drops the last two years and the lack of development of the players for a six year period…and not just the team’s overall record.

When we recruited Demiko Goodman, be honest. Did you think that going into his fourth season that he would still be a tremendous question mark? or did you think that he and Sean Bailey and mario Railey would already be dependable go to receivers by the 06 season.

Mo Mass’ alligator arms against FL on that quick slant in the endzone where he was afraid to get hit? That was one of the worst football plays I have seen by a UGA player since the 95 Vandy game where we were afraid to tackle that 5’ 8” RB with the big heart.

I don’t see the receivers at Auburn, FL, TN, LSU, or even SC drop the passes that we did this year…yes even Jerry Rice has dropped one that hit him in the numbers, but players like SIDNEY Rice aren’t being developed in our program.

RB is the other area where players haven’t always improved steadily in the Richt Era and there were some position coach changes. Why does Eason get a pass?

By I-DOG

January 19, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this

Brad:

That 92 team was very good, particulary on offense. Why did we not win the NC? That is easy… we turned it over six times at home to a very very mediocre TN team. UGA was by far the better team but six TO’s made it a close game that we lost when ironically, we completed a pass to the Volunteer 40 with huge momentum only to fumble the game away. It was one of those deals where you just KNEW that they couldn’t stop us, but we fumbled again and TN ran the clock out.

TN had some Great teams in the 90’s, many of which legit kicked our tails. They had the superior teams, but 92 was not one of those years.

UGA also lost to a very good FL team at the last second in the infamous “timeout” game, UGA scored the game winning touchdown on 4th down inside Florida’s 10 and FL had called Time just before the snap. On the next fourth down, Zeir threw just behind the receiver who got a hand on it, but couldn’t make a very difficult catch. It was a great game.

Still finished 8th and was probably the best team of the 90’s.

By mark

January 19, 2007 01:23 PM | Link to this

Hunker- I completely agree about the route running and things. It just seems to be a lack of hands. I don’t pretend to know the answer but I’m not getting paid the big bucks to either! It just seems as if there is a problem that has become a pattern here at UGA. We all have said that Stafford improved by leaps and bounds throughout this year. But I ask this question to everyone. Did he really play that bad in the beginning. His job was to get the ball to his playmakers, which he did. The problem is that we don’t have any playmakers at the WR position. Now when you are 18 yrs old and nobody is making plays, don’t you think you are going to press a little bit? Don’t you think you might throw an ill-advised pass sooner or later? IMO Stafford played exceptional football throughout the year. He had absolutely 0 help and that forced him to make bad decisions. Take a 7 drop game that we lost and turn that into a 2 drop game. What do you think the outcome would be? It’s obviously speculation but I think you see my point. If our WR can step up and make just the routine catches for him, this kid is going to be AMAZING and the dawgs will have National success!!

By I-DOG

January 19, 2007 04:43 PM | Link to this

Mark,

I think Stafford was mediocre at best in the first half of the season, but that is to be expected (as you say he was a true frosh).

Some of the int’s I don’t fault him for, like the one in the 4th quarter when he was inserted into the TN game late and we were way behind. He threw a pick trying to force a play, which is different from many of the other int’s and fumbles he had that did hurt the team.

I think we do have playmakers at receiver for next year and have no problem if we don’t have one or two “go to guys”. Sometimes it is more difficult to stop a team that doesn’t have one big receiver that everyone knows is going to get 8-10 passes thrown his way.

From next years group, who is anyone do you double cover? If we can contine to run good routes and only have 2 drops a game, we will be formidable.

Bailey and Mo Mass should be the main weapons. The next group Bryant, Goodman, Harris, Henderson, and Gartrell should provide at least two break out players. Durham, Moore, Wilson, and Troope could also provide some younger playmakers.

By Hunk Erdown

January 19, 2007 09:08 PM | Link to this

I just hope we have got at least one receiver that can run faster than the defenders and show us how far Matt can throw it to him. I want to see some 70-80 yd bombs. Is Troupe the man? His scout videos looks like he can run fast and juke too. Some good ole fashioned Fla State stuff would suit me just fine.

By A size 36DD with a 25 inch waist

January 20, 2007 01:11 AM | Link to this

Matthew is more than man enough. trust me, I know.

BTW, anyone want to buy a home in Sugarloaf? That yellow tape should come off any day, now.

Buck, glad to hear you’re OK.

Insects, go back to your own board as we celebrate fact you still have Gailey. LOL!

By DirkDawggler

January 20, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

You’re not comparing apples to apples. The defenses today are tougher, the schemes are better, and I don’t think UGA’s O-Line was as good as Zeier’s line in his first season. You’ve got to factor in about 748 dropped passes, too. I’m not knocking Zeier at all. He was a great quarteraback. The light went on with Stafford at Auburn and it’s going to burn brightly all the way to the Heisman podium one day.

By adawgfan

January 20, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this

Stafford in the long run will end up with a much better win/loss column than Zier. The bottom line is not the O-line or receivers and their dropped passes, doesn’t anyone remember the horrific defense during the Zier years?

Stafford will have the luxury of not having to score 1000 points a game to win. During Zier’s time in Athens the Dawg defense was so lax opposing teams were assured 30 pts at kick off. Stafford won’t have to deal with that and that’s why you can’t compare the two. History looks at winners versus loosers as the tell tale sign of who’s best ,so when all is said and done, Stafford will be the best ever at UGA. I can’t wait to order my MNC tickets!

GO DAWGS!!!

By DJISTHEGREATESTQBEVERTOPLAYINTHEHISTORYOFFOOTBALL

January 20, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this

How do you talk about Great UGA QBs and not talk about David Greene?

He was better than both. Stafford has all the tools, but to meniton him with EZ or DG is crazy at this point. Let him throw more TDs than INTs then we can talk

By dawgxian

January 20, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this

something I was thinking about comparing Stafford to Zier was the running game. if memory serves correctly, Zier had Garrison Hearst to take some of the pressure off him his freshman year. I have to wonder if things might have been a little different this year if we’d had him running the ball for us instead of Lumpkin, Brown, and Ware.

By BuLLdawg

January 21, 2007 06:00 AM | Link to this

.

.

Matthew Stafford played in the 1st game, took over after Joe T III had the lead against South Carolina whom we shut out in the 2nd game, Started the 3rd and 4th games he was as horrid in both as he had been the 1st 2 as well, was benched as the Starter for the next 3 Straight Consecutive games 5, 6, and 7 in which he continued to do nothing but miscues of fumble after fumble and interception after interception and no TDs.

Then, Matthew Stafford Started the last games 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13.

1 of every 12 of his plays with one of the best offensive lines in the SEC in giving up sacks and one of the top OL in the nation in giving up sacks as well, Matthew Stafford took the ball out of the hands of his receivers and running backs and HANDED THE DAMN BALL BACK TO OUR OPPONENTS.

It was maddening.

Why is it that every time someone dares to state ANYTHING about 13 interceptions to only 7 TD passes, and 10 fumbles 6 lost to only 3 running TDs, that something is said about our OL and our receiving corps and our running backs every 12 plays of Matthew Stafford, he TURNED THE BALL OVER ?

Look, no one threw the 13 interceptions but Matthew Stafford and no one put the ball on the turf 10 times but Matthew Stafford, 4 of which his OL fell on for him.

And, every time Willie Martinez’s Top 10 Total Defense handed the ball BACK to Matthew only to have him again, not score and instead hand the ball to our opponents.

It is the CONFIDENCE of Matthew Stafford THAT WHICH IS THE PROBLEM.

Where no man dare, he boldly went all season long including his 5 turnovers in the last 3 games won by our defense and not by his 1 TD pass each of the last 3 games instead.

It was his fumbles which hurt even more than his Interceptions.

Stafford did nothing in the game against South Carolina which our Defense shut them out despite his turnovers with the lead.

We should have lost both UAB and Colorado especially because of Stafford, but Joe Cox came in and WON THAT DAMN COLORADO GAME FOR STAFFORD, who was the Starter.

Ole Miss, Tennessee and Vandie, Stafford did not one damn thing positive in either. Nothing. Bring him in, and no scores but just turnovers galore.

Kentucky, I am happy to see you ascribe to Stafford his own personal Loss for his horrid football game yet again.

And, Florida before that as everyone has stated correctly, is totally Matthew Stafford’s fault for his three (3) turnovers in that game we lost by 1 TD to the NC.

Auburn he fumbled the ball twice to them or we shut them out too.

Tech he gave them the fumble to begin the game that left Tech ahead the whole entire game until Mohammed Massaquoi jumped up reached behind him high in the air and snagged the TD pass at the end of the game.

Virginia Tech yet his 13th interception and 10th fumble, this one fallen on by his OL you put down.

And, we sit here and argue he is 6-2 as a Damn Starter ? BS. Colorado is a LOSS for Stafford and a WIN for Joe Cox.

Stafford lost the Vandie game by doing nothing when anyone else would have done something positive.

Stafford lost the Kentucky game with his 5 turnovers in that one game alone.

Stafford lost the Florida Game by himself.

Stafford tried to lose the Tech game.

Made every effort to lose the Colorado game.

Did lose the Kentucky game.

Did lose the Vandie game.

And, damn sure did diddle-e-squat but turn it over against the vols with a huge 3 TD lead.

Christ Almighty Matthew Stafford is 6-2 as a Starter.

Matthew Stafford played 302 plays this season 23 of which were either fumbles or interceptions by Matthew Stafford, 8 percent of his plays. He ran for 3 TDs compared to 10 fumbles 6 lost none recovered by him, and threw for 7 TDs compared to 13 interceptions. His QB Rating is Number 89 in the nation and the Offense he played 81 percent of the plays of all our QB this season, all of whom had a higher QB Rating than Matthew Stafford, for his Offense which is Number 90 in the nation as damn direct result thereof.

David Greene was 7-8 against the top 2 teams in the SEC East and SEC West (3-1 vs. vols, 1-3 vs. the crocodiles, 2-2 vs. Auburn and 1-2 vs. LSU).

Matthew Stafford has 1-0 vs. Auburn and 0-1 vs. Florida.

The jury is still out on Matthew Stafford, but I would rather go into this season coming up with Stafford’s 302 plays not against Texas High School defenders he obviously had no respect for whatsoever compared to SEC Defenses who ATE MATTHEW STAFFORD UP AND SPIT HIM OUT, than I would go into it with a 5th year senior now gone as the one with these 302 plays.

Even if it would have meant we wouldn’t have lost to Vandie, who had one damn win all SEC season long.

Even if it would have meant we wouldn’t have lost to both Kentucky and Vandie for the 1st time in over 3 decades.

In the end, it was the 5 turnovers by Virginia Tech’s QB Sean Glennon taking over for the 2 vick pot smokers mostly to Tony Taylor and Tra Battle that cost them at a Dome named for Georgia we own as much as the Gators have an advantage at the Gator Damn Bowl in hellhole Jacksonville.

In the end, it was Reggie Bloody Ball the greatest bulldog on the Tech team for the last 4 years, now flunked out who cost Tech the game too.

And, Auburn ? Do you even recall how horrid “ proven Quarterback Brandon Cox “ was against us either ?

You win or lose with your QB play as I corrected GUARANTEED OF TROY SMITH for Ohio State who beats up women found guilty and guilty to NCAA recruiting violations for illegal cash payments he accepted.

I fully expect Matthew Stafford YES to have confidence where no man dares and continue a turnover at the same rate the last 3 games for the season coming up, which is 21.6 turnovers next year for Matthew Stafford at that same rate of 5 turnovers the last 3 games alone.

But, I do think he will throw more than just only 7 TD passes against his 23 miscues this season.

God Awful.

Tell it like it is.

.

.

By Monk

January 21, 2007 02:22 PM | Link to this

This argument is pretty lame. Stafford has played one season, less really. And Zeier was nowhere Georgia’s all time QB.

Based on full careers, the two tops were John Rauch and David Greene. Rauch started four years, won 36 games (in the 10 game season / 5 bowl games era) and finished as the all time NCAA passing yardage leader. Greene was just the all time winningest QB in NCAA history in his four years.

Zeier’s career was more along the lines of Francis Tarkenton’s. Excellent, but not as outstanding as the previous two.

By joe_h

January 21, 2007 03:09 PM | Link to this

This is absolutely the dumbest blog post I’ve ever seen from you Chip. It’s downright awful.

First of all, Stafford is far bigger, stronger, and faster than Zeier ever thought about being. He also has a far stronger arm than Eric ever had.

However, some things need to be pointed out, because you obviously don’t get it.

1. Zeier had a far better offensive line than Stafford did. He was better protected.

2. He arguably had a better run game to support him as well. UGA’s run game this year was spotty as best. Considering the backfield we had, it should have been far better. It was nonexistent in many games.

3. Zeier also had far better receivers than Stafford. Do I ever really need to name them? UGA receivers this year averaged six drops a game, and dropped 4-6 touchdowns this year, including two in the Peach Bowl. Sorry, I’m not calling it the Chick-fil-A bowl.

4. Zeier also started consistently once he gained the QB job. Stafford was jerked in and out of the starting spot so often this year that he didn’t know whether he was coming or going. Stafford and UGA’s season would have been far better had Stafford started from game one and stayed the starting QB for the entire season. Our receivers likely would have been more consistent as well.

So please look at things objectively and do a little research before you make another stupid comparison such as this.

By joe_h

January 21, 2007 03:12 PM | Link to this

BuLLdawg, will you please do everyone a favor and shut up. You’re a dimwitted sack of sh*t.

By joe_h

January 21, 2007 03:15 PM | Link to this

By the way, it also needs to be said that Stafford faced far better, faster defenses than Zeier ever did.

It’s too early to make a comparison, but Zeier had the advantage in every category except talent.

By Sic 'em

January 22, 2007 02:02 PM | Link to this

joe_h, are you Stafford’s mother or something? Nothing against MS who I think has the potential to be the best Georgia QB ever but you’re not giving nearly enough credit to Zeier for his the level of talent he brought to the table. It’s hard to believe that anyone who actually saw him play wouldn’t agree that EZ is one of the best pure passers ever to play college football. Under the tutelage of Coach Richt, MS could very well have a better overall college career but you have to give credit where it’s due. Especially to someone who obviously gave 110% out on the field every game.

By 77DAWG

January 23, 2007 12:51 AM | Link to this

To all Dogs and anyone who love the game. Go back and watch the V-Tech game again you will understand what the game management is. We don’t have to score 50 points and no INT to please you. When CMR said MS played “fantastic” it explained the whole thing. Those UF and UT people know very well what comming next year, they just can’t come out and accept the facts.