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 > 2007 > January > 31 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USA bounty of receivers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’ve just arrived in Knoxville, Tenn., for tonight’s basketball game between the Dogs and Vols. Don’t know the story behind Rocky Top and its association with the University of Tennessee but anytime I’m here I always wonder, it’s a little hilly but not very rocky and certainly not on top of anything. Perhaps General Neyland or one of our UT readers will fill me in.
Tonight’s game is NOT on television, by the way, Buck.
We’ll talk about tonight’s game tomorrow. In the meantime, let’s talk some football. I’m always hearing from people complaining about Georgia’s wide receivers and actually somebody ask me recently why the Dogs weren’t signing more in this class.
I’ll tell you why: Because they have plenty.
I haven’t conducted an in-depth study or anything but a cursory glance is all it takes to tell me that Georgia has 10 wide receivers coming back next season.
I think they’re in pretty good shape at that position. Geez people, you can only play three at a time, four occasionally.
And it’s not just quantity. There’s quality there as well. Among them are four former prep All-Americans (Mohamed Massaquoi, Sean Bailey, A.J. Bryant and Demiko Goodman). You’ve got the former No. 1 receiver in North Carolina in Kenneth Harris and a couple of good ones from Florida, too, in Michael Moore and Tony Wilson.
Bailey and Bryant are both legitimate deep threats and Goodman looks to be as well. Massaquoi and Kris Durham are good possession guys and I don’t think Mikey Henderson’s potential has been fully tapped yet.
Yes, there’s been some drop problems. But I think that’s often overblown as well. It’s college ball. No team anywhere in D-I catches catches ‘em all. They’ll continue to get better.
And, lest we forget, the much ballyhooed A.J. Green is committed for 2008.
I could be wrong. Tell me if you think I am. But what I see coming back from the Dogs should put them among the best in the SEC in terms of ability, experience, potential and depth. Tell me a group of receivers in the league that’s three-deep is better.
By the way, in other football news, I found out from Danny Ware’s agent today that he got into the NFL combine. That’s a big deal for a guy like that. Now it’s up to him to show the scouts in Indianapolis what he can do.
Feel free to offer some scores on tonight’s Georgia-Tennessee game. Word is still that Chris Lofton won’t play. But we’ll see.
Comments
By Honest Broker
January 31, 2007 04:13 PM | Link to this
Yet, the Muttland Nation still complains about Calvin Johnson going to Tech.
Simply amazing…
By Rob
January 31, 2007 04:23 PM | Link to this
The Dawgs need a player who can dominate at defensive end and a STRONG safety that can Lay Wood!
By Buck-er-eww
January 31, 2007 04:30 PM | Link to this
Dadburn. Heyward to Ohio State. Yeah, UGA just won nine games this year, but it seems like NONE of the biggest studs in state are going to Athens, except, of course, the one who won’t qualify and plays a position we’re loaded at. Crap.
By Big Dawg
January 31, 2007 04:36 PM | Link to this
[IMG]http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r170/Cloudthefreewind/090404-BulldogsGilles.jpg[/IMG]testing
By Stupid Web guys
January 31, 2007 04:39 PM | Link to this
Hey Web idiots. Your sports links are taking people to the BUSINESS page. Wanna wake up over there morons!
By JB
January 31, 2007 04:40 PM | Link to this
Not really on subject, but i wanted to comment about our recruiting a second. I hope this isn’t true, but I think UGA’s staff lays off recruiting the top 6 or 7 studs in the state AFTER they commit somewhere else, but yet, the low lifes from other schools continiue to pound away at our commitments. I just wonder if Mark tells thr staff to keep going after these guys. Any thoughts ?
By 52grad
January 31, 2007 04:55 PM | Link to this
When the booing started. Recruits went elsewhere.
By **By Chip Towers**
January 31, 2007 05:15 PM | Link to this
So Cameron Heyward’s going to Ohio State. So are you Georgia fans freaking out? At least he’s going outside the league, right? Remember though, the Bulldogs had about 20 commitments before January and really bit the bullet last year on redshirting. Mark Richt claims he’s “doing somersaults” over the players they’ve already got. Y’all believe him?
By Big Dawg
January 31, 2007 05:17 PM | Link to this
Interview with Coach Richt
Georgia has watched as in state and out of state talent has gone elsewhere in the past couple of weeks: Eric Berry, Allen Bailey, Cameron Heyward and so on.
Those losses have not been lost on Mark Richt. But the Georgia coach thinks those who have been distraught over Georgia losing those players, may have forgotten about the 23 they got.
“People talk about having a strong finish, but you start with the 23 guys that we had committed and I’m jacked,” Richt said Wednesday after word got out that Peachtree Ridge’s Heyward had committed to Ohio State. “I’m doing somersaults. I’ve been doing somersaults for three months.
“If everything remains the same as it is right now, we filled our needs.”
Richt said the perception might be that Georgia slipped in the recruiting race because they wrapped up the majority of big players in it class early.
Those were some of the Bulldogs’ top targets, he said. And had they missed on players such as Caleb King and Trinton Sturdivant then Georgia may very well have plummeted in the rankings.
By jwilson
January 31, 2007 05:18 PM | Link to this
GA fans will never learn that booing our players always cost you top recruits. Players don’t want to go to a school where they will get booed if they make a mistake. We need to remember they are kids.
By pj
January 31, 2007 05:22 PM | Link to this
As for recruiting, we can’t have it both ways dog fans. When we get a top 5 class we shout it from the mountain top. When we fall to 12th or whatever we are, we say we “addressed needs”. It’s not unfair to say recruiting was clearly down this year, but I think the cyclical nature of this process would suggest that the reason (notice I didn’t say excuse) is because this class saw we were loaded for bare in the next 3 years. One pretty good class and 3 great ones (the past 2, and next years’ already stellar one) is great for the future.
As for the receiver situation… Chip, I think that the WR’s were used to working with Joe T. for the entire spring, the offseason and then the start of the year. I think when they had this year with Stafford to understand each other (and ask Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison how important that is)we will be alot better looking at the wideout position.
I think we start Massaquoi and the returning Sean Bailey along with Durham as the tall position receiver and let 3 more guys emerge from the pack as backups (I’ll bet on Goodman, Harris and A.J.) Redshirt the newbies and get them working with Logan Gray for the future.
go dogs tonight against the orange!
By Marietta Dawg
January 31, 2007 05:24 PM | Link to this
Having Sean Bailey back is huge! Plus our tight ends are almost like receivers, when they can actually catch the ball! Too bad we lost out on Heyward. I wish tonight’s game was on the tube…good luck Dawgs!
By Hey **Chip Towers**
January 31, 2007 05:25 PM | Link to this
Why don’t you learn whatever it is you need to learn to put your name in BLUE like all the other AJC bloggers? That way we know if it’s really you or not.
By Lane4411
January 31, 2007 05:35 PM | Link to this
Does anyone know exactly how many scholarships we have available. I read somewhere-believe a Richt quote-28/31, which makes sense. 22/24 - seniors, 2 jrs. to the NFL, Miller, the freshman offensive linemans was dismissed + a couple of guys who did not qualify last year.
The BuLLdawg, was certain the number was 21-since he is always incorrect- does anyone know the number?
Thinking 26/28-not sure!!!!
Very confusing, since some players may not be on athletic scholarships, etc., transfers, non- qualifiers,etc
Posted on another blog!!!
By Big Dawg
January 31, 2007 05:37 PM | Link to this
52grad & jwilson
When the booing started. Recruits went elsewhere.
While I don’t condone booing of players, it hasn’t affected Florida in their recruiting as they booed Chris Leak for the last 3 years. IMO most of the Dawg Fans on these blogs are forgetting some very important points. We needed offensive and defensive linemen as these were our greatest need. Next we don’t lie to these recruits by promising them that they will play immediately and at their choice of position. Coach Richt and his staff are up front with these kids and their parents and tell them they will have an opportunity to compete but there are no guarantees and they may have to switch position to meet the teams needs. Not all of these kids are Dawg fans, also we only have so many scholarships to give out and Coach Richt has been saying all along we ONLY WANT players who want to play for GA.
By JimmyG
January 31, 2007 05:48 PM | Link to this
Georgia 83 Tennessee 60, why not? Pound it down low on these guys, they aren’t the same without Wingate. Make at least 5 three point baskets and get it to Brown. Game over
By josh nessbitt
January 31, 2007 05:54 PM | Link to this
Go Irish and Tech still sucks. We own you nerds and you all cant stand it. techs best class in years and no one to coach them when they get there. Another long line of tech players to lose to Georgia again and again and again. Think before you sign, 90% of you all will never see a diploma and never see a championship or a bowl win. Its not to late to change your mind, hell we dont even know who the head coach will be come september!Claytor is having second thoughts as of 1/28/07 so maybe he has some since, but he is way over rated anyway
By AltamahaDawg
January 31, 2007 06:02 PM | Link to this
As animated as this blog gets at times, has anyone noticed the outright ferocity that goes on over at the recruiting blogs?
By Greg
January 31, 2007 06:03 PM | Link to this
where should we be expecting these early 2008 commits to stack up against the rest of the country when their class’s rankings come out shortly? should we expect 5 star status out of anyone (aside from Green, whom im hearing could be a top 5 overall prospect.) what about Ward, Allen, Brand, Washington, Samuel, etc?
By AltamahaDawg
January 31, 2007 06:22 PM | Link to this
I like to look at how those rating services have the positions ranked. Obviously we were thin at O-Line. Any venture who is the #1 team in O-line recruiting………..that’s why the man is doing flips…..because his staff did exactly what they set out to do….in what matters, which is building and entire team (as we have seen a partial team of stars struggles to surive). Also it looks like our class will actually see PT. Some body tell me how UF is going to play those 3 highly rated QB anytime soon, if ever. If ever! Tenn signed 5 DB? SC signed 6 WR? When are those boys playing. I look at our class and it looks like anyone of them might contribute this year. Plus as Chip points out, we have about half of last years top 5 class still chomping at the bit.
By eddiedawg
January 31, 2007 06:26 PM | Link to this
We lost recruits because fans booed…ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? I would think recruits would EXPECT a team to be booed losing to the likes of Vandy and Kentucky…..it means UGA and its fans expects ONLY THE BEST!! Screw the ones who didn’t come-if Richt is jacked, then I am jacked…..martk my words-we will WIN THE SEC IN ‘08 AND BEAR UF!!
By Dawgs2007
January 31, 2007 06:29 PM | Link to this
Cameron Heyward has been through a lot lately with his father passing. I am sure he was ready for a change of scenery. Good Luck to him.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
January 31, 2007 06:31 PM | Link to this
THAT’S FOR THE INFO CHIP…….it’s time to face a little reality. Big Dawg is right. Recruits haven’t stopped going to Gainsville because of the booing of Leak so I don’t think that’s a viable excuse….Receivers? The fact of the matter is we don’t know what we’ve got. I don’t give a tinkers what kind of HS, heros they were, in ‘06 they cost us at least a coup[le of games. In the bowl game they dropped 7, that’s right 7 passes and two of those were TD. passes. They are the BIG QUESTION MARK OF THIS’07 TEAM!!! I can’t understand why no one questions the coaching. We’ve had the dropsie problem since MR parked in Athens only last season was the lowest of low years so far. Recruiting? Yea, we filled our needs but the wall was cracked this season and a ton of the best players chose not to be a Dawg….believe these recruits talk back and forth with each other. When Eric Berry commited to Tenn., he was quoted as Ga. didn’t show me no respect. My response was “if that’s his attitude let him go we don’e need him anyway”. My response WAS DEAD WRONG BECAUSE AT A CRUCIAL MOMENT, WE DIDN’T SHOW HIM ANY RESPECT! Our recruiting stopped dead in the water at that point and we started losing people. So it’s true we filled our needs and we’ll have a great ‘07 season. But it’s a shame that the Berry story hasn’t come out. I really believe we can win the SEC this year…….If,If,and If our receivers catch the ball……CHIP, I DON’T KNOW HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU. I TRIED CHIPTOWERS@AJC.COM AND GOT NO RESPONSE. DO YOU HAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS WHERE I CAN REACH OUT AND TOUCH?
By Huh?
January 31, 2007 06:32 PM | Link to this
What does “BEAR UF” mean?
By eddiedawg
January 31, 2007 06:42 PM | Link to this
sorry, typo….BEAT UF’S A*
By eddiedawg
January 31, 2007 06:52 PM | Link to this
So let me get this straight….if we play badly in a half next year and we boo the bad play, Logan Gray may decide to switch schools??? COME ON-THIS IS A RIDICULOUS ARGUMENT!! Remeber also that recruits are educated guesses….I remember hearing for years that UGA missed out on Riggs and it would come back to haunt them…everyone relax, we have one of the best coach’s in the NCAA…..
By UFownsUGA
January 31, 2007 06:55 PM | Link to this
There it is for the 1890000000000 time in the last 2 decades…”Mark my words we will beat UF”
When will you mutts ever learn.
I dont think UGA has a reciever on the roster that would break the 2-deep roster at UF unless Momass returned to his Freshman form and even then its a tossup.
By Fan
January 31, 2007 07:02 PM | Link to this
We CAN’T COACH RECEIVERS never have never will. They better show up with talent and skills because our coaching SUX there.
By coach
January 31, 2007 07:11 PM | Link to this
Good news for Dawgs fans looks like Greenlee is solid. Check out this link from Columbus:
http://ching-athens.blogspot.com/
By **By Chip Towers**
January 31, 2007 07:13 PM | Link to this
Buck, like it says at the top of my blogs: ctowers@ajc.com.
By BirdDawg
January 31, 2007 07:33 PM | Link to this
People who think we don’t have a good class are retarded.
We are signing 23 players, 1 of whom many people think is the best running back in the nation.
Yeah, King was hurt, but when he comes back, he’ll be the same, and he’ll be our Reggie Bush.
We have signed O-linemen who can play right away, and guys we can sit for a year or two.
We have Troupe coming in, who will play right away.
And Chip, the drops are a COACHING PROBLEM. As long as Georgia employs the worst wide reciever coach in football, then our recievers will never get any better.
Chip, you ever notice, that under Richt and Eason, the recievers have never gotten any better the older they get? That their best seasons seem to be as freshman?
How about Reggie Brown, who now, under a coach who knows what he’s doing in Philly, has become a star?
Until Mark Richt finally fires John Eason, then our recievers will never be any good.
By Ft Worth Dawg
January 31, 2007 07:42 PM | Link to this
Last year, UT’s basketball team surged while its football team tanked. Therefore, this year its basketball team should struggle. UGA 77 - UT 71, but much closer than the score would suggest.
Football: UGA is losing the recruiting battle because of losses to UK and Vandy. Fix the small things to fix the big things.
Florida won a National Championship in basketball but while having non-McDonald’s A-A’s playing defense and playing as a team. Duke, with a loaded roster, is struggling. Every team that wins a NC in football totally dominates recruiting for the following year but almost never repeats as NC. When Stoops won a NC at OK people said if he kills other team with 2- and 3-star players what will he do with all the 5-star players? Answer: not as much.
UGA’s main issue for the 2007 season will be how much should we run the ball and who should do it. My question is what will Massaquoi do. I think I saw him on one play in the Peach Bowl (throwing a low block way downfield).
If you think UGA recruiting is off, I would recommend looking at Arkansas’ recruiting. I know nothing about it but I can predict it’s in shambles. Tennessee had a bad recruiting year last year but has managed to rebound. Personally, I think someone should plant a mike on a recruit going to UT to see how they sell the place.
Finally, expand Sanford to 100K and ensure the students get a good chunk of the incremental seats.
By Britt
January 31, 2007 08:09 PM | Link to this
In terms of a better top three at WR. I can name at least two teams, Florida and LSU. Florida has a strong top three and it is only getting deeper and LSU is no slouch.
By Cuz
January 31, 2007 09:06 PM | Link to this
Who cares what the other guys have. Give me Stafford and MoMass.
By War Eagle
January 31, 2007 09:10 PM | Link to this
Personally I think this is UGA weakness recruiting class since CMR arrived. Trying to fill OL holes where past efforts have failed and losing top Georgia athletes has got to be a set back.Lack of WR, which is a big need is missing. This class will be a top 15 finish, but is long way from past top 5 recruits.UGA should be in top 5 closing in on a NC this year with their past recruiting years, but are in place at 14-18th preseason for 2007.Getting beat by Vandy and Ky hurt, which off set the big win at Auburn.
By price cochran
January 31, 2007 09:48 PM | Link to this
Chip, thanks, my mistake it. Like read the directions stupid. I’m emailing you now. I know you’re very busy so when ever you have a chance.
By BirdDawg
January 31, 2007 09:52 PM | Link to this
War Eagle, it’s not worst than his first.
It’s right now ranked No. 8. I believe Auburn’s is ranked No. 10.
Once again, people like you and many fans are discounting all of the instate talent we had wrapped up A WHOLE YEAR TO SIX MONTHS AGO!!!
God, you people are stupid!
By Jay
January 31, 2007 09:54 PM | Link to this
Who won that basketball game tonight? What a joke…uga cant beat ut when they dont have the all-american canidate playing.
51.
By price cochran
January 31, 2007 09:58 PM | Link to this
Help me somebody!!!! Chip I went back and looked again and still don’t see it.
By War Eagle
January 31, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this
Birddawg, scout.com has Auburn 8th and UGA 13th. Rivals change ratings according to what school they committ to, for example: 3 committments went from 2 stars to 4 stars with Bammer and the same with Notre Dame and USC. They are a weak rating system along with Max Emfinger.UGA did a good job in early fall, but slack off for some reason. CMR is a good recruiter, but I have doubts about some key asst. coaches, what you say?
By Orkin man
February 1, 2007 02:50 AM | Link to this
It’s snowing! All schools and businesses closed 2/1. Run to the Kroger and buy everything!!!
And Tech fans are on the loose - I saw yellow lines in my neighbor’s yard. Retards.
By BuLLdawg
February 1, 2007 03:35 AM | Link to this
.
.
It’s just EXCUSES by those who call Matthew Stafford their boy like he was great and deserved better treatment, discussing drops in every e-mail requiring a fair and balanced retort that our opponents had no problems holding on to 13 of his passes and 6 of his 10 fumbles in 302 plays this season, 8 percent of his plays resulting in a miscue.
And, I have maintained to them all along and still do that Georgia’s receivers are the best assemblage of receivers we have ever had.
Now, speaking of the BASKETBALL TEAM the teams they beat are NOT RANKED and…
http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/013107/mensbb_20070131035.shtml
Mike Mercer said this BEFORE THE GAME :
Georgia guard Mike Mercer thought the Volunteers’ post-game display last year at Stegasaurus was simply poor sportsmanship.
” It kind of hurt because they did it at our place,” Mercer said. “That’s something you don’t forget about. That’s going to make it an even more intense rivalry. Now, we really want to prove something in their home. “
Here are his stats for the game :
Two (2) of ten (10) shots went in for the game vs. the vols last night and he had NO REBOUND, not one.
http://admin.xosn.com/fls/8800/stats/mbasketball/2007/mb2007.htm?SPSID=40731&SPID=3593&DBOEMID=8800
To be consistent, for the season now MIKE MERCER is shooting less than a fifth of his 3-point shots for points, less than a third of his shots from the field overall for points, and less than half of his free throws.
But, he too is our greatest player ?
Nice game Mike Mercer.
.
.
By IraqDawg
February 1, 2007 05:17 AM | Link to this
I think it’s great that the alligators have signed sooo many great players this year. If i’m a great high school player in 07 or 08 I’ve definently just crossed florida off of my list for another school with actual playing time available. Enjoy it now alligator fans. Cause it’s gonna hurt when this class like any other loses players to grades, injuries, and transfers but has no one of great talent to replace them. See ya in Jacksonville chumps.
By reality check
February 1, 2007 08:08 AM | Link to this
This year’s class and last year’s class are both very solid recruiting classes, depending on how many we lose to academics this year.
Recruiting ratings mean almost nothing as far as I’m concerned. There are lots of 5 star “can’t miss world beaters” who are very average at the next level and many of them never play a down. Then there are players nobody touts who wind up being All American.
The main predictor of success of a recruiting class is size of the class and lack of attrition due to academics or injury. Georgia has done okay in recruiting under Richt because the players who did make it in have been good quality, but the numbers have been down until last year’s class and, hopefully, this one.
By Renegade
February 1, 2007 09:04 AM | Link to this
Keeping with the topic of the original post…I think you are wrong Chip. Georgia’s receiver’s have notoriously underachieved under Eason. Watching the NC, I realized that Florida had three to four legit receivers that are on another level than anyone on Georgia’s team. It pains me to say that, but it’s true. Bailey is not, I repeat, not all that. Kenneth Harris can’t get open, and when he does, he can’t finish, ie. Bomb from Stafford in CFB that he couldn’t bring in. MoMass’ problems are documented, Durham caught single digits, and Mikey Henderson is just tiny. The point is, we need some high-powered receivers. That is what has been the missing peice of the puzzle the past six years. I challenge anyone who can refute this.
By gdawginkalamazoo
February 1, 2007 09:16 AM | Link to this
Orkin Man, It has been snowing for the past week and a half. I only have about 6-8” at my house. Along the lakeshore they have about 2-3 feet. No sweat. Especially since it will be hovering around ZERO to minus this weekend. Might get cold if the wind blows. God I miss the sweet tea region of our great nation.
Chip our recruiting class is a great one. Like everybody above has said we have been stacking players and redshirts for the past couple years. We got commitments early and what we need. Like I said before doesn’t matter how many RB’s and QB’s you have if you don’t have a line blocking for them. Found that out this past year.
By Gen Neyland
February 1, 2007 09:22 AM | Link to this
My condolences… At times like this I also say,” It’s only basketball. ” Now back to football and…GO VOLS
By mark
February 1, 2007 09:36 AM | Link to this
So there is no correllation (sp?) with the amount of top recruits that go to USC and the amount of success they’ve had in the past few years? Nobody sees it as a big deal that some of the top players in the state chose to go out of state? It’s no big deal to let top athletes go elsewhere? Since when is it a problem to have a surplus of talent? I would think that the more great players you have the more competition there is for a position and the more opportunity to find the best at each position. SOOOOOOO we have a bunch of receivers….and what is that supposed to mean? They’re coming off an embarrassing year where not one of them proved they are reliable! I wouldn’t get to excited dog fans, our top recruit won’t even put on a dawgs uniform for at least year!!
By gdawginkalamazoo
February 1, 2007 09:52 AM | Link to this
mark, and USC got beat by UCLA (with NC game implications on the line) and Oregon State? All those five star recruits looked good with their heads bowed didn’t they. And don’t come back with our Vandy & KY loses either. We know we lost those because of the QB fiasco to start the season which IMO effed up a lot things last year.
These kids look at where they think they can play the quickest not necessarily the “best” fit for the team. I think it says a lot about the talent we already have in place at those key positions.
By Brooks
February 1, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this
WarEagle, I think you mean that whipping the Tigers/War Eagles offset the loss to Vandy and Kentucky. It’s not how you start,it’s how you finish. Our receiving corp is fine. We have MoMass, Sean Bailey-who will give us a deep threat, Durham-who catches everything, and Bryant who has become a pretty solid receiver. As far as drops are concerned, you can work and coach a player all you want in practice. You can’t simulate a game atmosphere with all the adrenaline and pressure placed on certain players. Drops happen. Are they acceptable, no. You just have to work past it and move on. We can blame Coach Eason all we want but I feel he has done a fine job in Athens. A.J. Green must be impressed with him. I think that Mikey Moore has been a disappointment. Thought he would be a good player. Also keep in mind we still have #7. GO DAWGS.
By MadMerf
February 1, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this
I, too, believe this is a great class, considering our immediate needs. If I was in charge of recruiting, I would rather sign a 4-star prospect who really wants to be a part of my program than sweat it out over a 5-star egomaniac who enjoys the spotlight while his top “choices” fight over him. No offense to R. Jones and K. Moreno, but most of these “me” guys rarely represent team players.
The fact that UGA recruiting starts out so fast speaks volumes about the staff. Besides Texas, no other school can claim to have a bigger jump on prospects. It happens every year now, and just look what we’ve already accomplished for next year. FANTASTIC!!
Other than the DT position, the only concern I have with the last couple of efforts is our pursuit of quality kickers. Many of you blame the losses to Ky and Vandy solely on the receivers’ drops. But as I remember it, the season went down with Brandon Coutu. How many FGs (and even XPs) did we miss in those losses? The FGs weren’t chip shots, but they were automatic by Coutu’s standards.
Dropped passes and missed FGs are momentum and morale killers, and the combination doomed the dawgs at mid-season. We’ve had some really good kickers leave the state the past couple years, and I believe Butler’s kid is a punter. Surely there has to be someone out there that can kick a 40-yard FG.
There HAS to be.
By gdawginkalamazoo
February 1, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this
Hey Chip, what are your thoughts on Little Nicky “you can call me cracker” Saban’s comments? A friend at LSU used it? I bet a dollar he doesn’t have any friends at LSU.
By Renegade
February 1, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this
Brooks, I guess you missed the entire football season. Sean Bailey has played two good games in his entire career, Durham does not catch everything, ie dropped tunnel screens, and AJ Bryant was one of the top athletes in the country out of high school. To say that he has become pretty good is a testament to his career. He’s a senior.
By Renegade
February 1, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this
Merf, Butler is a kicker too. He just has a chance to be the starting punter until Coutu leaves.
By crs
February 1, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this
Yes, we have recievers in terms of numbers but they can’t catch or run routes. Realize, Richt would love to run more 4-wide sets and even 5 on occasion like he did at FSU - he simply does not have the tlaent to do it. Richt has never truly been able to run the offense he wanted to when he came to UGA.
By MadMerf
February 1, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this
crs,
You’re right about Richt not being able to run the same ‘O’ he ran at FSU. A lot of that may be due to the fact that he’s had too much on his plate while running the entire team.
It takes undivided concentration to focus on an opponet’s weaknesses on defense. He had that at FSU when he was merely an OC. It takes even more concentration to run the whole team: making sure everyone’s on the same page, clock management, offense, defense, special teams, who’s hot, who’s not, who’s hurt? etc. And playing conservatively (not to lose).
At FSU the opponets (mostly inferior ACC teams) never knew what was coming at them. You kind of got the same feeling in the 2nd half of the CFA Bowl in Atlanta. Yes, the stellar defense set up most of the scoring, but coach Bobo did a nice job of mixing things up against one of the superior ACC teams.
UF may prove us wrong one day, but 4 and 5 WR sets just don’t get it in the defensive minded SEC. Somebody has to stay back and block or its going to be one jump ball pass after another, with some going the other way. Its just not healthy for QBs, mentally or physically.
By mark
February 1, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this
zoo- teams can’t go undefeated every year. The fact is that USC has contended or won a NC for the past 5-7 years and has produced 3 heisman trophy winners. They pull in countless number of 5 star recruits in those 5-7 years and now Pete Carroll says that this may be his best class yet! Meanwhile UGA fans are content with letting their top in state athletes go elsewhere and some cases to their rivals. They use the argument of “we don’t need them anyway, we filled our needs” What we need is athletes and if that gives us an extra WR,CB,DL that we don’t necessarily need then i’m fine with that. You can’t coach athleticism! Considering this WR core that is so deep had one good game all year last year and were pretty pathetic the rest of the year I”m not sure why everybody is so high on them . If Israel Troupe gets drafted high in the MLB draft you can kiss him goodbye too! Everybody keep convincing yourselves that it’s OK to lose top in state talent!
By Hunk Erdown
February 1, 2007 01:18 PM | Link to this
I like the depth that we have at WR. I think the fact that we had such a problem with drops could wind up being a blessing. There will be a lot of focus on the basic fundamental of catching the ball in spring and summer. Plus, Milner is gone, if you take away all his drops the team overall doesn’t look that bad.
We finished around #25 in the nation and our recruiting class is being graded as around 10th? I don’t see that as a big problem. I would like for us to be able to sign every recruit that we want, but not at the expense of lying or even cheating to get them. If we run a clean program and keep averaging somewhere between 5th and 10th ranked recruiting classes, I don’t see the problem.
How do we know that Heyward’s decision wasn’t based on the competition he will be facing at UGA vs. OSU? God knows he will look better playing against those pansies up north than he would in the SEC against the beasts he would have faced.
Just keep doing what you’re doing CMR, and do it without the fear of NCAA sanctions because of cheating, we’ll be fine.
By ConyersDawg
February 1, 2007 01:24 PM | Link to this
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BuLLDawg - you are a tard!
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When these receivers catch and score TD’s like classes of the past you can call them the best.
Quit hating on Stafford because he proved you wrong by playing this year and showing at the end of season what an incredible talent he is.
Are recruiting has not hit a halt. The recruiting services and the ajc make you believe the hype of super star talent. There are not 5 others teams in the country that develop talent and put them in the nfl like Ga.
Quentin Moses? Who is that, we missed out on I believe 5 star Julian Jenkins that year. I will tell you who Moses is a 3 star lanky basketball playing DE that our staff developed into a 1st or 2nd rounder. Quit being so tunneled visioned folks!
Walter Hill is the best athlete in the state beside Eric Berry per high school coaches! He is a 3 star that will be the talk of Ga. during games.
Our staff will not lie and I appreciate Richt’s integrity!
If you think our recruiting slipped or did not do well this year you don’t know football(BuLLDawg).
By Buck Cochran in the NW
February 1, 2007 02:41 PM | Link to this
yo everyone!!!! You know who called Matthew Stafford “My Boy” so I congratulate you BuLLDAWG, you slid that in there nicely without saying my name. And you were wrong again, to bad. We got 3of the top 10 rated recruits in state this year. That’s good? Yes, I’m satisfied with our season for recruits but please don’t say that something didn’t happen and our commits stopped commiting about the 1 or 2 week of Dec. They did. Just look around and see what other schools did and I just can’t ignore that fact. Urban proved this season that 4 and 5 receiver sets work in the SEC. We’re going to see the same thing in ‘07 if our receivers catch the ball. As of today, based on performance last season , Southerland is the only proven receiver we have and he dropped that wide open TD in the CFB game. I think it’s time we showed a little class and stop claiming that ALL these other coaches lied or that it was just a smart-alec attitude as to why they didn’t come to Ga. In Berry’s case it beacuse, as he said, Ga. didn’t show him any respect. He’s right. For our recruiting to stop dead in the water, something went wrong internally. What I don’t know BUT ARE YOU MEMBERS OF THE NATION SAYING THAT IT WAS EVERYONE ELSES FAULT? That all the coaches lied? That all the recruits we lost was because of a bad attitude? I just find it hard to believe. I think we’ll win the SEC this season with what we have if we catch he ball but really look and question our recruiting for this season, IF YOU DO THAT DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE SOME KIND OF DIS-LOYAL DAWG OR DISSING THE PROGRAM OR OUR HEAD COACH.
By Big Dawg
February 1, 2007 02:43 PM | Link to this
Conyers, Cuz and Buck
We are going to be fine, what most of the Dawg Nation doesn’t understand is that 4 of these 4 star and 2 of the 3 star recruits we got this year should have been rated 5 star but because of being switched from their primary position i.e. Walter Hill being switched from receiver to QB, injuries Caleb King, Corvey Irvin etc. and/or undersized/playing in a lower classification in HS/JUCO or Prep School etc. i.e. Charles White 5’11” MLB, Vance Cuff 5’11” DB, Justin Anderson, OL and Jarius Wynn, DL. In this class we got exactly what we needed to move to the next level. BTW I can tell you that my friends on the staffs at Auburn, Florida, and Tennessee are worried because they know just like Coach Richt and the rest of our coaching staff who have been doing somersaults for three months and are biting at the bit for next season to start. That we are loaded at every position and it is going to be tough playing us the next 3 to 4 years.
By War Eagle
February 1, 2007 02:44 PM | Link to this
Brooks, I said it correct about Vandy and KY. I know several asst. coaches in the SEC and the BS that fills a recruits house and ears is amazing proganda. Beating Auburn is never mention, but Vandy and Ky and talking NC contention. That is their lines plus more. Many years ago Chattanooga beat Auburn and we did not sign a recruit out of Tenn. for two years.I might be wrong and I am a dawg fan except Auburn, but it seems to be UGA should be more in position to run at a National championship. The recruiting has been amazing last 4 years, but its hard for UGA to get out of the East as far as the future. I have always though LSU and UGA were top of lines in the SEC, but now its really Florida, LSU, Tennessee, Auburn, UGA with SC coming on fast.If OL, WR and MS come around “big time”, it will be interesting in the East this year.
By War Eagle
February 1, 2007 03:04 PM | Link to this
Birddawg, let me give you couple of examples in my reference to scout.com and rival.com rating system.Caleb King is a 4 star by rivals and 5 star with scout, I promise you if he had committed to Bammer, Notre dame or USC, he would have been the same as scout.com Bammer has 9, 4 star by rivals and 4, 4 star with scout. Thats a huge difference. Rivals has pressure from somewhere to extent these stars, why ??I guess ghost of Bear, Holtz and John McKay haunt them??
By tim
February 1, 2007 04:18 PM | Link to this
Looks like #39 has started posting again, though not quite as long winded on this blog. must be cold in mom’s basement.
someone HAS to know what i am talking about, right?
By James
February 1, 2007 05:54 PM | Link to this
uga is my second favorite school but i wish they would stop getting our best players out of north carolina. that will stop now that butch davis is at unc.
By I-DOG
February 1, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this
07 recruiting: A solid class. Maybe not specatular, but we addressed our needs, got plenty of talent at various positions and we have plenty of talent on our roster to compete with ANYONE.
A program can afford a down year in recruting like UT had last year (I wouldn’t call this a down year for UGA). A team could sandwich two great clases between a mediocre haul of role players and have a GREAT team for several years.
UGA missed on some hight profile in state guys in the last month or (Hewyard, Bailey, and Berry). That is a shame.
WR’s
We have good WR’s on our roster and if Izzy doesn’t play baseball, he will help us in a couple of years.
It is likely that Bailey and Mo Mass will be “go to” very solid receivers and we will probably have 2-3 other guys step up as well.
We seem to run routes pretty well. We get open quite a bit and Stafford will put the ball where it needs to be 70% of the time. These guys have plenty of talent to catch most of these balls and make the easy play. Getting open doesn’t seem to be a problem
My feelings on Eason and our WR’s development (lack thereof) are well documented on this board. However, Eason is the last guy on the staff that Richt will give a pink slip to. It just isn’t going to happen.
By I-DOG
February 1, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this
Recruiting rankings do matter… to a point. The best teams every year (for the most part) are the teams that were ranked highly in recruiting consistantly.
War Eagle. You keep insinuating that UGA has underachieved, but they won 2 SEC titles in the last 5 years, played for a third, and FINISHED in the top 10 four times, the top 25 once in a down year. They finished 3rd once!
They have had top 5 and 10 classes, so that is about right. UGA had a freshman qb this year and the fg kicker got hurt. I think this was more of an aberation. Look at the last three games. Wins against ranked teams three consecutive weeks. All of whom recruit well (except GT).
There are some teams that overachive. Look at Rutgers or Louisville, even WV to a certain extent. Some of these teams don’t play the top competition week in and week out.
In recruiting, the difference between being the #3 class and #7 class is not real. The difference between #3 and #22 is real.
The poster who said that a team that loads up at one position every year, isn’t really “recruiting” a solid team. I agree with that. If a team had 15 highly recruited LB’s on their roster… they might have had some highly ranked classes, but if their DL and QB recruiting was all 2 stars, It isn’t a good situation.
UGA can compete with anyone with this squad.
By dawgfacedboy
February 2, 2007 08:47 AM | Link to this
I’ve read a lot of what ya’ll have been posting and I’ve formed my own opinions about our recruiting class. IMO both sides are right. Did we address our needs? YES. Did we pull in the best recruiting class we possibly could? NO. Did we fill in our holes where we were thin? YES. Did we miss on some top notch in state talent? YES. With these additions and IMO if we can get the WR back on track we should be back to competing for the SEC title and hopefully more!
By War Eagle
February 2, 2007 09:19 AM | Link to this
I-Dog, no, I never mention the word underachieved, UGA and CMR have done well in winning SEC titles etc.My point is they never been in a position to play for the NC, Florida is one reason I am aware of, but the big games are important to win for all the marbles.All top recruiting teams past 5 years have won NC, USC-2, LSU, Texas, Florida. Auburn had unbeaten season 2004, and came close to playing. Again, if you look today, all these teams are projected to be in contention next year(not Auburn) and UGA is pre=seasoned 18th. I am a Dawg fan except you know when, but I am disappointed UGA is not further along for NC, especially when they beat Auburn and keep us out of the Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame.I-Dog, this is just my opinion and I have heard scudder-butt talk from some former dawg players having same feeling.
By Todd A
February 2, 2007 01:56 PM | Link to this
Coach Richt is doing somersaults over a class ranked 4th in his own division?Pass the maalox,please.
By I-dog
February 2, 2007 05:12 PM | Link to this
War Eagle:
I undersand. Florida had one loss this year just like UGA in 02, but USC lost to UCLA and they got in to the national title game.
UGA will continue to be in the top 10 most years with Richt. At least I think and hope that is true. A team has to get a little lucky to make it to the National title game just like USC against Notre Dame had to pull off the incredible comeback and FL had to block a USC field goal to save themselves AND still get in with one loss, a chance a lot of teams don’t get.
You have to be a great team AND get a little lucky. UGA will continue to compete for SEC titles and top 10 finishes. When it all comes together, we will have a shot at a national title or two under Richt.
I;m not worried about being ranked 18th pre-season. We will finish much higher than that.
By 77DAWG
February 3, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this
Georgia can’t recruit WR period. Stafford will not be here forever. Get the JUCOs quick.
By DRE DAWG
February 4, 2007 12:29 AM | Link to this
The Dawgs did a great job beefing up the OL and a decent job with the DL but what worries me is that we needed some playmakers on defense since we lost so many from this past year. We had 3 right here in our state which won’t happen every year and we did not get one. Defense wins championships and great defenses has playmakers. Even last year we lost a lot of defensive playmaker in the state. I’m a little concern about this trend.