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 > February > 21 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSEC’s long, tough road
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Greetings from the SEC road.
As I write this I’m sitting in my hotel room in Memphis, Tenn. That’s the thing about covering this league, it’s not always the easiest travel.
Over the years I’ve found the best way to get to Oxford, Miss. — where Georgia plays Ole Miss in a huge basketball game tonight — is to fly in here to Memphis (actually I take a plane), rent a car, drive the hour and a half south to Oxford, drive back to Memphis after the game, then jump on a plane in the morning and head back to Atlanta.
The Bulldogs are a little more fortunate. They charter jets that fly directly into and out of Athens-Ben Epps Airport. They leave the night before games, to avoid any possible travel snafus that could delay or postpone a game, then fly out immediately after the game. They’ll probably be getting home and into their beds about 2 or 3 a.m. Thursday morning. Most of the time they’ll all have classes early the next morning because that’s the way Dennis Felton likes them to set up their schedules. Some of them will have tutoring appointments at 7 a.m. Ah, yes, the perks of being a scholarship athlete!
But that’s not the really tough part of life on the road. The really tough part is what they’ll do later on tonight, which is tip it off against Ole Miss in the “Tad Pad.” Like everywhere else in the league these days, it’s a tough place to play. The Rebels are 13-1 there this season, with the only loss coming to Kentucky in the SEC opener. Since then they’ve booted Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, LSU and Mississippi State out of there as losers.
Now most of those games have been really close (ie: LSU), so Georgia definitely has a chance. I’ll tell you this: It’s a huge game for both teams. The Bulldogs (16-9, 7-5) would have another road win and would be guaranteed a .500 record in the league. Ole Miss (17-9, 6-6), which was picked to finished last in its division, would remain in a tie for first place in the SEC West and move a step closer toward earning a postseason bid for first-year coach Andy Kennedy.
So it will be a war tonight. You’re loyal correspondent will be there to chronicle it for you. No TV by the way so you’ll have to listen on the radio or over the Internet.
Let me know what you think is going to happen and what it might mean. In the meantime, keep thinking about future blog topics and questions you want me to get answered (and don’t just say “write about football”).
P.S. The mother of Georgia defensive end Michael Lemon died this morning in a house fire. Please send up your prayers and wishes for this young man and his family. You may contact the UGA sports communication department at 706-542-1621 to find out what you might be able to do to help.
Comments
By Bryan G.
February 21, 2007 04:17 PM | Link to this
This is a HUGE game tonight, Chip. If UGA can win, I really think that could be enough to clinch the NCAAs. They should beat Miss State this Saturday and should split b/w UT and UK. Losing tonight won’t knock them out, but I really think winning can push the Dawgs in. What do you think, Chip?
By baloney
February 21, 2007 04:31 PM | Link to this
I don’t see the dawgs beating Ole Miss. I also don’t see them beating the KY Cats at Rupp. (lets face it, they haven’t exactly dominated the Cats at Rupp before)The dawgs may beat Tenn at Smegma if Lofton plays. Remember the dawgs were pretty much blown out (UT never trailed) in Knoxville without Lofton. So I would say with Lofton at Smegma the dawgs may beat UT.
By Big Dawg
February 21, 2007 04:53 PM | Link to this
baloney
I don’t know who you are or who you root for but I wish you would go to that team’s blog and stay off of the Dawg’s blog.
Chip, once again a good topic to discuss. Both of these teams need to win tonight to improve their chances of getting into the Big Dance. If the Dawgs play like they are capable then they will win tonight, it is just that simple.
As for Michael and Marquez Lemon losing their mother Phaba Lemon that is such a tragedy. Everybody should be saying a prayer for comfort and strength for them as they grieve her loss. Almighty Father may you take her in your loving arms and keep her safe and sound forevermore. In Jesus’s name Amen.
By Dawg4life
February 21, 2007 04:54 PM | Link to this
If we had Mercer, we might stand a chance, but something tells me this team just won’t have the athletic ability or the offensive ability to survive these remaining tough games. We will lose a close one tonight, beat Miss. State, and then lose to KY and TN. Either way, it’ll be a better season than anyone probably expected, and a much better season than last year. Felton is building a quality program, and next year, with Gaines being a senior and Mercer back and our athletic big men, we’ll be a force to be reckoned with!!
Go Dawgs!!!
By mcdawg
February 21, 2007 05:15 PM | Link to this
and beale street has nothing to do with it right?
By Matt
February 21, 2007 05:48 PM | Link to this
Yeah, my heart bleeds for these guys who are getting a quality education for free.
By Chip Towers
February 21, 2007 08:02 PM | Link to this
Hey guys. Sitting next to the court at the Tad Pad awaiting tipoff. Pretty rowdy crowd. Tons of students. Ole Miss is a beautiful campus, and I’m not just talking about the bushes and trees! … Dogs will have their hands full tonight. Hopefully I won’t miss deadline and y’all will get the news.
Later.
By Sautee Dawg
February 21, 2007 08:43 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the topics and the info Chip.
Great prayer offered up by Big Dawg, can’t say one any better so i’ll just say Amen to his.
By Chip Towers
February 21, 2007 08:56 PM | Link to this
It’s halftime here at the Tad Pad and Georgia trails 39-32. It’s not as bad as it sounds. Georgia missed a shot and then the Rebels’ Clarence Sanders hit a last-second, tough contested 3-pointer with two seconds left… . the Dogs are hung up on shooting treys again and aren’t making many. 3-for-13 in first half. When they’ve lost bad on the road that’s what they’ve done.
By colascdawg
February 21, 2007 09:32 PM | Link to this
Dawgs getting absolutely buried after being up 28-27 with a couple of minutes left in the first half. They’ve only scored four points in TEN minutes in the second half…sickening.
By g-dawg
February 21, 2007 09:44 PM | Link to this
all i can say is DAMN! GO DAWGS!!
By phillips
February 21, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this
Big Dawg. Your intelligence/knowledge is obviously less than Baloney, so, perhaps you should be the one to stay off the blag(correct, not blog!!). Gaga gets creamed by OLD(or is it ole) MISS ,one of your must WINS. You guys are pathetic. NCAA. HA. If Tech can beat you(as bad as they are), you certainly are not deserving of any tournament…………Go Gators!!!!!
By 82DAWG
February 21, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this
After this humiliation tonight, put a fork in ‘em their done. Credit to the guys, tho, they gave it a great run this year. Now, when is Spring football???
By Chip Towers
February 21, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this
Well, that was ugly. I didn’t expect Georgia to win here — Ole Miss is pretty dang good, y’all — but I did not expect to see them get punked like they did. And believe me, they got punked. The Rebels have some offensive linemen looking forwards on the blocks and when they’re allowed to get physical like the refs let ‘em be tonight, they’re tough. It was just one of those nights for Ole Miss, too. Clarence Sanders made some real circus shots. He was also talking trash to Georgia’s bench the whole game. That’s what led to double technicals on him on Levi Stukes. Stukes finally had heard enough and got back in his face… . Oh well, the Dogs better win at least two of the next three or they’re gonna be NIT-ing. And believe me, as sportswriters, we don’t look forward to that. Usually means you’re going to be somewhere like Kalamazoo, Mich., on a Thursday night. C-ya back in Athens.
By Gen Neyland
February 21, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this
As we, in the SEC are well noted for, beat each other silly during our regular season matchups and attempt to sell ourselves as viable contenders due to parity in our conference. As much as I hate to admit it, FL is omitted from the afore mentioned statement. The strong survive and the weak go NITing…
Chip, unless good things happen for UGA in the next few weeks, enjoy yourself in Kalamazoo. Dress warm…
By Atlanta Gator
February 22, 2007 01:24 AM | Link to this
phillips——I don’t know if you’re a real Gator or one of those “bug” imposters who enjoys posting smack-talk about UGA under other school affiliations, but know this: the Big Dawg is one of the good guys around here, and he will generally defend other well-mannered bloggers and chastise the rude and ill-behaved bloggers, even when the rude party is one of his own Dawg fans.
My free advice: unless you want to have any number of other bloggers raining sh*t on your every comment, pick on somebody else other than the Big Dawg.
By Chip, turn off the porn and get out of that room
February 22, 2007 02:14 AM | Link to this
Just something to help keep us focused in the off-season.
Bulldogs expect to see improved Stafford in 2007 By Mark Schlabach ESPN.com
A year ago, when quarterback Matthew Stafford should have been preparing for his senior prom at Highland Park High School in Dallas, he was trying to navigate his way through Georgia’s playbook and mat drills, the team’s rigorous offseason conditioning program.
“It was tough coming in here within a month and a half of leaving high school,” Stafford, who graduated high school early, said. “It was hard going right out and competing on the field.”
It was much more difficult for Stafford when the Bulldogs actually started playing games last season. The former prep All-American, who as a senior led Highland Park to its first Texas state football championship in 48 years, couldn’t lead Georgia to victories over Vanderbilt and Kentucky in 2006.
Kevin C. Cox/WireImage.com Matthew Stafford led Georgia to wins in four of its final six games in 2006. After replacing injured starter Joe Tereshinski III in the Bulldogs’ second game, Stafford won his first two college starts. But when Georgia faced the meat of its schedule in the rugged SEC, Stafford struggled mightily.
The Bulldogs lost four times in a five-game stretch after their 5-0 start, including humbling losses to the Commodores and Wildcats. Stafford twice lost his starting job — first to redshirt freshman Joe Cox, who came off the bench to lead the Bulldogs to a 14-13 win over Colorado and started the following week at Ole Miss, and then to Tereshinski, who returned to start in losses to Tennessee and Vanderbilt.
“I learned you can’t take any team for granted,” Stafford said. “I learned you’ve got to prepare like you’re the starter, whether you’re the backup or not. You’ve got to get your team ready to play every week.”
The Bulldogs hope Stafford’s baptism under fire in 2006 will pay big dividends this season. After winning the starting job for good after the 24-22 loss to Vanderbilt, a team the Bulldogs had beaten 11 straight times, Stafford led Georgia to victories in four of its last six games. That winning stretch included a hat trick against ranked opponents to finish the season: 37-15 at then-No. 5 Auburn, 15-12 over No. 16 Georgia Tech and 31-24 over No. 19 Virginia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Against the Yellow Jackets, Stafford threw the game-winning touchdown pass to Mohamed Massaquoi with 1:45 left to give the Bulldogs their sixth consecutive victory over their in-state rivals. In the Chick-fil-A Bowl, Stafford rallied Georgia to 28 consecutive points in the second half to wipe out a 21-3 deficit against the Hokies.
“It was huge for us, especially with the way we won those games,” Stafford said. “We went into Auburn and dominated, had the game-winning drive and stop against Georgia Tech and then had a full-fledged comeback against Virginia Tech. It’s definitely something that helped our confidence and gets us excited about next year.”
The Bulldogs are excited about this season because Stafford grew up a lot as a freshman. The strong-armed Texan finished 2006 with modest production — he completed 52.7 percent of his passes and threw nearly twice as many interceptions (13) as touchdowns (seven) — but his decision-making and knowledge of the offense were markedly better at the end of the season.
“I think it’s something a lot of young quarterbacks go through,” Stafford said. “It was a tough run for a while, but you’ve got to show you can bounce back and stay confident. I was able to keep my confidence.”
Kevin C. Cox/WireImage.com Matthew Stafford rallied the Bulldogs past Virginia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Stafford will have to be confident this season, as Georgia tries to keep pace with defending national champion Florida, Tennessee and improving South Carolina in the SEC East. The Bulldogs must replace three starting offensive linemen and tight end Martrez Milner, the team’s leading receiver. Seven signees enrolled early, including a pair of juco offensive linemen.
With even bigger losses on defense, including ends Charles Johnson and Quentin Moses and linebacker Tony Taylor, Georgia’s offense has to improve. The Bulldogs ranked 79th in Division I-A in passing last season with 184.4 yards per game and 90th in total offense with 311.8 yards per game.
Stafford wasn’t the only one to blame for Georgia’s struggles last season. Bulldogs receivers dropped far too many passes, and their quarterbacks were sacked 33 times. Worse, Georgia ranked 68th nationally in turnover margin, losing 15 fumbles and throwing 16 interceptions.
Massaquoi, who caught 30 passes and two touchdowns last season, said the team’s receivers struggled adjusting to the velocity of Stafford’s passes early in the season.
“It’s not an excuse,” Massaquoi said. “When it comes down to it, if a guy is putting the ball where it needs to be, you’ve got to catch it. He has a very strong arm, but he’s not one of those guys that just tries to impress people with his arm strength. He tries to put touch on the ball, too.”
Stafford’s improved play late in the season came after Bulldogs coach Mark Richt relinquished play calling. A longtime offensive coordinator at Florida State, where he coached Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke, Richt called offensive plays during his first five seasons as Georgia’s coach. But before the Georgia Tech game, Richt gave those duties to quarterbacks coach Mike Bobo. Richt named Bobo the team’s permanent offensive coordinator before the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
“I’m really confident with him,” Stafford said of Bobo. “I think he’s got a great mind and I’m just looking forward to the years to come. I’m excited about working with him and bouncing ideas off each other.”
Massaquoi said the Bulldogs are excited to see what their quarterback will do in his second season, too.
“As last year progressed, he was getting more and more confident,” Massaquoi said. “He’s just one of those guys that’s a natural born leader and he commands everyone’s respect. His talent shows on the field. He hasn’t reached the surface yet; I think he’s barely scratched it.
And by the way, Tech sucks.”
By PHIL FORTSON
February 22, 2007 08:20 AM | Link to this
SURE,THE ROAD IN THE SEC IS TOUGH, BUT I’M SORT OF GETTING TIRED OF HEARING, “THEY JUST WANTED IT MORE THAN WE DID.” I THINK THAT MEANS WE ARE NOT TOUGH, AND THAT’S FELTON FAULT. THESE ARE NOT THE GROUP OF RAG TAG WALK ONS FROM 3 YEARS AGO. THESE ARE D-1 BASKETBALL PLAYERS. IT’S TIME COACH FIND 5 GUYS WHO WANT IT, AND KNOW HOW TO GO GET IT. WE ALL KNOW IF THIS WAS THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM WE WOULD NOT STAND FOR A LACK OF EFFORT AS A REASON FOR BEING RUN OFF THE COURT.
By PHIL FORTSON
February 22, 2007 08:20 AM | Link to this
SURE,THE ROAD IN THE SEC IS TOUGH, BUT I’M SORT OF GETTING TIRED OF HEARING, “THEY JUST WANTED IT MORE THAN WE DID.” I THINK THAT MEANS WE ARE NOT TOUGH, AND THAT’S FELTON FAULT. THESE ARE NOT THE GROUP OF RAG TAG WALK ONS FROM 3 YEARS AGO. THESE ARE D-1 BASKETBALL PLAYERS. IT’S TIME COACH FIND 5 GUYS WHO WANT IT, AND KNOW HOW TO GO GET IT. WE ALL KNOW IF THIS WAS THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM WE WOULD NOT STAND FOR A LACK OF EFFORT AS A REASON FOR BEING RUN OFF THE COURT.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
February 22, 2007 09:30 AM | Link to this
Beginning to agree PHIL. My jury isn’t in yet, but, court officer says things are getting heated.
By baloney
February 22, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this
Big Dawg………..I haven’t had time to look online yet. But did UGA beat Ole Miss last nite or do they play tonight?
By baloney
February 22, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this
Dear Chip, shall I go ahead and prepare a rough draft regarding UGAs chance of making the NCAA tourney? I know you said you were going to revisit my topic. I’m not writing the dawgs off yet……..but I’m getting the ole quill ready.
By HoopsFanatic
February 22, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this
Good Heavens. A hoops blog and some UGA fan has to post a story about Matthew Stafford. Maybe this kid should be starting on the basketball team. Hey, while you are at it, doesnt UGA need pitching help this year in baseball too? Shocking…”Bulldogs expect to see an improved stafford”. What a novel idea. A team expecting to see their QB get better from one season to another! This man crush you fans have on Matthew Stafford is getting to be a little scary and psychotic. There are better QB’s in the SEC and it is nice to see other teams no obsessing over them. Especially one who really only had 1 good game the entire year!!!
By JustMe
February 22, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this
I cannot believe that ANYONE in their wildest dreams can think that ugay can still make the NCAAs. Simply look at their number of wins, and that will tell you the truth.
Get a grip!!!!
By baloney
February 22, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
I’ll be Chip and Big Dawg still think they can. Of course folks like that will still try to do the math when the dawgs are 4 games behind in the lost column with three games to play.
By JustMe
February 22, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this
The SEC is one of the worst BB “major” conferences. It will be a miracle if the SEC gets 4 teams into the NCAA - and ugay will NOT be one of them!!!
By colascdawg
February 22, 2007 01:44 PM | Link to this
I have not given up hope yet, the Dawgs have struggled all year on the road as do most teams, especially in conference against a team that is 13-1 at home. They must beat Miss St and UT at home to have any chance at the NCAA’s.
Maybe they will get smart and go back to penetrating the lane and dumping off down low or kicking the ball out instead of just jacking three’s from the perimeter.
Go Dawgs!
By Big Dawg
February 22, 2007 03:03 PM | Link to this
phillips
Big Dawg. Your intelligence/knowledge is obviously less than Baloney, so, perhaps you should be the one to stay off the blag(correct, not blog!!). Gaga gets creamed by OLD(or is it ole) MISS ,one of your must WINS. You guys are pathetic. NCAA. HA. If Tech can beat you(as bad as they are), you certainly are not deserving of any tournament…………Go Gators!!!!!
It seems I hit a nerve and while I appreciate Atlanta Gator coming to my defense I think you are full of anger and should get a grip on things. When I responded back to Baloney, I assumed you were a Tech fan and was one of those who continually come on the Dawg’s blog with a lot of hate and vitriol and I just didn’t feel like reading it. I knew it was going to be tough for my Dawgs to win at Ole Miss last night and like I said if they had played up to their capabilities then they would win, obviously they didn’t and matter of fact they stunk up the place. Now as to your remarks as to my intelligence/knowledge or lack thereof in your opinion, I would put my IQ, Class rating and SAT and ACT scores up against anybodies and if you were wondering I graduated third in my class 3.95 out of a 4.0 GPA, scored 1471 on the SAT and 29 on the ACT and when they tested my Intelligence Qoutent (IQ) in Grade School I scored a 135 with a maximum of 140 on the scale they using at the time.
By baloney
February 22, 2007 03:40 PM | Link to this
Big Dawg? You are sounding like a Tech grad. You are throwing up your academic prowess. Stick to sports.
By CAROLINA DOG
February 23, 2007 08:20 AM | Link to this
I GOT A QUESTION: WHY DO WE EXPECT OUR UNIVERSITIES TO GRADUATE A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF OUR ATHELETES(PEOPLE WHO GET IN DUE TO SPECIAL EXEMPTION) THAN OUR GENERAL STUDENT BODY?(PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO HAVE A 1300 SAT JUST TO GET CONSIDERED) IN TRUTH WE SHOULD BE FLUNKING THESE GUYS OUT LEFT AND RIGHT. NOT CROWING ABOUT HOW MANY GET GRADUATE.