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 > March > 05 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USFootball in March
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ah, yes. The skies are blue, the birds are chirping, the daffodils are blooming and the air is beginning to warm. Must be time for …
Football?
That’s right. The Georgia Bulldogs jogged onto Woodruff Practice Fields Monday afternoon. Good thing there’s six months until the season starts because they’ve got a lot of things to work out between now and then.
I’m going to rank them in importance. Now this is my opinion, and yours may be different (who are we kidding, it almost certainly will be), so I expect to hear what you’re thinking is:
1: Establish a starting five on the line.
Georgia’s in decent shape across the middle with Chester Adams, Fernando Velasco and Seth Watts but the real question is at the all-important tackle spots.
Redshirt freshman Josh Davis will likely man one spot but do the Dogs may play Velasco outside or have to depend on first-year guys such as Vince Vance, Trinton Sturdivant or Justin Anderson.
2: Linebackers: Brandon Miller specifically.
It’s a huge spring for the former SuperPrep All-American, who’s making a late and unusual move to middle linebacker. The Dogs badly need him to perform. They certainly haven’t gotten out of Miller what they expected when they inked the former AJC Super 11.
3: Find some D-ends.
Actually they’ve got them but it remains a question if Rod Battle, Marcus Howard or Jeremy Lomax can live up to their predecessors.
The rest of the spring is a matter of repetition and throwing, catching and running, in my opinion. Matt Stafford must continue to work on his timing and touch with his receivers, the Dogs are set at running back despite all the whining people do about it and I think their secondary can be a real strength this season.
Punting duties is the only real question mark and that won’t be resolved until Drew Butler joins the competition with Brian Mimbs in August.
Am I wrong?
Permalink | Comments (100) | Post your comment | Categories: Football
Comments
By baloney
March 5, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this
We know, we know. UGA will be very good this year,Mark Richt is a great coach,we filled our needs in ‘cruitin,we will win the SEC because UT ain’t that good, UF will have a let down,and we get Carolina at home. Last year was just a (fill in the blank)__. We’ve heard all these before.
By Ramble ON!
March 5, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this
WHAT ABOUT THE NIT?
By BlueMoonDawg
March 5, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this
Compared to others, the Dawgs really don’t have a lot to address. Some teams in the SEC only have one returner on the OLine. When you have the middle pretty much set, you’re not in bad shape.
But here goes my opinion in order… 1. Chris Davis is actually first on the depth chart right now, not Watts. Of course, it’s spring and it could change 5 times between now and then. Look for Bean, Haverkamp, JDavis and Vance to fight for the other two tackle spots and if someone can’t hold one down look for Adams to move outside, not Velasco. Bean could probably play guard this year.
Miller has been practicing middle for the last year in practice and has plenty of experience on the field so this move is not going to hurt the Dawgs, it will help. He’ll be in a more natural position there.
Look for Jarius Wynn and Battle to be the starters here. Howard and Lomax are too light to play every down. And look out RSF Kiante Tripp and Demarcus Dobbs to make an impact this year too.
By Chip Towers
March 5, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this
OK, we have Baloney’s thoughts. He thinks Georgia “will be very good this year,” that Mark Richt is “a great coach,” that the Bulldogs fulfilled their recruiting needs and that Georgia will win the SEC “because UT ain’t good, UF will have a letdown and South Carolina has to play in Athens.”
Probably a little optimistic in my opinion, Baloney, but thanks for sharing your thoughts.
And what about the NIT, Ramble ON?
By Bryan G.
March 5, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this
I think you’re spot on Chip. I am not sure that we can say for sure that we are okay at the DT position, though. Owens wasn’t as effective as we might have hoped last year and Weston just hasn’t shown the right stuff as of yet.
I agree about the secondary. We should be fine there with Oliver, Brown, Evans, and Allen at the Corners and with Kelin coming back with probably Reshad Jones.
By DenverDawg
March 5, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this
Hey Chip, who is going to be playing safety for us this year and how’s the health of our dominating fullbacks? P.S. Tech Sucks
By mcdawg
March 5, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this
i thought Velasco played extremely well last year and was often over looked-look for him to emerge as an All-SEC candidate by the end of the year
By UFownsUGA
March 5, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this
BlueMoon
One team in the SEC did return 4 of 5 starters from their OL. That is the team that is UGA’s daddy. That team is the SEC Champs. That team is the National Champs.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
March 5, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this
Matthew Stafford showed in the last 3 games that his touch and timing were doing quiet well. He threw long,short and in between and he;s shown that his continuing to work on his complete game is a given. IMO, Brandon Miller is the key to the Dawg “D” for ‘07. I believe that the DT position will be just fine and keep linemen off Miller so the question is does he have the nose for the ball that every outstanding MLB has to have. I never thought I’d see the day I agreed with baloney but I do. If the coaching staff can coach’m up we have what it takes this season to have a special team and we will be right in the hunt for the SEC Title.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
March 5, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this
forgot to ask, Chip will you be covering Dawg FB?
By Cuz
March 5, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this
We can only hope Buck, we can only hope.
By FootballFan
March 5, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this
Wow…it took 9 posts before someone mentioned Matt Stafford. He may be a little better but that won’t help when it comes to playing UF. As for Miller, he has always been a step slow for an SEC LB and I think UGA may have some younger guys who will step up and play more of a role than Miller has. The OL play will need to be much improved from last year but will be hard with all the new starters. Stafford will be hit A LOT this year!! I will enjoy watching another Gator victory this year in Jax!!!
By The Truth
March 5, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this
Chip, tell baloney, I mean Carter Strickland to stay off the UGA blog. What does having USC at home have to do with anything…we beat them at their place too. I think UT may be the team to beat with UF falling back a bit with Tebow at QB. Looks like a three horse race once again this year.
By JoeP
March 5, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this
Do you people not realize that baloney was being sarcastic?
By Chip Towers
March 5, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this
Buck, I always cover football but Carter Strickland is our primary guy. He’s at football practice right now. I’m at Stegeman Coliseum awaiting the end of basketball practice. But I’ll be at football as often as my schedule will allow.
By Cuz
March 5, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this
Here is a radical idea. How about a consistent running back instead of running back by committee. Sure swap out after several runs to catch their breath, but lets give a guy some carries. Just give us a consistent 20 carries or more back.
By Todd
March 5, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
Chip,
I agree, but what about 2-15 vs. UF, Mark Richt 1-6.
As a UGA grad I think alot of MR. I did, however grow up in Jax, FL and I’m still astonished at the crime committed by the old guard, the powers to be over at the UGA Athletic Dept.
I think it could go either way next yr., but part of me thinks Tenn. is about to turn UGA back in to it’s solid 3rd in the SEC spot. That could even end, when we go to Columbia in 08.
As much as I like MR, he’s not tough enough or cares enough to overcome the big, fat, bad tasting monster Gator hanging over the Dawg Nation.
Can Ga ever beat UT and Fl in the same yr?
Finally, why does everybody think Damon Evans is some great hire? Basically, the Athletic Board took VD’s advice that the guy was a good, fiscally sound admin. and that’s what the position needed. The old guard wouldn’t even consider Greg McGarity down in G’ville for the job b/c he turn coated and put on the Gator colors!
The only way GA ends the Gator nightmare under MR is if Stafford (from Texas and didn’t grow up hating the Gators) is that good and posts a couple of consecutive wins in Jax.
Who cares about the synopsis from Spring practice, same ole, same ole, I hope Stafford is the guy and MR is not staring at 1-8 against the Gators.
Late
By honest_abe
March 5, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this
ya the secondary is stacked.. don’t forget about thomas flowers.
i think its obvious the biggest question marks are going to be centered around both lines. without a proven defensive end coupled with a lot of question marks surrounding our offensive line. uga’s offensive line has seemingly (this just my observation) pass blocked extremely well the last couple of years but hasn’t looked so hot in knocking people off the line of scrimmage. i wonder if that will change with a coach searels.
i think a lot of people in dawg nation would like to see CMR settle on one back. i just like to think not one of them has been able to single themselves out. i can only imagine how great thomas brown is in practice. because everybody talks about how great he is and i see flashes during games. but last year? it seemed like he was always going backward before he got hurt. lump has the well documented pass blocking defencies. and ware was the 3rd best back on the team. hopefully lump comes in ready to play and takes over the tb position all by himself.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
March 5, 2007 5:56 PM | Link to this
Todd, you hit it out! Matthew Stafford isn’t afraid of anybody we play. He was thrown into the SC game last year and led the team to a win. Don’t you think that SOS was furious when A TRUE FRESHMAN CALLED AN AUDIBLE, QB DRAW, AND BROKE TWO TACKLES TO SCORE? Stafford only feelings about the Reptiles is it’s just another big game and now that he’ll have some help plus he’s worked on his mistakes, we’ll win the “Party” game. I grew up in J’ville and I know what you feel. Here’s the key. We have a “OC” that’s a very agressive guy and a QB that’s the same way. Bobo and Stafford both are attack type of guys who’re on the same page. Mark my words, the Dawgs WILL be in the hunt. The 1st two games are critical, win those and we’re off and running. One thing for sure, STAFFORD RESPECTS SOS BUT HE’S SURE NOT AFRAID OF HIM.
By NewnanDawg CF
March 5, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this
Very valid points Chip, and I understand that the market demands that you discuss football any chance you get. However, you have yet to attend a practice. We have nothing yet from the coaches. We have no idea who might get hurt before the season ever starts. I just find this discussion a little absurd right now. Of course, here I am reading it and commenting. Anyway, I will be attending a practice later this month, and of course the spring game. I’ll have some real opinions then. For now, maybe if you don’t respond to Baloney, he’ll just go away…..
Go Dawgs in the tourny this weekend! Friday would be a great time for our first upset of the Gators….
By GREG
March 5, 2007 6:47 PM | Link to this
WE NEED TO OUT THERE AND PLAY HARD AND WIN MAN!!!
By only a highschool grad
March 5, 2007 7:53 PM | Link to this
cmr please pick out one tailback and give him the ball 25 times a game and let him get into a routine
By Buck Cochran in the NW
March 5, 2007 8:25 PM | Link to this
CMR, please stick to the “O” you and Bobo are devloping and DON’T GIVE RB THE BALL 25 TIMES A GAME. Those days are gone and why waste the talent we have. We have a QB who can throw that ball. We need for our play makers to come through(WRs). Look around and you’ll see that VERY VERY few teams rely on a Rb carring the ball 25 times a game. I don’t want the “D” of other teams knowing that a guy is going to get the ball that much. I want to see them guessing. CMR, just let Bobo keep on doing what he is. We all saw a sample of the Dawg “O” in the 2nd half og the CFB and that looked good enough for me. BTW, what’s wrong with a FB column with Spring practice starting. There’s a baketball story about shooting 3s so where’s the problem?
By P-Dawg in Tulsa
March 5, 2007 8:31 PM | Link to this
o-line o-line 0-line
By Ft Worth Dawg
March 5, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this
Chip — What’s the due date on your upcoming family addition? Is it GA-FL weekend?
By texasdawg
March 5, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this
Damn….Knowshon looks GOOD in that #24!
By reality check
March 5, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this
Georgia will be better on offense this year than last. The offensive line has 2 starters back, several promising JC recruits and young talent. We will be sound on the Offensive line.
The offense had 2 problems last year. One has been overcome. Stafford has learned not to throw the ball when he shouldn’t.
The other offensive problem has been the receivers. They have just been terrible with all the dropped balls. Maybe with maturity they will improve, and maybe Bailey’s return will help. I don’t believe they can get worse, or at least I hope not. Reportedly Trip Chandler is not a good receiver. The Tight End has been big in Georgia’s receiving game, but honestly there have been more drops by the tight ends than anybody.
The loss of the defensive ends is by far the team’s biggest problem in my view. The Dawgs will miss Taylor and Jackson, but the replacements at linebacker have good talent, as does the interior line. The defensive backs are strong as Gorilla’s breath. The big talent dropoff is at the ends, and unfortunately in Georgia’s scheme that’s huge.
I don’t believe Georgia will be as good on defense this year as last, but we will still be good.
The kicking game was a disaster last year when Coutu got hurt. Even with a new punter things will be better with Coutu back.
The SEC East is going to be unusually competitive this year. Georgia will be better overall this year than last and a solid contender for the SEC East.
By Chip Towers
March 5, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this
How ‘bout that news on Seth Watts? Seems like everything that negatively impacts Georgia strikes O-line or linebacker.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
March 5, 2007 11:09 PM | Link to this
Chip is he gone for good? That wasn’t clear.
By Hawaii Dawg
March 6, 2007 3:25 AM | Link to this
It is all about the O-line. If you block, you can run, you can throw. Defense doesn’t have to work as hard. There were too few times last year the offense took over a game. Saw a little of that at the end of the season. Hoping it was a sign of things to come. The year will also tell if CMR is a great coach or just a good one. No matter, I will be cheering the Dawgs on.
By Never went there
March 6, 2007 6:59 AM | Link to this
Ah, spring football. Luckily the basketball team swooned just in time not to interfere with spring practice. Felton sucks.
By AltamahaDawg
March 6, 2007 7:14 AM | Link to this
JoeP , do you not realize that people were being sarcastic back?
By JB
March 6, 2007 7:41 AM | Link to this
These UF falks crack me up. Are they aware that they lost like 8 starters on D?
Do they also know that the pendulun will always swing back?
They forget the 90’s and UT used to say much the same till we won 5 straight.
Enjoy being on top but spare us the thought that it will never end. It will.
HBTD!
By FootballFan
March 6, 2007 8:58 AM | Link to this
JB….It is not like fans are reaching when speaking of UF’s DOMINATION of UGA. Come on. The last 17 years the Gators have won 15!!! St. Richt only has 1 win over them and the greatest QB in the history of UGA Football, Matt Stafford, could not beat them last year. UF could lose 22 starters and until you guys actually beat UF consistently, I would not believe UGA can win that game. No chance they do this year!!
By mark
March 6, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this
I know we won the SEC with this 3 man rotation at RB but the last time we were a NC contenders was 02 when Musa Smith got almost all the carries. I can see maybe rotating 2 RBs but def. not 3. I just think that a lot of that position is getting a feel for the game. The coaches say “if a guy gets hot then we’ll keep feeding him the ball…” BULL!! “it keeps the guys fresh” IF THEY NEED TO ALTERNATE THE WAY THEY DO TO STAY FRESH THEN YOU NEED A NEW CONDIDTIONING PROGRAM!!!!!!! We will not win a NC with a 3 man RB rotation!! Mark my words! If i’m wrong then we’ll have a NC and I’ll never blog again. We’ll see if i’m right in the next few years!
By jeff
March 6, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this
Yea, UF may be Uga’s daddy now, and have been for many years. But like life, the boy grows up someday and the daddy can’t beat the MAN no more!
Mathew Stafford will be the MAN!
By SamoanDawg
March 6, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this
Sounds like Seth is gone for good. dadgumit!.. wish him the best though.
D-line will be okay w/Weston/Owens in the middle. Although, I do agreed w/one of the dawgs about Jeff Owens’ performance last season. He looked slow/fatigue. I think he put on too much weight. Weston looked good though. Geno Atkins will provide some push up the middle too.
O-line, o-line, o-line… everbody knows this is the main focus through spring and long summer awaiting. I think we finally have the enough bodies to be competitive. I trust in coach Searels.
Keep up the good job Chip!
Mahalo nu’i loa.
Aloha!
By Buck Cochran in the NW
March 6, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this
FOOTBALL FAN, YOU ARE RIGHT! WE MUST TAKE IT BACK FROM YOU ON THE FIELD. B.S. TALKS AND MONMEY WALKS. i FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT STAFFORD IS THE MONEY WE’VE NEEDED TO WALK WITH FOR A LONG TIME. YOUI CAN REMEMBER THIS IN OC. AND COME BACK AT ME BUT THIS YEAR WE’LL WIN THE “PARTY”. I’M SO SURE OF IT THAT I’M COMING HOME TO BE THERE. YOU’VE WON IT FAIR AND SQUARE AND NOW WE MUST MANO V MANO TAKE IT BACK……..MARK, YOU GOT IT.
By FootballFan
March 6, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this
Jeff….If Stafford throws picks like he did last year, we will enjoy watching “The Man” for as long as he is there. SEC DB’s will love the guy!!!
By Matthew at the SLC
March 6, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this
Here’s the thing: the Gators have an unproven guy in Turdbow coming in to start. People (and I use that term “people” loosely when applied to Gaturds) want to say that last year proved that Urban Meyer’s spread can work in the SEC. Well, it would if it were true. Unfortunately, Meyer didn’t run the spread last year. He ran a pro-style offense with elements of the spread mixed in (much like Auburn and LSU does, and like we will be doing this year). I will reitterate: a true spread offense, like the one Meyer WANTS to run, will never work in the SEC. LBs and Safeties are just too damn fast. Now, if Meyer were smart, he’d keep his hybridized offense, because that actually gives him the best chance to win; keeping the opposing defenses guessing. But I think his ego is far too big, and it overrides any sense of smarts he has. He wants to win his way so bad and hates that he had to “compromise” to win a different way. Florida, under Turdbow (who, by the way, we found towards the end of the year will fumble the ball quite frequently if hit enough), will lose 4 games this year. If there is one team that the Dawgs have to worry about, it’s Tennessee, and only Tennessee. Fat Phil has a great college QB up there and a team built to win this year. This is a senior heavy team, and a team that will be poised and confident. Playing them in Knoxville is not going to be easy. As for the Lamecocks, haven’t we heard (especially from that idiot, Lou Holtz) the last 5 or so years, that THIS year’s team is going to be the team that wins the East? Well, once again, it’s THIS year for Lamecock Gary and his Lamecock Clan (they’re not really a Nation), and once again, Lamecock Gary is going to forget all about LAST year, when the Dawgs beat the Lamecocks (again), and talk a bunch of trash and then disapear for another 6 mos or so after the Dawgs win (again). I can’t wait. Where are you Lamecock Gary? I know you’re out there.
And, unfortunately, Chip, I have to ask, because this is a situation which is untennable and just plain unfair to Bulldawg Nation. Why are we going to be subjected to another year of Carter Strickland as the beat writer for our beloved football team? I mean, you’ve done an outstanding job covering basketball. You actually got one guy calling himself “football only” to renounce his position and embrace UGA sports as a whole. You have a great connection with us, the Bulldawg Nation. You respect us, and we respect you. You don’t talk down to us, or treat us like idiots, or treat us like we’re beneath you. You’re not condescending. You actually appear to like your job covering the Dawgs, and it comes through in your writing. The reason I bring all of this up is because Carter Strickland does NONE of that. He does not have a good relationship with Bulldawg Nation, and it is because he is condescending, he comes across in his writing and unimaginative blogs and ill-concieved blogs as not being excited by his job, he treats us as if we’re beneath him, and he doesn’t respect us (and I’m talking about the non-crazy fans here, too). His blogs are insepid tripe. A monkey could do better in finding topics on which to talk about. He’s a jerk. So why do we get stuck with him for football when we have you for basketball, and the Bugs have Winklejohn, an excellent, fan-friendly beat writer for their team? We’re the Big Dawgs here (pun intended). We should have both Winklejohn AND Towers, I say. So what’s the deal? We hate Carter Strickland as much as Patriots fans hate Ron Borges. If only we were so lucky that Strickland would be suspended without pay for 2 months. Seriously, Chip, I know you’ve come to this guy’s defense a few times, but we would like him as much as we like you if, well, he was like you and not the condescending jerk he is. He brought this all on himself. Every sling and arrow Strickland suffers at the hands of Bulldawg Nation is self-inflicted. Once again, we’d like him fine if he was like you (i.e.; not a jerk). What’s a guy who obviously dislikes his job as much as Strickland does (hates the SEC, doesn’t care for the team he’s covering, loathes the fan base) doing keeping said job, especially when the people who buy the papers and get online dislike him so much? We want you, Chip, or Matt Winklejohn to cover Dawg Football. Much like the Democrats in the 2004 Election, I say, unto everyone… ANYONE but Carter Strickland in 2007!!!
By FootballFan
March 6, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this
Buck…I guess what I dont understand is why you hype of this kid so much. He did nothing out of the ordinary last year to make anyone believe he is the next great SEC QB. He had a TON of interceptions and had basically one, maybe 2 really good games. He even had to be replaced by Joe Cox in the Colorado game because he was so bad. I think there are QB’s in the league that are better than Stafford right now and QB’s who will be better than him as the years go one. Tebow will be a better QB than Stafford due to the fact that he can run the ball and will be throwing it this year and you will have to stop both. Hell, John Parker Wilson has a better season as a starter in his first year and was the victim of bad coaching. I don’t think Stafford is a bad QB. Not at all. I just think you should let him accomplish a little more than 1 big win in his career before deeming him the greatest to play the game! The infatuation you UGA fans have with this guy is down right frightening and a little psychotic!!
By Bradley G
March 6, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this
My top 5 questions for 2007:
1) Can the WRs catch the ball? 2) Can one RB learn how to run, catch, AND block? 3) Can the WLB and SLB overcome Brandon Miller’s ineptness at MLB? 4) Can the OL be given a blocking scheme that makes sense (whoever they are)? 5) Can CMR really let Bobo call the plays?
By Buck Cochran in the NW
March 6, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this
Matthew at the SLC, I’ll just make everyone happy and SHUT UP! THERE’S NO WAY I COULD EXPRESS ANY BETER ABOUT cARTER THAN YOU JUST DID…….”BRAVO”!
By Matthew at the SLC
March 6, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this
Buck, don’t shut up, I enjoy the stuff you write, and thanks. Someone had to say it, to plead our case before Chip, who I think actually likes us. Maybe, on day, Chip’s bosses will hear us, too, and rid us of this plague known as Strickland!
By Pitbull
March 6, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this
The Gayturds may be good on the field and even on the court, but they are still ashamed to talk about the fact that they suffer from e-reptile dysfunction.
By gdawg
March 6, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this
Prediction time- Georgia beats Gayturds the next 3 years straight. Guaranteed!
By FootballFan
March 6, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this
Matthew…newsflash to you my friend. It is not the beat writers responsibility to be a fan of the team he is writing about. His job is to write about the team even if it is not something the fans really want to hear. I know you guys would like to cover up all the off season arrests and keep quiet all the stories about players who are not playing well. I also know you guys would like to have daily article of what Matt Stafford did at every minute of the day. A journalist is supported to write what he sees and that is what Carter and Chip do. They both do a good job and you guys need to get over it because not everything is perfect in Athens. You want proof, check out the arrest rate of UGA football players!! It reaching UT levels!!!
By Orkin man
March 6, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this
Only a bug would come on this site and mention basketball. Yawn. Typical.
That poll about running backs on ajc.com shows how close to the vest CMR has been about Moreno — most of the votes went to Lumpkin. People have no idea what a stud Moreno is. I can’t wait for this season. If this OL can open any holes at all, watch for Moreno to get 1000 yards. And just thinking about what play action could then do for Stafford makes me as giddy as a Tech fan at a Star Trek convention.
By Cuz
March 6, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this
There is a difference between Carter Strickland the writer of actually pretty darn good articles on Dawg football and Carter “the ignorant slut” blog topic writer. I swear he has an evil twin that writes the blog topics or he just gets a kick out of hate blogs and being called an ignorant slut.
Keep Carter writing articles and Chip writing the blog topics.
By FootballFan Sux
March 6, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this
Hey Football Fan…
If you think Turdbow is going to be running the ball like he did last year, you are in for a big surprise. He was only able to do that last year because he had Leak to come in and give him a blow. Everybody in the nation also saw your beloved Turdbow get clobbered in the UGA game and get that smirk knocked off his face. Frankly, his arm is NOT impressive at all. Also, with 8 new starters on D, Stafford should be able to pick apart that daunted secondary.BTW, suspensions happen at UGA because we actually police the players. At UF, they let the players do anything, like get caught TWICE with drugs and throw kegs off balconies at students…these players still get to play football. Also, Cryer is a damn liar when he straight up tells ALL recruits that Florida does not redshirt freshmen!
By Matthew at the SLC
March 6, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this
FootballFan, you need to check your facts and get all of your stories straight. We don’t hate Carter Strickland because he isn’t a “fan.” Chip isn’t a “fan.” Chip is a good guy, a good writer, and he is respectful of the fanbase. Chip geniunely likes his JOB, the SEC, and yes, the team he covers. To be a good beat writer, you have to get along with the fanbase and the team you cover. See: Dave O’Brien. Carter Strickland is none of that. He’s an arrogant, condescending pr—k. It’s obvious that he hates the SEC and he does’t really care to cover the Dawgs, as everything he writes is covered in what I’m sure he thinks are witty remarks about the team that are actually snide and well, condescending, to over-use a word. His blogs are crap, and the only relationship he has with the fanbase is a bad one, which he cultivated all on his own. Chip reaches out, Carter speaks down to disrespectfully. We don’t want a guy to slobber all over the team. But we do want a guy who’s respectful and enjoys his job, which if you ever read any of the crap that Carter writes (including his snide articles and columns), you can tell, there’s somewhere else he’d rather be. We deserve better. The Dawgs deserve better.
ANYONE but Carter Strickland in 2007!!!
By Pitbull
March 6, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this
I like big hairy butts and i still don’t like Carter.
ANYONE BUT CATER IN ‘07!
By FootballFan
March 6, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this
So…FootballFan Sux…I didn’t know we had to get personal here. I have never done that but as long as it makes you feel better. I am not a florida fan. I am a fan who has a dislike of UGA. No big deal though because I am sure there are teams that you dont like in the SEC. My guess is UF would be one of them. If my team lost 15 of 17 to a certain team, I would dislike them too.
As for Tebow, he did his job last year to help his team win a NATIONAL TITLE! Something UGA fans have not seen in a long time and that will continue. He didnt throw a lot last year because he didnt need to. Not sure if watched anything but the UF/UGA game last year, but he was pretty successful running the ball. This year, teams will have to guard the pass as well. As for Stafford picking apart that defense, he will need time to block and while UF loses some players on D, UGA lost a lot of OL. On top of that they lost a lot of bad OL. That means one of two things. 1. They will have to play the guys who were not good enough to play infront of that bad OL from last year. 2. They will have to start a bunch of Juco transfers. Either way, teams are going to have a fun time hitting UGA’s Golden Chile. Uf is returning all 5 starters from the OL last year which will give Tebow plenty of time to throw. UGA wont have Johnson and Moses to rush the passer this year either. With the way that Meyer is recruiting at UF, it will be a long time before UGA beats that team again. I would not be surprised to see UGA lose 4 or 5 games this year.
By Matthew at the SLC
March 6, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this
Ah, so football fan is a Bug! No wonder why he won’t tell us where his true fandom lies! He’s too embarrassed to admit that he’s a Bug, so he just says he’s a Dawg Hater. Wow. Isn’t it weird that when we identify our fandom, we call ourselves Dawg Nation, or Dawg Fans, and Bugs never cop to being Tech Fans? They always claim to be Dawg Haters. They identify more with their hatred of us then they do with their own crappy team. Hey, Football Fan, I can guarantee you TWO things. One, is that we’re only going to lose 2 regular season games. The other is that one of those won’t be against your beloved Bugs. Counting those games against us in which y’all cheated so the NCAA took those wins away, we’ve now beaten y’all every year since 1991. So, against the Bugs, the Dawgs are 16 - 0! We’ve not lost to you since 1991! I say that’s worse than our record v. the Gaturds during that time. So go back to your Star Trek convention, Bug. I’m sure there’s a Kingon Hologram there waiting to fulfill all of your desires.
By Cuz
March 6, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this
I personally don’t care if you love us or hate us. Just a semi-intellectual discussion on the finest sport known to man, College football.
By UGA Alum '91
March 6, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this
1.O-Line 2.D-Line 3.Recieving corp 4.QB 5.consistancy at all posistions…. I would be surprised to us win more then ten but not surprised to see us lose more then 4. I have heard a gagillion UGA fans say this year after year,…. “This is a big year for us” ….. or ….. “Wait till next year!” I can honest say, imo, this year will be the building block for the next 3-4 years. I can see us going .500 but i can also see us making a new years day bowl. Let’s face it, we will lose to UF as we always do, more then likly lose to UT, we are due to lose to USC and Tech for that matter, Kentucky has the SEC offensive player of year last year and isnt going to be easy, OK St. is going to be extremly tuff opener with a very inexperience O-Line, AU is always a toss-up, Bama is rejuvinated. Seriously, i only see two gimme games (W. Kentucky & Troy) and 2 probables (Vandy & Ole Miss) There are 2 more then likly losses (UT & UF). The other 6 games are toss up’s either way. Stafford did absolutly nothing in the last 3, albiet impressive, victories. He just didn’t lose them. I think he averaged like 15 or so aatempts and 125yrds per game during that stretch run. Big friggin’ deal. I don’t know guys, I’m kindda on the fence with this year. You just simply can’t win in the SEC when your starting QB avg’s 15 attempts with 125 yrds per game and if you turn the gunslinger loose then we have to be prepaired for the 20 int season. If we win the ones we should (we couldnt do it last yr so why should we this year,,,, BUTT assuming we do) thats 4 wins. We lose the ones we more then likly will and we usally do with exception to LSU in the SEC championship. Then we are 4 and 2 with six games left to play. If we go .500 we are in the Music City Bowl at 7-5. If we do well and go 4-2 in those six games we finish 8 and 4… hellow Peach Bowl. If we do really well, 9 - 3 and maybe Outback. If we surprise even ourselves and all six of those “toss-up games (which i seriously doubt any team one year removed from losing to BOTH Vandy and Kentucky can do) we go 10 - 2 and going New Years day bowling. That is the absolute best we can hope for. MARK MY WORDS…. the ‘07 Bulldogs are, at best, a mediocre team in the SEC East.
By FootballFan
March 6, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this
Matthew…I have no problem telling you I am an Ohio State grad and fan who now lives in GA. Since this is a FREE OnLine Site and since I am a resident of GA and a football fan, I think I have every right to post here. Take whatever shots at my team you wish but before you do, I will can remind you of our last national title and last time we played for it. They are both in the much more recent past than yours!! Sorry to bring up that FACT! Being that I live in GA I see and hear about UGA a lot. UGA has recruited very well the last few years so there is no reason why UGA has not competed for a title yet and dont give me this “It is too hard in the SEC” because UF and LSU have both done so in the last 5 years. Last year was an average year and I expect the same from this year with you OL having little or no experience. The Golden Boy will be smacked around. I looked over your schedule and think you will lose 4 - 5 games this year. Those will be USC. Why can’t I think that? You seem to believe you will beat UF this year. UT, BAMA, AU and UF will be the others in my guestimate. You guys could concievable win at BAMA due to the new coach and system but I would put my money on the home team now. UT is on the upswing and should be able to continue the embarrassment they put on you guys last year. What was that, 50 they score in YOUR stadium. AU because it is in Athens and those two teams hate winning at home against each other. UF will win because, well they are UF and they own you guys!
Go ahead and say what you want about my team but you cant argue national title hardware we have won recently! Hope that clears things up for you.
By Uber Dawg
March 6, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this
I would just like to see the Dogs be consistant. Either way, consistantly bad or consistantly good. Just be consistant.
By War Eagle
March 6, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this
Looks like the SEC will have 12-14 players in the first round. Ben Grubbs, Auburn Ol and Charles Johnson, will be middle round. Grubbs will probably be selected little higher because of the position.What a QB unrest at the Gamecocks nest. Spurrier will have his hands full with those lively players.Sorry about Watts. What happen to him?
By ufgator01
March 6, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
I keep hearing all this business about winning those last three games. VA Tech’s QB pulled a Stafford, GA Tech’s Reggie was …. well, Reggie, and the Auburn game…… if you play 13 games, you are bound to have one good one. This year, it is more likly that UGA goes 6-6 then 10-2. Please SHUT UP with the UGA is amoungst the eliet NCAA FBall teams. You guys do less with more then ANYOTHER team…. except for Miami and FSU and that is only in the last 2 yrs but Since the early 90’s UGA has consistantly been in the top 5 recruiting classes….. probably more then any other team except for a handfull and has ZERO NC’s. Like i said, UGA does less with more then any other D1 FBall school.
By Easy Mouthbreathers
March 6, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this
In many ways, Carter Strickland carries the same charecteristics as UGA fans. It is almost a perfect fit. HE is obnocious but has no reason to be. He hasn’t won a Pulitzer and UGA hasn’t won a National Championship. He makes subjective and unsubstantiaed statements. Exactly like most Bulldog backers. He is condisending but yet has done nothing to justify is condisending stature. The only difference that i can see btween the a UGA fan and CS is that he speaks with his brain (most of the time) and not his heart. Where, most UGA fans speak with their heart and not their brain. Other then that, I think CS is a perfect fit for the Bulldog faithful.
By Cuz
March 6, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this
I will be the first to admit that in the last fifteen years Florida has owned the series against UGA. No matter what kind of team we have, we wind up on the losing end when the clock goes to zero.
Having said that, last year was the first year that Florida has played in the SEC title game in how long? I believe it was the first since Coach Richt came to Athens. Since CMR we have won the SEC twice and the East three times, or is it four, I think three. So in terms of consistency, winning our division and losing to Florida, we are the more consistent team. So there!!!
By Matthew at the SLC
March 6, 2007 6:57 PM | Link to this
Football Fan, you have your title in 2002, too bad you didn’t play a better team than Miami. Just like with USC who’s 1 1/2 titles are tainted because they played terrible, overrated teams in their Bowl Games instead of the teams they should have played (LSU and Auburn) which would have soundly beat them and rendered this whole USC Dynasty moot, Ohio State was proven to be a fraud last year. Face it football fan. OSU plays in a conference in which there are MAYBE two good teams a year. And that’s compared to the rest of your teams in the conference, which are crap. Michigan may win 10 games a year playing in the Big 11 (y’all can’t count), but does that really mean anything? I mean, yeah, with ESPN and the Eastern Writers in the Big 11’s pocket, those 10 games gets Michigan into the top-10 (where they don’t belong) and 11 wins gets OSU the No. 1 position (which they don’t deserve). I’ll tell you what, and it was finally proven last year, Football Fan: 2 losses in the SEC means more than going undefeated in the Big 11. And you can deny it all you want, but it’s true, and you know it’s true, and it eats you up inside. I would have put the top 6 teams in the SEC against Michigan and OSU, and I guarantee you those SEC teams would win 8 times out of 10.
The Big 11. Come talk to us when you play big time college football, or don’t get blown out in your bowl games.
And to the gaturd, no one is saying y’all haven’t been taking us to the wooodshed for awhile now, but it seems to me, in the last 5 years, we’ve won the East 3 times and the SEC twice. We are elite. For you to deny that is just proves gaturds are the same as retards. Don’t get too big for your britches. Enjoy what you had last year, but realize it means nothing come the first weekend in September THIS year.
By S.E Dawg
March 6, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this
Please excuse me for not reading all the post but a least we have a head coach that has the balls to sit a player 2-5 games because of the trouble he’s placed upon himself. Spurrier and Phat Phil just pretend to punish players. There’s no telling what might be going on with UF that we never hear about.
By FootballFan
March 6, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this
Matthew….Since that match up cannot happen between out teams I would be happy to watch the OSU D take on Matthew “Which Team Should I Throw It To” Stafford. The kid had so much hype last year and did NOTHING. He won ONE big game out of the 13 that you played. I could win one game in 13. I know you want to try to give him credit for the Va Tech game but it was the D, not the O!!! Your team is nothing better than a 3rd place team in the East and that will be the case for a while to come with UT and UF recruiting the way they have. Besides, you coach has to worry about how many players will be arrested before he can think about football. OSU would have beaten UGA by 3 TD’s and the D would have been responisble for 2 with Mr. Interception playing QB.
By SamoanDawg
March 6, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this
According to coach Richt, Ok St’s offense ranks top 10 in the nation. That means Martinez has a lot of work cut out for him already. They have a dual threat QB. We have to contain him on 3rd down situations. Of course, shut down their running attack first. I think our D-skill players match up well w/theirs.
Their defense is very iffy. They do give up big chunks of yards/big plays. When our o-line gets in synch, I think Stafford/Lumpkin will have a big day and a big win to get the season started.
I know, I know… it’s too early to predict anything right now. But it’s spring football madness.
By Matthew at the SLC
March 6, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this
Football Fan, the thing here in Athens is, when a player gets in trouble, the press reports it because the cops don’t hide it. The cops here don’t first tell the coach, and then he hushes it up like they do in Columbus in the Big 11. It’s amazing what you can hide behind a sweater vest, Football Fan. OSU is dirty, and Tressell is not the choir boy everyone makes him out to be. Here’s the thing, Football Fan, Stafford was a true freshman last year. LAST year. He got better with every game. He finished the year beating 3 straight top-15 teams, including the No. 4 team in the nation. Troy “I’m a Fraud just like Jason White and Eric Crouch” Smith never did that during his career. So you can spin the stats to fit whatever idiot argument you have. It’s indisputable that Matt got better and better and finished better than any QB in football last year. As a sophomore, with the offense geared to only his strengths, with all the No. 1 snaps, and with a full year of Coach Bobo calling the plays (God, no more sprint draws… PLEASE!), this is going to be a much better year than last, If Coach Mark Richt had went with talent last year instead of his misguided sense of loyalty to the worst QB on our roster, Stafford’s year would have been much better as he progressed. Turdbow, who you seem to have a man crush on (which is weird, because I thought only the mullet-headed, jean shorts-wearing parts of our population had man-crushes on him) isn’t half the QB Stafford is. And for someone who professes to “know” football, you have no clue that Matt can run? Watch, dude. Just watch. The big kid can move. He’s no Leftwich. More like an early career Dante Culpepper or Steve McNair.
Once again, I’d rather be Georgia this year (and every year), playing in a REAL football conference against the best teams IN college football (even if it means only winning the conference every few years or so), then be the frauds from the Big 11 (really, y’all should learn to count), playing in the most overrated conference in college football and having everything handed to me by writers with a northern bias. Dude, winning the SEC means more than winning the Mythical National Championship. You know why? It’s HARDER to win the SEC than it is to win the Mythical National Championship.
By Matthew at the SLC
March 7, 2007 12:11 AM | Link to this
Well, didn’t win the drawing tonight, so I think I’ll head in. SomoanDawg… I can see where you’re worried, but have faith, brah. We’ll be okay. It got dark last year, but we finished well, right? Remember, after the storm, comes the rainbow. It’s all rainbows here in Athens. Matt will have to endure some bumps and bruises (figuratively and literally) this year, but because of the invaluable experience he recieved last year, he’ll weather those storms. He’ll respond well to adversity, unlike I think, a certain Golden Boy down in Mulletsville, FL. Aloha kakahiaka.
By exNFLplayer
March 7, 2007 7:14 AM | Link to this
Rest easy dawg fans. IF your offensive line gels things begin to really get good in Athens. Lots of points and big plays off play action in your future. Lumpkin and Knowshon Moreno power running game that will make Matthew Stafford look like the 2nd coming. Folks, the kid is a real gunslinger. The defense is not a concern.
By FootballFan
March 7, 2007 9:05 AM | Link to this
So…you are going to go with covering things up is how every other school does it. All the other coaches have dont have to worry about it because the cops will keep it on the down low? I suppose that is your way of justify the delinquents you have up in Athens. Let me ask you a question. If you or I get arrested, are the cops going to make a phone call to our boss or parents to let them know what happened so they can handle it how they see fit or are they going to go with what the law says and if you break a law that requires you be arrested, then follow the law? Why should a UGA football player be treated any differently? I am not sure what view you have of UGA football players but it seems you think they should receive special treatment. In the end, what does Richt do? He gives the mandatory one game suspension (based on University Standards, not his) and then looks the other way. I think you had a player several years ago get arrested twice between January and July and he played the entire year because Richt felt his punishment by the law was enough. Whatever it takes to win baby!!
You can go along with you delusion that the SEC title means more than a National Title. Ask any team what their goal of a season is and I assure you it is to win a national title. To think otherwise shows you are a UGA fans who has won SEC titles but cannot remember what it feels like to win a NC!
I hate to break it to you but Stafford is not better a QB than an other in the SEC. I know you guys think he is the greatest QB ever but he didnt have a very good year last year and you know it. Please tell me a QB other than Reggie Ball who didnt get better every game! If he is as good as you want to believe, being a freshman is irrelevant. He should have been able to overcome that. The QB at Alabama was a first year starter as well and he had a MUCH better season than Stafford and he will agian this year because he has 5 returning starters on OL and receivers who actually can catch the ball. As for Tebow, no one has nearly the man crush on him that you guys have on Stafford. However, when all is said and done, he will be a FAR better QB than your beloved Matt. He too has a OL to block for him and WR who like to catch the ball. Your receivers last year were a joke and unless a miracle happens, that wont change. Last I heard you still have the same WR coach. I know you think Troy Smith has never done anything but he did win the HEISMANN TROPHY and played for the National Title. That is something Stafford and your mutts will never do!!!
By SamoanDawg
March 7, 2007 9:16 AM | Link to this
Matthew at the SLC.. I agreed w/ya brah. I’m not worry at all. I think once we get our o-line in sync, we’ll have a very balance team.
Looking at the WR position, we’re loaded! Yes, we dropped heaps of balls, but I think this year our WR will finally live up to the hype. I really like our TEs too. I think they’re underrated b/c no one in the league has heard much about Chandler/Watson and Ward yet.
It’s six months counting down.. hopefully none of our knuckle heads make silly mistakes. Fla sure is quiet down there. They sweep their troubles under the that gator skin.
BTW.. I like the vest sweater comment. That’s funny brah. Football fan finally revealed his team. Maybe he was trying to hide under that vest sweater.
By exNFLplayer
March 7, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this
By FootballFan
March 7, 2007 9:05 AM hate to break it to you but Stafford is not better a QB than an other in the SEC.
You don’t know a heckuva lot about football do you fan?
By Orkin man
March 7, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this
Is Sean Bailey practicing?
By FootballFan
March 7, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this
exNFLplayer…Why do you say that? Because I don’t believe that UGA is the be all end all of football existance or because I dont worship the ground that Matt Stafford walks on. What is your justication for thinking I know nothing about football. Prove to me that you do and explain why Stafford is such a good QB. Do so without using the sentence he got better with each game. Any half way decent QB does that. Please tell me of the top QB’s in the SEC, who he is better than and why and give me fact not his potential. I look forward to your insightful response!
By Matthew at the SLC
March 7, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this
Football Fan, if you keep on insisting that Stafford didn’t improve last year you are either deaf and blind, or just plain ignorant. I’m picking ignorant. And John Parker Wilson, he wasn’t a True Freshman. He was in the offense, practicing for a few years, so he had a basis to come in. Matt took part in Spring Practices. Dude, no wonder I hate OSU fans so much. I used to think it’s because y’all’s sense of entitlement was bigger than your girl’s a—es up north there. But now I just see that y’all know nothing about football to boot. Then again, I can see how y’all could be so ignorant. I mean, playing in the most overrated conference in college football, being handed Mythical National Championships on a plate by biased writers without hacving to play the real best teams, I guess I would be a dumba—, too if I was a fan like that.
By FootballFan
March 7, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this
Matthew…why the bitterness and hostility? Sorry you cannot accept that I dont accept Stafford as a football God but we are just talking football my friend. Calm down and realize that not everyone is a UGA fan just like I understand not everyone is an OSU fan!
As for Stafford, I never said he didn’t improve. I said that of course he improved. Most good QB’s do. I just said he didn’t do anything to justify himself as one of the national or even SEC elite QB’s. No where I did I ever say he was not a good QB. I said that he was not as good as some other SEC QB’s. Go back and read through and you will see that. Face the facts that there are other better QB’s in this league than you beloved golden boy. As for Wilson over at BAMA, I agree he has have a year and a half in the system. But, there was a difference in being a good practice QB last year(Stafford) and being a good game QB (Wilson). I expect to see the same this year because Wilson has 2 things Stafford doesn’t. An experience OL and WR who like catching the ball.
Gets you facts straight before you accuse me of saying something. I know the concept is foreign to you, but I will say it again and maybe you will learn. NOT EVERYONE IS A UGA FAN!
By I-DOG
March 7, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this
Chip, I have to agree that the Offensive Line seems to have all the injury and washout problems. If you think about what we have lost it is just incredible.
Seth Watts - Top 100 Player in South, quits team his RS Junior Year. Played sparingly as a backup for one year.
Ian Smith - Top 100 Player in the South. Suspended for half the season for his RS Soph year after a shorter suspension his RF year. Hasn’t contributed much and the future looks pretty dim.
David Obemyer (spelling?) - Top 100 player in the South. Injuries prevented him from ever playing a down for the Dawgs.
Bartly Miller - Starts as true Freshman and shows a lot of potential… injuries force him out for a couple of years and he then he tries to come back, I think he played a series or two, but the shoulder wouldn’t hold up
Can’t remember his name but there was another guard that had an almost identical situation as Bartley.
Brown - Top 100 player in the South, we lose him to FL in recruiting, he has problems there and then transfers to UGA where he would have been eligible this season. He washes out.
There are many many others who never made it in to school or were with the team for only a matter of months.
Early in Goff’s tenure we seemed to have this problem with the DL. I hope we can keep everyone else health and in school this year on the OL.
By I-DOG
March 7, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this
Football Fan:
Nobody really knows what Stafford will become and what he will accomplish, but I will say that if you reverse your question and ask yourself… is there any other returning QB in the SEC that I would rather have next year? My answer is an emphatic “NO!”
What do I like about him:
He is big and surpisingly mobile. Amazing runs and escapes against SC, Auburn, and Tech.
He has a strong arm (NFL strong) and he is pretty darn accurate with the football. He probably completes closer to 60% of this passes as a freshman if his receivers hang on to some very easy drops.
He is cool under pressure. I was in Columbia the night that JT3 went down. He got very few reps in practice that week and he goes in and leads the team to a shutout victory. He gets the ball in the shadow of his own endzone in a VERY tough environment and he calmly completes a few passes to get UGA out of a hole.
He works hard, studies hard, and wants to get better.
What I don’t like:
He threw too many interceptions last year. Particularly in the first 2/3 of the season. Not unexpected for a freshman and he got better with the ball in the final 1/3 of the season.
He is way too careless with the ball when he runs. This is unacceptable and needs to improve. However, that seems to be a pretty easy fix.
Touch on the football could be improved. Not bad for a freshman, but he can make great strides by working on those screen and short passes where touch is required.
I think this guy is going to be good… very good.
By FootballFan
March 7, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this
I-DOG…Thanks for the rational post. I believe Stafford can be a good QB. Like you said his touch needs to improve and he need to lead that throwing the ball away is ok. He tried too many times with his arm to force a pass into coverage to have it get picked off. I think there are other QB’s I would rather have than him because like you said, it is hard to pass judgement on him right now. He will struggle again this year because the OL will be thin with talent. The receivers really need to step up and catch the ball. These guys are D1 football players and should catch the easy passes and the hard ones too. Also, a lot of QB’s struggle in their 2nd seasons. We will have to wait and see what happens. He would not be my first choice as I think there are guys who are going to be good this year. Ainge should have a solid year. They need one more receiver to step. Wilson has all of his receivers returning and I think Hall had over 1,000 last year. Cox will be a question but he is poised and experienced. Need to get rid of the ball quicker. I cannot remember if Nickson is back at VU but he has such athletic ability. I think Tebow will be good since he is had the entire line returning and very good receivers that got experience last year. I would weiher pick Flynn or Stafford next. Just my opinion though! Thanks again for the rational thought! We are just talking football here!! :)
By dawgfacedboy
March 7, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this
I’m not ready to crown Stafford the greatest ever quite yet but I think what some of you who question his ability and/or level of success last year need to remember something. His receivers helped him out ZERO last year. I’m a baseball coach so I’ll try and use a baseball analogy. If a pitcher gets 3 ground balls in a row and the fielders commit errors the pitcher (especially a young one) will begin to get frustrated and feel he has to do it all by himself. Thus usually resulting in a grand slam or just a big inning in general. Is the pitcher to blame? No. You can’t keep giving the other team chances to make plays on you. IMO Stafford played great his first year. When you consider he had next to NO help all year I don’t see how you can talk in a negative way about him at all! To ask an 18 yr old kid to not only lead a team but also carry the team is a lot to ask. There is no way to tell but if you took 7 drops down to 2-3 I would think that not only his personal stats would look much better but the W-L would as well. Just my opinion.
By I-DOG
March 7, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this
Uf gator 01
Did you see last years article in Sports Illustrted on the most overated programs of the past 10 years? It was a study conducted based on the pre-season polls versus the post season polls. The teams that consistantly finished well below their pre-season ranking were considered the most over-rated. I believe Michigan was #1 but the gators were right there in the top 5.
UGA was in the top 5 for under-rated in that they consistantly finished higher in the polls than they were ranked pre-season.
UGA is one of the elite programs under Richt. No SEC team (including FL) has won more games. No SEC team has more SEC titles. If you believe that the SEC is one of the better conferences, if not THE BEST, then UGA is one of the elite teams because of these wins and these titles.
UGA has represented the SEC East 3 times during Richt’s tenure in the SECCG, nearly half his seasons as a coach.
By Vince
March 7, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this
Or course Southerland is one of the best fullbacks around and we look forward to seeing him play next year.
But I understand that Munzenmaier and Chapas are bruisers and might have speeed to play Tailback as well. Anybody know anything about that?
Vince
By Randall
March 7, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this
Your all pretty much right but, look for Rennie Curran to come in right away and make a considerable impact at linebacker. Thank you and have a good day. WHY DID MICHAEL JACKSON GO TO K-MART? HE HEARD THEY HAD BOYS PANTS HALF OFF. That’s just to good not to pass along, share with others.
By Cuz
March 7, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this
Football is as football does.
Life is like a five star recruit, you never know what you are going to get until you get him on the field.
By SamoanDawg
March 7, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this
As of right now prolly the best QBs in SEC are: KY-Woodson, AU-Cox, TN-Ainge, LSU-Flynn, UGA-Stafford, UA-Wilson, MSU-Higdon, SC-Mitchell, UF-Tebow, Vandy-Dickson, Ole-Shaffer, Ark-Dick. But, I’ll put my money on Stafford, of course, to lead us to the SECCG… yes, he’s that good.
By lawdawg
March 7, 2007 9:28 PM | Link to this
I just read all of your posts football fan and I must say you are the least informed football fan I have ever seen. Your hatred for a team that your team doesnt even play your team makes you look like a bitter old woman, which you may be. Maybe you are just jealous that in the fall, we get to look forward to competitive football in a conference that is fun to watch. Watch CBS on Saturdays this fall when we are on nationally and you will see why SEC fans feel the way they do. But for now, just let it eat at you. Come on our blogs and cry about how bad we are for no reason. Come on and give sad excuses about how you have to hear about UGA all day and this is what you have to do. Go to an osu board and talk about us and we will forget all about your lack of football knowledge and your bitterness that pours from every brainless blog you write. By the way, I now hate osu so you accomplished something. ah thank you
By FootballFan
March 8, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this
lawgod….wow…you take football a little too personally. I never said your team is no good. Just simply that OSU was better and that your QB is not as good as you think he is. I think you are reading more into because it is no all praise for UGA! It is sad that you think everyone should be a UGA fan. Oh well. To each his own. As for beloved SEC…I will not argue that is the best conference in football. I will also say that in recent years the Big 10 has experienced some success against your conference. Wisconsin took AU to the wood shed, Iowa beat LSU a couple of years ago and a bad Penn State team beat a team that score 50 on you guys in your stadium. When your conference teams start keeping our conference teams from winning, come talk to me. As for our two teams, if you want to compare, we have played for the national title twice in the last 5 years and had one Heismann trophy winner in that time. Last time you did both was when Hershal played for the Dogs. That was a LONG TIME ago!!! You have no comparison for the two teams at all. And one last note. Our league may not be as tough as the SEC but at least we beat the teams we are supposed to. How did that Vandy and UK game work out for you? Oh yeah…also an impressive win over MSU. What was it? 3 points?? Now, who is it that knows nothing about football??
By FootballFan
March 8, 2007 8:49 AM | Link to this
SamoanDog….I will take a shot at the QB rankings as well…
I give the edge on experience to several of the QB’s in the league and some based on pure performance. Just my opinion though.
By Cuz
March 8, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this
Opinions are like a part of our basic anatomy, everyone has got one. Please feel free to share. I do not agree with even my closest friends on this blog all the time.
My opinion, I would rather have Stafford than Tebow. Stafford impressed me more last year and Tebow was playing behind a good quarterback so we did not get to see him handle a four quarter game. We shall see what he does when he gets all the snaps. For me the jury is out on Tebow until he plays a full game.
By FootballFan
March 8, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this
Cuz…I agree. I saw UF a lot last year and was impressed with the time Tebow had. No matter when he played, it was not very often that anyone could stop him from running. What was even worse for those defenses, the majority of the time it was the same exact play. He has a good arm on him which he showed in high school. You dont set the state passing record if you are not very good. There is no reason to believe that he and Stafford cannot be good QB’s. I just think they both have A LOT to prove before that happens.
By SamoanDawg
March 8, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this
Yes, other QBs are ranked ahead of him right now b/c of their experience, but that will soon change my friends. His best football lies ahead and is coming to your ciitayyy. I rather have Stafford over Tebow or any other QB in this league. He reminds me of John Elway and Dan Marino’s quick release. He has a big time canon like these two halls… btw, Tebow ain’t got one. Matt gained some quality experience from last season and learned a lot from the tough losses. Definitely, he’s got confidence now. He will no longer have to wonder every week if he’s going to be guy. He’s the guy and it’s his team to run.
Stay tuned, the best is yet to come!
By exNFLplayer
March 9, 2007 7:51 AM | Link to this
Anybody with any kind of eye at all for football talent, knows that Matthew Stafford is the real deal. His growth in the last 3 games of last season was an indicator of things to come. I try to stay out of the fan battles here but, Football Fan, the Wilson kid over at Alabama is not remotely close to Stafford talent wise. I would challenge you to quantify that one Football Fan.
By SamoanDawg
March 9, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this
exNFLplayer… which team and what years were you in the league for, if you don’t mind me asking? You don’t have to reveal your name, but I would like to guess.
By FootballFan
March 9, 2007 9:05 AM | Link to this
SamoanDog….Same thing can be said for all the young QB’s in the league. Differnce is between Tebow or Wilson and Stafford is, your boy will be running for his life behind an inexperience OL and Tebow and Wilson will benefit for good receivers and a good OL.
Lets be realistic….Of course you would take Stafford over the rest. If the situation was different Tebow came to UGA and Stafford went to UF, you guys would hate Stafford and say you would rather have Tebow. Being an outsider to the SEC, if I have my choice Tebow would be my first pick as he is big and very physical and has a better arm than you want to admit. You disdain for him come from the fact he is a Gator. I am sure you thought Wuerful (SP?) was a bad QB too. Second would be Wilson because he is a smart QB. He may not have a rifle arm but you dont always need that. Want proof, look at some of the easy passes your UGA receivers dropped. Wilson makes plays and gets rid of the ball instead of forcing it. After that I would take Stafford because he is a good QB but still have a lot of developing to do. I dont believe he is at a level yet where you UGA fans want to believe he is.
By FootballFan
March 9, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this
exNFLplayer….You want proof, look at the statistics. If you want to tell me that Stafford had a better season than Wilson, you are insane. Wilson was an unfortunate victim of coaching from Mike Shula. Wilson makes better decisions, throws a catchable ball, and didnt throw nearly as many interceptions as Stafford did. If you are an exNFLplayer, you show know that throwing an INT is not a good thing. It looks bad for you as a QB. I know you really want to believe your boy is the best QB in the nation but he has a LONG WAY TO GO before that will happen. Stafford wont even be the best QB in the east next season.
By SamoanDawg
March 10, 2007 1:56 AM | Link to this
Football Fan.. we can argue and go on forever who’s the better QB.
Ok, yes, Tebow is a good QB, not great, just good. I’ll have to give it to him that he is a physical tough kid. That system fits him. But, how long will he last in the SEC if he keeps on running the ball. Stay tune..
Yes, we all know that our o-line is a number one subject in the off season. I really do believe that the o-line will prove all the critics wrong and play w/big chips on their shoulder. Coach Stacy Searels is the main reason why I have confident in the o-line. I believe he WILL mold and coach these young big linemen up. And I’m certain these guys will be ready before Sept 1. That being said, Stafford, the kid with a big canon will have a good season.. w/the help of big fullback Southerland/versatile powerful Lumpkin… plus, plenty more other weapons he can choose from.
Stay tuned, the best is yet to come!
By exNFLplayer
March 10, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this
By SamoanDawg
March 9, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this
exNFLplayer… which team and what years were you in the league for, if you don’t mind me asking? You don’t have to reveal your name, but I would like to guess.
SamoanDawg, I played my college ball at UT under Johnny Majors, which probably comes as a surprise to those who might think I played at UGA. Just know a good program and talent when I see it. NFL years were in Indianappolis and San Diego under Bobby Ross, who also recruited me when he was at Tech, to include the Super Bowl year. Managed to hang around the league for 6 good years.
By exNFLplayer
March 10, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this
By FootballFan
March 9, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this
exNFLplayer….You want proof, look at the statistics. If you want to tell me that Stafford had a better season than Wilson
And what was Bama’s win/loss record FootballFan? I am not criticizing the Wilson kid. Did Wilson win a big game? Did he lead come from behind victories in big games? Did he grow as rapidly as Stafford as the year went on? And more importantly, is his potential anywhere close to Staffords? The talent gap is obvious to me FootballFan. It will be obvious to you during the coming years as well.
By SamoanDawg
March 10, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this
exNFLplayer… I assume you were an o-line or d-line, right?
By exNFLplayer
March 11, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this
WR, SamoanDawg.