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 > May > 02 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USThem Dogs can run
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I talked Georgia strength and conditoning director Dave Van Halanger earlier today. Now if you’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting “Coach Van,” you know what an incredibly upbeat and positive individual he is. I mean, he is a walking, talking monument of inspiration.
Anyway, Coach Van was even more upbeat than usual when I talked to him, so I asked him what was going on. He said he was just excited about what he’s been seeing from the Bulldogs during their off-season workouts, the young pups in particular.
“Chip, we have talent on this team,” he said, “It’s just young talent. But I’ll tell you what, it really has me excited about Georgia football!”
So I pressed him for details. As it turns out, NFL scouts recently came through Athens to distribute questionnaires to the rising seniors and get whatever data they could on Georgia’s up-and-coming players. “It was beautiful day,” Coach Van said. “So I said to the players, ‘Why don’t we go out and run some 40s? Anybody who wants to.’”
So they went up to Spec Towns Track and Van Halanger was amazed by what he saw. Timed by NFL scouts, several players set Georgia records for the 40-yard dash. Cornerback Bryan Evans ran a 4.27, breaking the record set moments earlier when Remarcus Brown ran a 4.28. At least three other players broke 4.4, including wide receivers A.J. Bryant and Mikey Henderson and safety Reshad Jones.
But the most impressive time was recorded by a defensive lineman. Brandon Wood, who has been moved inside to tackle from defensive end, clocked a 4.66 in the 40-yard dash, a UGA record for a down lineman. “This is a guy that squats almost 700 pounds,” Coach Van said. “It was unbelievable.”
Coach Van went on to say that Wood is “completely healed” from his shoulder injury and should be fine this fall. He said Thomas Brown wanted to run the 40 but wasn’t allowed because of his recovering knee injury. “Thomas has been working out like a mad man,” Coach Van said. “He might be the most competitive player I’ve even seen.” Demiko Goodman and T.J. Gartrell are also working hard and appear to be on the road to recovery, Van Halanger said.
So there you go. With this other stuff going on with Akeem Hebron, I thought you guys might be able to use some good news.
Permalink | Comments (114) | Post your comment | Categories: Football
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Comments
By Michael Scharff
May 2, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this
Chip, thanks for the great news! I appreciate you and your ongoing good work.
By EmmettDawg
May 2, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this
Hopefully the Dawgs will start running their score up to 40 points like their blazing 40-yard dashes.
Seriously, we are now beginning to reap the benefits of Richt’s early success. He and his staff’s recruiting acumen is beginning to raise the talent level not just at skill positions but across the board.
By Tech Buzz
May 2, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this
Good article for UGA fans. Got some burners in Athens. Let’s hope that this will equate to good football fundlementals. UGA’s best ever DB was a guy named Terry Hoague. This guy had average speed at best but was fundlementally sound. His best attribute was that he was incredibly smart. Tech could have used him!
This is one Tech fan that enjoys reading any and all articles about SEC and ACC football. In a way, I wish we were back in the SEC. There is something special about Tech/Auburn, Tech/TN and of course Tech/UGA. Playing Miami and Clemson every year is good…but the home and home with Auburn had the old timers here at the North Ave Trade School were fired up.
Fall can’t get here soon enough!!
By Palmetto State Dawg
May 2, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this
Thanks Chip! Please continue to keep us up to speed on the Dawgs’ Summer workouts as this time a year can get a bit boring as far as watching sports. At least for me….I’m not a big baseball fan.
By Big Dawg
May 2, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this
Thanks Chip once again a great topic,
But you only reported on a few of the players. It is obvious that the guys that were redshirted last year were a special group and should do great things over the next few years. Reports on all these guys would be nice. Go Dawgs
By Cuz
May 2, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this
Great news. Guess we will be the Roadrunner and the other teams get to play the part of Wile E. Coyote. I wonder if the ACME manufacturing company is still in business?
By Matthew
May 2, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this
How fast is Paul Oliver? Does anyone know?
By Spike
May 2, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this
Good article, Chip, for us football starved folks. The Dogs may surprise some people this year. Do not underestimate them.
By kick off!!!
May 2, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this
Is it September yet?
By gayter hater
May 2, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this
Beat UF! For the love of God, just beat UF!
By shane
May 2, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this
sub 4.3 40’s? did neon dion and mickie vick sneak onto the field? tackle running a 4.66? can this guy catch? talk about a tight end! all jokes aside this is good news!i can’t wait until september!
By dawgfacedboy
May 2, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this
I was looking at some of these guys profiles and had a question for everyone. I’ll use Reshad Jones as my example since that’s who I noticed it with. How can their be such a HUGE difference in how a player is rated at his position? Scout.com has him as the #13 safety, while rivals.com has him as the #1 safety. I could understand a little bit of a difference but that’s pretty big.
By Bubba the redneck
May 2, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this
Bubba would like to know while mikey henderson and the flop aj bryant were runnin thar 40 yard dashes if they could catch anything. bubba always said it dont matter how fast you run if you dont catch that ball.
By Dawg Hater#1
May 2, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this
Will the football team get there degree from REDNECK U UGA?
By I-DOG
May 2, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this
alright Chip,
I read have this article and you have me so pumped for football season!
Great job, I may be alone in this, but I like information about workouts and bench press, squat, verticle, and 40 #’s.
Even, if it is bad news, like Inman benching 225 very few times. It tells the fans where the players are in their development and usually translates to the field (not always, like Brown last year at RB).
Keep it coming!
By Rabid Dawg Fan
May 2, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this
Just to put it short dawgfacedboy to anwer your question. Scout Sucks….I was wonderening about that to so I decided to purchase both and see for myself. When I decided to cancel my subscription with Scout. They tried to give me a month free. I told them that I’d just like to cancel they can keep there one month free.
By Rabid Dawg Fan
May 2, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this
Will Tech get their certificates from Don’t get any PUSS (Opps might be able to say that) Y University?
By EmmettDawg
May 2, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this
I-Dog, I know that Thomas Brown was hyped by the coaches before last season and he had a tendency to dance in the backfield instead of turning it upfield, but that had alot to do with our so-so O line of a year ago. In the two games right before he was injured, he was beginning to put things together (kickreturn vs UT & great game against Vandy before he was injured. I was at that game, and I dare say that if he hadn’t been injured we’d have beaten’ Vandy. Or if Stafford’s beauty of a pass to Milner in the endzone hadn’t been dropped, or we hadn’t missed our last fieldgoal attempt…….I digress. Bring on the ‘07 schedule! Believe it or not, our O line looks much better. All of our running backs will shine, and UGA will be the team that exceeds expectations this year in the East.
By BigNCDAWG
May 2, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this
Now if we can just keep some of those big guys healthy to block and tackle for those burners.
It seems that defensive linemen and linebackers has to be a priority for 08 recruits.
Tech buzz, your post showed class.
By Bubbablows
May 2, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this
The Dawgs run faster than Bubba’s sister runs from him after he comes home from a night of drinking. Bubba, I know you are given 1 hour a day of recreation time , so please use it to play basketball in the yard and not posting retarded comments on this blog. For the love of Jim Donnan, will someone please shiv this redneck?
By shane
May 2, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this
i don’t understand scout.com either.and guess who the ajc uses.espn and rivals.com had uga in the top ten in recruiting,where was it scout.com and the ajc had them?seventeenth,or something like that?i also have another bone to pick with the ajc.WHERE IN THE HELL IS MY PAPER? some of us in south ga.are capable of reading more than a can of BUD.do i have to move to macon?
By I-DOG
May 2, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this
Chip,
Serious question: Since the NCAA has started measuring graduation rates… are teams starting to use “floaties” in football and allocating walk on spots and a few scholarships toward them?
The term Floatie was used in a recent Thomas Wolfe book that takes place at a “fictional” high end college that has a great basketball team (many say Duke was where he got his info). The way it works is that you have say 15 players on the B-ball team and 12 scholarships. Only 7-9 guys really play so a couple of practice players have 4.0’s to prop up the “real” players who aren’t as serious about academics. That way the whole team average looks OK.
Those players are called floaties, just like the inflatable wings that little kids where in the pool to keep them afloat.
Do the major college football teams do this to make the average look better?
By Lane
May 2, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this
MR, has done a fantastic job since his arrival. Remember back to Goff(well you know) and Donnan. Donnan’s, winning % was comparable to Dooley’s for the same time period, however with the talent in this State/Region was unacceptable. The only complaint has been, recruiting on the OL, which because of the dismissals, injuries and failure to develop has been below average- this problem is being resolved.
It is very difficult to take a program to the next level, when the fans and more importantly the players lack confidence. MR, brought that confidence. The thought of the Goff/Donnan, years make me violently ill. As do last few years of the Dooley era-WHAT A WASTE. Great talent!!!
Georgia should be a top 5/10 program every year- without question!!!
By AltamahaDawg
May 2, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this
Shane my gawd, not Macon!
By jc
May 2, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this
watch for TE Tripp Chandler and walk on Tripp Taylor, both from Woodstock HS to have great years.
By F A Skippy
May 2, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this
I was pleased to see that Wood is healed and apparently ready to roll.This year’s team will be the most athletic in the Richt era the question is will they be ready to play against Ok St.Jones looked like a star at G-day and with Wynn,Wood,allen,etc this D has great potential.For you old guys Wynn has the body type of Deacon Jones the Rams great from the 60s.A Dawgs player commented that he had a different kind of body,he has high hips with a bubble like a basketball player with freakishly long arms.I know coach Richt is very high on him saying he is very quick and strong with a high degree of determenation.For those who don’t know about Jones he played before they kept sack numbers but most experts think he was the best pass rusher of all time.
By baloney
May 2, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this
Shoot by the time the season begins these guys will be running a 40 in the 3’s. What used to be fast for any player is now ho hum by a 300+ lb. lineman that squats 700 lbs.I bet the NFL will just hold the draft in Athens next year since no other team will have the talent we have.
By Sherman
May 2, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this
Great Column Chip! The Guys seem to be working hard.I wonder if I can hire Coach Van to be my personal trainer!
By ugalaw
May 2, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this
TechBuzz is right. The physical attributes are great, but you have to have it upstairs to be a great football player.
Terry Hoage was one of the least recruited guys we’ve ever signed and ended up as one of the best DBs in SEC history and enjoyed a solid NFL career. He didn’t have great physical attributes, but was so intelligent and anticipated so well that it made him seem faster than guys with much lower 40s.
I think Bryan Evans has the football smarts to use that blazing speed to his advantage.
By Vince
May 2, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this
Good story. I look forward to great improvements on the D-Line from Spring to Fall. We’ve got great talent there including Owens and they great guys from Jersey and Florida.
By Buck Belue
May 2, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this
Thanks for this great news!!It is always at treat to learn that my Bulldogs are at least good at running.
It is ashame they do not run well in traffic and we continue to lose to UF year after year.
Well 0-1 will not be bad after losing the opener to OSU.
Again, Thanks!
By Bigdawg148
May 2, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this
Shane the AJC quit selling papers south of Macon….You sureley already know that Georgia doesn’t extend past Macon…besides they never covered south Georgia anyway go read the Florida Times Union….lol
By shane
May 2, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this
it could be worse altamahadawg,i could have been addicted to the birmingham news!i could move to monroe county,along with everybody from macon.by the way skippy,i am an old guy,and i remember the deacon very well,i hope you are right.
By pb
May 2, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this
This is why I dont miss Atlanta. You have the UGA fans just having a good time and all the other fans who do nothing but obsess over everything UGA does. How about the Flordia reference in every blog. How old is that?? Yes we have lost to UF alot. We have beaten them alot also. I wonder if Shockley had played in 05 and we had won 2 out of the last 3 if we would still hear this mess. Somehow I doubt it. Lets move on.
The point of the blog is for UGA fans to discuss things UGA. If you dont like reading that stuff them pick up your crap and move your sorry tails back to Flordia or Auburn or Knoxville, or wherever. I am sorry you cant get a job anywhere outside of Atlanta but dont forget where this city is. Its like me moving to Gainesville and talking crap to Gator fans when they discuss their teams.
By Cuz
May 2, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this
Hey Buck, go play in traffic.
By Cuz
May 2, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this
Hey Alt, the Florida Times Union does cover South Georgia better. I get it and the St. Simons paper, what is it the Island Packet, when I am on the island.
By RxDawg
May 2, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this
Heck yeh, thats some speed! Thanks for the good news Chip.
By Chip Towers
May 2, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this
I-Dog, I don’t know about all that conspiracy stuff but Georgia’s football team was in the top 10-20 percent in its sport in the APR released today and its basketball team was in the top 20-30, so they’re in good shape… . Honestly, I don’t know if they count only scholarship players or not but I’ll check on it.
By Dawg4life
May 2, 2007 6:14 PM | Link to this
I’ve been reading for weeks that the speed on this UGA defense might be its biggest asset, even if we don’t have a lot of experience in certain positions. But like y’all said, the key is to be smart. You can run 100 mph, but if you don’t know what you’re doing or you’re running to catch up with a receiver who just burned you, then it’s all for naught. That said, I’m still optimistic about this season. There seems to be more expectation that we WILL do well, rather than “I hope we do well” among our players. Hopefully, over the next few months, true leaders will be established and we can gear up for a BIG season.
By the way, Chip, nice article the AJC ran about Richt’s meeting with the team to discuss off-season behavior. It was long overdue. I also think players should do policing as well.
By ga dog
May 2, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this
great info chip, i love it, pls keeep up the good work on updates from coach van, i remember reading one time the 03 dawgs had 29 players that could power clean 300 lbs, i have trained for 30 ys and no longer do power cleans but i could never do 300 in my best days, power cleans are a staple of lifting for football players, most lifters will not do them in everday gyms around the metro area including mine today, ask coach van and hopefully educate high schoolers that they need to do these to get bigger and stronger tks
By Tech Rules!
May 2, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this
Will come in handy running from the cops AND trying to catch Jonathan Dwyer…
By Buck Cochran in the NW
May 2, 2007 7:48 PM | Link to this
cuz, play in traffic? That’s all you do in downtown Seattle. Chip, great blog but I noticed that Bailey wasn’t listed. It sounds as if it was kind of a spur of the moment deal so maybe that’s why he didn’t run. I’m very happy that some receivers showed the speed to strech the field. Now the really big question has to be answered, will they catch the ball?
By ga dog
May 2, 2007 7:58 PM | Link to this
the dawgs will crush and shut down dwyer from tech just like they did calvin johnson for 3 yrs, 7 catches and 1 touch, pitiful
By Bubba the redneck
May 2, 2007 8:18 PM | Link to this
Bubba is back and he has a few comments. bubba just got finished workin on his jacked up 4x4 and dippin snuff. bubba wants to know why that guy is hostile to him. bubba just said it dont matter how fast you are unless you can catch the damn ball. all bubbas fellow bulldawgs know that. just look over the years at all the games we have lost due to our overrated widereceivers droppin the ball primarily in the big games mostly again florida lizards. bubba tired of this. bubba would rather have a slow wide receiver who could catch then one who could outrun my shotgun but cant catch. bubba knows that the object of the passing game is to move the ball down field but you cant if you cant catch.
in regards to thomas brown, bubba got sometin to say too. thomas brown is slow as to aj bryant is to sorry. thomas brown cant hit the edge. bubba thinks he should be on the bottom of the depth chart he is truly horrible. bubba talks facts and that 3.4 yard per carry dont lie from last year. that small and that slow. bubba just glad he will be gone after this here year. bubba has got to go. bubba has a busy day lined up tommorrow. bubba gonna go fishin.
By Cuz
May 2, 2007 8:24 PM | Link to this
Buck, it was the fake Belue, not you in the Northwest. You had not even replied to the topic yet. Play on a pier, not in traffic.
Talk to you soon.
By Bubba the redneck
May 2, 2007 8:37 PM | Link to this
Bubba is very distubed by all the negatve comments that have been aimed at him and his culture over the last few weeks. bubba and his fellow rednecks too are part of the bulldawg nation. bubba dont like them thar wine and cheese people neither. they can sip on that thar wine all der want but bubba dont have to put up with thar abuse. bubba knows how to drink too. bubba gave akeem some of his world famous moon shine and akeem abused it. bubba gonna have to have a talk with akeem. bubba thinks that thar ought to be a special section for his people at them games. we could all ware our overalls and dipp without ofendin anyone. bubba a man of peace and goodwill except to th enemies of the dawgnation. be kind to bubba and his people. im gone fishin.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
May 2, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this
Sorry cuz, just got back from taking care of bitness and missed out.
By pakman
May 2, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this
dont get to excited about this, the number are not genuine. They ran on a track, not a football field.
By 2007
May 2, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this
I DOG
The numbers are based on every member of a team. It does not matter scholarship or not. If a player enters the program then they are allowed to count for the graduation rate whether or not they remain on the team. It is whether or not they graduate from that university in a six year span. GPA does not matter to the NCAA, as long as each respective athlete moves along for his/her degree (cant take basketweaving) they must take classes in their programs. So, to answer your question no additional players will be added due to Title IX numbers that schools have to be really careful with. What happens in return is that the coaches are more selective about their walk ons (smarter players). They will take the same number, but they may take a lesser athlete. A school like Georgia Tech can afford to add athletes, because Title IX is based on gender enrollment so Tech is allowed to have 60 % guy athletes and 40 % female athletes. So, yes at a school like Tech yes they may add “floaties” but at a school like UGA the numbers do not allow for it
By 2N4YEARS
May 2, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this
I never knew Bryan Evans was that fast! I knew Brown, Bryant & Mickey were fast, but a 4.27 -40?? WOW! That’s probably faster than Mike Vick. I think he probably ran a high 4.2 -40 a few years ago —probably a 4.3 guy now. 4.27 & 4.28??!! WOW!!
By AltamahaDawg
May 2, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this
Biggest question of the day: Did everybody but me know where Spec Town is?
By Cuz
May 2, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this
I just thought it was the name of the track Alt. Have another Crown, it’s Miller time. Johnny Walker Miller.
By Cuz
May 2, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this
Would you care if they ran on a track, would you care if they ran in a sack. Would you care if they ran in the mud, would you care if they ran in some crud. Would you care if they ran in a line, stop it before you wake #39. I don’t care where they got their speed, speed is what we got and what we need.
Thank you thank you, Cuz I am.
By Cuz
May 2, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this
One thing should be pointed out. Excitement is contagious. If the coaches are excited they get the upperclassmen excited who get the begginners excited who get the recruits excited who get scholarships to play for the Red and Black.
Now if I can just figure out how to get a cheerleader excited or even a flag twirler. I once knew a baton twirler, but I digress.
By Nikki
May 3, 2007 12:10 AM | Link to this
It’s good to hear some positive news out of the Dawgs camp today. I can’t wait for August.
By Gen Neyland
May 3, 2007 12:18 AM | Link to this
The sub-topic last year to a blog of CS’s covered speed. Pretty much, all were in agreement that speed is a requirement to play in the SEC and it’s not in short supply around our league…Something else to note : It’s one thing to get to the ball or cover opposition, it’s another to tackle the man with the ball…Like fusion, beware the creation of the elements united…
By SamoanDawg
May 3, 2007 12:57 AM | Link to this
Those #s are sickening brah…. So, Brandon slide inside huh?… wow, that’s where Pollack started out at. I know Brandon looks up to David. I hope he’ll stay healthy and have a good career at UGA. I can’t wait to see him in action.
It’s nice to come in here and chat with all the die hard football college fans. It sort of keep me occupy, while I’m waiting anxiosly ‘til then.
Keep it up Chip!
By Buck Cochran in the NW
May 3, 2007 2:28 AM | Link to this
Two types of speed. 1. on the track in track clothes 2. in full pads. The latter is the important one. I hope it carry’s over into pads.
By alabamadawg
May 3, 2007 5:42 AM | Link to this
Is anybody worried about alabama this year ???
By jaxduff
May 3, 2007 6:58 AM | Link to this
Lets just hope OC Bobo can find ways to get these speedy guys the ball a la Percy Harvin at FU (sic).
By DawgBite
May 3, 2007 7:53 AM | Link to this
Read and heed techmites. The gap just gets wider.
By tj
May 3, 2007 8:12 AM | Link to this
I have even more good news guys, our guys are this fast now and Caleb King has not even arrived yet. UGA will make some noise in the SEC whether people want to believe it or not. Look out USC,UF,TENN and Auburn were going to be head busters. (BELIEVE DAT)
By gdawginkalamazoo
May 3, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this
Alabama, should we be worried? IMO not this year. Too much for them to put together in a spring and fall practice. 2008 you might see something positive coming outta there.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
May 3, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this
Kalamazoo, I’m concerned because Saban does have a lot of starters coming back and JPW is one of the better QBs in the SEC. SINCE WE HAVE SOME JELLING TO DO ON “D”, I’LL BE WATCHING THEIR GAMES VERY CLOSELY. For me this is an unusual situation going into the season worried much more about our”D” than the “O”.
By SamoanDawg
May 3, 2007 9:05 AM | Link to this
I ain’t worry bout bama. I did watch their spring game though. It’s kind of weird seeing bama Qb line up in the shotgun formation… at least to me anyway. They have some playmakers on skill positions and also looks like they’re involving the TE more to their passing scheme than they normally do. It’s hard to tell about their 3-4 D yet. But other than that, I ain’t worry brah…. War Eagle might be…lol.. :)
By AltamahaDawg
May 3, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this
Pakman, Obviously NFL scouts/college coaches understand that pads/grass slow a guy down a bit. Its just a relative measurement. Faster guys on the track are faster in pads. Not the exact time, but thats not the point. They are not exactly bench pressing in full armour either, but if you cant do a bunch, in shorts and MP3 players, you aint gonna do well on the field.
Cuz, that may be the funniest post of the summer.
By SamoanDawg
May 3, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this
Gen Neyland,
How’s the no huddle coming so far? I heard they’re waiting on Kenny O’neal and Brent Vinson from JC to get acquainted w/Ainge for the no huddle to be effective. I hope it works against the gators but not against us.
By gdawginkalamazoo
May 3, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this
Buck, He has a lot of starters on a 6-7 team with new systems being implemented. Our D has some leadership coming back too. After reading Chip’s post, if we can put that kind of speed on the interior of our D line, I wonder what the coaches have planned for the outside. Must be somebody good. Year after year Martinez seems to be getting the job done. Except middle of last year, when those guys didn’t get enough rest. This year I think they will.
By SamoanDawg
May 3, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this
I don’t know about you guys, but I’m excited to hear Brandon Wood playing the interior position. I think it’ll play to his advantage. With him being so low to the ground and explode off the ball, it’ll be hard for those o-line to block him. The other low gravity guy that I like also, is Trip Taylor. He impressed me in the G-Day. It’s good to have those hard nose players on our team. I can’t wait!
By gdawginkalamazoo
May 3, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this
Cuz, props on the brilliant post. What ever that medication was keep popping those every few days.
By FOOTBALL FAN
May 3, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this
Most people don’t realize that Brandon Wood also played running back/fullback in high school. Now who in the SEC is going to try to tackle him. Maybe when Southerland graduates they can try him out at fullback. I’m sure the scatbacks would love for him to open some holes.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
May 3, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this
Guys if I do this right, you’ll recall I’ve said those 1st two games are oh so critical, well here’show SOS views the Ga. game from Rivals.com…….USC will face a key test early when it travels to Athens, Ga., to face the Georgia Bulldogs on Sept. 8. Spurrier sees that contest as a “must-win” for USC to realize its championship aspirations.
“Georgia is going to be a crucial game,” Spurrier said. “If we’re going to have a shot at the SEC (title), we really need to win in Athens. We’ll go over there with the idea of beating those guys and seeing what happens.” So we see how he thinks about that game. For us, I think that game is just as critical.
By AP
May 3, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this
Brandon Wood is a dark horse candidate to have a breakout season for us this year. He could really help our D-line if he’s healed from that injury
By FOOTBALL FAN
May 3, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this
Most people don’t realize that Brandon Wood also played running back/fullback in high school. Now who in the SEC is going to try to tackle him. Maybe when Southerland graduates they can try him out at fullback. I’m sure the scatbacks would love for him to open some holes.
By Gen Neyland
May 3, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this
SamoanDawg
The no huddle is a tool. What is the main difference between the ’ Hurry Up ’ offense and the ’ No Huddle ‘..? Implementation of when it’s used..? Manning did both well. I guess the play options for the no-huddle would be greater, which may benefit any hurry-up situation. Whatever CPF and CDC come up with, I hope it works. We’ll need a little offensive trickery this year with the loss of our WR corps. I look for more involvement from FB and TE positions offensively with 3 rotating at TB; Coker, Foster, Hardesty. Young Crompton had to start or play the majority of clock time against LSU and Razorpigs last season. Although he earned some valuable playing time against stong opposition, both were losses. The LSU game was a good one. Arkansas just cleaned up on us with their running game. Our WR’s are the biggest ??? marks. With Chavis, our D should be fine enough.
I know you asked a specific question, but the political orator in me just had to Ramble On….Sorry if I BuLLdawg-ed your question…
By UGAMikk
May 3, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this
I think that Brandon Wood should move back out to DE. A guy that can squat almost 700 lbs and runs a 4.66 40 could be devastating coming off the end.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
May 3, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this
Samoan Dawg, remember when CMR 1st can to Ga. he was and is he master of the no huddle. He run it at FSU and took people apart. The coaches in the SEC lobbied the commish and they changed the rules so he couldn’t use it. Look out, because with the much more wide open “O”, I think that Bobo, having learned from CMR will in fact use the “No Huddle”.
By UGAMikk
May 3, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this
With all I have heard about Wynn, having a d-line with Wynn,Wood,Owens and Weston would be amazing and everyone thought our d-line production would fall off……lol!
By gdawginkalamazoo
May 3, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this
UGAMikk, that is my line of thinking. While we might have lost a lot in the DE’s I think we still have a lot. The D-line looks good, the LB’s will be great, and our secondary should be stellar. Different opinion from anybody else? And year in and year out Martinez seems to get the D ready. I might have issues with stopping some of the runners we come across but with the quickness in the middle next year it might be different.
By shane
May 3, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this
wood may be moved to de in the future,they probably had a hole to fill at dt.at times a coach has to try to fill a need and keep his best players on the field.you have to stop up the middle first on a defense,you cannot be soft there and win.brooking belongs at olb for the falcons,but because of need he has to play at mlb.he and the falcons would prefer to have him on the outside,but he has to play the middle.i am sure the dawgs would love to have wood at end,and another end just like him on the other side,but you have to play with what you got
By MountainDawg
May 3, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this
I-Dog, I agree they need to provide other key stats like 40 yard shuttle, 225 lb bench reps & vertical leap. That gives a better overall physical “package” of the players athletic ability. However, many guys are “workout warriors” and can’t cut it on the field. I’d definitely say that heart/grit and brains/savvy are also very crucial ingredients. GO DAWGS!!! :)
By shane
May 3, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this
what about linbackers,with hebron gone who is going to be “the man”back there?i didn’t go to the spring game,so who stood out?i hope we have someone like tony taylor to step up this year.do we have much speed at lb? we seem to have a lot of athletes, but i still think we are 2 yrs. away,look out for 2008.
By DawgByte
May 3, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this
For me the big story out of Athens in 2007 is Stacy Searels. I believe we’ll see a huge improvement in our OL over the next couple of seasons due to his coaching skills.
By UGAMikk
May 3, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this
We have alot of speed at the LB positions. Hopefully Hebron can turn it around, I was really looking foward to watching him play. However, Miller, Ellerbe, Dewberry and Dent, look really good. Ellerbe and Miller have turned it around and are starting to really impress. That was a great thing to see, because we really needed these 2 to step up. Dent and Dewberry are also really impressive. I also can not wait to see Curran and White play.
By EmmettDawg
May 3, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this
Brandon Miller had a pretty good Spring game, as did Ellerbe.
By Gen Neyland
May 3, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this
Richt Urges Dogs To Behave
Years ago, NASA met with their Astronauts. Questions arose pertaining to how Spacemen should conduct life outside the gates of the Cape. To paraphrase, NASA told them, “To live life, live richly and enjoy yourselves. All we ask is that you don’t bring NASA into any embarrassing situations with your actions “…ALL college programs should ask and demand no less from their student athletes…
By Dawg4life
May 3, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this
Buck,
Thanks for your comments about the no-huddle. I had asked that on a post a few weeks back and no one ever responded. I had no idea the coaches lobbied for rules to be changed to outlaw it. Why is it that Tennessee is now being able to use it? Did the rules change again?
With all our speed at LB, and our overall team speed, hopefully we’ll be able to use that as an asset instead of it being a liability. There is a such thing as being too fast, especially as a tackler. They can get too eager and can actually overrun plays sometimes, which would allow for big gains by the offense (see Keith Brooking during his first two years in the NFL).
By EmmettDawg
May 3, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this
We shouldn’t worry about the offense or the defense. In Stafford, we have something we haven’t had since Zeier. In Moreno, we have something we haven’t had since probably Garrison Hearst. Our receiving corps gets a boost with Bailey and suddenly looks both talented and deep. The O line looks light-years ahead of where most would have expected given the changes in personel and scheme. Mike Bobo….
I don’t think the spring game gives us reason to fret over the defense. I expect our offense to light up just about every defense we play. Martinez has plenty of talent to work with, and by the end of fall practices the D will be as strong or stronger than what we’ve seen in recent years.
Add these two factors togeter (not to mention the X factor of Mark Richt being able to focus on managing the program as a whole) and the result is a team that could beat anyone in the country. Dang, it’s a great time to be Dawg fan. I know everyone has 08 circled on the calendar, but don’t be shocked if we get to a BCS bowl in 07.
By Dawg4life
May 3, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this
Kalamazoo,
I agree with the assessment of the secondary, but there are so many unknowns on the line and with the linebackers. They all have the potential to play very well, but since they’re untested, it’s just potential right now. But history says that two or three players from those groups will step up and be phenomenal. Guess we’ll find out on opening day!! That’s why that play the game, after all.
However, I go into every season with a bit of concern about our defensive schemes and how Martinez utilizes players. It’s no secret that we have very fast players. Why not utilize that speed and be a little more aggressive? It seems to me that Martinez employs more of a “bend but don’t break” defense, like Wade Phillips did when he was D. Coordinator for the Falcons. I think Martinez should draw up more blitz packages, give more exotic looks and play more to our team speed on defense. It’s what Saban does and his defenses rank in the top of the league every year.
Just my thoughts.
By shane
May 3, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this
the d did their job in most games last year,which was to keep the score close into the 4th qt.and give us a chance to win.the offense didn’t take advantage at times.this season if our offense is running on all cylinders martinez should be able to gamble a little more.the blitz is a gamble,and at times you get burned.much will depend on the cbs and safeties. if our cbs can cover man on man,then we can afford to blitz,otherwise it’s zone coverage,probably a two deep,trying to keep everything in front of us.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
May 3, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this
Dawg4life, they must have tweaked the rules someway but if Tenn. can run it, I’ll bet my last cent we’ll see the Dawgs making use of it…….We’re all taking about the speed of our “D”, give this a thought. I wonder if using the 3-4 “D”, like so many pro teams are using, wouldn’t be a fit for our talent? I don’t mean a complete switch but something to be used when circumstances say it could be very effective. Something I’ve been thing about.
By gdawginkalamazoo
May 3, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this
Dawg4life, I like your idea of mixing up the D a little more. Especially on the blitz packages. I think that is something that we have not used enough. There are QB’s out there that can’t handle the blitz all that well that we should be all over. If our secondary and LB’s are as quick as advertised then we should be GATA.
The thing that I am stressing regarding the inexperience is that all these kids got to watch from the sidelines those last three games of the season. I think that is an intangible that we can’t measure. Regardless of our criticism of Martinez during the rough period last year that defense hunkered down those last three games.
Regarding the LB’s. I have mentioned in some past post about what a natural talent and standout I though this kid Hebron was going to be. I won’t mention anymore names unless there is somebody else you guys want to see gone. My bad.
By gdawginkalamazoo
May 3, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this
General, LMAO. Sounds good. But we all remember that 900 miles in a diaper to kidnap the “other woman”. And those astronauts are supposed to be the smart ones too. I for one am glad that Hebron and Smith are only drinking.
By EmmettDawg
May 3, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this
Shane, I agree with you. Blitzing is risk verses reward, and we have seen a cautious D at times under Martinez, but we’ve also seen him release the Dawgs too. I think that, given the info Chip so graciously provided us, Martinez may be a little less worried about getting burned in man coverage.
For years, it has seemed as though our offense usually gets off to a sluggish start, but when our O does jump on another team’s D, our D gets fired up and plays lights out. I think our offense will allow our defense to “pin its ears back” and be very aggressive. I could get pretty ugly for the opposition.
By TC
May 3, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this
Someone let DawgHater#1 know that the those uga rednecks wont be receiving there diplomas but rather their diplomas from redneck u.Must be a tech man.
By gator the dog catcher
May 3, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this
General Neyland - I think that “Richt asks Dawgs to Behave” article was a reprint from April of 2002.
By Cuz
May 3, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this
Looks like Oklahoma State had a solid spring game. Their QB is not afraid of pressure as he made a last second TD pass. It appears he has two good WR’s who carry alot of his loads.
Here is the link for their spring game. These guys are not planning on coming to Athens to lose. We need to make sure they are dissapointed. http://www.okstate.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=1426&SPID=143&DBOEMID=200&ATCLID=864827
Wow did not know it would look like that. try www.okstate.com and just folllow the links. These guys are going to have a good team this year. This is no Boise State. Whovever says we open with pushovers is wrong this year.
By Cuz
May 3, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this
gtdc, he has given that speech so many times, the athletic department had it copyrighted.
By shane
May 3, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this
one last post fellas,gotta go.i was thinking about the d.and the blitz.there are many times when the blitz is the right call.should a coach pick up on a weakness in the blocking scheme,or when you have a big lead and they have to pass, you can throw in a zone blitz or some kind of disguised blitz and not just sit back in a prevent.the run blitz can be affective when a team relies on the ground game.one more thing that i DO NOT want to see is when you are getting beat on the line and it is your only hope. i hope our d line and backers play well enough so that we blitz when we WANT.
By gdawginkalamazoo
May 3, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this
Cuz, that and the Miranda rights.
By Big Dawg
May 3, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this
The positive news from this report is this- Woods and Evans are completely healed. Now for news that Tripp, Irvin Washington, Ward, Vance and Davis are completely healed would be nice as well. As for Woods being moved inside this is because the Coaches are looking for back up help at the interior D line positions as we are deep at the DE position.
By Atlanta Hawks #1 Fan
May 3, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this
We need victories over Florida and Tenn this year. No more excuses from the coaching staff. The bulldogs have the potential to win 10-11 games this year if everyone steps up.
RICH GUYS TROPHY WIFE HOT GIRLS
By AltamahaDawg
May 3, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this
Dawg4life, as I understand it, the rule change had to do with allowing defences an opportunity to substitute, as in not setting the 25 second play clock till the defence at least had its people on, so that took away the effectiveness, as far as wearing their defence down. It’s not illegal to no huddle, huddles arent required. And then last year the whole thing about when they start the play changed it a bit. Not sure what will be the effect of changing that a bit back this year. No huddle is exciting every now and then, but the trade off is, you have more time to read thier defence, because they have to be set and ready earlier, BUT your offence didnt have a chance to switch out a variety of reciever and TE either. Not really a long term tool for opening it up. Also, you damn well better get a first down, or guess who’s defence you’re wearing out now.
By I-DOG
May 3, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this
07 and Chip:
Thanks for both of your comments on my question. I now understand that it is graduation rate and not GPA that are measured. 07 tells us that both walk ons and scholarship players count in those numbers (with the title 9 numbers hemming in certain programs).
Why wouldn’t ANY football program add 6-10 walk ons for “strictly” academic purposes? Guys that will work hard on the practice field (will never see game action) but have great academics.
100% of them graduate within the alloted time and the football teams overall grad rate goes up around 10%.
It would keep a poor performing school out of the headlines and also potentially save some scholarships from being yanked.
The reason some teams have done this in basketball is to impress the president of the school and keep up a perceived reputation. Take 10 guys (the real players) who have a 2.4 GPA average and throw in 2-3 3.5 to 4.0’s in there and your average goes to about 2.7
The coach can say to everyone “Look at the GPA of our men’s basketball team at 2.7, we are doing an inredible job with our STUDENT athletes.”
07, couldn’t a football team add walk ons? They don’t have a scholarship so how would that be affected by title 9? I think title 9 only related to the number of scholarship players.
By AltamahaDawg
May 3, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this
Not sure I made that point, the rule didnt outlaw No huddle, but did prevent the no huddle to be used for the sole purpose of refusing a defence a chance to substitute. All the other reasons somebody might want to run a hurry up offence, still are the same as always. IMO, the SEC defences basically don’t huddle right back at ya, and are fast an reactive enough, that a well executed offensive play in a normal ball control timeframe is going to rule.
By 2007
May 3, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this
I thought the same thing about Title IX affecting only scholarship students. However, in college I studied in the sports business field and learned more about Title IX. Title IX looks at women’s and men’s sports as a whole. They don’t look at individual teams. Title IX also must going into other things such as libraries, Student Centers, etc… That is why it is based on gender enrollment. In theory you are right, if you have a couple of smart guy teams like golf and tennis for example where you don’t have many athletes but they are all smart in the classroom then yes you can afford to add more walkons for football which in return would help the football program’s grad rates for the NCAA. When looking at a topic like this its funny how we would have to look at say men’s golf and women’s volleyball to see how many walkons a football team can have to help its grades, but that is just how this works. The people in the athletic department need a lot of credit for keeping our teams in line this is a complicated area of business its not just PE. So, yes with the quality of student athletes we have in our other men’s sports (non revenue) we probably could add a few football players to help the grad rates without hurting the Title IX. Funny how these things all work together.
By JimmyG
May 3, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this
I spend a lot of time in Tuscaloosa, my girlfriend has one more semester there before she graduates. I am not lying to yall when I say those people really think they will win the national title this year. I am almost convinced there is no need to even play this season, because bama now has Saban who is the next Bear Bryant. It is comical to listen to their fans, but I love it. They are passionate about football and they will talk football with me over there year round. I get along well with Bama fans, because we all hate Auburn. However, come that Saturday in September Bama has something coming for them. They are way to over confident and after watching some of that spring game on CSS they are not very good. They love football as do I, but I also love to listen to how good they think they already are. Georgia 41 Bama 2
By majordawg
May 3, 2007 8:41 PM | Link to this
“Will the football team get there degree from REDNECK U UGA?”
Yeah, I think you mean “their degrees” genius. Where did you get yours?!?
By RxDawg
May 3, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this
ROFL JimmyG. I know a quite a few bama fans and that description fits them to a T. I dont think they have much of a shot myself but….we’ll see.
Buba…sigh, I’m pretty sure your very wrong about Thomas Brown. I dont know if the injury will play a part or not, but time will tell…and prove you wrong IMO.
By SamoanDawg
May 4, 2007 12:01 AM | Link to this
I think Brandon Wood would eventually move back to DE by his soph or jr year, unless he just dominates the interior and decides to stay there. I met the young man last season. He reminds me a lot of Dwight Freeney with the Colts. Body type wise. Low to the ground with great speed/power/balance. I know that’s a huge comparison, b/c we have yet seen the young perform. But it won’t surprise me if he does some things Dwight Freeney does.
By Gen Neyland
May 4, 2007 12:28 AM | Link to this
zoo
Exactly what NASA DIDN’T want some spaced babe to do. Wonder if she thought it through before she hit the road..? Snap, crackled and popped…
By c clemmons
May 4, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this
tech buzz get real, we all loved t hoage, but champ bailey was the best db in the history of this league.
By Georgian in CA
May 4, 2007 6:49 PM | Link to this
I look at those pictures and think. Man it must be so awesome to be the starting Quarterback for your Georgia Bulldogs! Glory. Glory. Sick’em Matt.
By chipdip
May 5, 2007 4:20 PM | Link to this
FAT F*KING F*!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!UP THE IRONS!!!!!!!!!!!MOTORHEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!