UGA

By gdawginkalamazoo

July 3, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

Chip, great article and good point by the coach there. Hope all this jelling together keeps them from jailing together. If you know what I mean. Staying out of trouble and keeping up with the class work might be a by product of all this chemistry. That in turn helps the morale. Of course most of this comes from a solid HC and his assistants. I believe that is how we finished so strong last year. And hopefully will start out this year with a bang.

By I-DOG

July 3, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this

Chip,

Thanks for the article. I personally think, having talented experience at the OL, DL, and QB positions is what makes championship teams, but there is no question that chemistry and morale (and may I add heart) are a big part of the equation.

Coach DVH is a huge part of the success Richt has had at UGA. There is no question that we are in better shape or at least a wash with EVERY team we play. Under Donnan and Goff that wasn’t true.

That may be one reason why UGA VERY rarely gets blown out under Richt. Only twice if you count LSU in the SECCG when they went on to win the national title and TN last year when we had 5 turnovers.

It didn’t look to me like TN was physically stronger, faster, or better conditioned.

Chip, While you had the coach, why not ask him for the chart that shows the players individual strength and conditioning numbers so that we can see their progress on an individual basis? You were right there! Will he not give that to the “media” any more? I guarantee the readers of this board would be excited to have that info.

By Pro-tonix

July 3, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this

Chemistry and morale. I like that. And I like the amount of both, the team is showing. Go Dawgs!

By gdawginkalamazoo

July 3, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this

I-Dog, and that never quit, never give up attitude.

By godawg

July 3, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this

Team bonding is a huge x-factor. Look how well the ‘80 team did by bonding over the summer while painting the practice field wall as punishment for ‘queing one of the hogs from the Swine Center on South Millege.

‘zoo…”Finish the Drill!”

By jason

July 3, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this

The team chemistry has been a trademark ever since MR arrived. I don’t think you can have a dream season every year. Sometimes you have struggle and face obstacles like last season. It was an uphill climb; game after game. Now we all know what happened those last three games. Last year was a character builder, a chemistry builder, and a total TEAM builder. This year UGA can finish the drill.

By Spurred

July 3, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this

The Dawgs are gonna need a whole lot of that morale and chemistry to fall back on when the gamecocks roll into Athens and lay half a hundred on ‘em.

Oh yeah, babe. Bet it.

By ol dawg

July 3, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this

Are we going to surprise some folks this year? If I remember correctly, we have 18 redshirts that will have something to do with it. I also feel that this offensive line is going to surprise. That is two surprises! Then there is Mike Bobo beginning his first year as OC, calling plays for an emerging Matt Stafford, who is going to be throwing to some very good talent, handing off to excellent talent, after returning kicks and kickoffs. Then Brandon C. can kick it a mile if need be. The secondary lost a couple of good ones, but we got more! A real “wall” of linebackers will hopefully prove themselves, and rush ends that will rush in! Hey, we might just do that - surprise some folks. Get ready Dawgs, it is just around the corner. These two months will go by fast and first thing you know, we’ll be right in the middle of the season! If we don’t have our optimistic year we expect to have, we are gettin’em ready for next year, and the year after, and…………

By Ft Worth Dawg

July 3, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

I agree that Coach Van is special. This article had me wanting to ask the question if last year’s team was lacking something in chemistry and morale (“C & M”). If yes, then how did it get fixed. I recall reading how Coach Richt was depressed before the Auburn game — thinking that the game plan was not going to work (and this after the losses to you-know-who and you-know-who). Nonetheless, the team came out smoking and routed Auburn. Go figure. How does this team stack up for C & M versus Richt’s other UGA teams. How ‘bout versus the FSU teams (Coaches Van and Richt go back a few years, don’t they?)? Are there any tricks of the trade to juice up the C & M? I remember watching on TV about Coach Richt taking the team to the pool before the Auburn game a few years ago and UGA came out loose and won. He tried the same thing with Shockley and company at the equestrian center and it almost worked (I thought it was too early - like a week and a half before the Auburn game). I recall hearing David Greene saying that the pool visit was the best coaching he’d seen at UGA because it was at the right time, was unexpected, and it worked perfectly.

UGA: Gellin’. Tech: Felon.

By GatorBait

July 3, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this

UF will blow UGA out this year in Jax by at least 20. UF’s offense will be loaded. UGA will end up in the Peach Bowl again after losses to Bama, UF and UT.

By Wozzo the Wonder Dog

July 3, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this

The funny thing about South Carolina football — you never know if you are going to get the chicken or the egg.

Is Lou Holtz predicting a national championship for South Carolina yet?

By A-ville Ranger

July 3, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this

The team chemistry thing can be a factor.It’s my experience that you can’t accurately predict if you have it though.It’s like the T Brown situation he’s a world beater,all world attitude guy,then the bell sounds and he can’t answer it.One player to watch as a David Pollack type leader is Charles White,he is all energy and positive vibes.

By Buck Cochran in the NW

July 3, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this

GatorBait, thanks and just keep on posting just the way you are. It’s music to my ears and I’ll bet the Reptiles haven’t given the “Party” a thought so keep on posting and lets just let it play out on the field.

By godawg

July 3, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

“Half a Hundred?”…Blake Mitchell is going to get hit more than Wille Nelson’s bong…

By gdawginkalamazoo

July 3, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this

I thought the game chickens lost the spurs off the logo. Or did they just put socks on the thing didn’t they? Any how, the smackers are loading up early aren’t they?

Wozzo, once pickled Lou finishes that fifth he will be slurring his predictions.

This will be Spurrier’s last hurrah anyway. After they stink it up (like a henhouse) he will be so damned depressed that he will quit (again). Of course blaming it all on himself.

By jay

July 3, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this

Congrats to John Isner, it looks like he should have been playing in London this week instead of California.

But my second question is why are there so many UF fans on this board? Do they not have a site of their own where they can trash UGA. Why do they have to come here doing? Gloating is not admirable. Ya you won the MNC, but now go back to your own board and brag about it. IF you don’t have one then try to start your own, but don’t come on ours just because you have no where else to go. It makes you look pitiful

By ShameCocks

July 3, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this

So who is going to throw the passes when the cocklovers “hang half a hundred” on the Dawgs? They “hung” a big goose egg at home last year, LOL. GO DAWGS!!

By I-DOG

July 3, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this

Spurred, I like the enthusiam of gamecock fans. I really do.

How do you go from being SHUT OUT at home to laying 50 on a team that has only had that happen to them once in 7 years and do it to them on the road?

Are you banking on UGA committing 6 turnovers?

By godawg

July 3, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this

Since SOS took over in Cola, the chickens have managed an average of 7.5 points per game and 39 yds. rushing. Where is the offensive explosion going to come frm?

By I-DOG

July 3, 2007 5:44 PM | Link to this

Chemistry, heart, teamwork, conditioning, all very important. However, UGA would have been in the hunt for the SEC title last year if we simply cut our mistakes in half.

Mistakes turned UGA from a contender for the SEC title into just a top 25 team. Penalties, turnovers, and dropped passes. UGA was last or near the bottom in all three important categories.

How many penalties killed drives last year or kept drives going.

We almost lost the tech game because of a late hit by a senior ALL SEC DE (Moses) on that last drive. We all think the game is over, but wait… automatic first down and keep tech alive.

Do we win the TN game without five turnovers to TN. I don’t know, but if we cut that down to 2-3 it would have been a one score game, that much anyone can admit.

Vandy? Cut down on those mistakes and it is a Dawg win, Kentucky same thing.

Even the FL game which was 21-14. If we don’t hand the ball to FL at our own 25 yard line and offer then 7, it is obviously tied up at 14 going into the last 5 minutes.

In the four losses, we got beat fair and square. Hats off to the victors.

Stafford turned it over too much, our receivers dropped an AMAZING number of passes last year (though they were great in the TN game), and penalites were very costly too.

We have the talent, experience, and conditioning to compete at the highest levels, but if we don’t get better with penalties, turnovers, and catching the ball, it won’t matter.

By jason

July 3, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this

That,s part of the adversity I was talking about early. I know UGA WRs drop passes, but that was way to many last year. Calls you gae away with when winning; get called when you are not. Last year was such a growing expirence. I mean not only for the players, but Coach Bobo, Martinez , and I believe even Coach Richt. Was last year Martinez’s first as DC ? What about Bobo as OC. Even coach Richt had to learn not to try and control to much. Just delegate…

By shane

July 3, 2007 6:24 PM | Link to this

personal foul penaties reflect a lack of self-control.this goes back to disciplin enforced in practice.dumd penalties in my day brought extra laps in practice,or a seat on the bench if they continued. make a big guy run extra laps on a hot day,or make a star player ride the bench for half a quarter instead of starting and you will get his attention.i was bad about fighting when i first started hs ball,believe me,running extra laps in the south ga heat after practice when everyone else headed for the showers got my attention. i learned to control myself during games.

By S.E. Dawg

July 3, 2007 6:52 PM | Link to this

I think the HOT SEAT does wonders for the character and morale of each UGA football team. It creates a feeling of brotherhood among the players. If some of you have not read about the hot seat, you should.

By Buck Cochran in the NW

July 3, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this

IMO, for the 1st time since he’s been in Athens, Mark Richt will be a true head coach and brothers and sisters I do think that’s going to have a more profound affect on the Dawgs than we understand. More importantly, other people don’t realize the changes on Ag Hill. There are a few that do and they’re picking the Dawgs to win the SEC East. I’ll have o check but I believe that Dean Legge said that people outside 0of Ga. don’t understand that Stafford has the talent to lead the Dawgs to the Title in ‘07 and ‘08. So I say to those mouths of the South, keep on talking and we’ll see you in your end zone

By Skydawg

July 3, 2007 8:04 PM | Link to this

I’ve said this a zillion times to friends and family. The biggest coup of the Mark Richt era was luring Coach Van to follow him to UGA. It is not a coincedence the success that has followed. UGA has always possessed talent. What they didn’t possess was discipline, strength, endurance and cohessiveness. Coach Van brought that all with him. Championship teams are born in the off season. Leaders are born in the off season. And Coach Van is the one who cuts the molding.

I too think the Dawgs are going to surprise quite a few people this season, but not me. This team will go neck and neck with the Gayturds. Jaxville will decide the east champ. Its gonna be fun. And just wait for the 2008 version of the Dawgs..sick I tell you, sick.

By Buck Cochran in the NW

July 3, 2007 8:24 PM | Link to this

BTW, it was Dean Legge on the scout.com website where he reviews the Dawg QBs.

By Buck Brinson

July 3, 2007 8:30 PM | Link to this

Bull

Talent———————-98% Chemistry and talent—2%

By ga dog

July 3, 2007 8:47 PM | Link to this

does any one recall the punter doing clean and jerks in the weight room,now the punter i am talking about, bonding in the weight room is what coach vans talking about, this is how its done, if my punter does power cleans and clean and jerks with every one else i get motivated to the extreme and cannot wait to hit someone wearing orange in about 60 days

By Big Dawg

July 3, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this

Chip,

Once again a very good article, Coach Van just confirmed what I have been hearing from my friend on GA’s coaching staff. This team has all the ingredients to be special. Go Dawgs

By S.E. Dawg

July 3, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this

Skydawg, you have a good point but if I remember correctly. CVH asked CMR if he could come with him. Coach Bowen and Coach Richt had an agreement that he would not ask any of the coaches at FSU to come with him.

Everyone is looking ahead to 2008, heck I think we have every possibility of things happening in 2007. I think the excitment is like a snow ball turning in to an avalanche.

By gator the dog catcher

July 3, 2007 11:22 PM | Link to this

I just checked the date of this article, and it is originally from July 2, 2006……. Just kidding of course, and hello to all.

By SamoanDawg

July 4, 2007 12:18 AM | Link to this

Chemistry/Morale… Explains why so many kids committed early to coach Richt and his staff already. No Is on the Team.

I too believe this team will surprise Kirb Herbstreit/Lee Corso and their whole crew on ESPN.

By ConyersDawg

July 4, 2007 1:00 AM | Link to this

Great stuff Chip, keep it coming.

By shane

July 4, 2007 2:02 AM | Link to this

as i was reading the interview with coach richt on the site buck and samoa so kindly provided i was struck by how much he had matured.i think that after 6 years as a head coach cmr is coming into his own.he has learned to delegate some of the work to asst.coaches,he has gotten tougher with his players,and he has become a better leader.i think we are just beginning to see what this man can achieve.it may sound like a corny old movie,but if a team truly becomes a family,and each member covers for the other,that team will become almost unbeatable.this sense of brotherhood comes from the top down people.

By hop

July 4, 2007 6:23 AM | Link to this

let’s all hope the preseason confidence matches the season reality.

the defense looked awful in the spring and the o/line looked good against a d-line that didn’t make many tackles.

i hope this team does surprise,but spring practice did not offer much hope.

o-state will provide an early wake up call for the season.

By Buck Cochran in the NW

July 4, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this

HAPPY JULY 4TH TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE “DAWG NATION” AND EVERYONE ELSE!……..hop, I would classify myself as an optimist. Also, I agree with what you had to say. Hard to be both? Don’t think so. As a Reptile friend said, I wasn’t before but now after you’ve been talking about the change in attitude, I’m beginning to wonder. hop, I see the pieces falling into place starting with CMR and going from there. When things all of a sudden start to click and the people fall into the position where they should be, That’s when I start getting fired up and none of us have long to wait. So, today July 4th you’re right, now we’ll see on Sept. 1st.

By Big Dawg

July 4, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this

hop,

“I hope this team does surprise,but spring practice did not offer much hope.”

Not to worry hop it was only spring drills which are for finding out who can play and who can not. We will find out just how far this team has come right from the start as there are 58 more days to September 1st and the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Go Dawgs

By shane

July 4, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this

happy july 4th to everyone,including gators,vols, tigers,yellow jackets,war eagles,and every fan of college football.lets not forget those overseas providing us the freedom to speak on this as well as more important sites.we are all americans friends,lets never forget that.

By ConyersDawg

July 4, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this

Happy 4th Dawgs!

DVH, knows about special classes. DVH was awarded Master S&C coach the highest honor a S&C coach can receive. He was key to Fl. St.’s program becoming what it has and now with Georgia’s. My point is this, he has seen a lot of classes come and go and DVH blows no smoke folks, when he sees a special class watch out because the Dawgs are going to make some noise this season.

By cooter11

July 4, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this

do some of the “special” boys ride the short bus?

Special=”enjoy each other”?

By Buck Cochran in the NW

July 4, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this

ANOTHER VIEWPOINT: Go to the sportingnews.com. They have a story saying to “look out for the Cowboys”. VERY good info and a good blog with some Dawgs getting into the act and you might be suprised at their feelings.

By P-Dawg in Tulsa

July 4, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this

Great Story!!! I am excited about this year. The biggest ? for me is will our O-line be good or better. If the O-line shows up we have a real shot at an amazing year. Living in OSU country, they are not going to be a push over. Based on talent and coaching we should win, but if you talk experience and excitement OSU has a real chance. As 90% of the people here in Ok are OU fans, the OSU base does not give their team much credit. They are used to being 2nd rate, kinda like GTech. See yall Sept 1.

By Chip Towers

July 4, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this

Happy 4th everyone… . Just to expound on DVH, as you may have gathered, I’ve been spending some time observing the Dogs’ offseason workouts lately. The thing that strikes me the most is all the unusual, position-specific excercises Georgia has come up with in recent years. There’s this one they call “Turkish Get-ups” that the quarterbacks were doing that day. The person holds a heavy dumbell straight up over the head. The elbow cannot bend and the person must stand up from a flat on the floor to standing upright. While it may sound easy, it’s apparently hard as heck. It’s designed to develop strength and body control and balance throughout… . Also, I love the footwork exercises the offensive and defensive linemen do while strapped down by bungy-like cords to wood platforms. They have to run in place with high knee lifts and also hop and get their feet to touch dots painted on the platform. Again, it may sound easy but it’s an absolutely brutal workout.

By Buck Cochran in the NW

July 4, 2007 6:59 PM | Link to this

Back to you Chip. I’m so glad I’m to old and don’t have the talent to play college ball. You may have missed it, but the Sporting News has a couple of pretty good paragraphs about the Cowboys. We better be ready.

By SECCoachnDallas

July 4, 2007 7:11 PM | Link to this

From this Dallas Dawg’s perspective, the only half a hundred the COOTS are going to lay on UGA is in the loss column. I think the record stands at 44-12-2 in UGS’s favor. We will see 50 losses by the COOTS before they see 15 wins against UGA. I cannot imagine what it must be like to be associated with such a lousy football history as the COOTS have.

SCum…A Proud Tradition of Mediocrity, Where Yesterday Never Happened and Tomorrow Never Comes

By SamoanDawg

July 4, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this

So, are all the freshmen reported in? I know we have two that may have to go to prep school. John Knox/Vance Cuff. Glad to hear Logan Gray has recovered from an illness.

Curious how our LBs are doing? Will Dewberry able to fend off Akeem Dent? I’m glad to hear Dent is pushing Daniel Ellerbe/ Darius Dewberry hard. Of course, I’m expecting big things from Brandon Miller… wondering if he’s got his game down pat. I heard very little about Daryl Gamble. Looking forward to hear more from Rennie Curran/Charles White in fall camp.

By Buck Cochran in the NW

July 4, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this

SamoanDawg, on ugasports.com they have an in depth look at the LB. position. It may not bother anybody else but to look at the lack of experience is scary.

By BB in Tulsa

July 4, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this

P-Dawg,

Go back to Georgia. Tulsa county has the largest OSU alumni base in the world. We give our team plenty of credit and we most definitely are not 2nd rate to anybody.

Also, though our current stadium configuration does hold probably around 30,000 fewer fans than OU or Georgia, it has been proven through government studies and expert testimony, that on game days, Boone Pickens Stadium still hosts more people with a full set of teeth than do the football stadiums of the aforementioned teams.

By teddybulldawg

July 5, 2007 12:36 AM | Link to this

Coach Van is a good barometer. If we get anything close to what we’ve had on D, we’ll win 10-11 games. If everything falls into place, we can win ‘em all. I don’t think this is the year, but we have a nice base that is capable of taking it over the top.

By joe

July 5, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this

Yes, ‘07 dogs special…as in so special they rode the short bus to school…go Tech!!!

By Ed

July 5, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

Spurred, if the Chickens lay “half a hundred” on the Dawgs, they will have to score exactly “half a hundred” more than the big goose egg that they put up last year.

Hope springs eternal in the summer…

By Palmetto State Dawg

July 5, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

Hey Spurred, you’re an idiot. You actually think Blake Mitchell could lay “half a hundred” on GA? I live over here in Columbia, and you Gamecock fans kill me. You think just because you’ve had one good recruiting class then all of the sudden you are the power in the SEC. Gimme a break! Pathetic is what you are!

By NWGA Dawg

July 5, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

I like the sound of what I’m hearing from the ‘Cocks, the Vols fans and Geeks.

…Poor ole Georgia had better not even strap it on this year. Someone tell CMR that it’s all futile. Just phone the “L’s” in…

Are these people THAT stupid? Last year’s results: SC- GA wins in a shutout; UT- GA loses in a Gimme, UT fans think they’ve conquered the world; Tech- GA wins (yawn, again). Not flashy: just gets it done. Finishes with 3 wins in a row against top 20 teams (incredibly enough, one of them was actually GT—ranked in the top 20 that late in the year!). Note to Vols fans: UGA finishes with the same record as you know who and ranked higher in at least one poll. A much better end of year campaign than either SC, UT or ‘Tech. Enjoy that down year that the Dawgs had….

By NWGA Dawg

July 5, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this

BTW, the BB in Tulsa guy above sounds EXACTLY like a Tech kind of fan. Appears to me that P-Dawg nailed it…..the attitude of the 2nd rate.

By gator the dog catcher

July 5, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

As long as Eason is teaching catching and Willie Martinez is running the defense, the SEC can sleep much better.

Does Van Halanger still have them doing the keg lift? What about the “mountain-get-ups”……..you know, thats where the two qbs lay on the ground in the spooning position and the one in front tries to get up while the one in back holds the “spoon” in place. It didn’t look like Cox was very good at that drill, but then again he was probably just worn out.

By gdawginkalamazoo

July 5, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this

gtdc, Hello old friend. Only the keg lifts. They don’t count calories either like your QB does. You know, the is he low cal chocolate face lick. And the “I might marry him if I can carry him through the threshhold lift”.

By SOS

July 5, 2007 8:47 PM | Link to this

Sounds like Coach Van is providing cover for the fact that the mutts don’t have much to crow about (pardon the pun) where it counts (the OL and DL) this year…

It will be interesting to see what happens between SC and GA this year. “Spurred” is way off base though. As much as I want us to hang half a hundred on the mutts, the reality is that each team has put more than 20 points on the other only once apiece in any of the games this decade.

I do think this is our best chance since 2001 of winning at Sanford though. It will be another close one with SC winning 20-17.

GO COCKS!!!

PS: Dallas Dawg, you shortchanged us by one win. I think SC gets to 15 in 2 years, or about the same amount of time since the last time you got laid.

By SOS

July 5, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this

Hey Palmetto Dawg, how can anybody who lives in God’s Country have such a sour stomach? Are you one of those mutt wannabes who didn’t graduate from UGA and couldn’t get a job in GA?

By Buck Cochran in the NW

July 5, 2007 9:22 PM | Link to this

Here we go. ESPN, in their College Football section says: upset alert: Okla.St. vs Ga. That’s Schlabach’s 1st week alert.

By SamoanDawg

July 6, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this

Buck, LB is a concerned right now. As you mentioned, lack of experience. Dewberry, Ellerbe and Miller all played last season, but we still lack experience. If the front four guys have consistent good games, it should make it a lot easier for our LBs to pursue to their gaps and finish off tackles. That’s my visual effect anyway, it don’t always go as you plan, we’ll just have to learn from our mistakes as we go.

By Buck Cochran in the NW

July 6, 2007 12:37 AM | Link to this

SamoanDawf, how ight ou are and I just hope we can keep the Cowboys wthin striking distence. I believe this is goig to be a very un-like Dawg. Still won’t be suppried if the over/under is 50-60.

By gdawginkalamazoo

July 6, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this

Buck, I saw that. And where did Schlabach go to school?????

By Buck Cochran in the NW

July 6, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this

Georgia! That’s why it got my attention. I’m hoping that in his own subtle way he’s really giving the players a heads up and locker room material.

By gator the dog catcher

July 6, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this

You can always count on Kalamazoo for a good ole whitty comeback. Hope your summer is going well zoo! Looking forward to another good blogging season with ya’ll.

By AltamahaDawg

July 6, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this

Upset alert predictions are such a spineless crock. If they dont turn out, nobody is going to fault your knowledge, specially if its close, and it it happens, look how wise you are. Gee, a pretty darn good team might beat another one, wow. Those guys are just obligated to pick upsets, everyone loves an upset. Lets see, week 1, where is a pretty good team playing a better known top 20 team, ah, there it is. Lets pick this one.

Heres my upset watch….. any team, any saturday. I’ll come back year end and remind everyone how brilliant I looked with that a few times.

By I-DOG

July 6, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this

Wasn’t UGA the upset special a couple of years ago when the best Boise State team in history came into Athens for the first game ever?

I don’t really consider OK State an upset special kind of game. This is a good team that the writers in Dallas unanimously pick as the 2nd best team in the big 12 for 07.

Will the Dawgs be favored by a few points? Probably, but I don’t really consider it an “upset” when a team is a 4 or 5 point underdog and ends up winning. An “upset” is a team that nobody really think has a chance to win and they pull it out.

By Buck Cochran in the NW

July 6, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this

Altahama, now that was a go out on the line pick! I was glad to see the Cowboy game as an “upset alert”. that type of hing can be used as good locker room material. Same goes for Mandell on SI.com, college football. He finally had to show some balance and say something decent about Stafford. Before this week Tebow was his 2nd coming. All these types of predictions are fun IMO and if they’re wrong well it’s mud on the writers face

By AltamahaDawg

July 6, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

UGA seems to always be in the upset alert cycle. I guess it’s when writers stop thinking of teams beating the Dawg as an upset, that we are in trouble.

By DAWG FOREVER

July 6, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this

YEA.. Just like Boise State upset us!! Same Story.. Same Results.. Another Dawg Win!! Sick’em

By Buck Cochran in the NW

July 6, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this

Altahama, I don’t know if you read the story but we aren’t the only ones. KY. vs. Reptiles= upset alert. I put the Cowboys in a different class than Boise st. because the c’boys play , their schedule has the likes of Texas, OU and I thing Nebraska, much tougher than Boise St. I believe that their attitude coming to Athens will be much like ours going to AU last year.

By Cuz

July 7, 2007 12:37 AM | Link to this

GTDC, where have you been buddy. Sensless name calling without humor has been enough to make me want to projectile reguritate on the first lizard I can find.

Are the rumors true. Has Tebow grown the traditional mullet and are those jean shorts on his myspace spot. I hear that he is secretly dating Milee Cyrus for hair tips from her Dad. Say it aint so.

New flash for you. The gamehens are going to whipp our butternuts this year just like last year. Wait a minute. Whattcha got Loran. Oh yeah we beat them last year just like 90 per cent of the other years. I think UF has about a 98% average, but we have played them worthless hens longer.

Hope you are doing well, time for your salvo. Don’t hit me in the face. it bruises to easy.

By BuLLdawg

July 7, 2007 6:44 AM | Link to this

.

That The Bulldogs are on Satellite in our new 5-year deal XM is good for Bulldogs overseas and across the nation. That the AJ-C still continues to drive home crap that one-third the fans of the online version are Tech fans and therfore have to continue this crap about 1 of the 10 preason polls has Tech slightly ahead of UGA by two spots when all the other 9 have UGA ahead of Tech by a huge wide large margin, is typical of the rag.

The Athens Banner-Herald has a dead blog for UGA now two (2) days old with one (1) comment only about how Reshad Jones should be at cornerback they say we want.

BS

By BuLLdawg

July 7, 2007 6:47 AM | Link to this

http://blogs.onlineathens.com/node/566

Reshad Jones is bigger than Kelin Johnson, significantly faster than he too, and is a far more accomplished football player with more polish and more skill destined to the NFL while Kelin Johnson ain’t. It could be that Reshad Jones’ up-coming NFL career is at cornerback; however, UGA happens to have a stellar line-up at cornerback at this time even without flunked out All-America Cornerback Paul Oliver.

This remains the issue.

Not who will take Paul Oliver’s cornerback position with so many top-notch proven cornerbacks with speed, skill, football savvy and ability to make plays - but, what are we doing on Defense this year with the absolute proven ability discussed by the head coach and the defensive coordinator of Reshad Jones, who should NOT have been redshirted last season along with the whole entire recruiting class last season redshirted as well but 3. And, one of those didn’t have a good season at quarterback when he wasn’t ready and Reshad Jones was.

Reshad Jones and CJ Byrd should both be on the field. For odd reasons - apparent to all who watched the G-Day Game, apparent to all the coaches who have spoken on the matter including Coach Richt and Defensive Coordinator Willie Martinez that Reshad Jones just simply must get onto the field and continue to demonstrate to all that he is what he has been known to be – our playmaker on Defense and Special Teams.

Get him on the damn field.

Do it now.

By BuLLdawg

July 7, 2007 6:48 AM | Link to this

His future with The Dawgs, at least, is at the hole in the middle left by prior guys who played there and did make plays, and no that has never included Kelin Johnson in the past. Is Kelin Johnson really the answer ahead of Reshad Jones at Strong Safety ? Hell no.

Is Kelin Johnson really the answer instead of CJ Byrd either at Strong Safety ?

So what in the name of God are both CJ Byrd and Reshad Jones doing on the Depth Chart of these same out-spoken coaches at Free Safety competing with each other when both blow away Kelin Johnson should either be in competition for his position of Strong Safety which is so clear to me ? Kelin Johnson has never made plays, doesn’t have the football acuity of either Reshad Jones nor CJ Byrd, and is sitting over there by himself at Strong Safety ? No competition for Kelin Johnson at his Strong Safety position, but share time of CJ Byrd and Reshad Jones at Free Safety ? Redshirt Freshman Reshad Jones or Redshirt Sophomore CJ Byrd, one or the other has to be at Strong Safety next season, and the question I ask is if that is true, then why not have that one the coaches will have over there after this season, there now to compete with a guy who has never made plays for us and never started in Kelin Johnson ?

That Athens Banner-Herald blog is dead. Posted 2 days ago, you have one post. Who is impressive around here ?

.

.

By Buck Cochran in the NW

July 7, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

“get him on the damn field”! one of the best, straightforward and truthful quotes in ‘07 and I believe they will.

By Nationwide?

July 7, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this

“That The Bulldogs are on Satellite in our new 5-year deal XM is good for Bulldogs overseas and across the nation.”

Does this mean over the sea of Lake Oconee and across the nation of West and South Georgia?

The only thing nationwide about UGA is the lack of knowledge or respect anyone has for this joke of a school across the nation.

By steve madden

July 8, 2007 4:28 AM | Link to this

yeah, with Matthew Stafford and co. hoisting beer kegs, no wonder the chemistry is so good at UGA. Their Book bags do not have any books in them, so I guess the strength and conditioning is with a metal container containing Amheiser Bush.

By DJISTHEGREATESTQBEVERTOPLAYINTHEHISTORYOFFOOTBALL

July 9, 2007 8:21 AM | Link to this

Coach speak. What do you expect him to say? This team will be lucky to win 8 games.

By baloney

July 9, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

The dawgs will be the best because they work hard and no other team does. (especially in the SEC)

By gdawginkalamazoo

July 9, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this

I guess it’s when writers stop thinking of teams beating the Dawg as an upset, that we are in trouble.

AltaDawg, That’s the way we should be looking at it. Well said.

By shane

July 9, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this

nationwide means just that,spanning the nation.it means nationwide recruiting,we have recruits and players from cal,mo,co,tx,nj,md,va,nc,sc,ga,fl,ms,aland etc.we play several NATIONALY televised games every year,and most, like the fl game, bring high ratings. thats why they are nationaly televised.you need only to read the names on these post to see that we have fans all over this country.so wake up and smell the coffee,we are widely known as a football power,and we have been for decades,even before dooley,besides,any football fan worthy of the names knows our mascot.we are nationwide,deal with it!

By AltamahaDawg

July 10, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this

shane, whoever that was that tried to twist that whole xm radio quote into some kind of a slam is either just a dumba$$ that can’t even comprehend what that meant, or so desperate to post some kind of a put down on a Dawg site, that she just grasped at anything. The whole point was that Dawg fan from outside the area could benefit. Nobody ever tried to say the world cared about UGA. (although claiming UGA is a joke, or that the college footabll nation doesnt respect it, is pretty lame excuse of a comment) I guess every majoy sport broadcast and publication didnt realize they didnt care. So if she trully beleives that in the history of UGA nobody ever moved away from North Georgia, then posting about “lack of knowledge” is very ironic.

By Vince the Prince

July 10, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this

Talk, talk, talk…..UGA will be 8-4 at best with a potential loss to the Cowpokes in the opener. Just another season of Dawg Fans questioning why the bought tickets.

By Cuz

July 10, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this

Hey artist formerly known as dirtbag, UGA is a coming to town. Get on the bandwagon or drag your women and children and your sorry asp out of the way. Right now we are all undefeated. That is what makes this time of year so fun. 8-4, my fighting tooth. 10-2 or 9-3, depends on a field goal somewhere. Heck I remember when we would beg to win 8 games. The times they sure are a changing.

By Chip Towers

July 11, 2007 1:19 AM | Link to this

Not sure if anybody has noticed but I have been unable to update the blog for a while. I have a good reason. My wife gave birth to our son, Bryson, this past Thursday. Both are well, thank you. But I’ll be off work and unable to update the blog for the next couple of weeks. Carter Strickland will fill in when he can. I’ll be back soon and hopefully will have had a full night’s sleep sometime between now and then! Take care and blog on!

By shane

July 11, 2007 2:32 AM | Link to this

best wishes chip,to you and your family. i hate to break the news to you buddy,two weeks ain’t gonna get it,you will be busy for about 25 yrs.good luck!

By Buck Cochran in the NW

July 11, 2007 8:38 AM | Link to this

Comgratulations Chip and to your wife. shane has it right but enjoy while you can.

By AltamahaDawg

July 11, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this

Chip, the trick is to just modify your definition of a “full nigh’t sleep”.

By JASON

July 11, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

“something special” that is a joke. I guess since the puppies can only go up after not finishing in the top 25 last year they may be. 8-4 at best for the puppies this year including an 0-2 start! Cant wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By AltamahaDawg

July 11, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this

Jason, that’s what you look forward to about the upcoming college football season, hoping that things go poorly for a team that you have absolutely no affiliation with? Man, I feel sorry for you. That’s just sad.

By Chip Towers

July 11, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this

JASON, not to argue the point about the Dogs being “special” this year — that’s VanHalanger’s assertion that I merely shared for the UGA fans on this blog — but Georgia DID finish in the Top 25 last year and has every year in the Mrk Richt era. According to an ESPN poll to be released a little later this week, the Dogs’ football program is ranked No. 10 overall among 119 schools over the last 10 years (1996-present). Only Florida and LSU from the SEC were ranked higher. The criteria includes overall record (fifth best in that span), conference and national championships and momentum, among other things… . My point is it’s fine to dislike Georgia since you obviously root for a different school. But it’s pretty immature and infantile to merely slam the program without objectively considering the facts. UGA under Richt is very, very good. Exceptional, in fact. That said, perhaps they will go 8-4. If you think about it, though, that wouldn’t be terrible if they start 0-2 as you project. That’d mean they’d win at least two against Tennessee, Florida, Auburn or Georgia Tech.

By Ft Worth Dawg

July 11, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this

Bryson Towers — UGA Class of 2029

By I-DOG

July 11, 2007 7:00 PM | Link to this

interesting article about the Felony drug charges being dropped against the Florida running back because there wasn’t enough weight to make it worth pursuing.

The article in the AJC made it seem like the Gators would suspend him for the first “practice” game against a weak opponent.

If Meyer ends up suspending him for three games, then I think Florida is being reasonable in punishing a felony transgression. 1 game is a joke.

It has been so long since a UGA player was arrested on ANY kind of felony charges, that I honestly can’t recall it. Last 10 years? If this happened at UGA, I think the suspension would be half the season to a full season, quite honestly.

One game isn’t even on the same planet as what would happen if this had been a UGA player, especially since that is a meaningless game.

At least FL isn’t pulling a Penn State here, but this is just another example of UGA being on a completely different plane in terms of punishing football players for various offenses than any other big time program.

By Buck Cochran in the NW

July 11, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this

I-dog, I may be the only person that thinks this way but I think we’ve gone over the top with the punishment of our players for their misdeeds. Ga. has the strongest penalty code in the SEC. Add to that the fact that they pay $10 for missing a class or appointment and I do believe that enough is enough. I read a column by David Ching where he brought up the punishment of Barnes and Dent. The feeling was that CMR may follow the rules to the T and suspend them for 12% of the season and not round it up to what has been two full games. I hope he does that because that would place some of the decision making power back in the hands of the Coach. Nobody wants one and there won’t be an SEC conduct code conference wide. Joe Pa’s punishment may turn out to be great. Picture a big upset over say Mich. and the players have to clean the stadium before they hit the parties. That would cause me to jump some body’s butt that put me in that position. I’m excluding the players who are facing crimminal charges.

By shane

July 11, 2007 11:42 PM | Link to this

dr adams wants to end the “party school” tag for uga.my daughter and i went to athfest and the cops were everywhere. a sign hanging over the bar at the hotel said having an open container on any street or in any semi-private parking lot would make one subject to arrest. no wonder some of the players get in trouble. how many students get arrested in athens in an average month? i hope one of the kids can tell us. we could hardly turn a corner in athens without meeting a cop. i think adams and the athens police are working hand in hand on this and i think adams needs to back off.

By MadMerf

July 12, 2007 12:09 AM | Link to this

I agree that CMR and the administration are entirely too strict on the kids. UF is in a tailspin as far as institutional control is concerned, with some serious infractions, but they’re doing a better job in Gainesville than they are in Columbia.

In Athens, Barnes and Chandler were arrested early in the morning for walking to their house, which they were a few steps from when an officer spotted beer cans in their hands. Nothing rowdy, obscene, or disturbing from the boys. Just a polite apology, then they’re hauled off downtown.

Other than Steven Garcia’s obvious troubles with the law, Corey Boyd, SC’s star running back, was seen firing a gun into the air in the wee hours of the morning following a party-turned-riot. And a star SC recruit was stabbed during another altercation during a late-nite party. Yet there was no mention of alcohol in either case. Looks like Spurrier has the local authorities under his thumb. SOS even tried to take Garcia’s word over a university professor’s, who caught the youngster red-handed keying his car in broad daylight!

We are all (or mostly) adults here. We know what happens on college campuses. The kids are no saints, but they aren’t thugs either. Different schools have different rules, yet they needn’t be so radically different. Does harsher punishment slow the kids down? Not from what I’ve seen. Kids will be kids. Just like our kids will (gasp) be like us.

NOW THAT’S SCARY!!!!!!

By shane

July 12, 2007 1:24 AM | Link to this

madmerf,i think it’s more adams behind these problems, typical ivory tower thinking, make enough rules and create utopia. unfortunately people are human and they will make mistakes. a real leader must know when a man needs a kick in the butt, and when he needs a pat on the back. i am a retired us army officer,so i have had to do plenty of both during my career. these guys, [tripp and barnes], are seniors, they probably feel worse for letting their buddies down than any punishment would make them feel. i hope richt gives them a talking to and a pat on the back. as for the old ball coach,if he is as lax as it seems it will come back to haunt him.

By Buck Cochran in the NW

July 12, 2007 5:19 AM | Link to this

What’s the one program where Adams knows he better keep his hands off of? I think the increase in the punishment of players is a back door effort to gain some measure of control. IMO, it’s going to be interesting to see what punishment Barnes and Chandler receive….My bad, I said Dent not Chandler.

By AltamahaDawg

July 12, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

Buck you seem to forget that breaking a law, even as simple as a city ordinance on open containers, or a state wide drinking age, IS criminal. It’s not like they missed practice, or smarted off to a coach, they made a decision to break the law, knew the concequences, got caught, paying the price, …what’s the problem?

Plenty of towns in Georgia (all) have a prohibition of underage kids possessing alchohol in public places. Not many of those towns have 20,000 kids dead set on doing it, so perhaps they do over-react. The issue isnt who needs to back off, the issue is how many times can you tell somebody, and tell somebody, and tell somebody DON’T GET CAUGHT DOING THAT. The fact is, it is very difficult to get suspended for (10%) of the season and you have to do something. Its absoluteley rediculous to say that Adams put that school wide rule for all students as a way to gain control of the football program. Maybe we aught to ask the 99% of the football team that DIDN’T get in trouble this past summer,(in Dr. Adams evil plan) how in the world they manged that……….I’d bet its a pretty simple answer.

Now do I think that the Atrhens town counsel and the President of the university that occupies that town, work together and plan ways to curb the “party” atmosphere. Of cource. Thats been going on for the past 20 years. Ask somebody who wnet to UGA in the 70’s how it was. Ask somebody (me) who attended in 80’s what we used to be able to do. In fact, there was wide sweeping changes even in the mid 80s after I left. We used to be able to pull the Budweiser beer truck on the front lawn and invite every freshman co-ed in town. Pretty sure Dr Adams and the current city planners were nowhere to be found when this all started to tighten up.

Deal with it Blake Barns, you deserve 2 game for pure stipidity.

By AltamahaDawg

July 12, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

shane, IF they only recieved a kick in the butt they would NOT feel bad for letting anyone down, how did that let anyone down? BY getting suspended, they DID let thier team down, and thus should feel bad.

neither is a senior BTW.

Human do make mistake. Usually its the consequences that teach them not to repeat.

By shane

July 13, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this

i don’t think i made my position clear on this matter. uga’s reputation did need to be cleaned up.adams is striving to do just that,as he has publickly stated,though not in those exact words. this,along with the tightened admissions policy and increased emphises on academics was necessary.do i think adams is in league with or controls the apd,no,i do not.i do however,think it shows a lack of reason to arrest any student when a word of warning would suffice.a kid that is out of line or smarts off at an officer should be arrested,otherwise, give them a warning and send them home.if he commits the same offense again,then arrest him. i foud the overwhelming presence of police at athfest to be intimidating,and i am 58 yrs. old.

By shane

July 13, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this

by the way,though i do not think adams is in league with the athens cops,i think a word from him to the right people would put a stop to uncalled for arrests,and protect his students. that is ALL students,not just football players.