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 > September > 18 > Entry
Paranoia reigns in Athens
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s all in your head, you need to unwind You’re losing your grip, the paranoia never ends It’s all in your head, what you see in your mind There’s no reason to trip, the paranoia never ends
Borrowing the style of the AJC’s undisputed ace blogger, Braves reporter David O’Brien — or DOB as he’s known in the blogosphere — that’s the chorus of a song by a band called “Swollen Member.” I can’t profess to being a fan of or having any idea what they sound like, but the lyrics of their song “Paronoia” are appropriate today considering the current state of mind of the Georgia football camp. (I was actually looking for the lyrics of an 80s song I remembered that says “paranoia will destroy ya,” but Swollen Members’ work is all I got on that. Oh well).
Anyway, I don’t think I can recall a time when there was as much concern over football espionage. Alabama’s Nick Saban has somewhat of a reputation for doing whatever it takes to win and, a former member of Bill Belichick’s staff, he actually has been accused of deploying some sneaky tactics — or is he just being creative? — to gather information that may help his team gain some sort of edge. I’m not going to repeat the accusations here because I can’t independently determine their validity. Let’s just say they’re out there and judging from Georgia coach Mark Richt’s behavior this week, he is accutely aware of them. It’s probably not a coincidence that first-year offensive line coach Stacy Searels worked with Saban for years and would know for certain what tactics Saban deploys.
All that said, as I’m sure most of you guys are aware, Coach Richt has closed practices this week to the media — and everybody besides direct family of the Georgia coaches. He said Tuesday he didn’t have a problem with the actual members of the media or what we’re writing, but just that he wanted to be sure to control and and all information that comes out of their practices this week.
“We felt like we just wanted some privacy,” Richt said. “We’re always concerned about people watching practice. I know we’ve cut the media out of it but we’ve cut a lot of people out of it. Coaches always worry about if so-and-so says something. Some people say things inadvertently or they may something to a friend and a friend puts it on the ‘Net and then it becomes a clue for someone… . What happened in the NFL awareness probably brought a little more awareness to maybe something going on.”
Carter’s writing a story about it but I just wanted to get the views of you good folks about this. Is Richt just being paranoid. Obviously I’d prefer that they didn’t close practices — though they’ve limited it to the point these days that we don’t see thatj much anyway — but are you glad to see shutting things down? And what about the distraction angle? Is all this focus and concern on security and information control taking away from the primary task of preparing for and ultimately finding a way to beat Alabama?
Permalink | Comments (198) | Post your comment | Categories: Football




DEL.ICIO.US
Comments
By Hoopergdawg
September 18, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this
To all my volunteer friends. CBSSportsline.com has predicted a rematch for the Tn Vols, uh, against Southern Miss in the Liberty Bowl. LOL, I can’t stop smiling.
By austindog
September 18, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this
I think it’s good Richt made a decision that wasn’t friendly to all. The players can take the queue that these games aren’t played for fun, winning is important.
By BeatTech
September 18, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this
I don’t blame CMR, nor any other coach that closes practice. I personally think the media makes a bigger deal out of this than it really is. And, that’s probably because the media feels they’re not able to “create” more news because their access “rights” (not priveleges) have been taken away.
By Roger That
September 18, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this
As a Dawg fan, I think this is absurd. For UGA fans to slam Saban this week for no known reason is absurd. Espionage? Cheating? Go out there and practice hard and get your schemes down, and WIN a game. Excuses are for losers. Play football. Seems that the excuses have already started so that the pressure will be off of CMR and the Dawgs if they lose in Tuscaloosa. Where is Pat Dye when we need him?
By georgiagirl
September 18, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this
I think that it is great that they close practice and keep all distraction away from the coaches and the team. Time to work on the team and get it together and play Bama. GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By austindog
September 18, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this
cue
By CoastalDawg
September 18, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this
I just think he doesn’t want anyone to see how horrible the offensive line is.
By gdawginkalamazoo
September 18, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this
Chip, I think Searles might have bent the ear of Coach Richt. As you said Searles would know. Did you see any hoodies hanging around the practice field?
By trottinghometudd
September 18, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this
Richt is agreat example for young people to learn from. Low key,sensative,etc…, but nobody’s momma boy. His bite is deadly, his bark, low…
By Jim
September 18, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this
Wow, way to be subtle, Chip. Sounds like you are accusing Nick Saban of cheating. I never would have guessed Saban would have this kind of effect on the SEC, but that is pretty pathetic to start accusing him like that. I think Mr. Saban has a reputation of winning and because UGA is scared of him (clearly) does not mean he is cheating. Pretty pathetic tactic by you, Mr. Towers.
By Kendall
September 18, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this
Close them. We can find out who is or isnt playing when they run out of the tunnel on Saturdays. The Internet trumps everything. Too much info traveling too fast. “Loose lips sink ships” has never been more true than today.
By A-ville Ranger
September 18, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this
It ain’t paranoia if it’s true….is it ? What if a tree falls in the forest and we’re not sure if anybody hears,does it still make a noise ? I’m gonna stop before I get a nose bleed. I just hope the mystery men are cooking up a surprise or two for Saban the elephant man……Chip——-no doody, I thought I picked up on a DOB vibe in your blogs about a week back,is that about right ?
By RxDawg
September 18, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this
Nah, i’m sure that having less “outsiders” at practice can do nothing but help the team focus more. It might be a bit of an overeaction, but then again I dont know what they know. Maybe Nick Satan is a dirty coach after all.
By Mony
September 18, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this
They’re just AFRAID………..
By gdawginkalamazoo
September 18, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this
Chip, I think the song you were thinking of was by the Kinks called Destroyer. Not sure of the year.
By sansho1
September 18, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this
That’s Destroyer by The Kinks you’re trying to think of. Here’s a lyric for Richt:
Feelin’ guilty, feelin’ scared, hidden cameras everywhere Stop! Hold on. Stay in control…
By JG
September 18, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this
Yes, I am glad Richt has locked it down. The way the team has played they need total focus on what is at hand. Thanks for your report.
By Toccoa
September 18, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this
After reading Carter’s piece, it sounds to me like coaches are more concerned about Press leaks than a Alabama spy.
By Noyellowinthisblood
September 18, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this
I donn’t know how much this will help but it couldn’t hurt. What need to happen this week in practice is work on fundamentals, instituting a solid game plan and getting these players intensity level as high as possible.
By Nick Saban
September 18, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this
yep, he’s paranoid. http://sabanator.blogspot.com
By UGA95
September 18, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
All that it means is that UGA fans should get ready to see page two of the offensive playbook.
By Lowcountry Bulldawg
September 18, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this
Chip,
Please do not use any lyrics from a group named “swollen member”. LOL!
By Fort Worth Dawg
September 18, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this
This puts Richt in too negative a light. Dooley closed practice - A LOT. I remember as a student when the Athletic Department had guards to keep students from walking down Sanford Bridge next to the stadium. I should have kept going and filed assault and battery charges if they touched me (and then settled for free tickets).
Maybe this is a subtle way to push for an indoor practice facility.
UGA will run two reverses against Bama (one a Massaquoi reverse and the other a tradional one). Then, for all the historians, UGA will run a flea flicker. The reverses will pick up big chunks of yardage but the flea flicker will be dropped. Now that Bama knows what we are going to do we no longer have to worry.
By the way, I have some Navy Seal friends who were sent to infiltrate Bama’s practice. They reported that Bama has been unable to read our signals due to an inability to read. They reported Saban will put 8 in the box and try to fluster Stafford. They also reported that Bama feels that our offensive and defensive lines are not man enough to stop them.
By rob
September 18, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this
I watched the teleconference on CSS. Coach Richt wants to restrict access because our own fellow Dawgs leak info, not because he suspects Saban of anything. If some yahoo sees a formation or adjustment that we work on in practice, then that yahoo will do splatter it all over rivals to get some kind of validation for his “football acumen.” No access to practice = no tips on dawgvent. That is all CMR was getting across. Would Saban spy, who knows? But he can’t, if he can’t get any eyes on the practice field or info from the web.
By I-DOG
September 18, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this
Jim,
Saban had a history of winning at LSU, but the last time the Dawgs played them, it was a complete blowout in the Dawgs favor.
My take on this is that Richt and Bobo are going to run different plays offensively and change some things up this week. They want Saban to be using game film and not reports from practice because what UGA showed in the first three games offensively will not be the same scheme on Saturday night.
It might work, it might not. It should be a very close game on Saturday night. I think UGA has recruited a little better than Alabama over the past 3-4 years and I think that Bama might be a little physically an emotionally drained after playing a game like that late Saturday night.
At least I hope those things are true. This will make or break the Dawgs season.
By JimmyG
September 18, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this
UGA scared of Saban? Last matchup UGA 45 Saban 16, so to say they are scared is wrong. Why not close practice? The AJC and most of the fans that read it are so down on this team, I wouldn’t give them access either. Alabama has yet to prove anything either, lets not make them out to be some big bad team like the ones from back in the time of the dead bear. After Georgia takes this game in convincing fashion I don’t want to hear any Dawg fans that have cut them down recently to come on here and tell us how great they are. Georgia is the more talented team, so if they show up and play with emotion they will take this game…
By Decatur Dawg
September 18, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this
I watched Richt’s press conference today, and this whole topic is just totally being blown out of proportion by, uh, yes, the media. Including the AJC. It is pure lazy journalism, the easy story. Is it that out of the question that for a big game, for a team that has not found it’s identity, to try something different, and try to get the Dawgs to focus a little more?(They have a tendancy to be lack-luster at times) Time to get in the trenches and quit answering stupid, asinine, questions by reporters! Does the possibility that spying played a part in this decision? I would think it is possible that it plays some part, but not what the stupid media is trying to make out of it.
Still, it is going to be a long night Saturday night, I will be pulling for the Dawgs hard, but again:Bama 35, Dawgs 13. We are too young and have not gelled yet.
Go Dawgs!
By triton63
September 18, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this
I don’t see this as Richt being afraid of any spying. Just his way of getting his team to really focus on the game. With the press in there everyday it has to be a distraction. Bama knows what we have and haven’t got so this will not change anything for them. Unfortunately, we don’t have enough to beat them. Maybe, just maybe, all the media hype, ESPN GameDay, and a Bama letdown after the win last Saturday will give the Dawgs a shot at the upset.
By Alabama Jack
September 18, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this
Dawgs get sabanized
By Not Really a Fan
September 18, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this
I really don’t care who wins, the Bulldogs or the Tide, but the song you were looking for was “Destroyer” by The Kinks.
By Spanky
September 18, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this
Good topic, Chip…. Instead of pointing my finger in paranoia at CMR and the Red Gang, I’d rather approach it from a different point of view. Yes, closing practices will keep spying eyes from filming, but I think the dawgs are trying to come up with new plays, formations, and schemes. Here’s my point of view(and thank you for your patience), I think that it’s for confidence! Imagine coming out of 5 closed practices, knowing that your plan will work,…and it’s a secret!
Chip, how could you not mention Black Sabbath for this topic?!
By Nick Saban
September 18, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this
Sabanoia is now defined….
http://sabanator.blogspot.com
By ga dog
September 18, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this
hey chip i think you hit it on the head about searles working for saban, i forgot about that nugget of info, anyone who can not handle the way richt coaches the game, get off the dawg bandwagon and get on bamas
By AltamahaDawg
September 18, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this
Actually, thats why the blogs had been shut down since 5:00 yesterday. Or so I hoped. But I see now, I cannot escape this bad habit.
By Know It All
September 18, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this
Brilliant move. There’s probably some offensive tinkering going on. I expect Georgia to go for some big plays early to try and take the crowd out of it. Something Bama hasn’t seen on film. We’ll see if Stafford & Co. can execute it.
By Greg
September 18, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
Guys…Why do other teams like Florida click with there freshmen linemen?Face it fellow Dawg fans,we wont win many this year.That’s fine with CMR…more time with his mission work!
By sheddman
September 18, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
AFRAID of what? Alabama wins a few games and saban is a hero. I applaud mark richt and remember he is 2-0 against that great team alabama
By ChampDawg
September 18, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
UGA and CMR have a hell of a lot more to worry about than information that might leak out or funny stuff by Saban. If this coaching staff and team don’t get their freakin’ act together both mentally and fundamentally (physically), a loss to Alabama will be just the beginning and it’s going to be a long season. I have never seen UGA football in such disarray. What’s happened to all the high-powered recruits. There’s really no excuse for being so “young” except that for some reason upper classmen haven’t worked out.
By sheddman
September 18, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this
AFRAID of what? Alabama wins a few games and saban is a hero. I applaud mark richt and remember he is 2-0 against that great team alabama
By sheddman
September 18, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this
AFRAID of what? Alabama wins a few games and saban is a hero. I applaud mark richt and remember he is 2-0 against that great team alabama
By Wes
September 18, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this
I think it’s great CMR closed practice!! Hopefully this means he’s planning to step out of his comfort zone a bit and he doesn’t want the media to have a field day in the papers when he lets a few obscenities fly while he chews on the players a$$ this week…if we ever needed a fire light under our team, it’s now.
By Warren Haynes For President
September 18, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this
Just because you are paranoid doen’t mean people aren’t out to get you.
By Chip Towers
September 18, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this
Jim, I in no way, shape or form insinuated Nick Saban is cheating nor did I say Georgia is scared of him. I stated that he has a reputation of going to extreme measures to gather information that might help him gain some sort of advantage. I’d think that makes him thorough and determined, but not a cheater.
By Greg
September 18, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this
I totally agree Champ Dawg…we sugar coat everything…did you see that YOUNG defense for Florida Saturday?Your right,if we lose saturday,we might win 2 or 3 games this year.
By Greg
September 18, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this
I have no problem at all with the decision to close practice. As you said, it was already limited to the point where the media wasn’t able to see that much anyway. I don’t think it’s paranoia as much as it’s being realistic, particularly given the times we live in where information is so easily dispersed and available.
By AltamahaDawg
September 18, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this
But I think it has zero to do with Saban. He is just the coach of the next team they happen to be playing at a time of the season, when they are in dire need of some focus. Sounds more like a message to the UGA players than an insult to another member of the SEC coaching fraternity. Richt has always said that the reason they play well on the road is they become introverted as a team.
By Dawg for Life
September 18, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this
I think this is a great idea. Just be sure to do this again for the two weeks leading up to the big game in Jacksonville. You know those Gators are cheating somehow. Heading for Tuscaloosa Thursday night. GO DAWGS !
By Tulsabravo
September 18, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this
The Kinks, “Destroyer” from the album, “Give The People What They Want.”
By TybeeDawg
September 18, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this
That was a song by the Kinks.
Nothing wrong with closing practice. It adds a seriousness to the whole atmosphere surrounding this game. I think the focus is good.
Chip, There was an article in the Tallahassee Democrat paper (TDO.com) that quoted Alabama defensive end Wallace Gilberry talking about Stafford. He said, “I don’t know anything about him. But after the game Saturday, I can tell you anything you want to know…his birthday, his telephone number, his home address. I’m serious, cause I will know. I’ve got to know where to send the flowers after the game.”
That might be an interesting article to post in the locker room.
By DawgScoop
September 18, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this
swollen member…wonder what that is in reference too…
By Fox
September 18, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this
“Paranoria will destory ya” is from the Kinks CD Phobia. Oh and Roll Tide
By Bob
September 18, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this
I trust coach to do what is best for the Dawgs. If he believes closing practice is needed, then so be it.
By Opelika Dawg
September 18, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this
Do you think Kirby Smart was on Richt’s Staff long enough to gain any valuable information that will benefit his new pimp?
By georgia bites
September 18, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this
Georgia fans and coaches have a reason to be paranoid! Alabama will humiliate Georgia. Think what happened at South Carolina was bad just wait and see. Plenty of losses still to come. I will enjoy reading the blogs after every beatdown all of you recieve.
By SickAndTired
September 18, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this
Mark Richt is scared because he knows that if he loses this game he’s staring at Tenn., Florida, Kentucky, Auburn and Ga. Tech…and this season could get really really ugly for the Sainted One Mark Richt. Problem is, he has no leadership at QB and a defense that can’t stop either the run or the pass….good luck in Tuscaloosa, it’s going to be a hard place to win Saturday night.
By lawdawg
September 18, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this
“I don’t know anything about him. But after the game Saturday, I can tell you anything you want to know…his birthday, his telephone number, his home address. I’m serious, cause I will know. I’ve got to know where to send the flowers after the game.”
Sounds like bulletin board material to me. I wish Pat Dye or someone will tell the Dawgs they’re “not man enough” again…or Corso could just put on the elephant head—that would about seal the win for the Dawgs.
Dawgs 20, Tide 17 …”now THIS is happening to you.” -Ricky Bobby
By Dorsey Hill
September 18, 2007 5:40 PM | Link to this
Chip, Do a blog on this and make sure everyone knows about it.
“I don’t know anything about him. But after the game Saturday, I can tell you anything you want to know - his birthday, his telephone number, his home address. I’m serious, because I will know. I’ve got to know where to send the flowers after the game.” - Wallace Gilberry, Alabama defensive end on Matthew Stafford
Looks like somebody needs to be taken down a peg or three.
By Upinya
September 18, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this
sheddman,
Someone should take you out behind the shed.
By ARdawg
September 18, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this
I hope to hell Richt and the dawgs are working on something that dictates closing practice to all outsiders. I for one would love to see something that will actually get the Dawgs “jelled”. Other than OSU we haven’t been fooling anyone with the goods we have. Sure, we’re young but we are a much better team than has been displayed for the last two weeks. Talent wise we’re at the top of the #1 conference. It’s time for periodic displays of that greatness. The constant displays will come later.
I don’t see CMR closing practice in avoidance of Spying by Saban or anyone else. He really needs to get his team all on the same page and this should be his motivation. I realize most my fellow dawg bloggers don’t like Saban. I am not in that category. He’s an excellent coach and his teams are 95% of the time prepared for the opposition. Bama is going to be a battle.
Kudo’s to Arkansas for exposing Bama’s weak pass defense and suspect defensive line. This is what we should all hope is why CMR closes practice to prepare his team as Saban does. Close them all coach if it will help in having our dawgs ready each and every Saturday. Dawgs by 12
GO DAWGS
By D-Man
September 18, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this
ALRIGHT PEOPLE…DO I HAVE TO REMIND YOU THAT SABAN (MINI-ME)IS THE SAME COACH THAT LOST TO UAB AND ALMOST LOST TO TROY WHILE HE WAS AT LSU…AND YES, RICHT SPANKED HIM WHILE HE WAS COACHING THERE AS WELL..AND DONT FORGET, SABAN SUCKED IT UP WHILE AT MIAMI. YES, HE HAS HIS SHARE OF WINS…BUT HE LOSES BIG AS WELL. IF GEORGIA WORKS HARD THIS WEEK AND ON SATURDAY NIGHT…ALABAMA WILL FALL..EASILY. AND OH, YEAH…DIDN’T THEY HAVE TO WIN LAST SATURDAYS GAME IN THE LAST :08? AND THEY WERE UP BY 21 AT ONE TIME! THEY GOT VERY LUCKY..HECK, IF THEY WOULD HAVE LOST THAT GAME EVERYBODY OVER IN T-TOWN COULD BE CUSSING HIM.
By Nick(elephant man) Saban
September 18, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this
If you ain’t cheatin’ you ain’t tryin’.Back in Fairmont West Virginy where I’s borned an raised-up that’s what we’d say while rollin dice and sippin’ granny’s home brew.Richt ort not get his bloomers all bunched up over a little spyin’ and note takein’.
By JimmyG
September 18, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this
“We might only win 2 or 3 games this year” Whoever said that is an idiot…. Go away. Why does everyone have to be so negative about this team, you all sound like Bill King. If Georgia only wins 2 or 3 more games this year I will pay everyone of you $10,000. We are not Tech or some middle of the road team. Georgia has set its self as one of the big time programs in the country. In a down year they will still win 8 or 9 games. If you think this team will only win 5 you really have zero football knowledge and are a gigantic bandwagon crybaby who needs to find another team to root for, go away and don’t come back after Georgia comes back from Tuscaloosa with a 28-10 victory
By What the ?
September 18, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this
Here’s the deal - As I was driving home Sunday, I looked in my mirror to see a silver car with a G tag on the front. As they passed me (speeding of course), they must have noticed the Yellow Jackets magnet and GT sticker on the rear of my van. When they pulled along side, they proceeded to hoot and holler and pump their fists in the air like they had something to do with Tech’s loss or even yet Georgia’s win. Of course they got no response from anyone in my vehicle.
Their car also had a G sticker on the rear window and (here is the best part) one of those gay RAINBOW stickers on the rear deck lid (and BUTTS county plates. How appropriate!
Proof that UGA fans are both Obnoxious AND Gay.
By Cuz
September 18, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this
Here in Minnessotta, the Golden Gophers practices have been closed to the media, the CIA, the BBC and the BBK.
Hey I do not care if they close the practices. We will still find something to talk about. Like what color should the numbers be on the white jerseys, red or black?
Hey the local Rochester sports bar will play the UGA-Bama game on their big screen over the Minn-Perdue game. Seems like that Dale Carnegie course I took is working. Slipping a twenty did not hurt either.
Visiting the Mayo Clinic is like the bar scene in the first Star Wars. You never know what you will see next.
Dawgs 38 Bama 17.
By Footballfan
September 18, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this
And it should be saying there will a rematch of Oklahoma State and UGA in the Poulan Weedeater Bowl in Shreveport.
By Joey
September 18, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this
Richt is worried and rightly so. It was obvious to me and others that the “Ole Ball Coach” knew before several plays began what was coming a couple of weeks ago.
By Get it Right
September 18, 2007 6:14 PM | Link to this
Cuz,
It is Purdue! Perdue is your Governor and I don’t think he will be on the field palying against Minnesota (which by the way you misspelled as well).
Dale would be proud at least you spelled his name right.
By DoggieStyle
September 18, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this
What’s the BFD? EVERY coach of a major program closes practice to the media.
By Nick(elephant man) Saban
September 18, 2007 6:17 PM | Link to this
Fox——-Paranoia we injoy ya….James Brown’s ‘what the fu** you lookin at’ album.Ok I’m a cheat AND a liar.
By son_sir
September 18, 2007 6:22 PM | Link to this
It really doesn’t matter. Word is, that Saban has paid Spurrier to use his satellite photo monitoring system for the week. That’s right. Spurrier has been monitoring the Dawgs from space for years. How else could he appear to be so much smarter over the years ? You Dawgs better wise up and pump some money into your counter-espionage program. This complicated system was developed while Spurrier was at UF and the Gators still have rights to it’s use through a long term confidential contract with NASA. Being the original proprietor, Spurrier still owns to rights to it’s use, but it must be shared with UF. However, Spurrier still has exclusive rights to sell it’s services as he sees fit.
By Dawg Fan
September 18, 2007 6:25 PM | Link to this
FYI…Alabama’s practices have been completely closed since fall camp. Why is this not making the headlines??? All the practices need to be closed, it is really no big deal.
By texasex
September 18, 2007 6:49 PM | Link to this
why not close practice? Whether or not there is real benefit doesn’t matter. There is nothing to gain from open practice and maybe something to lose. This is strictly a coach’s perogative and if he feels his team gains an edge then more power to him
By AltamahaDawg
September 18, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this
cuz, sneak back to the felton thread.
By Tidegirl
September 18, 2007 6:57 PM | Link to this
All of these comments remind me why the UGA is always so big in Tuscaloosa. No class. Saban is winning here and that is amazing.
If your coach doesn’t trust him, well OK. I don’t trust Phil Fulmer as far as I can throw him and what with his advanced size isn’t far.
I hope that the game is well played, no one is hurt and a win for my team.
Stop trying to say that there must be cheating or that (sigh) Saban is using a satellite. Now that is ridiculous. You make all Georgia fans look like idiots with that sort of talk. Just for the record, if anyone has a satellite, it’s probably not Spurrier.
Visor, yes. Satellite, not so much.
Please just enjoy the atmosphere and for the love HAVE FUN. Stop thinking averything is a conspiracy. Goodness!
By Geddy
September 18, 2007 6:59 PM | Link to this
I hope Alabama stomps the stew out of UGA for making a vile, suspicious accusation against the Coach and team of Alabama…this is crazy…go on the field and play the game..if you are good enough, you will win .
By AltamahaDawg
September 18, 2007 7:11 PM | Link to this
I’m sure those good ol boys in that gay pride car are out there telling the other side of that same story, “hey we saw this car that had a GT tag on it”. Thats it…… and then everyone laughs.
By Pitbull
September 18, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this
Once again AJC writers think they know more about running a college football team than the coaches, and the writers never even played high school ball. The AJC sports department employs a bunch of idiots.
By Gene
September 18, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this
It appears that Richt is looking for an excuse to lose already. The good thing is, Saban will only be at Alabama until someone offers him a bigger pay check. And that will happen.
By AltamahaDawg
September 18, 2007 7:17 PM | Link to this
So you slamming Fulmer while preaching to us about slamming somebodies coach is class?????
And you really think the satellite theory is rediculous?
By Cuz
September 18, 2007 7:19 PM | Link to this
Saban said this, Saban did that. Get over the infatuation. Saturday he will have a big machine painted Red and Black run over his scrawnny a$$. Take it to the bank.
By Ryan
September 18, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this
Jimmy G, just dropping a line so I can get 10k.
Free Willie!
By AltamahaDawg
September 18, 2007 7:27 PM | Link to this
Geddy, exactly when did you see UGA making some vile accusation? Arent you in fact the one making a vile accusation that UGA (did), when in fact, it has done nothing of the sort?
By son_sir
September 18, 2007 7:28 PM | Link to this
Oh yes Tidegirl.. Come on. The satellite will be for your benefit. Roll with it. lol
(Will someone please explain pretentious to Tidegirl) You Bama girls are pretty hot, but lack a little in the common sense dept. I can’t see how you read anything about me being a Dawg fan into my post. Geez.. Y’all smile pretty for the camera now. Ya hear ?!
Nonetheless….ROLL TIDE !
By Cuz
September 18, 2007 7:33 PM | Link to this
The PHORMER PHANS OF PHAT PHIL have spoken. It is time for the Great Pumpkin to leave Sleepy Hollow. PHIL has become a PHESTERING PHREAK OF PHANTASYLAND. PHUGEDEABOUTIT. PHIL YOUR PHIRED.
You heard it here PHIRST.
By Cuz
September 18, 2007 7:39 PM | Link to this
Geddy, my heartfelt apologies. Nick Saban has been a inspiration to us all. We should all aspire to be like Nick Saban. I want someone to pay me 3 million after I did a lousy job for my previous employer. Hey if I could do as good a snowjob as Nick, I would still be in sales. Whatya gonna do when he takes mo money and runs from you, bad boy, bad boy.
By What the ?
September 18, 2007 7:42 PM | Link to this
AltamahaDawg,
You UGAy fans can’t spell and you can’t read either. I wasn’t in a car and didn’t have a GT tag.
Now we have proof UGAy fans are Obnoxious, Gay and STUPID! Idiot.
Like we needed all the proof!
Now get back to flippin’ those burgers. Or are you even employed?
By Top Dawg
September 18, 2007 7:52 PM | Link to this
Nick Satan will spy. Any thought to the contrary is naive - plain and simple.
Absolutely close the practices.
By A-ville Ranger
September 18, 2007 7:52 PM | Link to this
I’m worried about this game.We’re on the edge of slipping down the ladder of top programs.That aside if these Dawgs fold under the weight of a hostile environment it’ll be the first time in Richt’s six plus seasons a team of his been intimidated by fighting on enemy soil and sod.
By Atlanta Gator
September 18, 2007 7:53 PM | Link to this
son_sir——And you thought it was merely COINCIDENCE that NASA was located in Florida?? Really. Bet you didn’t know that the second-ranking military commander at the NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY is a Gator, either, or that several of Steve Spurrier’s ‘64-‘66 Gator teammates were AEROSPACE ENGINEERS. Rumor would have it that the Evil Genius is also the head of an ancient worldwide conspiratorial organization known as the ILLUMINATI, too.
Ah, I have been SO naive.
By Mike
September 18, 2007 8:18 PM | Link to this
Having played the game I can tell you - a closed practice does in fact keep others out, but at the same time it keeps focus in, and this is most important. The Dawgs need to focus on correcting the consistency issues we have been plagued with. Georgia has superior athletes - believe me - they just haven’t been playing like it. Georgia needs to find themselves quickly. Another SEC loss this week and we may as well start looking toward 2008. Too many tough teams left to play this year …
By Hunk Erdown
September 18, 2007 8:25 PM | Link to this
The only reason CMR closed practice is that he wanted Bobo to work a couple of screens into our playbook for this week.
By spy vs nospy
September 18, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this
why spy?
Just stop Noreno and pick Staff…game over!
By Mikey
September 18, 2007 8:35 PM | Link to this
I’ll Take CMR’s road record any day. Let’s see how the Dawgs respond to the hostile environment Saturday night. Go Dawgs !!!
By Don't be a Bundy
September 18, 2007 8:36 PM | Link to this
Mike please don’t give us the ‘having played the game’ stuff,who cares ? Many of us have but more to the point,who cares ? I’m Al Bundy and I scored five tds in the state finals…who cares ?
By Michael G.
September 18, 2007 8:47 PM | Link to this
I know our team has not looked so good the last couple of weeks, but I feel good about this week. The reason for this is quite simple. Coach Richt is 25-4 the opponents home fields. The team will be ready to play, and I think at the end of the night, the Dogs will have some fun in Tuscaloosa. UGA 24 Bama 17
By Anthony
September 18, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this
Whether or not Saban is a cheater or not I don’t know. But he is a proven liar and cheating is not that far away from lying. Bama lost on the road in overtime to an Arkansas team that was better than this years Arkansas team. Bama barly beats this years Arkansas team and now Saban is a miracle worker? Coach Shula would have the same record as saban if he were still there and Alabama’s reputation would be much improved!
By son_sir
September 18, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this
Is it just me or does anyone else hear the James Bond Theme in the bcakground.
By Upstate SC
September 18, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this
Geddy, get your facts straight. CMR never came out and said Satan is cheating. You are being hyper sensitive to something the media is drumming up. Closing the practices is not something new to football on the collegiate or pro level. Chill out, you are going to have bowel problems if you keep this up till Saturday night.
BTW GOOO DAWGS!!! I want to see some helmets fly off Saturday!!
By A-ville Ranger
September 18, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this
Hunk redown —— Man that’s cold,look for Goodman to be the deep guy on a post-corner and flag pattern.I look for Chandler and Durham on post and in-out stuff as well as MoMass and Bailey on curls and slants.
By A-ville Ranger
September 18, 2007 9:29 PM | Link to this
I was watching the master of the play action ‘Payton Manning’ the other day.It reminded me of that walk in the park play Stafford got hammered on.The thing that makes the Payton play work so well is how quickly he looks downfield to see whether the safty bites or not.As soon as he sees the safty pull in, he releases the ball.With Stafford’s arm it seems that is be the way Bobo should draw it up.When it takes all day to develop our big advantage,Staffords’s ability to get the ball to the receiver quickly is wasted.If I was Bobo I’d use the Manning video as a template.Why not learn from the best ?
By Prattville dawg
September 18, 2007 9:37 PM | Link to this
What does a maggot and a BAMA fan both have in common? Both can survive for years off of a dead BEAR.
By BCD
September 18, 2007 9:43 PM | Link to this
Head games,that’s all I get from you Head games, and I can’t take it anymore Head games, don’t wanna play the head games
I think this does several things… It gets the average fan to stop thinking about all the WR drops, bad OL play, on, off, on, play of MS and gives us something else to talk about. It gives the team a feel for the serious nature of this game. As we saw before the USC game, the Dawgs were not into it and it showed on the field. This should help. It also gives Saban something to worry about. Even if we’re not adding additional things into the O this week, he’s going to think that we are. I think the few things he’s seen so far this year will keep him up this week trying to figure out what we’re up to. All in all I like it!
BCD
By DJSTHEGREATESTDAWGOFALLTIME
September 18, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this
Oh geez….whats next he start rolling metal balls in his hand and counting the peaches??
By Corporate Dawg
September 18, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this
Why do fans and the media think they need access to all information? Like when we change strategy in the Iraq war, we announce to the media and the world “hey we are changing our strategy , do you hear us out there in iraq?” If Richt wants to close practices, fine, no big deal. It is his and team”s butt on the line not the media’s. If he loses the Ala game all the media and fans will be talking about how badly the team and coaches screwed up.
By shane
September 18, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this
cuz,i hope all is well with you.ranger,manning would be one to learn from alright,but what would help our play action more than anything else would be a running game that’s working.one of the old bread and butter plays was to fake to the tail back,let him sneak across the line,then pass to him.nine times out of ten he would be open.as to the closed practices,i think it is a good idea,it will let the young guys know this is serious business,and no reporter will be asking our wrs about dropped passes.coaches differ as to closed practices,some have the attitude that this is what we do,now try to stop us,others verge on paranoia.my high school coach had us practice in a cow pasture one week.he just knew the other coach had sent spies.my jr college coach did not care if the whole town turned out to watch.our jc plybook was pretty limited,coach knew that two years was the most a player would start,a lot of us only started our sophmore year, and many players left after one year.so he didn’t have time to teach a complicated offense.on the other hand,our high school coach loved trick plays,so he always closed practice.
By Cuz
September 18, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this
Somebody dig up a houndstooth hat for the second coming. Okay poor choice of words, dig up.
By Chip Towers
September 18, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this
Hey guys. Sorry just getting back. Had a bunch going on this evening. I want to get to a few things here …
Yes, I believe it was the Kinks’ Destroyer I originally wanted to refer to. Love all the musical references touching on paranoia. What’s this about Black Sabbath? Gonna have to fill me in there… .
DecaturDawg, believe me dude, this is not us hyping this up. Carter and I had completely different coverage plans today … that is, until CMR spent 80 percent of this weekly briefing talking about security issues and the like. We didn’t make up the Belichick issue, we didn’t force Richt to close practices. These events took place, we asked about them and we wrote about them… .
That was one of my points here today. Not sure whether it’s good or not that this much focus and energy is going to anti-espionage tactics… .
By the way, I heard Pat Dye on Paul Finebaum’s radio show as I was driving back from Tuscaloosa. Paul asked him if he needed to tell Georgia it wasn’t man enough to win. His answer was, “Alabama is man enough to beat anybody on their schedule.” Not sure if that is good, bad or indifferent for his alma mater.
By Cuz
September 18, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this
Here in the great Midwest, it is raining, I am stuck with a witch, well rhymes with, of an ex-wife and my daughter is facing mild surgery compared to what we feared. Life is good, I can concentrate on the Bama game and what ways I can make my ex as miserable as me.
The way I see it, the closed practices let the troops know that this is serious. Get your act together. Practice a couple of trick plays and I am not going to say what because I think I already know. I would hate to have a cigarette, a firing squad and a Tombstone Pizza on Sunday.
Tote the rock, tote the rock. C’mon just tote the rock. Bama cannot stop the run.
By boots
September 18, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this
Chip, you guys have done a great job this year with the reporting, although I still think Carter is a dork and exclude him from my praise. I knew who was wearing what, who drank which color of Poweraide and so on. I think this is a smart move.
Maybe when we practice for the Volunteers, we can put a big box of jelly doughnuts a block away, and Fulmer will never lay eyes on our team.
By Pat 'die Dawgs' Dye
September 18, 2007 11:26 PM | Link to this
I’m not bitter at UGA for not hiring me ? I mean, yea, I know I should have been the man,I mean, Richt isn’t man enough to beat my wife.Am I coming across as a sad little washed up turd ? you bet but at least I’m man enough to admit it.Maybe if I kiss some butt and suck up enough air here in Tuscaloosa they’ll give me the job if Saban moves to Ann Arbor after the season.
By Charlie
September 18, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this
Glad he closed the gates. Now when Bama kicks Georgia’s butt he will have to find another excuse. Love it!!!
By A-ville Ranger
September 18, 2007 11:54 PM | Link to this
Greg——I saw that ‘young’ defense of Florida’s saturday.They gave up 21 even though their offense held the ball most of the time.Georgia’s defense is giving up under 16 a game.The defense can play well enough to win most games if the offense can hold up their end.I’ll go as far as to say Florida’s defense hasn’t looked a bit better than ours.Their offense however is scarey as hell……Buck —-sorry about pushing that silly stat point yesterday,I don’t know what gets into me sometimes.
By Chuck
September 19, 2007 12:00 AM | Link to this
Towers, the Alabama coaching staff wants to thank you and the other dufus who follows UGA in the AJC for giving them plenty of motivation against the pups Saturday night. But we don’t have a top ten recruitin team for the last 6 years so I doubt we have much of a chance against your powerhouse school.
By shane
September 19, 2007 12:02 AM | Link to this
cuz,good news about your daughter,i have two daughters so i know it must be quite a relief.i agree with you about running the ball,i hope we will be more patient than we were with usc.if you cam gain yardage on the ground the play action is so much more effective.if they are stopping the run they don’t bite on the fake as quickly.bama didn’t stop mcfadden,but remember,usc didn’t stop the run very well in their first game,but sos worked hard on the run d before playing us.i’ll bet saban has been doing the same.
By Gen Neyland
September 19, 2007 12:19 AM | Link to this
Tide Girl
Given the stature of most Alabama women, I’ll bet tossing Fulmer would be a cakewalk for you. Don’t ya’ll start with cowtipping in elementary school PE..? When do you move up to BRICK TOSS..? or is that just for the brainy ones that made it as far as the 8th grade..? Fulmer has owned Alabama over his tenure, or am I wrong..? Give me some W’s and L’s… Now Tide Girl, go fetch your old-man-of-the-week a beer before he realizes you’re on the Commodore…
By Gen Neyland
September 19, 2007 12:31 AM | Link to this
CMR closes practice..? Good move. Why take any chances of some Red Elephant lover hiding in the shrubs. Red Elephants rank up there in my heart with : NVA, the Clintons’, Chavez, coyotes, and now Sally Fields…For this week, Go Dawgs…
By shane
September 19, 2007 12:59 AM | Link to this
general,i never realized the bad blood between you guys and bama,after all,bear held ut in such high regard.how are things at the wh,are you scattering them hash browns ‘round.we will try to get a win for ya’ll at bama,even tho you didn’t help us at all with the gators.i am going to get myself a pair of gator hide boots in jacksonville,wear’em to a south ga honkie tonk,and dance all night with a bleached blonde.we are going to skin some gators this year!
By A-ville Ranger
September 19, 2007 1:21 AM | Link to this
Gen Neyland —can’t you guys get off the politics ? this is a sports forum.
By Saban is a punk...
September 19, 2007 1:29 AM | Link to this
Saban would cheat & Richt knows it and ‘Bama is gonna get some stiff competition this weekend. Why in the hell does everyone think that ‘Bama is all of the sudden some kind of National Powerhouse? If the Dawgs bring their A-Game, Bama is gonna be exposed as POSERS.
By Buck in the NW
September 19, 2007 3:23 AM | Link to this
This has really turned into a fun week for me. I have no idea as to what CMR is doing but every move appears to take any attention that may be there and shift it to ‘Bamma. With our special teams in a funk, he says no changes. Does Saban really believe that? Are we suppose to think hat he’s not looking for a couple of “Go to receivers”? Does anyone think that he’s not going to use Stafford’s arm in a lot of different ways? My feelings are a little different for this game because the 1st 6-7 minutes of the game will be, IMO, the most important time of the game with the start of the 2nd half being in 2nd place. They’ll score and so will we and my question is “will Staffords arm be able to produce the yds. and scores that McFadden’s legs did”?…..Dawgs 32-‘Bamma 30
By Digger
September 19, 2007 6:18 AM | Link to this
We all know saban is a liar we will all know he is a cheat when recruting violations once again pop up at BAMA over the next couple of years he will do anything to get a recruit anything all of you bama idiots thinks he cares about your program your fans etc the bottom he came to ala to WIN AT ANY COST he does not care about anything else!
By BAMAPERRY
September 19, 2007 6:55 AM | Link to this
Richt is a wuss. He’ll wind up just like Tuberville and Fulmer, run out of the SEC by St. Nick.
By BAMAPERRY
September 19, 2007 6:56 AM | Link to this
Richt is a wuss. He’ll wind up just like Tuberville and Fulmer, run out of the SEC by St. Nick.
By tennisdamenace
September 19, 2007 7:55 AM | Link to this
“paranoia will destroy ya,”
Destroyer - The Kinks
By 59bulldawg
September 19, 2007 8:04 AM | Link to this
Yeah though I walk through the valley of the Bear, I will fear not Nick Saban for while he is good he ain’t Bryant. Moreno’s running and Stafford’s throwing comforteth me … . and despite the flak he’s taken the last two weeks BoBo is more than up to the job and Richt is just going deeper into the playbook this week in order to expose the pretenders in Tuscaloosa. We’re going to put it to the Tide on Saturday night! Dawgs 28 Bama 17. Now let’s GATA!
By Richt Needs to Fear
September 19, 2007 8:10 AM | Link to this
Richt needs to fear how his boy stafford is going to play at Alabama, and I can predict it will not be pretty. West Carolina worked us the first quarter and Stafford looked like crap, and now we play a real team. I recommend no UGA fan going to Alabama for the onslaught that is about to happen. I love tha DAWGS but am really disappointed at Stafford and the play calling lately.
By SECisFootball
September 19, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this
ARDawg…regarding your comments below about BAMA’s passing D being exposed. When you load the box up to stop the best RB in the country, you end up in total man coverage without the help of a safety. Seeing as how the Dawgs RB’s are NO WHERE near as talented as McFadden or Jones, there is no need to load the box. We can go back to our base D. That will involve a lot of blitzing and different looks against a weak and very confusded OL. At the same time, you WR’s have proven that they are not exactly masters of catching the football.
And for everyone on here who wants to talk about the last time UGA played BAMA or against Saban, let me inform you of something. That is IRRELEVENT!!! Last time you guys played Vanderbilt, you lost. Last I remembered, Since Richt has been at UGA, he had beated Vandy every year. Last year he didn’t so you can see that those previous losses by Vandy had no impact on last years results. BAMA wins on Saturday and the Dog fans go home crying!!! ROLL TIDE!!!
By Gen Neyland
September 19, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this
A-Ville Ranger
Golly Bub, you’ve got a point there. Let me rephrase that to Red Elephants rank up there in my heart to : WhiteandGold, Fans with no sense of humor, Athletes Foot, and now Sally Football Fields…Better..?
Now if it’s a little football you want, I’d like to vent this subject : UT has given up 123 points in 3 games. Pitiful. At this rate they could surrender around 490 through this season. In their 1998 NC year, they gave up a total of 189 in 13 games…To date, LSU has given up, what, 7 points in 3 games..?A-ville, I’ll try to be serious, but this season may turn into a joke unless things change for UT…Be thankful I’m not a full fledged nut case like some of the real football fans that come in here just to toss trash…Have a wonderful day, son…
By DB
September 19, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this
Irony, thy name is UGA. Just to think that UGA fans were poo-pooing Beamer’s claims of spying. Hypocrites.
By Cuz in the Midwest
September 19, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this
Mcfadden and Jones may be a little better but Moreno and Brown are not far behind. What is the difference? Mc an Jones are in an offence designed around them. Moreno and Brown are in an offence designed around the QB. Exploit the bama defence and run the ball. Run it down their throat untill you open up the lanes for the deep threat.
Keep the D from overpersuing and you have a win for the Dawgs. UGA 34 Bama 17.
By Erk
September 19, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this
Sounds to me like Richt is just trying to get his team focused and prepared for a big game on the road. His road record shows that he knows how to do just that. The Dawgs will be ready this weekend.
By Born 2 Bark
September 19, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this
Closing practice was a smart move. The team needs to focus and eliminating the media distractions is a great way. Dawgs 27 Bama 24. HUNKER DOWN YOU GUYS!!!
By Gen Neyland
September 19, 2007 9:16 AM | Link to this
shane
The man called Bear ( and not Fred Bear ) was a master. He held court over any and all comers. If I remember correctly, UGA beat CBB in the last game he coached Alabama meeting UGA…Saban is probably passing through Alabama on his way to mo money. Success breeds dollars. I’m pulling for the Dawgs in this match up, but it has the smell of a head knocker…BTW, I’ve been offered a spot on the next Hell’s Kitchen. Speciality will be Hash Browns with a syrup sauce…
By aaron
September 19, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this
Okay, so CMR closed practice. I think it is great he did that. We are one of the two SEC schools w/o an indoor practice facility. I imagine the schools with them use them when they feel it is necessary… weather, dome preparation, big games, etc. When UA won that game Saturday I knew, as did most of the Bulldog nation, that this weekends game was going to be huge. HUGE. UA is back. They are a team on a mission and they now have the confidence that winning on the field(not just hiring a good coach) brings. In almost every competitive situtation, i.e. athletic teams and businesses, the parties meet together in private to prepare. I have a closed meeting every Tuesday at work. Anyway, CMR has every right to close practice. What does it mean that he did it? Nothing and everything. I like that he recognizes that this game is big. It is big for the Dogs and bigger for Bama. I like that he wants his young men to know that something is different about this game. This is not about spying, it is about acting like a professional and preparing like a professional. And I don’t mean pro football. I mean professional person. We all have to act like pros in our jobs. This move will let the team know that sometimes as a pro you need to change things up. Sometimes things are really important. Sometimes changing things up can help focus a group. Going into Bama with a pumped up team and 92k crazy(every seen a person who has been missing the lord for 20+ years suddenly find him? multiply that by 92k) fans is something these kids have not seen before. There is something different about this game. To Bama fans, this game is the one that puts them back on the map. Our boys need to know this and I think CMR just told them.
By WhiteAndGold
September 19, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this
Of course hes paranoid and scared! Saban is about to go the that * much the same as when Spurrier violated him. He sucks and everyone (including the mutts) are beginning to notice.
By SECisFootball
September 19, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this
DB…Nothing against the UGA RB’s, but there is absolutely NO COMPARISON when it comes those 2 and MacFadden and Jones. NONE AT ALL so get that into your head. Last I saw, BAMA has a pretty good running game with Terry Grant 5th in the country in yards per game. S.Car exposed UGA’s D and showed they were soft against the run. Look for Grant to get big yards. On top of that, we have a PROVEN passing game with a QB and WR’s who have been far more effective this season than UGA’s. With it being in Tuscaloosa, BAMA scores between 25-30 and win by 7-10.
By gdawginkalamazoo
September 19, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this
Cuz, thanks for the update on your daughter glad things are going better than expected. We will keep praying for you and your family.
By georgiagirl
September 19, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this
Okay the game has not been played yet, so all you that have ESP should slow your thoughts down. Because on any given Sat anyone can win. And to my many Bama friends at are talking alot of sh!! this week, where was your Bama shirts and flags last year. But I will not talk the talk until the clock runs out. Bama fans laughing about UGA losing any games, now thats the pot calling kettle black. Your record as not been that good either in the past couple of years, so I would not talk that talk until you are in the SEC West. I live around alot Bama fans and they are good fans, because we always put for each other and who ever beats Auburn, until we play.
I wear my Georgia shirts and put my flags on my car, win lose, or draw. SO GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SIC-EM!!!!!!!!!!!! FROM A TRUE TO HEART FAN.
By Chris
September 19, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this
It looks like desparation to me. Kind of like running a “hide-the-ball” play when you need 2 yards against So Carolina. The only way it should hurt you for people to see you practice is if you you call plays by a script rather than play-by-play. Come to think of it, I guess that’s what we do. I wish we would scrap the closed practices and focus on execution. If you execute, it doesn’t matter who sees what. I can imagine that the last line in Saban’s pregame speech will be “do not forget that they think we have to cheat to win”.
By Lovin that 16-12 Score
September 19, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this
The baby Dawgs can’t stand a beating, so they are blaming everyone of spying to make themselves feel good. I agree with USC/So Cal, you play in front of 92k plus TV. By a few games, if everyone does not know your plays, no one will. Just their egos getting away with them once again. BTW, the Tide is going to roll all over the Dawgs this weekend. Not an AL fan, but am glad to see them doing well again. Go team to everyone that plays UGA this season.
By mark
September 19, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this
I’d be less worried about someone spying on me and more worried about Bobo’s play calling and guys executing!! This whole rotating players to keep them fresh is garbage!!! Players have to get into a rythm in a game and swapping guys in and out does nothing but break that rythm. If the players are in shape and the strenght and conditioning coach is doing his job they shouldn’t have to have these continuous breaks!!
By Jeff
September 19, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this
Sadly, we live in this world where we feel like we have a RIGHT to know what is going on in practice, who is not going to play, etc. We don’t…Close the practices and let the opposing coach know NOTHING about what you bring to the table. Then catch him off guard with players, positions, formations and plays. I know I’ve read things right here on AJC that I thought, “I probably shouldn’t know that and the opposing team DEFINITELY shouldn’t know that.” Close em’ and let hopefully watch the Dawgs whoop em’ on Saturdays.
By gdawginkalamazoo
September 19, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this
DB now that’s funny dude. I forgot about Beamer and his hoodie spotting.
By WhiteAndGold
September 19, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this
OHHHHHH WEEEEEEE!!!!!!!! Man oh man do I love watching UGAy fans in meltdown mode. Saban’s motto will be “mount and ride” this weekend. Get ready mutts, your program is going down the drain and there is nothing you can do. Its okay mutts, 4-8 is respectable….I guess.
By Wes
September 19, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this
Cuz, Hunk, Buck…I’m surprised none of you guys have made this observation yet (or maybe you have, and just haven’t typed it yet.)
I feel confident in saying that even if we weren’t in the middle of “Belichek-gate” CMR still would have closed practice this week. We’ve played one SEC game thus far, and only two total with Bobo as OC. This tells me that we’ve settled into our offensive starters, everyone has had a chance to digest the system and we’re throwing in a few wrinkles for Bama that we don’t want them to know about.
Basically, if it weren’t for everything going on in the NFL, the closed practice wouldn’t even be an issue.
Now, onto the game…Cuz, I couldn’t agree more…run the ball, run the ball, run the ball. The first time they stop the run, play action, 20-yard completion and then run the ball some more.
By DirtyDawg
September 19, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this
If you watched the cable broadcast of Mark Richt’s press conference you know that he’s perhaps the least ‘paranoid’ coach going…either that, or the coolest. He responded to all the questions about spying, and Saban, and tightening down practices with his usual calm and disarming humor. Even the CSS studio announcer mentioned that Richt had played this thing perfectly - he ended up spending the entire 30 having to respond to questions on a subject that only the media cared about and not having to answer questions about his team and/or Alabama’s. Further, what he did say is that one time or another - with the possible exception of USC (they have wide-open practices) since they’re so good they don’t worry about spies - everybody is concerned about information getting out given the availability of the internet, imaging cell phones and a practice field that’s essentially open to the public…he even made a joking comment about how easier it would be to secure practices if you had an indoor facility.
The one thing that was clear is that - like South Carolina - when a team loads up to stop the run and you can’t make big plays against one-on-one coverage, then you’re pretty much finished. That’s what Alabama did against Ark and what he expects them to try to do to us. Receivers need to get open and Stafford, or whomever’s in, needs to get the ball to ‘em…no problem.
By C.Q.
September 19, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this
Wow! I certainly don’t think CMR’s actions justify the dramatic headline! “Paranoia Reigns??” Gimme a break!
By Gen Neyland
September 19, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this
Arkansas isn’t known for it’s passing game. That being said, they are touted for a running game. Don’t know the stats of the Alabama-Arkansas game, but I’d venture to say Arky didn’t throw successfully. My guess is UGA will have a game plan unlike any they’ve shown to date. It’s time to open things up a bit and spread the D…works well for Florida…
By georgiagirl
September 19, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this
OH How Bama fans forget, it’s only four games and you think that you have already won the NC. Sure UGA as had some bad times in the past year and half. But I’m still a Big Dawgs Fan forever, but your record is not much better than ours, so don’t bite your own a@@ yet.
Well a really great thing just happen here a co-workers husband just surpised her, he show up back from Iraq, she had no clue. Know that’s what counts the most, pray for our guys and gals over there, I know the feeling my son-in-law is over there and he should be home in Oct. Be safe guys. GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND WE WILL SEE WHO WINS WHEN THE CLOCK RUNS OUT, BUT I WILL STILL BE A DAWG FAN, WITH NO SHAME.
By WhiteAndGold
September 19, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this
Game plan unlike any they’ve shown to date? LOL what’s that gonna be? Don’t suck? Your Oline is weak. Your QB and receivers suck something aweful and a wet paper bag is tougher than your D. Better grab those stubby little ankles mutts, Saban’s gonna be swingin the “big stick” this weekend.
By Noyellowinthisblood
September 19, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this
General, I woult venture to guess that the passing game will be opened up and I expect some dunks and skinny posts, along with dives and play action coming off of that. This is probably confusing to white and goldylocks but he can google the football terms. I expect the game to be close and it should be a good one.
By Noyellowinthisblood
September 19, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this
I think wite and goldylocks might be watching gay porn with all of these ankle grabbing references!
By Noyellowinthisblood
September 19, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this
I think wite and goldylocks might be watching gay porn with all of these ankle grabbing references!
By Pitbull
September 19, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this
From the Terence Moore article: I think any coach has the right to close his practices to the public any time he (or she) chooses to do so.
I know it is an inconvenience for sports writers like Carter Strickland who kick up a stink when it happens because it does not serve the writers’ best interest, but who the hell cares about the writers. They are just bottom feeders trying to grift a living by writing about other people. Terence is right in his position that Richt should close practice this week.
I say he should be able to close it any week and every week if he wants to and Carter Strickland can go write an article on what he did last summer, just like the other grammer school children that pout and throw a tantrum when they don’t get what they want.
Carter is a poster boy for the entitlement generation that thinks that everything should be done to suit them, anybody that inconveniences them is in their way, and the world generally revolves around them. That is why the Bulldog Nation has little regard for him.
By Noyellowinthisblood
September 19, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this
I think wite and goldylocks might be watching gay porn with all of these ankle grabbing references!
By 59bulldawg
September 19, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
White and Pis Yellow, what is your obsession with this blog? Besides what would you know about big time games like the one between us and Bama this weekend? Your bugs blew past a has been Irish team that’s only scored one TD and 2 FGs in three games and put 69 on mighty Samford. You guys were really rolling until you played a decent team in BC and were exposed for the mediocre team that you really are! Hell Parkview and Brookwood would give you guys all you could handle! You’re on this blog more than most Dawg fans and alumni. Perhaps you should consider changing your mascot name from the bees to the BullDawg Wannabees! After all a bad day as a BullDawg is better than any day as frickin bee.
By georgiagirl
September 19, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this
PITBULL, You are so right, the writers and reporters do this for themselves. Look at how they write and report about the war, never telling the good things that have happen, only the bad. The BULLDOG NATION should not read he articles. GO DAWGS
By WhiteAndGold
September 19, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this
Noyellow, why dont you go F yourself, okay there little buddy? You’re just jealous that you don’t have Tashard, Dwyer or any running game for that matter.
By Mayretta_Dawg
September 19, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this
White and Gold,
“OHHHHHH WEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!” Are you kidding me? I truly hope you are someone posing as a GT fan because you make it too easy to pick apart your posts. If you are a Tech fan, beat someone relevant or us more than once every decade. If you are a poser, you are a sad, sad person to get off on the posts you have made.
By AltamahaDawg
September 19, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this
This bashing of Carter Strickland at the drop of a hat for something totally unrelated to him does get sooooo old. He puts out excellent articles as a “sportswriter”. Not so high on his blog style, but who cares. Don’t like the guy??? Great. Don’t read his articles. (but I bet you all do) or at least link your critisism to something more substantial that your personal knowledge of how he defines “his entitlements generation”. What? How did this even bocome about CS anyway. In fact if you bother to read his actual article on this topic, it had nothing to do with him being inconvenienced.
I can’t believe nobody has figured out how to turn this topic into an opportunity to blame Dr. Adams yet.
By AltamahaDawg
September 19, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this
georgiagirl, here is what I bet. You DO read the man’s article, you look forward to getting more articles, and you enjoy reading those same articles, with ZERO regard of who wrote it, if you even noticed. And if you did know, you have absolutely no intentions of boycotting CS article on the Dawgs , (as you call for) Please give some examples of cS recent articles that served CS own selfish purposes.
By Noyellowinthisblood
September 19, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this
White and goldylocks, again you are incredibly creative with your grade school comebacks. Are you 13? Shouldn’t you be in class cupcake? The fact of the matter is you are on here talking trash to fans of a program that is obviously superior to that group of yours. Your man Choice missed his momma and couldn’t win the starting job so he transfers to that sh@t school in Atlanta. It will be another long off season for you after we win for the seventh straigh year buttplug.
By JamesD
September 19, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this
WhiteandGold
You have go to be the dumbest person I have ever meet. I know you didn’t graduate from GT. Good lord, what is your IQ. I’m guessing it’s lower the number of times GT has beaten UGA in the last century. Answer one question for me please. When was the last time GT beat UGA? You were saying the same s h i t last year and the year before and before and before. Definition of insanity is bring that weak team against the Dawgs year after year and expecting different results.
By Noyellowinthisblood
September 19, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this
White and goldylocks, again you are incredibly creative with your grade school comebacks. Are you 13? Shouldn’t you be in class cupcake? The fact of the matter is you are on here talking trash to fans of a program that is obviously superior to that group of yours. Your man Choice missed his momma and couldn’t win the starting job so he transfers to that sh@t school in Atlanta. It will be another long off season for you after we win for the seventh straigh year buttplug.
By JamesD
September 19, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this
WhiteandGold
Thanks for you comments today. I love my life and accomplishments but you make me feel like an over achieving genius. I’m surprised your own fan base hasn’t hung you yet.
By Ole Man Bourbon
September 19, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this
Sadly, GA fans, you’ll find that spying on your practice is the least evil thing that Saban is up to while preparing for your Dawgs. But I can’t post the info here cause I haven’t validated it yet.
By georgiagirl
September 19, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this
Altamahadawg, No I read more of what Chip writes, but I guess you are a MAN that knows everything right. Who ask you anyway? And I really don’t care about what you say. Spying in football a tradition, good enough smart a@@ Thank you so very much for your thoughts, have a wonderful day.
By Noyellowinthisblood
September 19, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this
Ole man, putting your best effort toward winning a football game is not evil, it is in the spirit of compitetion. That being said my DAWGS will win on Sat. but not by a lot.
By NICK SABAN'S SPY
September 19, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this
After climbing the fence with my camera to see UGAY’s practice I was able to snap this picture of an interesting formation. UGAY’s SECRET FORMATION
By gator the dog catcher
September 19, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this
If you have never been to a game in Tuscaloosa you are in for a treat. One of the best all day game atmospheres around. Tailgating starts early, and unlike most venues, there is plenty of room to have a good time. If you don’t want to miss any games, but want to see what tailgating at Alabama is like, just stroll on through the quad, where you will see plenty of tents with satalite hook-ups. The best tailgating I’ve ever been around.
By A-ville Ranger
September 19, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this
Run it down their throats,that’s what many said before the SC game.Now I read the same thing about the Bammer game.I posted then and repeat now that of coarse if you can do it,do it. This O-line hasn’t shown the maturity to grind it out against Okla St or W Carolina how will they manage against these guys ? They’re young, learning and the Tide certainly looked vulnerable last week.To think we’re as strong a running team as Arkansas at this point is borderline delusional though.I love what I’ve seen of Moreno and Brown is pretty good. Saying they’re close to as good as Mcfadden and Jones hasn’t been remotely proven on the field yet.I really hope the offensive line and particularly the guards jell this week but we’d damn well better have a game-plan that considers the possibility we’ll need to be more creative.
By WhiteAndGold
September 19, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this
Dude, i’m a die hard jacket fan. I simply hate UGAy. Your fans, i.e. JamieMUTT and others come on our blog and spew all kinds of venom. I will be here loud and proud until that stops. The whole nation knows you ‘necks are vastly inferior to the rest of the SEC and to the Jackets. Spurrier exposed you. Saban, Brooks, Johnson, Tuberville, Fulmer, Meyer will slam you and Chan will finish you. Hey at least you won’t have to waste money at Christmas time this year on a bowl game. Yeah dickhead I said OHHHHHHH WEEEEEEE!!! You really don’t want none of this.
By AltamahaDawg
September 19, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this
So thats a YES, you still intend on reading Strickland (but none of the rest of the Bulldawg nation should), and a NO, can’t really offer up any articles that served his own selfish interest?
Bottom line, you said somethings that I doubted, and I was just giving you a chance to back it up. I wasnt insulting you, although if if makes you feel better to do so to me rather than respond to my simple point, thats cool. That’s certainly a popular strategy in here sometimes.
By Noyellowinthisblood
September 19, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this
Tuscaloosa is a great place to see a game, but DO NOT get to rowdy in their student section if you are a dawg.
By WhiteAndGold
September 19, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this
LOL Nick Saban’s Spy!!! Hey mutts..looks like the beginnings of one of your world famous Watkinsville tickle piles. Ya’ll are so gay.
By Ted
September 19, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this
If there are capable players and well devised plays, it matters not if opponents are aware of the plays -BUT CAN’T KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE RUN! Hats off to USC and their open practice philosophy….
By gator the dog catcher
September 19, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this
Closing practice doesn’t do any good in keeping spys out……………or at least that’s what Frank Beamer says.
By AltamahaDawg
September 19, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this
Seriously, that has to be a UGA fan posing as a GT guy to make fun of them.
By gdawginkalamazoo
September 19, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this
gtdc, it just takes away the questioning of the game plan, who plays etc for this week. Some teams do some teams don’t. No big deal either way. Especially the way the media is hyping it. Might do us good, who knows we haven’t done this for his entire tenure. Really I mean how hard is it to spot a hoodie in Athens with 85 degree weather?
By MusicCityDawg
September 19, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this
Why make a big deal over a closed practice? We did that all the time in HS. It’s mostly a matter of limiting distractions. There is no question that our guys need better concentration particularly on offense. Closed practices just give the staff more leverage on getting the players focused on their job. No big deal.
By WhiteAndGold
September 19, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this
You Dawgs suck. If my mother wasn’t yelling at me to put on my helmet, I would trash you some more. I don’t have time to insult you so add you own homophobic slurs and incoherent, pointless jabs. Also, react to my wit as if GT has actually beat UGA in the past decade. I’m going to go chug some mayo.
By Don't Taze Me Bro
September 19, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this
Yeah and they said that John Kerry practice rally was open too. Yahoooaaoaoaooaoao. What did I do beside a direct order from a police officer???? Aaaaaagh! Somebody helllpppp meeeee! Oooooaaahhh! (Followed by a Ted Baxter cry).
By Noyellowinthisblood
September 19, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this
“I’m the mighty WhiteAndGold, I live in my mom’s basement and play with my laptop all day”
By Cuz in the Midwest
September 19, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this
Alt, some people just don’t like your direct style. Kind of like my ex-wife asking me what I meant by saying, Why don’t you just act like a grownup. Uh, just what I said.
Who’s that hiding behind a tree? Well it’s old Nick Saban looking at me. What’s that he’s holding in his hand? A camera phone to steal our gameplan. What do you think we ought to do? Take a chill and drink a beer or two.
By AltamahaDawg
September 19, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this
yea, remember when it used to be: A said something, B disagreed, told A why, A was free to retort, and it was all based on some sort of rational, or at least strong opinion. Sarcastic and pointed jabs all the better,as long as tied to the point. Remember that?
This whole blog has been demished to: A echos somebody elses baseless comments then get offended if somebody questions that and divert the argument to personal pizsy comments. If one more person tells me to “talk to the hand” rather than simply backing up what they say, I’m giving up.
By Wes
September 19, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this
WhiteAndGold,
You have to be kidding. YOU HAVEN’T BEATEN US IN SIX YEARS!!! SIX YEARS DUDE!!!
By Amanda
September 19, 2007 4:20 PM | Link to this
I am really disappointed to be from GA after reading all this trash talking. I go to Bama and we are not a bunch of backwards trashy hicks here anymore than half the people I’ve seen in GA. I can’t say I know anything about cheating or spying but I can say football practice here has ALWAYS been closed. Please get some class, bring it to Tuscaloosa and party with me on the quad.
ROLL TIDE!
By shane
September 19, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this
white and gold’s mom makes him put on a helment to take out the trash,he keeps falling and hitting his head.very dangerous for a crack baby.i wonder if bammer is coming out in an eight man line?i hope we can go deep early,maybe catch them in a blitz and burn’em.general,i wasn’t refering to fred bear,although he was pretty cool,it was the other bear.you know,the coach other than stallings that actually won at bama,and had some class.
By shane
September 19, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
amanda dear,sorry,iknow we have a few jerks,like all other schools.including some from bama that come on this blog and trash talk us.if all were as nice as you,or just wanted to talk football,it would be different.most uga fans,including me,have a lot of respect for your program.the general is a nice guy,but he is a ut fan,and you guys don’t like each other.
By shane
September 19, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this
alt,i hope you don’t give it up,you buck,cuz,the general,hunk,a-ville and a few others make this blog worth reading.
By TurnerDawg
September 19, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this
Chip you complained during summercamp practices were becoming more closed off. Don’t make it sound like you couldn’t see this coming.
By Big Dawg
September 19, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this
Cuz,
Life is good, I can concentrate on the Bama game and what ways I can make my ex as miserable as me.
One thing, I’m glad things aren’t as bad as they could have been for your daughter, I’m still praying to the Lord that he will be guiding the Doctors and that she will make a complete and speedy recovery. As to your above post- if you really want to drive your ex crazy, try being pleasant and very polite to her no matter what. She will wonder what you are up too and she won’t be able to figure it out and this will constantly weigh on her mind.
By shane
September 19, 2007 6:12 PM | Link to this
change of subject,whats up with au?i watched the replay of their game with miss st.and they looked terrible.i am not trying to knock their program,just curious.i thought they might challenge lsu for the west this year,now i wonder if they will have a winning season.cox looked confused,the red shirt freshman played better,IMO.the o line didn’t pass protect or run block well.i thought their d should be better also.k state,south fla,and miss st all moved the ball pretty well against them.is there an auburn fan aboard with any insight?war eagle,or anybody?
By AltamahaDawg
September 19, 2007 6:58 PM | Link to this
I think its been a case of key injuries with AU.
By shane
September 19, 2007 7:11 PM | Link to this
thanks alt,i liked their rs freshman qb,very mobile,he was able to make plays despite the lack of protection.he just made freshman mistakes.we know all about that don’t we?if i were tubbs that kid would get most of the playing time from here out.is cox having more injury problems?if not,he will have unless his line gets better.at least the kid dodges most of those sacks.
By UGA ain't nuthin' to F with
September 19, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this
Classic metal, Paranoid, is probably the most popular Sabbath album and one of their most popular songs. The Redcoat Marching band regularly plays a little snippet of the song Iron Man, from the same album, at home games.
By AltamahaDawg
September 19, 2007 11:16 PM | Link to this
If I am not mistaken, AU’s best RB (or two) has not even been able to play so far.
By Spike
September 20, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this
White and Gold.. You need some decaf and some anger management. You have some serious issues. Nothing personal, it is just business.