UGA

By Chip Towers

January 24, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

Yeah, it’s Ellis Johnson. SOS was going to hire him before meeting with BVG and hiring him on the spot. Pretty good recovery by the Gamecocks, all things considered.

By Adam

January 24, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this

I’m just glad BVG left UGA…sure his defense was good, but I have not seen that big of a drop off in overall numbers under Martinez. The only issue is Martinez’s defense getting out coached in big games. Hopefully that will not happen next year b/c all the games will be HUGE given our preseason ranking.

By Bryan G.

January 24, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

Hilarious. BVG…the new Petrino?

This is great for UGA and the Falcons, I think. You’re right, Chip: BVG is a great coach. If you’re a football fan in the state of Georgia, hiring BVG from the evil genius is great on two fronts.

I wonder if Urban Meyer wants to be the Falcons OC?

By GW

January 24, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this

Great news for UGA and the whole SEC. BVG is a pure football coach and belongs in the NFL. Ellis Johnson ain’t no BVG? Check Johnson’s travels while you laugh.

By Chopdawg

January 24, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this

DAWGS have a way of making former DAWGS who dare to coach at other schools pay (see: Muschamp, Will)

But, BVG’s a great coach & he’ll help the Falcons. Plus, that’s one less mind game SOS can play on us now.

By Mimi

January 24, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this

What went wrong at GSU was there was not enough room in the stadium to contain his inflated ego.

By reality check

January 24, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this

Last year’s game against the chickens was an aberration that is unlikely to be repeated for a while.

It seems to me Spurrier may have peaked and started the downhill slide that coaches of the chickens typically experience starting in their 4th year.

Last year was supposed to be the chickens’ year with a senior quarterback, one of the best running backs in the conference (who had an outstanding game against us), an experienced offensive line, etc, etc. Instead, beating Georgia before we turned that rebuilding corner was the peak of their 6-6 season. I expect Georgia to dominate in Columbia.

By GeoffDawg

January 24, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this

Heck yes this is awesome! Not only do we not have to face BVG on the field (while simultaneously sticking it to Darth Visor), the Falcons picked up a terrific commodity on their staff. It’s a win-win for the state.

By DaddyDawg

January 24, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this

Chip:

I thought Ellis Johnson was the defensive coordinator at Arkansas? He left Mississippi State to join Petrino’s staff just within the last month, only now to work for Spurrier? What’s the truth here?

By Dawg4life

January 24, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this

Chip,

Actually, Ellis Johnson was “hired” as the DC at Arkansas recently, prior to Spurrier calling him and luring him to SC. He was the DC at Miss. State last season. Both VanGorder and E. Johnson had not signed contracts, which is why the two moves were made so expeditiously.

By Bill

January 24, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this

Ellis Johnson was SOS’ 2nd choice but he hired the POS moving Van Gorder. In the short term this hurts the GCocks. In the long term’s best as the vagabond would likely leave anyway. As for Johnson’s travels, yes he’s moved around but now he is home.

Anyway, USC is loaded on D next year so it won’t be any easier for the Dawgs.

By Turn about

January 24, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this

“Turn about is fair play” Petrino just got a small taste of his own medicine. How does it feel. Did Ellis Johnson leave you a four sentence note to say goodbye?

By Dawgcrzy

January 24, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this

I give him one or two years with the Falcons then he is gone.

By Gene

January 24, 2008 6:19 PM | Link to this

I have questioned the intelligence of Mark Richt for some time, and he has managed in the last few months to eliminate any doubts of his limited mental capacity. He and Adams need to shut up about the 2008 National Championship and all of these peripheral issues and concentrate on discipline and academics. Richt is giving every opponent a bulletin board full of smack talk. He has had the most talented athletes in the conference, but they underachieve because they are not team players. Georgia fans are going to end up very disappointed next year if Richt doesn’t get those gangsta puppies under control and focus on one game at a time.

By 3 Rivers jacket

January 24, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this

hey dawgs- the act is the guy you peole think is the be end all of defense is un unbalanced nut case who cannot get along with anybody but i know that if he once was a dog that you all will love him just like Harrick and Tony Cole and the guy you tried to recruti who attacked an assistant coach with a samurai sword. Van Gorder is a nut and the Falcons may be the best place for him. Spurrier reacted with class as always but he did not seem all that heart broken did he.

By Chuck

January 24, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this

UPDATE: VanGorder just told Mike Smith that since Donald Shockley was fired at North Clayton, he will be hired as head coach there. He told the AJC’s Curtis Bunn that it was always his dream to be a high school coach in suburban Atlanta.

By P Dawg

January 24, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this

Awesome news. Sure didn’t want him coaching against us! Hopefully Smith will do well enough in Atlanta to keep both of them around for a while. Van Gorder sure as hell would have had more job security at USC because Spurrier will be there as long as he wants to be. I doubt anyone else will give BVG another shot at a major college because he’s proven himself to be a flight risk. Anyway, GO DAWGS!!!

By Fort Worth Dawg

January 24, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this

Here’s the press release from the South Carolina football Website. It gives the background on Coach Johnson.

By Gutrake

January 24, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this

I agree completely. His self-interests would have been substantially enhanced by scheming to stuff UGA, even if their defense fell apart for the rest of the year. And, trust me, his stock would have skyrocketed if they kept Moreno under fifty yards and sacked Stafford five times. That’s exactly what they would have done had he stayed. He’s one of the best defensive motivators in the business.

By Coast Dog

January 24, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this

BVG and his wife were way too cool to be associated with those unsofisticated rubes in Statesboro.

By P Dawg

January 24, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this

3 Rivers Jacket—-Where did you go to school? Never mind, it’s obvious you didn’t. You might want to proof read your comment before hitting the “post” button. You make no sense at all and you can’t spell. You obviously hate UGA and that’s ok but at least spare us your horrible lack of proper grammer and bumbling jibber jabber. In other words, F@#$ OFF!!!

By boots

January 24, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe he is leaving USC already and wonder if something is up with the cocks. Just odd he would leave so quickly - looks like a Petrino kind of move and reflects poorly on him. Still, good for the Dawgs though, which is good for me.

By Hal neely

January 24, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this

we’ll this long time falcon fan is no more with Van Gorder( or as he is known is statesbore “van goner” ) hired on. i never thought i’d do this. this is an arrogant man that only blamed the kids for the horrible turnaround, from good to bad in his one yearat gsu. ( which is how long he usually stays and has never had a winning record anywhere). marty shottenhimer and jim fassel would have been much better hires, but i had no problem with Smith. but van gorder is the last straw. go dolphins!!

By Wozzo the Wonder Dog

January 24, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this

It just came to me in a vision: Imagine pictures of Knowshon and Caleb King together over a picture of Athen’s double-barrelled cannon. Moreno and King — their collective nickname can be the “Double Barrelled Cannon”. Someone is going to get rich off of the t-shirt money.

By reality check

January 24, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this

You need to shut up about Mark Richt Gene. His success speaks for itself and your criticism of that speaks very poorly of you

What team do you support?

By Ed

January 24, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this

Word has is that, 5 minutes after leaving South Carolina and signing on with the Falcons, Van Gorder accepted the head coaching position at Kalamazoo High, saying that his allegiance is with high school football and the opportunity to be a head coach at the AAAA level was too much to pass up. Local realtors report that the Van Gorders are looking for apartments that offer month-to-month leases.

In unrelated news, the AP is reporting that Bobby Petrino recently flew to Morgantown, West Virginia to meet with athletic apartment officials to discuss the head coaching vacancy. Petrino is said to be disgruntled with the way recruiting is going at Arkansas and looking for a better opportunity. Much to his surprise, he caught Nick Saban walking out of the AD’s office. Although happy with the God-like status he enjoys at Alabama, Saban is said to be disenchanted with the rest of the SEC, which won’t roll over for him on Saturdays despite his “genius” reputation.

In somewhat related news, South Carolina fans are officially fed-up with Steve Spurrier’s bumbling tenure at the school and starting to realize that Lou Holtz was a pretty good coach after all. Dreams of 10-win seasons and conference domination are fading on the heels of a 6-6, no-bowl season and the loss of a second premier defensive coordinator in the span of two months.

By Gamecock Henry

January 24, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this

So what about BVG… it doesnt matter who coaches the GAMECOCKS on defense. Our defense always give the puppies fits. The last few years Uga has had a lotta luck on their side when they’ve eek ed out a victory over THE MIGHTY GAMECOCKS. But I feel pretty confident that the GAMECOCKS will bring the puppies back to earth in Columbia this year. Start biting your nails Dawg nation The GAMECOCKS WILL BE READY!!!!!!

By Dog the Gator Hunter

January 24, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this

I can’t remember the last time Georgia’s offense looked good against South Carolina. Whether it’s BVG or Johnson, it can’t be any worse than it was under the last guy (Nix?). The offense looked bad even when we goose-egged Spurrier in Columbia two years ago, or when we held on to beat them in Athens in ‘05. Even in a special season like ‘02, our defense had to win the game for us because the Off. was shut down. Georgia-SC usually is an ugly, defensive struggle regardless of who’s patrolling the sideline. Maybe we can finally get something going in ‘08.

By LessBReal

January 24, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this

Coast Dog, “unsofisticated”? We are able to see just how sophisticated you are. Is there a dictionary in your trailer? P.S. - South Carolina will hand UGA their butts again this year.

By Gamecock Henry

January 24, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this

Yes the tide will turn again for the GAMECOCKS!!! 16 - 12 in Athens oh how sweet! Now for some HOME COOKING CANT WAIT!!!!!!

By Nix?

January 24, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this

Ed, what kind of stuff are you smoking? I realize you speak in jest, but to suggest that Tyrone Nix was a “premier defensive coordinator” is pure insanity. Nix’s defense gave up 500+ yards rushing to Arkansas. Let me repeat, 500+ yards rushing to Arkansas.

I’d venture to guess that a “premier defensive coordinator” could get his players a little more prepared to handle the Razorback duo.

Good riddance.

By shane #1

January 24, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this

gene,hate to break it to you buddy,but you are wrong again.he took a young team with three freshmen on the offensive line,a sophmore qb,and a revamped defense and went 10-2 in the sec.uga finised the year ranked #2 in the nation.richt is NOT saying uga will win it all next year{read the story under the picture},and is warning his team about being overconfident.if you ever went to a uga game and watched the way these guys are on the sideline you would see how they support each other.they are a team and a close one.they are not thugs either,a few drinking arrests.news flash,some college kids drink!i have an idea,why don’t you read a whole blog or two before you post.that way you will know what you are talking about and you won’t sound like an idiot.it would be better not to use words like thug and gangsta too,your racism is begining to show.

By reality check

January 24, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this

Dog, the last real beat down was in 2003. We beat them 31-7 in Athens. I am not big into predictions on this blog, but based on the way the two teams have developed and relative abilities I believe we will beat them soundly this year.

By P Dawg

January 24, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this

I think UGA has already circled the SC game on their calendar. If we had just beaten lowly SC, we would have beaten LSU in the SEC cg and beaten OSU for the nc and don’t think Georgia’s coaches and players aren’t thinking about that! Can’t wait to go to SC and beat the ol’ ball coach’s a$$ in his own stadium. Nobody plays better on the road than UGA since Richt came to town.

By Dawg Pound

January 24, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this

BVG is in Atlanta…Good! He would have helped propel USC to a higher standard. He is an awesome DC.

As for UGA, the players need to wake up and stop getting into trouble. We don’t need 10 players suspended for the first two to four games like several years ago. Additionally, I hope they are working out and studying as hard as they are talking. We need all hands on deck for a heck of a schedule.

The dawgs certainly have the talent to compete for a NC. They have to focus and get prepared now. NC are not given out, they are earned.

Finish the drill!!!!!

By Chip Towers

January 24, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this

Sorry about that misinformation regarding Ellis Johnson earlier. I meant to write “former” Citadel head coach… . Just so it’s clear, here’s Johnson’s work background:

2008 — South Carolina defensive coordinator; Dec. 30, 2007-Jan. 24, 2008 — defensive coordinator, Arkansas; 2004-2007 — defensive coordinator, Mississippi State; 2001-2003 — head coach , The Citadel; 1997-2000 — defensive coordinator, Alabama; 1994-1996 — defensive coordinator, Clemson; 1990-1993 — outside linebackers, Alabama; 1985-1987 — outside linebackers, East Carolina; 1984 — defensive coordinator, Appalachian St.; 1983 — head coach, Gardner-Webb.

By Dogs will Choke

January 24, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this

Pea Brain Dawg….Reality Check …. Dont Count your Chickens . You can count the 16 - 12 win in the Cow pasture stadium # 2 with Clemsons being # 1. I say its gonna be two in row just like in 2000 and 2001. It wont be no beat down from the puppies. Cant wait to see them tuck their tails and run back to Athens after a solid GAMECOCK WIN !!!!!

By LessBReal

January 24, 2008 7:28 PM | Link to this

P Dawg, What a dreamer you are! Let your crack pipe cool off for 20 minutes or so and try to produce a clear thought! You leg humpers will get waxed in SC this year. SC always gets up for the mutts; we will be hiding in the bushes for you flea bags this year. I would say UGA gets their butts taken behind the wood shed for a 17+ point defeat.

By P Dawg

January 24, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this

Isn’t it a little strange that Lilly would leave his alma mater to make a lateral move to UGA and remain TE’s coach? He must see the writing on the wall. UGA’s going to go on a LOOOOONG streak of competing for NC’s! GOOOOOOOOO DAWGS!!!

By P Dawg

January 24, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this

LOL!!! That was pretty funny. You guys have a great coach but you don’t have the talent to compete with what UGA’s bringing to the field this year. I was a little worried about BVG being there because he could coach kids with less talent and compete with more talented programs. That’s why Richt hired him in the first place. (I’m still laughing about the crack comment!!!) I’ve never tried it. Never felt the need to scramble my brains on mind-altering drugs. You’ll have to find someone else to sell it to. Let us know how that goes, ok.

By D Gelbart

January 24, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this

Dear Dogs Will Choke, You sound alot like Dogs Will Lose hiding behind that name. The South Carolina Lamecocks will not beat Georgia next year except under the condition of any team can beat any other team on Saturday. I also give Spurrier two to three more years with the Gamecocks and then he is going to be kicked out.

By Jim Mora

January 24, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this

Uga competing for CHAMPIONSHIPS? CHAMPIONSHIPS? ARE YOU KIDDING? CHAMPIONSHIPS? Heck they cant even beat teams like VANDY and SC with less talent! CHAMPIONSHIPS?

By Gamecock Henry

January 24, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this

Right on JIM MORA!!!!

By Hunk Erdown

January 24, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this

I suppose that I’d rather BVG be with the Falcons than USC, I don’t know that it would have made that big of a difference or not. One thing about it, he will need to stay in the pros for at least several years.

His ability to recruit high school kids has taken a serious hit, IMO. Credibility is a very important ingredient when you’re sitting in someone’s living room trying to convince a kid where to spend the next, most important, 4 years or so of their life. In my book that is the most important part of all this, is that BVG’s integrity has been diminished. Hope the money is good and it turns out to be a good move for his family because I think he definately hurt himself from ever being taken completely serious in the college world again.

By P Dawg

January 24, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this

Hell yes championships! Lose to Vandy 1 time in 20+ years and throw that in why don’t ya. We beat SC an average of 4 out of 5. You need to realize that UGA is MUCH better than SC. When was the last time SC even came close to winning the SEC? I can’t remember. Anyway, we came around the second half of the season this year with a very young team. And we’re getting better and deeper with the recruits that are coming in year after year. Coach Lilly coming in will make us even better because of his tremendous recruiting capabilities. You guys hold on to the memories of your win in ‘07 because it’s the last one for a LOOOOONG time.

By P Dawg

January 24, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this

By the way, what bowl did SC get this year? None. Not even the Copper Bowl. Maybe you guys could host one in Columbia and give one to the Cocks so they can lose one more every year! LOSERS!!!

By LessBReal

January 24, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this

Fear Coach Spurrier, mutts. Yes, that fear is real and justified. You flea scratchers just want it so bad that you will cough up the game with huge blunders in the 1st half. I have already submitted my order for SC season tickets and cannot wait to witness the Gamecock domination!! Fear is a very tricky thing and it tends to make coaches do things that really don’t make sense. Bobo will be up in the booth pulling his hair out in the 3rd quarter and wishing it would just end, wishing he could simply get back on the bus and go home to Athens.

By Hunk Erdown

January 24, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this

The Gamecocks earned bragging rights (not that they have ever felt like they needed to “earn” them) so I will refrain from doing a lot of trash talking, I’ll just try to be content with seeing how it turns out on the field. I’ll tell you this, I had no idea that when they upset us last year just how huge of an upset that it would turn out to be. I didn’t think we had a chance of finishing in the top 5. I “did” believe that ‘08-‘09 would be a year to make a run and the fact that we finished as well as we did just bolsters that even more in my mind. I hope that all the team, even the guys low on the depth chart will realize that the Coaches, the University, and UGA supporters have done a wonderful job in getting everything set up for them to be in place to make a run at the title. It’s gonna take a commitment from the players that keeps them out of bar rooms and in the weight rooms. It may even take a little devine intervention and the stars and planets aligning just the right way, but everything that is humanly possible has been done to put them in the enviable position that they are in and now it’s up to them to come together as a team and commit to do whatever it takes to git-r-done. Even though they are young men in college, expected to go out and have fun, there are choices they will make that they will look back on in years to come that defines if they are champions or wannabes. I would not want to look back ten years from now, knowing that sportswriters from across the nation are picking us to be National Champions, and my legacy was showing up on the Police blotter.

By USCndaATL

January 24, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this

Chip, let me see if I got this straight.

Bobby Petrino leaves the Falcons to be the head coach at Arkansas after Houston Nutt left there to be head coach at Ole Miss. Brian VanGorder leaves the Falcons to be the DC at USC after Tyrone Nix leaves USC to be the DC at Ole Miss. Meanwhile, Petrino hires Ellis Johnson to be the DC at Arkansas after he leaves Miss St. The Falcons hire Mike Smith, who was the DC of the Jaguars, to be head coach. His wife is supposedly the sister of VanGorder’s wife. VanGorder used to coach linebackers under Smith in Jacksonville before leaving to be head coach at Georgia Southern before leaving to be LB coach in Atlanta. Smith then hires VanGorder, who leaves USC to go back to Atlanta to be DC there. Spurrier then hires Ellis Johnson from Arkansas to be the DC at USC. And now, Petrino, who started this whole fiasco by leaving the Falcons to go to Arkansas, has no DC.

Who writes this stuff? This kind of fictional crap can’t happen in real life.

By LessBReal

January 24, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this

P Dawg, Now that really hurt regarding the bowl game we got. I think your remark was sort of below the belt. I am asking you to kindly take that cheap shot back. Deal?

By Really Superior

January 24, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this

He lasted longer with the gamehens than I would have! At one per month, the cockadoodles will be on DC #7 by August! GO DAWGS and Best to you BVG!!

By P Dawg

January 24, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this

Deal. Just having some fun. I would hate to think that people really can’t see the humor in these posts. I love the game and feel very lucky to be a dawg fan but I always pull for the SEC (even USC) when they play out of conference. Hope you realize that a LOT of what you read on here are people laughing their a*******es off while they’re writing these comments. I laughed when you called me a crackhead didn’t I?

By heeldawg

January 24, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this

Hey, guys—

This somehow ends up being the “I’ve got a big inferiority complex about Georgia” blog. I thought the commentary was supposed to be about van Gorder, who is about as stable as the Pakistani government.

Anyway, van Gorder’s gone from USC. Good for him; he won’t have to play on the deck of Spurrier’s Titanic-Columbia as it sinks below the waves on yet another mediocre season marked by high expectations and middling results. His departure is good for Georgia in the long run, although next year it wouldn’t have made any difference. Georgia’s 17 returning starters (and the 36/44 players on this year’s two-deep who return next season) have already marked the South Carolina game in 2008 as an opportunity for redemption. Georgia outgained South Carolina last year in Athens and lost because of its own mistakes and a lack of intensity and execution. Had the two teams played at the end of the season, the Dawgs would have won by three TDs. Next season will be an annihilation by the Dawgs as they humiliate SOS in Columbia. Moreover, it will be a return to normalcy (note that Georgia has beaten South Carolina 80% of the times they have played over the years). The Gamecocks may think they are “loaded,” but this is the most talented Georgia team I have ever seen in my lifetime. And “loaded” at Georgia—a perennial SEC contender in the Mark Richt era— is a heck of a lot different than “loaded” at South Carolina, a team that is almost right at (actually right below) 0.500 after 110 years of playing football.

Let’s face it, Gamecock fans—Spurrier’s not Spurrier anymore. His offense scares no one, he’s lost the respect of his team, and his defense,—while solid by Gamecock standards— is only average in the SEC. There’s another 6-6 season coming (or worse), and there really isn’t anything you can do about it except watch.

And Jim Mora, who are you a fan of? Because unless it is LSU, no team has won more SEC titles in the Mark Richt era than Georgia. (If you’re a Gamecock fan, your team has only won one conference title ever, in the ACC—in a year in which every other ACC team had a losing overall record!). Richt’s averaging over 10 wins a season. The Gamecocks have had two 10-win seasons EVER.

Care to comment?

Thought not.

By Unreal

January 24, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this

Am I missing something here. Wasn’t BVG the linebacker coach for the Falcons recently? And didn’t the Falcons suck this year? This guy is worthless. The word ‘loyal’ is not in his vocabulary. I wish he would move out of this state and stop being such a disapointment.

By LessBReal

January 24, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this

P Dawg, I know that! I’m just having some fun as well - laughing at some of the posts including yours where you mentioned “beat the ol’ ball coach’s a$$ in his own stadium.” That was pretty funny! I always cheer for the SEC as well and this year should play out to be even tighter than it was in 2007. I saw how you guys whipped UH in the Sugar - probably the best SEC team but arrived a little too late. I will still cheer on my Gamecocks this year but wish you mutts a lot of luck! P.S. - I sure wish we had had a quality FG kicker (a la Brandon Coutu) when we played UF down in the swamp in 2006!! Chip shot - could have won it!

By S. E. Dawg

January 24, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this

The dawgs will be c** of the walk in Columbia this year. We certainly didn’t do to badly last year with a young team. We will be more mature and experienced. Rennie Curran will be a beast this year on defense. Just my opinion.

By AltamahaDawg

January 24, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this

Henry, 2 things: when somebody insults your gamecocks, you don’t say “right on”. Or did you even realize he was? And if by “luck” you mean close plays that might have easily gone the other way, I’d invite you to watch the replay of that 4 point SC win last year. Bottom line, SC always gives UGA fits, but in the past several meetings, even with SC playing way over thier heads, UGA manages to win, and it took one of the worst performances by UGA in years for SC to prevail. I assume you and your buddies predicting the huge beat down next year are just being cute tonight. Or do you really count on your team, whose biggest accomplishment in its last 6 games was barely beating NC, playing lights out, and UGA, a team that won its last 6, playing inexplicably terrible?

Just for fun, any of you gamers care to actually debate the matchup, x’s and O’s, Jimmys and Joes? And why its so appearant SC will do well againast UGA? I’m holding my breath starting right now……

By AltamahaDawg

January 24, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this

I said when BVG joined SC, that he would have to move again in a couple of years, because I do not believe coach Spurrier will be there for many more. I was wong.

By Chip Towers

January 24, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this

USCndaATL: sounds to me like you’ve got it right. that’s what they mean by coaching carousel. And it’s worse than ever these days.

By dallascowboys_mvp

January 24, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this

Vangorder was ran off from Georgia Southern we all know that.What did he do at Jacksonville? Nothing! Atlanta Falcons? He was a flop for the Falcons,will still be one too .Atlanta Falcons new ball coach? Another joke.Mr Blank knows nothing about pro ball people.As for Georgia Willie Martinez, everytime Georgia gets beat, the fans they want him fired. right?

By Chip Towers

January 24, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this

dallascowboys_mvp: while you’re entitled to whatever opinion you have, BVG was not run off from Georgia Southern. The AD was very much surprised and disappointed he left to join the Falcons. Now there were a lot of people in Statesboro and longtime GSU supporters that didn’t care much for him, but that’s a different story. …

By Homer for life

January 24, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this

Dawg fans have lost their minds if they think this is good for the Falcons. VanGorder may be the best technical coach on the planet. What the Falcons lacked last year was men that could lead and inspire. How can this man (I use that term loosely) look people in the eye and demand team sacrifice of his players when he has proven through his own actions that he will put himself before the team every time? VanGorder is the anti-Richt.

I was feeling good about the Smith hire until I heard this today and almost put my fist through the windshield. I am just as disgusted with the Falcons brass. I can understand an outsider making this mistake but did nobody in the organization think to tap the new coach on the shoulder and say,”there are a whole bunch of Falcons fans (not to mention Georgia Southern fans) who are going to be in outright rebellion over this hire.”

The quote by VanGorder that really made me puke,”people who know me…blah blah blah” Actions speak louder than words. What do we really need to know after reading his resume? And you cannot use the “doing it for my family” excuse after you’ve dragged them across the South this many times in the last 6 years.

The only thing the Falcons could do more to turn me off would be to pass on McFadden or Ryan if they are still there. Then I will be forced to find a new NFL team altogether. I am putting away the Falcons gear, and re-directing my ticket money to the Thrashers next year. The only way I’ll ever join the bandwagon again is if we have back to back winning seasons. Thank God for the Braves.

By Jim

January 24, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this

There’s no need to fear BVG as DC at SC. Man it didn’t take him lone to see he was soon to be exposed like Spurrier was. Shoot, the only real success he had was at UGA. Put your hand in a bucket of water and then pull it out to see the void he left everywhere he’s been. For my money, he’s on a fast track to ESPN.

By UGASlobberknocker

January 24, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this

Hey Gene, After reading your post, I think your parents named you the wrong thing. They should have named you chromosome, because you are obviously missing a few. Do us all a favor and just go away. I promise..you wont be missed.

By UGA Slobberknocker

January 24, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this

Hey Homer for Life..if you want to go with a winner..forget the Thrashers..become a Dawg fan,,then you can just laugh on Sunday like I do.

By P Dawg

January 24, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this

I know that changing jobs that many times in such a short period of time seems absurd but I just can’t hate the guy because of the great defense he set up at UGA that CWM is still implementing now. I still think that our D was a little better under BVG because it seems like he was better prepared BEFORE the game rather than adjusting to teams DURING the game. If you’re going to beat UGA now, you better score a lot of points early in the game because CWM is a master of adjustments and points are VERY hard to come by in the second half. BVG just didn’t seem to let anyone score much even in the first half of the games he coached here. Hopefully he will have the same impact on the Falcons staff and I for one wish him and his travel weary family the best! GO DAWGS AND FALCONS IN ‘08!!!

By DawgsRule

January 24, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this

Ellis Johnson—-are you serious? He can’t coach worth a lick. The dawgs will put up at least 45 on that bad defense and maybe half a hundred. That game will get ugly early.

By Palmetto State Dawg

January 24, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this

Hey Gamecock Henry, I hope you & the rest of the Chickens had a nice holiday. You probably had a lot of time on your hands since you couldn’t even make it to the toilet bowl. Yeah, you beat us 16-12 last year. Wow, you’re world beaters! It’s about time USC beat UGA in football. We had beaten you guys so many times that I had literally lost count. We finished #2 in the country, will be top 5 preseason next year, and have a great recruiting class coming in. See you in Columbia next year!

By Van Rox

January 24, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this

Thank God CBVG has left the low country! Don’t care ‘bout Fulcans, Folcans,…NFL birds. CBVG in ATL is AWESOME for UGA offense in early 08. Satan (yes, Stevie) has lost his right hand man and possibly a visor or two.

By Gypsy Dawg (nuthin' but ribs and D***)

January 24, 2008 11:43 PM | Link to this

Well, I for one am tickled pinkdom that BVG ain’t coming back ‘tween the hedges anytime soon as an adversary, especially for the Chickens. That being said, I think if BVG ever gets tired of coaching with the Falcons, he can still be a dawg - a GREYHOUND. God, this guy moves more than a band of gypsies.

By DWG

January 24, 2008 11:50 PM | Link to this

Congrats to Coach Van Gorder. A man has to look out for himself and his family first and the falcons DC job is better than USC. If you ask me the coaches have just leveled the playing field a little. College and pro bosses will fire a coaching staff with little remorse. Coaches need to look out for themselves so I don’t blame them for striking while the irons hot. In the past coaches have passed on better opportunities to stay loyal to a program only to have that same program turn on them after a few losing seasons. Just ask the coach at Southern Miss! As a Falcons fan and dawg fan this is a WIN - WIN!!!!!!!!

By steve spurrier

January 24, 2008 11:55 PM | Link to this

I beat the Atlanta Falcons when I was in the NFL. I took Georgia to the woodshed every year while at Florida. After I left Florida, Zook, Myer still taking Georgia to the woodshead.Now that I am at South Carolina I’m still taking Georgia Dawgs to the woodshed.The Dawgs are going to get another beatdown, smackdown again this 2008. I now understand all the hate for me cause I beat Georgia every year. Love Heisman and National champion winner Steve Spurrier.

By gastr1

January 25, 2008 12:27 AM | Link to this

Sports people are liars.

By big_money

January 25, 2008 12:28 AM | Link to this

Ajc done a story a week or so ago about Vangorder going to usc. He said he would never go back to the NFL, that he wanted to stay coaching college ball.Stated his wife was tired of moving the last several year. I know Geogia fans don’t want you and I don’t blame them.Vangorder a name I would not trust.

By A-ville Ranger

January 25, 2008 1:17 AM | Link to this

Petrino,Saban and a few others seem to have opened a flood gate of dishonor among coaches”My word is my bs”.

By bamadon

January 25, 2008 6:32 AM | Link to this

Ellis Johnson is a very good coach. He was the linebacker coach on the best defense the sec has had in 25 years at bama in 92. He was the dc of the 1999 sec championship team at bama. Ellis Johnson is no Bill Oliver, but he is a good coach and if the Old Ball Coach can get the offense to work watch out dawg fans!!

By Lowcountry Bulldawg

January 25, 2008 6:35 AM | Link to this

1)Obviously BVG leaving Columbia is great for UGA. Make no mistake as a CDC he was a Frank Broyles award winner so he knows what he’s doing.

2)Was he and is he ready for the position of DC in the NFL? Who really knows, but my gut tells me this is a 1-2 deal anyway as BVG seems to be an opportunist.

3)Opportunist in being unable to see any one thing. Always looking for the next “big job”. And unfortunately in todays college athletics this seems to be the new trend.

By Clemman

January 25, 2008 7:21 AM | Link to this

LessBeReal,

South Carolina has more trailers than any other state. It is easy to Google the facts, so don’t go around talking about trailers.

By AltamahaDawg

January 25, 2008 7:22 AM | Link to this

Hey Gamers, I’m turning blue here.

By NorthGABigDawg

January 25, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this

AltamahaDawg, that last post was great! LOL! You may want to breathe though, the “Gamers” will never be able to realistically explain how they will do so well against the Dawgs. Great post! Go DAWGS!

By Tdog

January 25, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this

The reason Mark Richt’s players are in the paper geting in trouble is he dosen’t sweep it under the rug like most Coaches. You can call his players thugs all you want and I hope some of yall really are questing his smarts. Most wins in SEC ,sounds like a stupid Coach to me. Dawg haters better get used to it, Dawgs are on a ROLL and will keep Rolling.

By gdawginkalamazoo

January 25, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this

AltaDawg, you’re turning blue? Just checked NOAA and it is -2 here right now with wind chill -17. That’s blue my friend. I thank God on days like these for thermal underwear.

Anyway, good for VanGoner. He has done nothing to hurt the Dawgs. Each move he has made has been and advancement for him (except the step back at SC). He should just shut up though and say something to the effect that “This is my job right now this is what I am focused on, whatever happens in the future happens BUT right now I am here coaching.” He learned that he was not ready to be a HC in college at GSU. One thing for sure he can coach a defense.

By DaBoze

January 25, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this

Are you sure BVG ia not Petrino’s brother-in-law?

By Dawgcrzy

January 25, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this

Spurrier won’t be at SC long either,he just can’t stand losing!!

By Jack

January 25, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this

Great coach but how did BVG ever make it 4 loooong years at Georgia?

By godawg

January 25, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

Altamaha, do yourself a favor and go ahead and breath. The chicken’s are all cluck and no peck and so far not even a peep.

Van Gorder’s wife and kids are still living in their house on Lake Lanier and I’m sure the Falcon’s job pays WAY more than the SC position so it was really a no-brainer for him. He might have even got a private little satisfaction sticking it to the OBC.

I, for one, am glad he’s not the one who’s going to be coaching up Jasper Brinkley and friends…

By Red Clay Hound

January 25, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

AltamahaDawg, I always look forward to your posts! Hang in there, I’ll bring the AED.

By scooter11

January 25, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

No doubt playing ‘Cocks so early in each season has some bearing on things. Generally low-scoring affairs with defenses ahead of offenses. Issue is exacerbated when offenses are young. ‘Cocks are fortunate they don’t play Dawgs later in the season. Of course, there would be no room for them then - that’s when we play the good teams, and we already have our last game reserved for another .500 opponent.

By will

January 25, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

Dear Gamecock Henry,

I have been waiting for you Lamecock fans to show back up on this blog. If my memory serves me correctly, you haven’t said a word since you were the #6 team in the country and then got trounced by Vandy at home. You then went out and lost 5 in a row then got passed over by Alabama in the Weedeater Bowl. What a joke! It’s amazing what a short memory a stupid chicken has.

By JackB

January 25, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

BVG leaves SC before ever coaching a game. Best pratical joke ever! All the SC fans were salivating for BVG’s D! All I can say to SC fans & SOS - Baaaahahahahahahahaha!

By Catfish Dawg

January 25, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

BVD made the right move - South Carolina is where coaches careers go to die. Ask Lou and now its happening to Spurrier.

By reality check

January 25, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

There have been two reasons games against South carolina have tended to be low scoring the past few years. One is that Georgia matched up really well in the running game and emphasized that. The scores were low, but the statistical dominance was indicative of wins that were more solid than the scores indicated. The difference in last year’s game was they matched up better in the running game. Our defense was very inexperienced and they exploited that. With the loss of Corey Boyd and their best 3 offensive linemaen and Georgia’s running game emergence offensively and defensively that bodes well for us.

The other thing that has made the games close has been turnovers. The chickens have had some of the best defensive backs we have played and we also had some interceptions that resulted from mis-run routes by the receivers.

With the re-emphasis of the running game and more mature receivers, plus all the returning starters on defense, I anticipate a solid win.

By reserviorDAWG

January 25, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this

I love it that BVG screwed SC.

By GSUGA

January 25, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

You have to understand that VG was not going to have Pollock, Davis, and all the other great defensive players that were at UGA. Anyone could have coached those. He had none of that calibre at USC, and certainly did not coach up anyone in the last three years. That old song “A legend in his mind”

By scooter11

January 25, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

R Check: Even with our defensive inexperience, the ‘Cocks only scored one TD. Unfortunately, that was one more than the Dawgs. Beat ‘em 4-3 on FGs, though. (Fade to insect logic: we were better, but they beat us. Must’ve been the lousy refs. Moral victory. Wheeeee!)

By GSUGA

January 25, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

Wuzzo the Wonder Dawg!!! Ha! Please do not let Mareno or King get close to that double barreled cannon. It decapitated the gunner when they fired it the only time it was fired.

By dawsoncup

January 25, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

Ellis Johnson has been at Mississippi State for seven years, and a very good “D” coach!

By shane #1

January 25, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

cletus get up!somethings done woke up the chickens!could there be a fox in the henhouse?get the shotgun cletus!too late ma,the fox has done slipped away!

By KEVIN

January 25, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this

VanGorder’s resume takes a whole pack of printer paper, but his accomplishments could be written on the head of a thumb tack. He set Georgia Southern’s football program back 5 years in his 1 year “joke” of a head coaching attempt. He talks a better game than he actually has. The Falcons will be awful and he will be on the road again, heck maybe before the season opener. VanGorder is a follower, not a leader and is classless for his lack of dedication to anyone, except his greedy pocket.

By Gen Neyland

January 25, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

Tdog

One reason players are in the paper for any misconduct is probably due to the Desk Sgt being slipped a Jackson whenever some student-athlete strolls ( staggers ) through the precinct doors…When that happens, the only recourse is a public flogging by the coach…Believe me, coaches don’t relish the negative press…

…and BVG did what common sense dictates…Loyalty extends to YOUR friends, family and favorite sports team…and maybe your brand of chawbaccy…

By shane #1

January 25, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this

the old ball coach is no dummy.he knew what he was dealing with in cbvg so he had old ellis on the line.is this some kind of record for a coaching turnaround?is blank as smart as spurrier?are you kidding?blank has a new coach with no hc experence and a dc with itchy feet.sound familiar?now if they just overlook mcfadden and draft some wr or db from fort valley state everything will be back to normal with the falcons.hey arthur,i felt sorry for you when you said vick lied to you,i gave you the benefit of the doubt when you said patrino lied to you,don’t even bother when vangorder takes off again!stupidity=trying the same thing over and over and expecting a different result!

By Bobby Quitrino

January 25, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

I guess Van Gorder is not a C** afterall.

By c**-n-fire

January 25, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

What’s the difference in the Gamecocks and Cherrios? Only the cherrios belong in a bowl!!! You silly SCar fans know that last years win was a fluke and probably your last for a long time. GO DAWGS!!

By Gen Neyland

January 25, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this

shane #1

The business card reads, HAVE SCHEME, WILL TRAVEL…

Now, it’s off to the Waffle House…

By Central Dekalb Cardinals

January 25, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this

This whole discussion on BVG departure being an advantage to UGA seems a bit rediculous and is further indication that the Dawgs are not an elite program. As an LSU grad and avid fan, I thought back to the LSU fan base reaction to a similar circumstance at Auburn and Will Muschamp. His arrival and departure was of little concern. No one was talking about an increased advantage now that he is at Texas. It doesn’t matter who is on the other sideline. The LSU mindset is that we can line-up and beat anybody. As soon as UGA stops concerning itself with who coaches the other team, maybe then you can be considered for entrance into the elite team club.

By Eagle Man

January 25, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

In Statesboro, VG eliminated all the traditions at a school that had six national titles. The biggest blunder was going into a school that had recruited for the same offense for 20 years (triple option, 300 yards rushing, 30 ppg) and scrapped it for a pro style system. Result 3-8 and the hatred of all GSU fans. Idiot. The next coach, a real coach, Chris Hatcher, likes to throw it all over the yard. But he saw what personnel he had and didn’t throw 100 passes all year. Result 7-4, just missed the playoffs, gained love of the Eagle Nation. Now, he will recruit to run a passing offense and will be successful with it. But he reinstated the traditions and he will win big.

By shane #1

January 25, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this

hey general,that slogan could fit many coachs.as i heard on espn a while back{wish i had thought of it},do you know the difference in paterno and petrino?they are both italian,and they both start with p and and with o,the difference is what’s on the inside!please make my hash browns scattered,i’ll see you at the”awful waffle”!

By gdawginkalamazoo

January 25, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this

Central Dekalb Cardinals,

Everybody but Kentucky and Arkansas?

UGA’s main goal is not to lose ANY games. But we have adopted Miles’ slogan, “Whatever you do, don’t lose in regulation.” Hopefully both teams will be healthy this season when we meet up. And hopefully we will have the same results as the last TWO times we played LSU.

By shane #1

January 25, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

dear central,thank you for your post.so you guys don’t concern yourself at all with who’s on the other team and who’s coaching them?that explains a lot.now i know why les{it’s really less}miles didn’t put nine men in the box against mcfadden and co and make the hogs throw!we uga fans would really like to be an elite program,please ask chip to give cmr your e-mail address,he could really use some advice from a smart man like you!,btw,i hope less goes for it on fourth down four times and tries a fake field goal against uga.

By scooter11

January 25, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this

Central: Maybe your lack of concern had to do with the fact that Muschamp’s defenses gave up (and still give up) a lot more than VG’s did.

By Gamecock Henry

January 25, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

Hey Pea Brain Dawg…… It hasnt been 20 years since Ray Goof lost to Vandy on a homecoming Big Boy .. Remember that one???? Obviously NOT. …. Altamaha Dawg…. Rigt on is Right on! Gamecock fans do realize that in the past we havent had the Talent level the Dawgs have had. You Dawg fans just dont realize you not as great as you think you are! The Gamecocks have always played the Dawgs tough and will continue in Columgia this year too!!!……. To the rest of these Dawg fans who wants to cling to the past and even stating that UGA Had more yards in their loss this past season, Here’s a clue…. The object of the game is to reach pay dirt not piling up stats between the twenty yard lines inwhich the latter UGA does well! Yes our 6 - 6 season was disappointing but the ole injury bug hit us, but Spurrier has the program in the WIP mode and He still give the Dawgs a BIG BIG SCARE. TOO BAD the laughable dawg fans are afraid to admit it. If the ole ball can Win us a National Championship The Gamecocks will be able to sit up there in the Big Chair with the Dawgs.Futhermoe, dont give the crap tha the Dawgs have 4 0r 5 National Champioships in Football cause everyone Knows thats a joke! The NCAA only recognizes only The 1980 Championship which a lot of folks believed back then that Pitt. was better than the Dawgs.Go ahead and bragg about the recruiting rankings which is another big joke just like the BCS. Recriuting Rankings are a farce just ask FLA. STATE. Sorry Dawg fans but your NOT National Championship material, so quit making fools of yourselves. You have to play one game at a time the last time I checked. GOOOOO COCKS!!!!

By Snoop Doggy

January 25, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

Hey Wozzo, what about Caleb and Moreno each sitting on a barrel of the famous Confederate WMD. We could call them “Mark’s Cannon Balls.”

By gdawginkalamazoo

January 25, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

Gamecock Henry, What do you know about NC material? Other than what you read in the papers. How many NC’s has SC won? How many division tiltes? SEC titles? Your storied program has managed to beat us a whopping 14 times, tied us twice, and had 41 visits to the woodshed courtesy of us since 1903.

Nice try though. Can’t feel good enough about your own program come on and bash us. #2 in the country. Go Dawgs!

By Gamecock Henry

January 25, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this

Hey gdawginkalamazoo…. I know 16 - 12. and more will come our way just wait and see. Hmm… who beat thay #2 in the country? and yes I feel good!!!! Just like I said We only need 1 NC and The Gamecocks will have as many as the puppies have. Dont give me that self recognition NC bullcrap either.

By Heeldawg

January 25, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

Hey, Gamecock Hank:

A few points of information:

1. There is such a thing as a spell check device. And grammar is not a dirty word. Learn to use each. Your blog postings might be more readable.

2. I wouldn’t talk too much about national championship counts. Your Gamecocks have a below 0.500 record after over 110 years of football, have only won ONE conference championship (ACC, 1969, with a 7-4 record), have only played in 12 bowl games EVER, and have only beaten Georgia 13 times in 59 tries. Georgia has won between 1 and 5 national titles (depending upon who is counting), 12 SEC titles and has played in 43 bowl games, winning 24, and is the thirteenth winningest college football team in the country.

Gamecock football is a sad, sad legacy. If SOS can win a national title at South Carolina, he should be canonized. But then pigs will be flying, monkeys will play Mozart and Armageddon will be just around the corner.

By AltamahaDawg

January 25, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this

Darn, got the cluckers going crazy in here and the reptiles in the other blog. Man, do we get a lot of attention!

Henry, do us a favor and stop trying to tell us what we all think. Your broad oversimplifications really fails to score any points in here. And I am STILL waiting for you or anyone else to explain the matchups that are going to work in favor of SC next season.

Also, why is the 2008 version of the UGA football team NOT “NC material”? Specifically what does it take, and where does this team come up short?

cardinal LSU fan, read that, threw up just a little. Seriously, wow.

By gdawginkalamazoo

January 25, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

Gamecock Henry, see Heeldawgs’ comment above. Not the one regarding grammar either. I wouldn’t expect that on a blog and definitely not from a chicken fan.

By Bryan G

January 25, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

Is there a more delusional fan base than South Carolina?

Look, I understand that a lot of UGA fans think they should be up there with the USCs, Michigans, and Texases (and we’re not yet). But the SC folks think they’re up there with UGA. That’s a long stretch for a team with one conference championship and a sub .500 all-time record.

Lou Holtz couldn’t win there and Steve Spurrier hasn’t won there. Corso is right: SC won’t win the SEC in 400 years. But, hey, only 396 more to go, Cocks.

Please don’t insult everyone’s intelligence by putting SC football anywhere in the same sentence as the quality of UGA’s.

Yes, you won in 2007 and played a great game. But you’re not even in the same neighborhood as us, SC. You’re a 7 win school AT BEST. UGA is a 9-10 win school. That’s not even close.

By Gamecock Henry

January 25, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

Sorry about not proof reading and the typos. But you guys are so delusional about how many National Champioships Dawgs have won. Its only ONE (1980) that is recognized by the NCAA. So the Gamecocks only need 1 to have the same as UGA as far as National Championships goes. This decade UGA leads the series 5 - 3 and with a Gamecock victory this season , oh it becomes so close as the Gamecocks will be breathing down UGAs neck! Yeah UGA has the past history but as of late the gamecocks are gaining some ground. UGA used to have the Gators # but Fla. has now passed UGA in NC and so has Tenn. and LSU. UGA is a lot like Clemson, Close but no CIGAR! Both have NC (1) even though Clemson does have more conference champioships ….. BTW Brian G. you better wish its only a stretch for Gamecock fans to compare our program with UGAs. See you in Columbia!

By dawg42

January 25, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this

Chuck, If SOS is so glam and smart, why did he hire the vagabond BVG to begin with? Your chickens will suffer a beat down in Columbia and next year in the CLASSIC CITY will be even worse. No matter who your DC is…

By AltamahaDawg

January 25, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this

Henry, was it something I said? Don’t be mad. Was it the invitation to explain a why your team matches up so well with ours now? Tell ya what, go get some sleep, google your team so you can learn the names, get your notes together and come back with a running start.

By Uncle Dave

January 25, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this

Gene: I am sure that Mark Richt is at this very moment contemplating his plans for next year in an entirely new light after your advice that he should tell his players to “focus on one game at a time.” Thank God you told him before it was too late.

I have to echo the chorus and say a big thank you to the Falcons… BVG can coach. Period. Now we can focus on grinding Spurrier’s nose into the dirt… bring out the Hobnail boots.

As for BVG’s disaster as a head coach… He wanted to run an NFL style scheme in Statesboro and do things his own way. Nobody there was ready for it. I will say that, for his own good, he needs to stay in this job for 3 or maybe 4 years… he needs to get it right this time.

By AltamahaDawg

January 25, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this

“BTW Brian G. you better wish its only a stretch for Gamecock fans to compare our program with UGAs.”

I’ve read it 3 times, and cannot figure out what that even means.

By AltamahaDawg

January 25, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this

BTW, you don’t want to mess with Bryan G. He will be all over you like tennis balls from John Eason.

By How many Gamecocks does it take...

January 25, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this

… to change a light bulb? 80,000: 1 to change and 79,999 to talk about how this is going to be the year it finally shines.

By I-DOG

January 26, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this

Chip,

Your right on. BVG is an excellent college D-Coordinator. When he signed on with Spurrier it made UGA’s schedule that much tougher… him being gone is a great thing for UGA. I’d rather face almost any other D-Coordinator on a yearly basis.

I also agree that his complete lack of loyalty is an issue. Six jobs in four years… To accept the USC job and then bolt so quickly at the next offer is sleazy.

By I-DOG

January 26, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

Gene,

In what way do UGA athletes in football underachieve on the field?

This past season, UGA was ranked about 14th in the pre-season polls. Guess where they FINISHED? Yes, say it with me now… #2.

UGA FINISHED in the top 10 five out of the last six years and indeed finished HIGHER than their pre-season ranking. That is OVERACHIEVING.

The year UGA finished #3, they were ranked #1 to #5 pre-season, so you could claim they SLIGTHLY underachieved way back in 2002 if you really want to get technical.

SI had an article a few years back on the programs that have MOST underachieved and overachieved a few years ago. UGA was in the always overachieve category and Michigan was just ahead of FL for always underachieving.

Note that tech was not mentioned in the article because nobody outside of Atlanta cares about tech football

By ............................................BuLLdawg

January 26, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

.

.

The Georgia Bulldogs have not faired well on Offense in The Coach Richt Era, and finished last season No. 83 in Passing Offense and No. 74 in Total Offense of 119 NCAA teams despite only 12 other teams giving up fewer sacks than our stellar offensive line did. We did well primarily because our running game enjoyed its most production in memory. Thomas Brown is gone, and Knowshon Moreno got hurt in the Georgia Tech Win, gaining only 45 against Tech and then with 38 days to heal, only 61 yards against a porous Hawaii rush defense.

You describe 9 opponents who played in the bowl games which just ended and South Carolina and Vandie both of whom were significantly better than half the teams who did play in bowl games instead of them. 1 of the big questions for 2008 will be who will beat a BCS Top 10 team this season, as Appalachian State did last season. What no one seems to remember is that it was good for Michigan that they did not play Georgia Southern either, for Georgia Southern beat Appalachian State– just after Appalachian State beat Michigan. Did you find a patsy on that schedule ? If you did, you have a better magnifying glass than I can afford.

In direct comparison with our abysmal passing offense and therefore abysmal total offense, The Georgia Bulldogs NCAA Ranking in Total Defense is No. 14 for this past season. These remain important parts of the equation, along with the schedule, on both sides of the ball because we are 1 of the Top 5 Best Football Teams in the Nation – an Elite Football Program – who return our team in large part from last season to next season.

By ............................................BuLLdawg

January 26, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

Couple these with the fact that we also lose our oft-injured Senior Kicker and replace him on extra points and field goals with a frosh face, and lose return men on both punt returns and kick returns, and well, we have a lot on our platter for a Nation’s Elite Football Program this coming season.

We see, read, and study these analyses of how since 2002 The University of Georgia has averaged the 2nd Best Recruiting Rankings average of both Rivals and Scout.com, 2nd only to Southern Cal. And, now we see we shall have yet another such class join us this season up-coming again which should end up somewhere in the Top 3, 4 or 5 or so in the nation. And, we see, read, and study these analyses of how since 2002, Coach Richt also has 52 Wins against BCS Schools since 2002, validating our recruiting rankings in both Scout.com and Rivals. 52 wins against BCS Schools since 2002 ranks Coach Richt 4th in Wins against BCS Schools since 2002, behind only Southern California, Ohio State, and Oklahoma.

We find but 3 with more in the NFL on Opening Day Rosters this NFL season, behind only Miami, Ohio State, Florida State and then Georgia.

These are indeed The Good Ole Days, now for The University of Georgia in this Coach Richt Era with Georgia also ranked in the Final AP Poll 11 Consecutive Seasons and Counting, the Longest Streak of all Football Programs in the nation.

But, it has been 43 years since The Bulldogs ventured outside the Southeast for a game in the regular season. Georgia won that game 2 October 1965 in the big house in Ann Arbor Michigan doubling up Michigan 15-7. Now, we take on Arizona State among these double-digit bowl teams this past season we face now this up-coming season.

By ............................................BuLLdawg

January 26, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

Georgia has 1 of the nation’s longest winning streaks at 7 games in a row, and we accomplished that against a NCAA Official Strength of Schedule Ranked No. 7 in the nation this past season. Our Strength of Schedule again this up-coming season is supposed to be our downfall ?

Let’s look at these other Elite Football Programs 2008 by all measures thereof, and see just where their Strength of Schedules are in fact ranked now that we have the full season under our belt and can finally only now today do, shall we ?

UGA No. 7 SOS, LSU No. 14 SOS, Auburn No. 23 SOS, Oklahoma is No. 22 Strength of Schedule, Ohio State No. 38 Official NCAA Strength of Schedule including getting their butts beat by yet their 9th Consecutive SEC Team in a Bowl Game. Texas SOS is No. 46. Arizona State No. 49 SOS. Wisconsin No. 50 SOS. Florida State No. 60 SOS. Georgia Tech No. 61 SOS and guess what Southern California’s NCAA Official Strength of Schedule is ? No. 73 SOS Southern California.

Yet Georgia Bulldogs are No. 2 in the Final AP Poll 2007-2008 despite playing the No. 7 NCAA Official Strength of Schedule. Our Coaching and talent can stand up to a schedule of what faces us, for it indeed is why we have the recruits we have. Our players welcome the challenge and the fact of the matter is that Matthew Stafford, true Junior, is a Money Quarterback.

There are those detractors who say that These are NOT The Good Ole Days now today in the Coach Richt Era for we have not won a national championship.

By ............................................BuLLdawg

January 26, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

What is a national championship ?

Playing the No. 38 Official NCAA Strength of Schedule and getting your butts beat on national TV yet again, and no better record than UGA who played the No. 7 SOS by direct comparison thereto, like Ohio State ?

Playing the No. 73 Official NCAA Strength of Schedule and having no better record than UGA who played the No. 7 SOS by direct comparison thereto, like Southern California ?

Playing the No. 22 Official NCAA Strength of Schedule and losing their bowl game again this season yet again like Oklahoma to have a worse record than UGA who played the No. 7 SOS ?

Those are Elite Football Programs and these are their Good Ole Days, and not ours because we play a better schedule of games which is more compelling and more fun to watch ?

And, therefore, UGA loses some players to injury they do not as we as a result do not win every game ? Excuse me, there is no team who lost fewer games than UGA, despite our schedule.

They can all Kiss My Grits, for we all know we can beat them all – just as we would have LSU in The SEC Championship Game had they based it upon BCS Rankings at the time and not a subset of the season to-date. And, We would have wiped the floor with Ohio State too, just as LSU did; and would have played LSU with all our hearts, minds, bodies and souls – if there were a Plus One (+1).

By ............................................BuLLdawg

January 26, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

So, we get our Plus One (+1) in Baton Rouge.

We play Heisman Trophy Winner Tim Tebow who lost every single football game against a Final AP Poll Top 25 team he played except the vols. Florida lost to Georgia, lost to LSU, lost to Auburn, lost to Michigan and besides the vols did not play another good team all season long.

Who did Ohio State beat ? Wisconsin is the only team in the Final AP Poll Top 25 at Number 24 and who did Wisconsin beat in the Final AP Poll ? No one.

Who did Southern California beat ? Arizona State No. 16 Final AP Poll, both of whom played soft schedules and Arizona State lost to the worst Texas Football Team in Nine (9) years in their last game.

If Georgia cannot get out there on the football field and handle this schedule, we don’t deserve to be ranked where we most assuredly are before we play the games as a consensus Preseason Pick to be among the Nation’s Elite Football Programs 2008.

Bring them on. And, The SEC Championship Game. And, The BCS Bowl Game ahead in our schedule of 14 games. I hope we go 12-2 against this schedule. But, don’t bother telling me when we do, that some team playing SOS No. 22, No. 14, No. 38 or No. 73 is in fact better than The Georgia Bulldogs when you did NOT beat us.

Bring on the highest paid coach in The SEC, many higher than Coach Richt now. Bring the nation’s best. You cheated the living crap out of UGA having us No. 4 the week before the Final BCS Poll, and having No. 1 and No. 2 lose. We Bulldogs have a chip on our Shoulder.

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By I-DOG

January 26, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

Steve Spurrier:

You are all washed up. You had a great run at Florida in the 90’s, but how many winning football seasons have you had this past decade? Have there been any?

One would think a “great” coach could manage a winning season every now and then. Let us know when you have another decent year… the clock is ticking Steve, your getting older.

By Gene

January 26, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

I would say that getting humiliated by Tennessee, beaten by a weak SC team and nearly losing to Vandy is “underachieving” considering the talent on the team. Georgia has a major problem in beleiving their own hype. That is exactly why they underachieved against WVA in the Sugar Bowl two years ago. As far as I know, Richt is the only coach in the country who is projecting a national championship. I am not sure of many things in my life, but I am certain that Georgia is not going to win a national championship in football in 2008. I am a Georgia graduate living outside the state, and I am embarrassed to admit that because of the behavior of Adams and Richt. They have made my school into a national media joke.

By Uncle Dave

January 26, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this

Gene: While I seriously doubt you are actually a UGA grad… even if you are, your points are inane and riddled with misrepresentation. Your laughably weak expression of “concern” about how Richt and Adams have “damaged” the reputation of the University is a good example. Your equivocation of these two men is exactly what Adams wanted when he made is Grandstand for a national championship. He knew his proposal had no chance and never will. He wants, however, to come off as a visionary leader supporting what is right. He is a politician.

Richt, in contrast, has grown into a terrific coach. the only people who do not like him are Florida fans chewing on this year’s sour grapes. I do not think that you would find too many nationally who think he has hurt the reputation of the school… what planet were you on the last 15 years? The program was in a shambles under Goff and it has been a long climb back to the big time.

Do not misunderstand. I do not like Adams. I don’t think you would find many alumni who do. He is an arrogant egotistical jerk. Academic standards and the reputation of UGA, however, are at an all time high. Adams has reaped the benefits of Fred Davison’s establishment of UGA as a true research institution and from the effect the Hope scholarship has had in keeping many of the best candidates for matriculaion here at home.

From the hiring of Jim Harrick to his poorly executed firing of Vince Dooley, Adams has showed that he is a sneaky greaseball… but aren’t all politicians? Just give up trying to smear Mark Richt… and your claim to be a “concerned graduate is a crock.

By reality check

January 26, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this

Gene, you are quite the critic. Now tell us, what have you done in your life that would establish you as someone whose opinion should be respected? Name just one thing.

You talk about how Georgia has under achieved. Have you heard, Gene, we finished the year ranked number 2?

Did you play college football? You claim you graduated from Georgia. How many downs did you play for Georgia when you were there? Tell us, Gene, about your exploits on the gridiron when you were at Georgia. Tell us about one play we would remember. Name one thing you have ever done that would impress us.

You say Mark Richt is a “national media joke”? Please provide us one story published in the national media that labels Mark Richt as a “joke”.

You claim to know for certain Georgia won’t win the National Championship next year. I don’t know if Georgia will win the National Championship next year or not, but I do know this. Only a pathetic loser would write what you wrote.

By Pinkskins

January 26, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this

On the heels of BVG leaving, I understand the Inferior one has opted to replace Joe Gibbs in Washington. Feels it’s a better gig with more upside.

By Average fan on the street

January 26, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this

There is absolutely no truth to the rumor I am joining the gamehens coaching staff!!! Stop the insanity!!!

By Agent

January 26, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this

Please help me develop a list of candidates for the SC vacancy which is going to occur quite soon. SC has taken two supposedly good coaches and ruined them BOTH. Every time I see Lou Doltz on ESPN I cringe. He is such a shameless self promoter.

By ............................................BuLLdawg

January 27, 2008 12:30 AM | Link to this

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Yes, I am very embarrassed by Coach Richt having only been ranked No. 2 in the Final AP Poll, and starts the up-coming season probably No. 2 again. He only had the No. 14 Total Defense in the NCAA, and returns the entire football team on both sides of the ball. He played only the No. 7 Strength of Schedule and now has 11 opponent teams on our 14-game slate who played in bowl games last season, leaving out only Georgia Southern who beat Appalachian State, South Carolina who beat the No. 2 team in the nation and Vandie who beat Eastern Michigan, Miami of Ohio and South Carolina.

We all are so ashamed of Coach Richt having only the 2nd best recruiting in the United States of America from 2002 to 2008, in both Scout.com and Rivals – 2nd only to Southern California. We are so underachieving with Coach Richt that his 52 wins since 2002 against BCS schools is better than every football program in America except for Southern California, Ohio State and Oklahoma. We are so discredited and brought to our knees by such clear disrepute.

It’s so sad that Coach Richt is such a joke of a football coach that only 3 other football programs had more on NFL Opening Day Rosters this NFL season, Miami, Ohio State, and Florida State. Yes, we all are so mortified by the facts.

By ............................................BuLLdawg

January 27, 2008 12:32 AM | Link to this

Our football program is in such shambles in The Coach Richt Era that no football program in America has been ranked every single solitary season in the Final AP Poll but Georgia for the last decade in a row. Indeed, not the last 11 years either except for UGA – such the indignity of it all.

It is so shameful that we leave Athens to go to Arizona State to take on Ericson, to go to Baton Rouge and take on the National Champions LSU at Les Miles’ house too, that we take on Heisman Trophy Winner Tim Tebow in his home city of Jacksonville Florida with Urban Meyer, and that we take on Tommy Tuberville’s Auburn squad on their Plains before traveling to the SEC Championship Game against another great opponent and then travel to our BCS Bowl Game and that great opponent as such humiliation to us in-state fans of our alma mater.

And, just think of the poor season ticket holders dishonored this up-coming season having to put up with games the likes of which include : Georgia Tech, Tennessee, and Alabama.

It is such pitiful disgrace that we would be an Elite Football Program 27 January 2008 under such a lousy awful rotten miserable dreadful terrible down abysmal useless worthless stupid mean horrible obviously football coach.

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By ............................................BuLLdawg

January 27, 2008 12:52 AM | Link to this

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No. 2 Final AP Poll.

No. 7 NCAA Official Strength of Schedule.

No. 14 NCAA Total Defense.

No. 2 Highest Average Recruiting Class averaging Scout.com and Rivals together for Seven (7) Consecutive Seasons’ Recruiting from 2002 to 2008 inclusive.

No. 4 in Wins over BCS schools since 2002.

No. 4 in former players on NFL Opening Day Rosters this NFL season.

No. 1 Football Program in America as the only Program in the Final AP Poll Rankings every single season since 1997.

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By ............................................BuLLdawg

January 27, 2008 4:55 AM | Link to this

Hey Gene, you liar, how can Georgia under Coach Richt have been underachievers as you state were the facts for the season when UGA was picked by the USA Today Coaches’ Poll to be No. 13 in the Preseason Poll and picked by the AP Poll to be Preseason No. 13 and then when the season is over UGA is No. 2 in the Final AP Poll and No. 3 in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll ?

Underachievers Gene would be for us to finish worse by like 10 spots at about No. 23 when in fact UGA under Coach Richt was quite a bit an over-achieving team at more than 10 places BETTER.

Your misrepresentation of the facts has earned you your shut up routine Gene all of a sudden, hasn’t it Gene ?

By ............................................BuLLdawg

January 27, 2008 5:05 AM | Link to this

Since 1997, eleven (11) years of Excellence These are the Good Ole Days, only Ohio State and Texas have one (1) more win than do The Georgia Bulldogs.

108-30 Ohio State 1st.

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108-31 Texas 2nd.

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107-32 Georgia 3rd.

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Now, who thinks UGA has played tougher SOS than Ohio State and Texas, when Ohio State played the No. 38 SOS last season for example, Texas played the No. 46 SOS and UGA the No. 7 SOS.

By NASCARfan

January 27, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

Hey Gen Neyland!

Looks like your boy had a good day yesterday. Great poise and great leadership showed by Erik Ainge at the end of that game, which unlike the Pro Bowl in the NFL, the kids actually play hard in.

I say the Falcons should draft Jake Long in the first round to help shore up the o-line (like Cleveland did last year) and then with their pick in the second round, draft either Ainge or Henne as the QB of the future. Then, in the 5th round, the really, really, really need to draft Coutou, who wouls solve just about every kicking woe they have, especially since Koenen kicks off (which is Brandon’s weakness right now). The Falcons haven’t had a field goal kicker who could consistently hit from 50 yards since about 10 years ago when Andersen could still do it. Jay Feeley was never consistent. So why not draft the SEC record holder for consistent field goal kicking from 50 to 55 yards?

As for BVG, as previously stated, it makes me warm and tingly to see this happen to Darth Visor, and then see the Evil One turn around and steal from the Runaway Bride in Arkansas to get his DC. Karma. It’s a mother effer, no?

I hope you’re ready, General. Because I smell a butt-whuppin’ coming to all the lovers of Ugly Orange this year. And the butt whuppin’ will be dealt out by a man named Knowshon.

You’ve been warned!

By ............................................BuLLdawg

January 27, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

If he hadn’t had a knee in preseason, we would know if the Falcon’s QB of the Future was already on the team.

By R. E. H.

January 27, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

I’m thrilled he left the Dark Knight, it certainly helps the UGA perspective.

By Gen Neyland

January 27, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

NASCARfan

Why aren’t you at the 24 hour race in Daytona..? Let’s see, I’ve been threatened with a Dawg butt-whipping for the past TWO years…Another ain’t gonna bother me…Granted, Moreno may have a better night in Athens in 2008 than he was allowed in Knoxville in 2007, but…don’t count your chickens NASCAR. Ol’ John Chavis may pull the 2007 rabbit outta his coonskin hat, ” One more time, you guys “…BTW, UT Orange is beautiful, Florida Orange is the ugly orange…

By Bryan G.

January 27, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this

Gamecock Henry…

I guess you’re right. UGA is like Clemson in a respect: South Carolina is nowhere near as good as either historically.

Here’s a fact for you: UGA’s WORST record since 1997 is 8-4. South Carolina’s BEST record during that stretch is 9-3.

So on you’re BEST DAY…you’re as good as UGA on it’s WORST DAY. So congrats on all of that.

Better yet: In the HISTORY of SC football, you have ONE TEN WIN SEASON.

Since 1997, UGA has 6 seasons of double digit wins.

Just because you’re 5-3 against UGA the past 8 meetings doesn’t mean your program is anywhere near ours, ok, sweet pea?

By reality check

January 28, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

Correction Bryan G and Lamecock Henry…Georgia has won 5 of the last 8 games against the chickens.

In fact we have won 5 of the last 6.

By The All-Knowing

January 28, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

Isn’t it basketball season?

Is basketball really nothing but an afterthought to all the UGA fans?

By Gen Neyland

January 28, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this

By The All-Knowing

I’ll step out and say Saturday’s BB game twix the Vols and the Dawgs was da bomb, Dawgbro…

By To Uncle Huckleberry

January 28, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this

So Georgia Southern just wasn’t ready for all the glory to be brought by “The Brian Van Gorder Experience,” huh? Say the next UGA coach comes in and sneeringly says no more Dawgwalk, we’re not playing Glory, Glory anymore and on top of that goes 3-8 with an offense that in no way uses the strengths of the players on hand. What say you then? UGA’s just not ready for the promised land? No, Van Gorder is a jackass. “I’m a college man.” “I’ve put the NFL behind me.” He might be able to coach, but he isn’t a head coach. And he will remain rightly hated by Georgia Southern fans.

By Steve T

January 28, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this

I think the new coach has done well thus far. His best move was to make Mr. Thomas Ast. head coach. The next best move was to get a power running game. With all the speed the falcons will have at WR, this could be a very dangerous mix.

I think Redmond is good enough to win in the new system. I think they need to get the best RB in the draft. It looks like the McFadden may help the falcons.

I like Chad Henne and I think the falcons can pick him up in the second round. I also like the QB from Purdue. I was impressed with how quick he can get the ball to the target. He has a very good arm and I can see Mr. Robinson and White leaving DBs in the dust

The next area is trade Brookings. I know he ia a fan favorite, but the guy suxs. They have two LBS who will attack behind the line instead of 5-10 yards downfield. They need a Middle Linebacker

Finally, they need help on both sides of the line. The place to start is in the middle of the 0-line. I think they need to get a bigger powerful center. Then get a big powerful gaurd that can challenge for a starting spot. Then get a big left tackle to protect the QB blindside.

On defense, they need to get at least one big stud at DT and a good pass rusher at DE.

By murdock5151

January 29, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

come on chip, i know it’s the offseason but how about a new topic!