UGA

By GT4Life

July 20, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this

Brace yourself, Chip. Here comes the b!tching and moaning.

By Rick

July 20, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this

I’m a Gator and live in Atlanta,

and first in a LOOONG time UGA really scares me as how good they are. I think Moreno is a stud, but I also think the dawgs will still live or die by him. He got second half of last season and the team followed suit behind him. Good for him has I see him as a hard working class athlete. But whether it ultimately Auburn, Arizona state, LSU, or my Gators, UGA will falter. Maybe once and with a bit of luck, be back in the thick of the SEC, but they will lose. CMR has done a great job coaching up the road games and the team as of late, but he just can’t keep it going EVERY game. Georgia will have a bad game or two, somebody will sneak up on them, and the Dawgs will get everyone’s A-game for once. In any case, good louck with the season. I really hope both the Dawgs and Gators are full strength come Nov. 1. Should be a great game.

By Rick

July 20, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this

btw,

sorry for my stubby typing, but you get what I mean :)

By shane #1

July 20, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this

Chip, I agree with most of Your points. I think the DE will be fine. Howard is gone, but Lomax gave the Dawgs some quality minutes last year and should step it up. If Jones continues to improve this defense will go from Damn good to awesome. I don’t see the special teams as a problem, except for place kicking, but We have one of the best kickers in the country coming in and a couple of walk ons that did well in the spring game. Mimbs is one of the best punters in the conference and Asher Allen could be a record setting return man. Troupe was a good kick retutner in high school and Thomas broke one for fifty in that All Star game. So special teams should be okay. If Stafford makes half the improvement He did last year and with Moreno and King and the best stable of WRs I can remember at UGA Our offensive skill posistions are set. With a few breaks this team could go all the way. What is scary is that I expect Them to be even better next year.

By bh

July 20, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this

I agree with most of your thoughts. I think the season will hinge on Stafford’s ability to make teams pay for trying to stuff Moreno. And not just with long balls all the time, but on taking what defense gives and making the good safe throws. Place kicking does bother me some, with this schedule, lots of close games to be sure.

bh

By Pewtus Gortsler 65

July 20, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this

Molly had just stepped out to the back porch only to notice that the plastic trash bag leaked of watermelon. Folks had stepped in it as they entered the house. The bag reeked from odor and was covered with fruit flies and ants. I sat on the porch swing and drank Firefly Vodka Iced Tea and had visions of 40 days left for UGA Football. Pewtus

By Dog44

July 20, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this

Chip,

Good thoughts… I think you’re about right. In my opinion, though, you have about 5 teams that are all up there… a bit better talent and coaching than the others right now… and I would put UGA in that group. (along with USC, OH St., OK, and UF) As far as which of those 5 should be #1… impossible to tell… doesn’t really matter.

Here’s a thought, though. You mention how close UGA was to being 9-4 instead of 11-2… and that’s true. But… is it not also true that they were just as close to playing in the NCG?

So I’m giving the Dawgs the benefit of the doubt and considering them in the top 5 or so best teams in the land. Can you name more than 4 teams you think are better?

As far as where they’ll end up (which is Steele’s philosophy of ranking)… yes, the schedule will play a roll. To put them 9th, he’s assuming they don’t win the SEC. If they win the conference, everything else will take care of itself (and even without the trip to Miami it would be a great year.)

By quaildawg

July 20, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this

Predictions…the only ones that mattered were in The Old Testament. It should be one great CF season and getting your shorts in a wad over who is #1 pre-season, etc. won’t be worth one point when the Dawgs meet SC,UT,Bama,UF,Aub,etc. Just sit back and enjoy the moment. Be thankful that Caoch Richt, his staff and the players have stepped it up to the point that UGA IS a factor and WILL have a say in who wins it all. GATA

By Uncle Dave

July 20, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this

Oh the anxiety! I hear Larry Munson in my head… “My God that schedule! And we have a High School kicker trying to win these things… ” I may be nuts (I should stop listening to my inner Larry), but i am more afraid of the Bama game than ASU or South Carolina… I think the Dawgs will have a chip on their shoulder (no pun intended) in Columbia and they will be out to prove themselves to a national audience in the Arizona dry heat… but Bama is just the kind of game that they could lose… one that they are supposed to win. I am more worried about Auburn than Florida… I think the plainsmen will be very good by the end of the year… but the real trouble, IMO, is that game in Baton Rouge. LSU is really tough at home. That said, Georgia certainly could win every one of those games… but I still hear Larry, ” My God he was kicking on Friday nights last year. I don’t think he even shaves yet…”

By hotrod

July 20, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this

Uncle Dave I hear Larry too,what the hell we gonna do without him? enjoy this year folks it will be Mr. Munsons last,lets send him out with a bang, GO DAWGS!!!

By Dave

July 21, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this

I think that the ASU game will be Georgia’s statement game to the college football world, and will beat the Sun Devils like they did the Cowboys in 2007 and Boise State in 2005. The only games that really scare me on this schedule are LSU, UF, & Auburn. Win those games, or lose only one of them, and they’ll be playing for the NC.

By SOS

July 21, 2008 12:54 AM | Link to this

Goats fail to score an offensive TD for the 4th time in the last 7 games with SC…Stafford throws 3 INTs…Moreno only gets 79 yards rushing…Gamecocks win two in a row…

By Bryan

July 21, 2008 1:08 AM | Link to this

wish we played 10 of 12 in state like UF.

By sobedawg

July 21, 2008 2:15 AM | Link to this

The Lamecocks won’t win SQUAT this year…Game will be over by halftime…UGA 51 COCKS 10

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

July 21, 2008 4:36 AM | Link to this

.

.

South Carolina is ranked Number 18 in Phil Steele, Number 23 in College Football News, and Number 24 in the Rivals.

Alabama is ranked Number 20 in Lindys’, Number 23 in Sporting News, Number 24 in both the Sports Illustrated and Number 24 in the College Football News.

Arizona State is ranked Number 14 in the Lindys’, Number 15 in ESPN and Number 15 in Athlon.

Florida is ranked Number 1 in the Athlon Sports and Number 1 in the Phil Steele Top 25 Preseason Poll.

LSU is ranked Number 1 in the CFP Users Poll, Number 5 in the Sports Illustrated and Number 5 in the College Football News.

Auburn is Number 8 in Athlon and both Number 9 in Sports Illustrated and Number 9 in Rivals.

Tennessee is Number 12 in both Sports Illustrated and Number 12 in the College Football News.

Georgia is ranked Number 1 in Sports Illustrated, EA Sports, ESPN, Sporting News, Dallas Star-Telegram, TC Bailey Yardbarker, The Big Lead, Lindys’ , and AJ-C.

Georgia is ranked Number 2 in National Champs dot net, NOLA, Rivals, The Moneyline Journal, Scout.com, and CBS Sportsline.

Georgia is ranked Number 3 in CSTV and Bleacher Report.

Georgia is ranked Number 4 by Southern Pigskin.

Georgia is ranked Number 5 by Athlon.

Georgia is ranked Number 9 by Phil Steele.

I believe that UGA will play 14 games this season, and that UGA will go 12-2 including 9 games against these Preseason Top 25 Football Teams which would make us 7-2 against the Preseason Top 25 teams in America 2008-2009 with only 5 games all season long not against Preseason Top 25 Opponents. I have no questions about our OL.

.

.

By chazz

July 21, 2008 5:41 AM | Link to this

I really think it will come down to the center, the kicker, and the punter. I hate preseason hype. It ate a couple of Georgia teams alive in the past. These guys, though, seem really solid in the psych department, though. A lot also depends on how good Tech and Auburn are by seasons end.

By baloney

July 21, 2008 6:12 AM | Link to this

Chip, I agreee with you, this is the silly season.You may be the SILLIEST of them all though.

By Mike

July 21, 2008 6:43 AM | Link to this

Yes- and everyone should of could of been 7-4-11-2, 3-9. Give me a break- don’t try and jump on the bandwagon later- you are the SILLY one- more like the dumb one

By buck b

July 21, 2008 6:58 AM | Link to this

WELL SAID. This is the first piece of un-biased…fact based assesment of the dogs this year from the AJC. That does not mean the dogs won’t win it all, but it does mean don’t make travel plans to the BC NC Game yet……win the east…win the SEC….and then we can see what happens.

By 82DAWG

July 21, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this

The key offensively will not be the wide receivers, the tight end or UGA VII. The key will absolutely be the development of Caleb King and whomever shakes out as the #3 Tailback (be that Samuel, Jackson or Thomas). You win in the SEC with a brutal running game. Last year Brown and Moreno were terrific, but we had to have both. This year we will be no different. Moreno cannot shoulder the load alone, it will take two, probably three RBs.

In addition, the O-Line will HAVE to get better. It was not up to standards (from what was reported) in Spring practice. Georgia will not win if it has to rely on passing and finesse. Only a pounding running game backed up by a balanced, efficient passing attack will do. If they can achieve that and the defense is as good as advertised, 11-1 is possible.

By Sam

July 21, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

OK, all things said and lots of good points about what will and what wont happen. As a UGA fan it’s fun to read about how good we can be. One thing is for sure, as tough as our schedule may be, and it is tough, every team we play is MORE affraid of the DAWGS than we are of them.

By Coach Smith

July 21, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this

Chip towers and others

If you think the DAWGS are closer to 9th, I dare you to NAME 8 teams better than they are…YOU CAN’T

Also I am tired of hearing that so and so ranked the Dawgs LOWER because their schedule is hard…Well excuse me but the Pre-season rankings are supposed to be based on how good you think a team is NOT how hard their schedule is and where you think they’ll finish

If the Dawgs start at 1 then they could most likely lose once or twice and still make it to the title game

If you look at it game by game, the Dawgs are very capable to win every game…

Auburn and LSU (LSU lost 14 starters and has a freshman QB) (Auburn lost alot and has a new QB and O-coodinator) no matter what people say will be DOWN this year as will Vandy and UK,

the Dawgs will kill GaSouthern and Central Mich,

GaTech will be in flux

Arizona St is not ready for an SEC team like UGA and we may have more fans there than them

Georgia will get revenge on South Carolina (they won’t sneak up on us 2 years in a row)

Florida is a toss up but their D-fense lost some good starters off a squad that was already bad and will be worse

Tennessee is also down, has a new QB (Ainge was their team)

Forget the schedule as a whole and go game by game and match them up, Georgia CAN win every game

I say 12-1 counting SEC Championship game and National title game against either USC or OhioSt

By baloney

July 21, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this

UGA fans may look back at this season and be reminded of a puppy dog that had premature eJack. Don’t go ordering your T-shirts and hats just yet. There is a lot of football to be played. Claiming who is up or down this year or who has more fans etc. doesn’t mean anything yet.Some teams may fly under the radar that historically have had a liiiitttle bit of success against the Dawgs (Florida,LSU,Tenn,maybe Auburn,Maybe bama) Do you think that the Dawgs can/will continue to beat a very good Auburn program as they have the last 2 seasons? I say not likely.

By reality check

July 21, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this

Chip, first let me say I don’t disagree with anything you said. I would like to add several comments.

First, we are capable of winning every game. David Greene said it best that there will be 3 or 4 close games that will define the season.

Every game lost in the Richt era we ran the ball less than 52% of the time. Every time Georgia has run the ball 60% or more we have won. Hopefully we will gme plan to run the ball and stick with it. The frustrating thing in those games we abandoned the run is that the running game was working reasonably well. We did it to ourselves.

By PTC DAWG

July 21, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this

I predict an SEC Title…not sure about the MNC, as I’m not a big favor of having to win a VOTE to get a shot at it. VOTING is for Ice Skating and Water Ballet.

By exNFLplayer

July 21, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this

UGA will win the SEC because of defense. Normally if a team falters during the season it will be on offense. Coach Martinez D will stand and deliver when that happens. His D is better this year than last. And don’t forget that it` finished in the top 3 in rushing defense, points allowed, and total defense last year. Coach has 40+ players that he rotates in and out every game. It is extremely hard to beat that, especially in the stiffling heat of the early season.

By Mikey in Sav

July 21, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this

My only concern is special teams. We need to kick the ball deeper and cover better. I hate to see the opponent consistently start at their own 30 to 35 yard line… It puts too much pressure on the D…

By the way, I completely disagree with the 9 ranking. Top 5 for sure, but 9 is absolutely whacked !

By George

July 21, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. Finally a writer with a clear head. And I agree with you about the schedule. To hear fans of a school who has not played a OOC game west of the MISSISSIPPI in almost 40 years just shows how idiotic the dawg nation really is. oh and by the way dog44 your point is LUDICROUS. Need I remind you about the BLOWOUT loss to UT by 21 points,OT Miracle win at Bama, and the biggest of all miracles to barely beat the second worst team in the SEC.

By WayxDawg

July 21, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this

I would just like to mention one thing that everyone seems to be leaving out. Mike Bobo was getting his feet wet as a full time play caller at the beginning of last year (mind numbing screen after screen against SC that killed our offense). He eventually developed a full game plan, and scored almost 40 pts per game during the win streak.

Center will be key (hopefully Ben Jones is the beast everyone says he is-even Richt has been braggin on him). O-line two deep at almost every spot is going to be strong. Lots of holes for Moreno, Kin, and Samuel (me prediction for 3rd string). I believe WR’s being able to stretch field is our biggest weakness. Mo-Mo is our only proven WR and he will be double covered until someone else steps up. Maybe AJ and TK can learn offense and block enough to get out there early.

Well, overall I say we do slip up somewhere and lose at least one, quite possibly two. We are talented enough to win every game, but bad bounces are out there. I don’t see anyone going undefeated this year, except maybe Oklahoma (only Tex & TT to play). If we are fortunate enough to get to the SEC Championship based on who we lose to, we will win that game and play for the Big One.

Can’t wait until kickoff. GO YOU HAIRY DAWGS!!!

By marshdawg

July 21, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this

what worries me is the fact that we will have to beat Auburn or LSU twice in one season. That is a huge undertaking.

By Patton

July 21, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

George you said we haven’t played past West Missippi in years and you are right (Except for Donnan bowl in Hawaii). Richt begged The Rose Bowl to let us play USC last year! The Rose Bowl has been down on the South since Alabama and Georgia won there years ago! A play off system needs to be installed to keep blow-outs like Ohio State (playing two real games this year) out of the NCS. Oh well bring Hatcher and Georgia Southern on!

By Sam

July 21, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this

No mashdawg, Auburn and or LSU have to play us twice and don’t you think they haven’t thought about that……..The ball bounces funny for every team, and if we just get our fair share……LOOK OUT

By joe

July 21, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

As in most years, the 2008 SEC is a crap-shoot. 5, maybe 6 teams have a realistic chance to win it, based on who gets hot when, injuries, turnovers and special team breakdowns. UF, UT, UGA, AU, LSU and maybe SC or bama (but I doubt those last two for this year). Should be fun to watch it all play out…Hope Petrino loses every game this year and gets fired.

By jferg NC dawg

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

Chip, I can see your points and agree with most of them. IMO, the headlines over the next 2 months should read “will the dogs o-line gel” and “will stafford out work every defense on the schedule” and “how will the dogs handle adversity when it comes, because it will”. I’d like these headlines instead of “how awesome are our dawgs”….because I’d really like our guys to stay focused on the weekly task at hand. Good teams get beat every Saturday. Case and point: LSU was beat by Kentucky last year. Anyone on our schedule could be our “kentucky”. Either way, it’s great to hear so much excitement from local and national media. I just hope we back it up with big wins so that we can DESERVE to be in the Nat’l Champ contender conversation. But, until we prove ourselves, OH ST and USC and UF and LSU deserve to be in that conversation before us. I rank Dawgs Preseason #4 and hope to see us in top 4 by end of season.

By hop

July 21, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

DAWGS finish the 07 season with lopsided wins over auburn,kentucky, hawaii, and convincing wins over florida and tech.

georgia will pickup where they left off last year as one of the two best teams in the country.

tennessee has lost their starting qb and even bigger lose is coach cuttcifF,LSU had big loses from last year’s team including their top two qb’s, they are starting a freshman qb(not good).auburn is overrated once again as alabama has ended their recruiting advantage big time.

the florida is the toughest game by far and it will DECIDE the SEC EAST CHAMPION.

By george

July 21, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

Patton that could be the most idiotic post I have ever read. I was talking about the regular season and out of conference schedules. Point is Georgia has had some of the weakest out of conference schedules throughout the years and the one year they finally have a decent schedule you would think the world was coming to an end. Just PATHETIC.

By Georgia Fan

July 21, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

I disagree with Chip on one small detail. I think the off weeks are timed very well. The first is almost exactly in the middle of the season, right before a big SEC east showdown with Tennessee, who I think is being overlooked by the preseason pundits. IMO they will once again play a bigger factor in Georgia’s SEC title hopes than an overrated Florida squad. The second off week is right before the Georgia Tech game. Even more significantly, it is two weeks before the SECCG. If we are fortuante enough to be playing in that game the recent week off will help.

And I echo Chip’s concerns about Stafford. I think he had it pretty easy last year the way the running game was working. When it isn’t working, and there will be times this year when it isn’t working, he’s got to step up. So far in his career things haven’t gone so well when we’ve had to rely on his arm to win the game, as we did in both losses last year. The recievers have got to step up too and lay out for some balls, which the rarely do, and just get open. Teams are going to load up to stop the run. It is going to happen. The passing game must make them pay. If they can make them pay this offense has the chance to be scary good.

As for the schedule, I’m sick of hearing about it. I bet the team is sick of hearing about it too. I bet their sick of hearing about how they can’t do this and they can’t do that because of the schedule. Motivation will not be a problem this year.

“But, until we prove ourselves, OH ST and USC and UF and LSU deserve to be in that conversation before us.”

That is absolutely laughable and ridiculous. Georgia has as much right to be excited right now as does anyone. Those teams have not proved a single thing yet either.

By reality check

July 21, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

george if you want to talk about pathetic you need to stay on the Tech blog.

Incidentally I just looked up the word “pathetic” in the dictionary and your picture was next to it as an illustration of what the term means.

If I owned a dog as ugly as you are I would have to shave his azz and make him walk backwards.

By duggy

July 21, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

Pay no attention to BICURIOUS GEORGE. He is a regular on dawg blogs always trying to belittle dawg fans and never claims what team he is a fan of. My guess is Awburn. But who would claim that to a Dawg fan after the two consecutive beat downs they’ve taken. What a friggin cry baby

By exNFLplayer

July 21, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this

Georgia Fan, how does a 4 loss UF team with possibly a worse defense than last year deserve to be in the conversation before UGA? They are looking at starting 2 safeties that aren’t even on campus yet. Their secondary is extremely weak across the board. Sorry but I just can’t see UF being able to score enough points to beat a team like UGA or LSU. Their D is a huge achilles heal. The only place on defense they don’t have compelling issues is the D front.

By mcdawg

July 21, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this

its going to be all about the O-Line and how well they develop as a unit-if we can get by SC, ASU, Bama, UT before the meat of our schedule (how scary is that)-then we will see about Nat Champs and playing w/ the USCs, OUs, and OSUs

-until then its just one game at a time

By PBR=America in a can

July 21, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this

Who care where we are ranked im ready to do some tailgating August 30th in the classic city. If we play to our potential every game an undefeted season is totally possible. Lets just hope the dawgs can make it through camp with no or few injuries. And “there’s nothing better in the land than a drunk obnoxious georgia fan.” GOOOOO Dawgs!!!!

By bt

July 21, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this

cmr has the most talent that he has ever seen in his entire coaching career. He has the best coaches in the SEC. CMR job is to get the team ready to play. He has been very good at that, xcept for south carolina. We should never have lost that game. The team was not ready to play, and that was CMR’s fault. Win SC and U GA would have won the Nat. championship last year. CMR has a better team than last year, let’s see if he can do it..I’m a big UGA supporter and loyal fan..CMR has the hardest job of all..one hr before kick-off..getting them ready to win..I loved VD, but think CMR is the best coach UGA has ever had. He really cares about them (his players), and it shows.

Coach, start working on your one hour..You deserve it, you can do it..Go Dogs..

By FLA DAWG

July 21, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this

Chip,

I know Stafford’s int record was not good last year but I have to say that there were more dropped balls than I’ve seen in years. Is his arm that strong or were our receivers hearing footsteps too much?

What is it that has changed that has everyone believing Stafford will improve so much this year? I hope they are all right!

By mcdawg

July 21, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this

-UF is in the equation due to last two recruiting classes

-i think our DEs will be fine w/ Lomax and Battle

By exNFLplayer

July 21, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this

Coach Richt and his staff do an incredible job keeping the team focused on one game at a time. That will be crucial to UGA’s season. With so many tough games it will actually be easier to keep the team from looking past any opponent.

By Patton

July 21, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this

LSU winning with 2 losses should show the world that the SEC is the best and toughest confrence. There is no doubt in my mind that UGA (1 loss) could have beaten Ohio State in 2002. If Notre Dame gets automatic BCS invite with 6 wins, than the SEC should get automatic National Championship game….Right now I am worried about Georgia Southern. They took Boss Baliey out on the opening kick off!

By AltamahaDawg

July 21, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this

George, if holding Vandy scoreless the entire second half, at thier stadium, is “the miracle of all miracles’…we’ll take it.

By Andy in Ohio

July 21, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this

Regarding whether I agree with you putting them closer to 9 than 1, it depends on if you’re ranking them based on talent and where they should be at the beginning of the year, or where you think they’ll end up at. They definitely are the best team in the country right now, there’s no question in my mind about that. The question is whether they’ll survive the schedule and end up at number 1. I think they’ll finish in the top 5, but whether they can survive the schedule and end up in the national championship game is up in the air for me. If we get down to a situation like LSU had last year, I don’t think that Richt is the type of coach that would go on TV whining about how they belong in the NC game.

Considering their schedule, if they survive and go undefeated that would be a miracle indeed. But if they lose one time and win the SEC, I could still see them making their way to the championship game. The problem every year is parity in the SEC, this year is no different so a no loss team is just as likely IMO as a 2-3 loss team. You never know.

By MountainDawg

July 21, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

Valid concerns about OL & special teams. The offense starts with a solid OL performance, so inconsistency or poor execution there could be detrimental. Our skill plays on O are super-talented and the D is stacked. We certainly need to utilize studs Chandler & Southerland much more this season (to offset the concentration on Moreno & the WR corps). There’s many things that can/will transpire, so predicting an outcome is always tough. I’m going with 11-1 (at best) and an SEC & National Title win. At worst, with key injuries, poor execution, bad play-calling, costly turnovers, etc…10-2. It should be a great season for the mighty Dawgs!

By I-DOG

July 21, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

Chip and others with an opinion and inside scoop:

Why is Prince Miller getting the nod at corner over Bryan Evans? I think P Miller is a solid up and coming corner, and I know he had a good game against Hawaii (his only interc last year)… but for much of the season he seemed to get lost in coverage and he got absolutely run over for a touchdown against Auburn on a sweep. At 5’ 8”, I don’t undestand why Bryan Evans who is more like 6 foot, has great speed, and seems to cover very well isn’t holding him off??

I’m not trying to disparage P. Miller in any personal way and I certainly don’t break down game film or know what is happening in practice (as a Dawg fan I hope he has an incredible season and I have to eat crow) but can anyone explain why Evans is not the starting corner opposite Allen who isn’t the tallest guy in the world either?

What am I missing?

By I-DOG

July 21, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this

FLA Dawg:

I think you meant Stafford’s completion perc. not his int ratio which was very good last year. His int ratio was much better than his Freshman season.

His accuracy is the issue and if I’m not mistaken his completion percentage improved last year, but was still to low in the mid 50’s and Bobo and CO. would like to see it in the low 60’s.

There were some dropped balls, but that seemed to be a big improvement in 07. Here is my opinion on where he is as a QB in terms of accuracy:

He was throwing off his back foot and not stepping into the throw last year. This was partially caused by the inexperienced OL early in the season, he did not have much time against OK State and SC and there was a lot of traffic by his feet. He developed a bad habbit that continued as the season progressed even as the line improved and he actually had time. Footwork is about habits from repitition.

In the Hawaii game…he threw off his back foot a lot and that scares me! He wasn’t pressured that much and it was the last game of the year.

I believe the staff set a good goal of about 62% and I think he can reach that because 1.) He will have another year of overallcoaching and experience 2.) the offense overall will be better and the OL in particular… especially compared to the lack of confidence everyone justifiabily had in it at the start of 07… we were all nervous about that aspect and 3.) He has this problem of not stepping into the throw which is very correctible.

If he is interested in being truly great, he should be able to continue to progress and 60% should be a walk in the park!

By reality check

July 21, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this

duggy, george is a Tech fan. He posts on their blog supporting them regularly. I’ll confess to being a Georgia fan who wants Tech to do well except when they are playing us. I will also have to confess that has become harder to do that over the years with all the childish comments and poor sportsmanship from Tech fans that seems to get worse the longer they go without beating us.

By Dawg4life

July 21, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this

I-DOG,

I used to wonder the same thing. Prince Miller is generously listed at 5-8, and he’s not the fastest of the corners either. Evans turned heads last year when he reportedly ran a 4.25 40-yard dash during summer workouts. Seems like you’d want someone like that in coverage, right?

From what I’ve read on the Rivals.com UGA site, the problem is that Evans has been in DC Willie Martinez’s doghouse for much of the past year because he hasn’t been consistent at all. I can recall a few plays in the Bama game last year when Evans got beat on a few routes. Apparently, toward the middle to end of last season, he still looked lost at times and coaches were fed up with waiting on him to turn the corner.

Honestly, to me, Prince Miller looks lost at times as well. And he certainly isn’t a physical corner like Evans could be (in fact, I think sticking Miller at corner is no worse than sticking Ramarcus Brown in the same spot).

That said, if coaches think he’s the best man for the job, then far be it from me to second guess. And I, like you, also hope I have to eat crow after the season!

By Orkin man

July 21, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

I agree with all of the concerns Chip had. I believe the biggest hurdle will be what it always is — UF. (CMR will have the boys ready for UT.) But after last year, this team knows how to win, and that makes a big difference. I really don’t think they discovered that until the Florida game, rah-rah gimmicks aside. I can’t wait to watch our defense fly around the field, either.

Amazing that nowhere in this blog do the words “Caleb King” appear. That’s a first. But I guess that ties into the depth analysis.

And best of all, Tech still sucks.

By DisneyDawg

July 21, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

There’s no doubt that the schedule is not favorable, but the only way it would be is if the Dawgs didn’t have to play. The guys on the team keep saying this is what they came to UGA for and I, for one, believe them. Richt has been part of teams with high expectations before he ever came to Athens. The team will be fine. Ton’s right, though, that every team will bring their A game. I thought they always did, personally.

By montgomeryaldawg

July 21, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

WayxDawg, like your post concerning Bobo. Our offense had no identity until KM stepped up, the screens against SC best case in point. My concerns are threefold…1)Playcalling - Bobo did improve has he realized his talent and our ability to rush to the left particularly. I hope we can continue the rush identity established in the second half then open up from there, this will improve MS’s %. 2)O-line - I am just not as confident as many here and share Chip’s praise of Velasco. 3) Our linebackers are FAST. They showed against Fla and teams with speed their plenty competant. My concern was when SC and Tenn were running the ball with big hoss tailbacks right at us. We knew it was coming and couldn’t stop it. That’s my concern. For that reason Auburn, with its new spread and Alabama’s smaller/faster running backs don’t scare me. LSU and Tenn., those are the games to determine if we can stop veteran lines with big backs with momentum. Running down the little guys like Percy and the even smaller new RB at Fla will not be our achilles.

By DisneyDawg

July 21, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

Also, I’d venture a bet that the fans are far more worried about the upcoming season than the team. I’ve observed a quiet sort of confidence in the interviews I’ve read. Kind of like “it’s not bragging if you can back it up.” These guys don’t seem to concede anything to the gauntlet they’re going to face. I like that. Whether it comes to pass that they’re truly prepared remains to be seen, of course. I’m optimistic.

By MC

July 21, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this

I agree with exNFLplayer. I truly believe Auburn and LSU will be the Dawgs toughest tests. Florida’s defense could be horrible. Worse than the 4 loss team of last year. Florida has to develop a running game. Harvin had foot surgery and Percy Harvin can’t carry the offense minus a running game. The league is on to the Tebow draw. Watch what happens if Meyer goes to the well on that play too many times. Meyer won the NC with Zook’s players and Chris Leak playing QB. Sorry. UF is really overrated. If they have to depend on scoring 50 to win they are in big trouble.

By DisneyDawg

July 21, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

MC, you’re correct about UF’s defense. I went to the Cap One Bowl and they were atrocious. I said before that it’s no good returning a lot of starters from a unit that sucked. The idea is to get better players, ‘cause the players they have aren’t going to get much better.

Oddly enough, the papers down here are conveniently overlooking the fact that the Gator’s got torched repeatedly last year and have not significantly addressed the problem; if anything, their secondary is in worse shape than last year, and that’s potentially disastrous in the SEC.

By DisneyDawg

July 21, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this

Sorry about the bad grammar and typing. I’m usually much better. Must be all the pain medication.

By #1

July 21, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this

UGA will be #1 hands down. We can’t loose now. Give us the trophey.

By Chip Towers

July 21, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this

To clarify, for those wondering, I approach rankings with an idea of how the season will play out, not how I think they stack up at the beginning of the season. Even if Georgia wins the East it will likely have to play Auburn or LSU twice and neither time in Athens. Ohio State and Southern Cal have much easier paths and even Oklahoma and Missouri to some extent. Heck, even Florida plays nine of 12 games in the Sunshine State and only LSU of significance from the West. The Dogs get Bama, Auburn and LSU from the West. Just a tough, tough row to hoe. Odds of getting through unscathed are high.

By #84

July 21, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

Tech will be #84. There is no doubt about it.

Go Jackets!

By Really?

July 21, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

Chip, so who do you think has the most talented team going into the season? Not looking for where they end up finishing 5 months from now!

By AltamahaDawg

July 21, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

I agree that too much is made of the schedule ruining our chances this year. Maybe of going undefeated, but what chance really is there ever of that? I believe this slate is only marginally more difficult than any year. There seems to be this notion, (prabably just wishful rival thinking) that it will equate to MORE losses than normal. I think its more like just that the chances of any single loss might go up by decimal places, but I don’t buy that its going to be cumulative.

I understand the grind and mental fatigue and other intagible downsides to a difficult schedule, one could prabably come up with just as many positive motivational factors. The big one to me is that you dont play a killer schedule all in one Saturday. As you cross off one tough game after another, they no longer are obstacles and actually become assets. The other advantage as mentioned several times by the coaches is focus. Nobody doesnt understand the task. As I’ve watched for all these years it seems to me that losses often come not when you would expect. The more talk of an impossible schedule, (and not just a couple of traditionally key games) the better focus week to week, as I see it.

What better way to handle the toughest schedule in year than with the best shape team in years too?

I cannot remember a national team that you can look back and say, “boy they really were the best looking team out there going in , BUT that schedule killed them”. However there are certainly examples of a SOS putting somebody UP in the minds of the voters late.

Off week before TN HUGE.

By Will

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

It will be tough, and as a matter of fact, I’m not even going to worry about the NC. Because at the end of the year ESPN will pick their little darlings USC(not the USC chickens) and Ohio State. I just can’t wait until that first Sat morning cracking beers and putting my shades on to watch all the hot women! So to all my fellow GA fans: party like its 1999 and don’t worry about all of the bs.

By Cuz

July 21, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this

I want to party like it’s 1981, but that’s just me.

By Noodle Arm Stafford

July 21, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this

Tim Tebow 1st string Quarterback All SEC coaches preseason football…..Matt Stafford a bench warmer!

By Chip Towers

July 21, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this

Really? Probably Southern Cal.

By Cuz

July 21, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this

On second thought, maybe not, it took two days to get over that hangover.

By Jimmy

July 21, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

Is it just me or does it seem like the OLDER you get the LONGER the offseason lasts??

By FLA DAWG

July 21, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this

I-DOG, Thanks for the correction on Stafford’s record. As estatic as I was to watch the win (slaughter) against Hawaii, I was frankly disappointed in Stafford’s performance. He should have racked up air miles like a frequent flier against that team. I hope the problem has been corrected - time will tell.

By MC

July 21, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this

Yes the schedule is tough, but UGA has far fewer questions and holes to fill than any other team in the SEC. UF with it’s defensive problems and having to develop a running game. Tennessee has issues across the board to include a new QB. LSU will have a new QB. Auburn an entirely new offense. So logically, all things considered, UGA has far fewer questions than any team in the SEC.

By Huh?

July 21, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this

Wait a second Chip. Don’t we so often hear about how voters punish teams for playing easy schedules? Remember that Auburn was supposedly left out in 2004 because they played a I-aa school. They were punished for their “easier path”. That’s what alot of the media voters claimed anyway. Then in the preseason they put teams on top based on their supposedly “easier path”. Not that your a voter, but lets assume you were. Could you expain this blatant contradiction for me?

Chip, with all due respect, the idea of ranking teams based on who has the supposedly easier path is simply laughable. Any ranking based on that premise is worth no more than toilet paper. So because Ohio State has the easier path this makes them better than Georgia? They had an easier path than LSU last year. How did that work out? If Ohio State and Georgia actually played against each other in a football game (oh the humanity!!!) Ohio State would come out on top because they have an easier schedule? Is this what you and your media cohorts are selling us Chip?

If you think Ohio State and Southern Cal will win the mythical national title because of their easier schedules that is fine and dandy. I have no problem with that. They probably will. But to rank them ahead of teams that you think are better simply because of their “easier path” leaves a system desparate for credibility in absolute ruins. It is a joke.

By DisneyDawg

July 21, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this

I keep hearing about the possibility of UGA having to play Auburn, LSU (or Bama) twice; I look at it as those guys will have to play the Dawgs twice. I’m sure they aren’t too psyched about that, either.

By Pitbull

July 21, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this

You don’t have to win all of your games and a NC in order to be a winner. UGA will win 10+ games which is excellent considering the level of competition that we face.

I think that both the offense and defence will be solid. Special teams are still one third of the game, so the basics of coverage and tackling will be very important if UGA is to go undefeated.

Do not forget that the reason UGA went 9-4 two years ago rather than 11-2 was because Brandon Coutu got hurt. With him we would have won both the Vandy and Kentucky games.

Brandon has graduated, and I do not know who our new field goal kicker is. I thought Billy Bennett was unbelievably good, but Brandon was just as good. UGA has a history of great field goal kickers though, so I hope we have one lined up for 2008 and a back up in case he gets hurt.

Also, I do not know if we have the same long snapper and holder this year. It takes all three and good blocking for an extra point or a field goal.

Anyway, if special teams are solid and we can play a lot of people to cut down on injuries, then we can be very good.

TWHGT

By jason

July 21, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this

This seaeson will be worth it. Worth all the blood and tears. I don’t think that the schedule is as hard as much as the games stack up. I think UGA will beat UF, and LSU. Auburn scares me. It is always a tough game. I look for them to be a 4 loss team, a very good 4 loss team. At that point in the season, the way they always play UGA, and after the slew of big games already played; I could see a let down. I see 11-1. We could very well see 2 1000 yrd RBs for UGA this year. Would that be great or what ? I still don’t see a 3000 yrd year for Stafford. I see continued improvement in comp%, and td/int ratio. You will not need those yards passing with the rushing ability. I look for defense and ball control. As far as defense, I call them nonames. The reason why is noone outside of UGA and its fans know them. Curran and Ellerbee are studs… But it all starts up front with the DL. Owens, Weston, Atkins, Irvin, Crawford, and Wood. That’s 6 DL studs to stuff the ground game and get after the QB. The secondary is deep, and expirenced. I look for Jones to step closer to an all- american status. This will go down as one of UGA’s greatest years ever, even if we don’t play for the MNC. Go DAWGS;#1

By office space

July 21, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this

Nobody in the SEC has it easy. Hell I can’t imagine what a gauntlet it looks like to Vanderbilt, but they’re better too. Every game determines the season and if you lose you play the spoiler the next week.Who could ask for more. I’ve just had this feeling that this game in Jacksonville will be the closest thing to war outside Iraq this year!When the dust clears some poor sap teams going to have to play the winner of the SEC for the National Championship. We’re locked and loaded and It’s goooood to be a Dawg!

By DisneyDawg

July 21, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this

Pitbull, Ive seen film of Blair Walsh, the new kicker. This kid’s got a great leg. He’s the real deal. I hope he’s got confidence, ‘cause he definitely has the skill. One of the kicks I saw was a 54 your FG, and he had plenty to spare.

By Buford

July 21, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this

Did r.check call CMR dumb for quitting on the run early?

By Big Dawg

July 21, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this

Dawg4life and I-DOG,

Yes Evans was in Martinez’s doghouse last year after he got that preseason hamstring injury. He didn’t recover as fast as everybody would have liked and he was benched and instead of getting mad and becoming more determined he sulked a little and this got him into Martinez’s doghouse. He is the best cover corner we have when healthy because he is so fast and it was a 4.27 that he ran last year before he hurt his hammy. BTW I don’t understand all the concern with our OL. The OL and DL are our greatest strenghts and this is where ballgames are won most of the time. As it stands right now Ben Jones is the 3rd or 4th string center on this team as Chris Davis is the starter with Ben Harden and Keven Perez battling for the back-up spot. As for starting guards and tackles that depends on who wants it the most as we will be having some fierce and intense competition going on come fall practice for these positions and it is my understanding that not one of them has won a starting job yet. And to set your minds at ease we had two sets of starters by the end of spring practice with several of the 3rd stringers being worked in and I was told that they had in fact jelled. The concerns with this team is guarding against overconfidence and the wide receivers. Go Dawgs

By AltamahaDawg

July 21, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this

RC, as somebody else also pointed out, you would have to look game by game and see how many of those victories were secured early and the plan became run the clock, vs games playing catch up in losing efforts. It’s prabably true that in some of the largest margins of victory the run ration might have (ended up) being 75% or more but thats not the real story, nor is getting beat badly throwing on every down in the forth quarter.

I dont think you are trying to say anyone abandoned a sure plan to win at times or should stubornly stick to a 60% model, no matter the score. Just that being able to run is a sign of good things and most often a stat of successful teams.

By AltamahaDawg

July 21, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this

BTW, Reynolds Plantation VS Birmingham? hello

By Uncle Dave

July 21, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this

Chip: What is your response to Huh?

By Chip Towers

July 21, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this

Huh? I did not rank them and your response is yet another reason why I don’t and I won’t. I said I see them finishing closer to Phil Steele, who does rank teams based on their ability to win it all, and all the preseason hyperbolists that are putting them No. 1. The bottom line is I think the Dogs will be very, very good but I’m doubtful they can win it all and that’s not just because of the schedule. I hope I’m wrong. I’d love to spend the holidays in Miami… .

Earlier somebody wondered “why Prince Miller ahead of Bryan Evans? I can only say Willie Martinez watches those guys very, very closely every day both live and on video and it’s his determination that Miller is better. I can promise there are no hidden agendas when you’re trying to win it all… .

The ACC definitely does preseason football meetings better but there’s a big difference that prevents the SEC from doing the golf resort thing. There are 700 media registered for credentials for SEC Football Media Days. There were 200 at the ACC meetings.

By AltamahaDawg

July 21, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this

Auburn was not “left out” or penalized for playing a 1-AA school. If early OOC games were an issue, the pollsters wouldn’t have brought them up to #4 before the season was half over as they did. If anything I think they were glad to somehow not look so wrong by having them preseason #1 the year before. The reason they didn’t get in the NC game is simply that 2 other teams higher ranked than them from day one went undefeated as well. Them playing whoever might have been something that was brought up in discussion as to why leapfroggin USC would have been unwarranted but it was never an issue as to defending why they didn’t get in. Flopping 2 loss teams is one thing, but you dont leapfrog higher rank undefeated BCS caliber teams the last week of the season. (FWIW, I think AU was the best team in 2004)

The question is based on incorrect assumptions.

By Uncle Dave

July 21, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this

Honestly, Chip, I wish you were a voter… but Huh makes an interesting point. The reality that Ga. faces this year is very different than that which prevented Auburn from making it to the championship game the year that they were undefeated. Auburn was punished for their so called “weak” schedule, and now it seams that Ga. is being downgraded by virtue of the fact that they have a difficult schedule.

The unfortunate reality is that the odds of making it to the championship go up as the team’s pre-season ranking goes up. Such consideration has very little to do with the actual quality of the team in question. Auburn fought an uphill battle all year, and they were punished for it in the end. .

If their pre-season ranking is not high enough, Ga. could go undefeated and still finish behind the winner of the USC/Ohio State game and Oklahoma if they were undefeated as well. The decision of the voters in such a scenario would be strictly political, as no definitive logic could eliminate any of the three teams.

I know pre-season polls are absurd and I respect your choice to avoid them …. but this is a fascinating and evolving political scenario. It is precisely the politics involved , when coupled with the passion of college football fans, that makes this the most interesting sport to follow. Because of this situation, we are all riveted to our televisions (and computers). That is why the powers that be have no intention of creating a playoff any time soon.

By AltamahaDawg

July 21, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this

Adequate Cheesy Credentials

By DisneyDawg

July 21, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this

There is a definite geographical bias to the human polls, but I submit that the computer polls are just as unreliable, only in different aspects. Generally speaking, the computer polls are far too opaque in their formulation and, as a result, can be as arbitrary and capricious as any human poll. No system is perfect, but that shouldn’t deter trying to make a system better.

By AltamahaDawg

July 21, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this

Uncle Dave, in comparing those situations (which the chances of having 3 undefeated BCS school finishing again are pretty remote) there is a big difference. In 2004 Auburn was asking to leapfrog another undefeated team that had won thier conference as well, without any compelling argument other than the respect of one conference over another. And I dont think anyone accused the SEC winner of a soft year, just that given thier OOC schedule was no tougher than the others, and examples could be made in all 3 teams case of patsies, it wasn’t enough to defy every ranking rule at the time. How could anyone have explained that to Oklahoma convincingly? As disappointing and unfair as it seemed to AU, at least it was, as they say, the way it goes. To have flopped those teams that last week, both 12-0…. Imagine THAT controversy. In your example, UGA’s schedule at least would give the pollsters a solid defendable justification.

By AltamahaDawg

July 21, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this

DisneyDawg, what puzzles me is not the reluctance to convert to a playoff system. I get that its too much of a departure right now. But the entire offseasonn seemed to be only, yes or no playoffs. Not one thing did I read about an effort to find ways to perfect the system we do use. It would seems that the past few years have certainly brought to light a need for more clearly defined criteria for voters to use.

By Buzz Man