UGA blog finds new home
Morning all. As I’ve said a couple of times this week, we’re converting this blog over to a WordPress platform and it will be a permanent move the first of next week.
Those of you who are regulars probably know that I’m not what you’d call techno-wizard when it comes to these things. But from what I understand the technology offered in this new format should make the blogging and commenting experience better for all. Of course, I’ll be learning as we go along, too. But I’m hoping to provide more pictures and video and things like that which should bring the blog more to life.
Of course, this blog is nothing without all you guys so I want to heartily invite (read: beg) you to come over to the new site by CLICKING HERE ON THE NEW ADDRESS and save it in your browsers. As of Monday, Feb. 23rd, this will be the permanent home of the UGA blog you so love or, in the case of some of you, love to loathe. If you’d prefer to copy and paste or just memorize, the new address is: http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/.
See at the new place!
AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2008 > October > 31
Friday, October 31, 2008
A glimpse inside the Gator Nation
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Welcome to this week’s installment of “Beyond The Hedges.” I say “installment” because it’s the second week in a row I’ve done this. That makes it a full-fledged feature of this blog. I even solicited a name for it and BTH is the best one y’all came up with (or at least the one I remembered as I sat down to hammer this out). Everything gets compressed during Georgia-Florida week because you’re trying to get a hundred things done and get out of town. Kind of like everybody else in Atlanta this week.
This week’s hack — that’s a term of affection and esteem inside the biz (I promise) — that covers the opposing team is Gainesville Sun columnist Pat Dooley. Dooley has covered the Gators for, well, a really long time. Put it this way: He’s one of the only guys I know that can hit Steve Spurrier on his cell and get him the first time. I know that instantly doubles your respect for him right there.
Anyway, I e-mailed Pat five carefully thought-out, meticulously crafted questions (OK, I actually banged them out off the top of my head) regarding Saturday’s game between Georgia and Florida. He, in turn, studied them thoroughly and answered them thoughtfully (or at least in as much time as it took him to finish a sandwich during lunch on Thursday).
By the way, last week’s guest, LSU beat writer Glenn Guilbeau of Gannett Newspapers, said to tell y’all, “same to you,” whatever that means.
So for those of you that haven’t already fled Atlanta for Jacksonville and the Golden Isles and others who can manage to look cool surfing the ‘Net with your laptop at the tailgate, from the heart of Gator Country, here’s Pat Dooley:
(1) The Georgia touchdown celebration last year: Brilliant motivational tool or irresponsible coaching act?
Dooley: “I’ve said all along that I understood why Mark Richt did what he did. I’ve also said it’s lazy thinking to call it brilliant because Georgia won the game. Georgia won because it was the better team and Tim Tebow was injured. The move could have backfired in a lot of ways. But it sure made things interesting.”
(2) Do you expect Florida do anything this year to retaliate? If so, what? If not, why not?
Dooley: No. I think you retaliate by winning the game. Then maybe you have some fun.
(3) Has the perception of Georgia under Richt changed in the eyes the Gator Nation?
Dooley: A little. He’s a Dog who is a former Nole and former Cane so it’s not like he was beloved anyway. If he wins two in a row, they’ll really hate him.
(4) Do you like the game being in Jacksonville and does that venue represent an advantage for the Gators?
Dooley: I’ve never believed it’s an advantage to either team. I know all about the bus ride vs. plane theory but that didn’t seem to be an issue in the 1980s. I used to be a home-and-home guy for one reason — Athens is the best town in the SEC. But I’ve come to appreciate the uniqueness and incredible environment Jacksonville gives this game. The city is cleaner and the stadium is nicer.
(5) Why will Florida win the game? Georgia?
Dooley: Florida will win if its plays good defense. Not great, just good and solid defense. Georgia will win if Florida turns the ball over more than once. No matter who wins, I’ll be doing my own celebration dance in the press box when my last word is written. It’s been a long week.
With that, I’ll leave you with some links. You’ll note that these are mostly videos geared toward the diehard Dogs’ fans on the blog. But we’re equal opportunity here. Feel free to add your own with your comments. See you down on the River… .
Here’s a song about something called Jorts… .
Georgia fans seem to think Florida fans are U-G-L-Y… .
This is why you suck, or so this guy raps… .
I thought this one may be related to that Jorts thing because of the name of the website. But it’s actually some kind of documentary on an entertainment endeavor Tim Tebow and Urban Meyer are entering into together. Well, just see for yourself… .
Former Gator Channing Crowder, now with the Dolphins, talks a better game than I ever saw him play against Georgia.
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