UGA

By Sautee Dawg

January 14, 2009 8:25 AM | Link to this

Plenty of players to step up and take Allen’s place, Suprised that Jones was thinking about leaving, didn’t think he was all that impressive, Maybe UGA will land the Reid kid and not redshirt him, I for one can’t wait to see Darryl Gamble in a starting role at Linebacker.

By D.Ellis

January 14, 2009 8:30 AM | Link to this

Asher was a joy to watch and is a very fine player. Wish him the best of luck on Sunday’s.

-Hopefully Greg Reid sees this and his chance for more playing time early has increased a BUNCH

By STLMatt

January 14, 2009 8:34 AM | Link to this

Don’t forget Branden Smith - I don’t think either he or Reid, if he comes to UGA, will be redshirted.

By Tim

January 14, 2009 8:35 AM | Link to this

Is anyone else curious why schools like Texas and So. Cal. seem to keep a high percent of their juniors and we seem to lose ours. So. Cal’s defense was almost all seniors this year.

By typical bulldawg fan

January 14, 2009 8:46 AM | Link to this

Not you too Asher!!! You are not even going to be drafted on the first day. what happened to loyalty to the university??

what is going on?

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

By Hey Tim

January 14, 2009 8:49 AM | Link to this

Its b/c the players at So. Cal. are in…..yes, Southern California, and can get away with anything. Athens ain’t quite So. Cal, and the cops around here don’t have anything better to do than arrest players.

Im pretty sure Carrol pays his players with strippers and bjs (from Will Ferrell) as well. Who wouldn’t want to stay?

By Hey Tim

January 14, 2009 8:49 AM | Link to this

Its b/c the players at So. Cal. are in…..yes, Southern California, and can get away with anything. Athens ain’t quite So. Cal, and the cops around here don’t have anything better to do than arrest players.

Im pretty sure Carrol pays his players with strippers and bjs (from Will Ferrell) as well. Who wouldn’t want to stay?

By Dawgoneit

January 14, 2009 8:59 AM | Link to this

USC and Texas are football factories. alot of their players do not start until they are seniors. most ugaly fans think uga is a powerhouse program. it is not. have a few injuries like this year and there is no one to back them up. you claim to be a top program, then you make excuses for losses on injuries

By Pete

January 14, 2009 9:01 AM | Link to this

He’s going to be another Danny Ware, undrafted and unemployed. Too bad.

By DirtyDawg

January 14, 2009 9:08 AM | Link to this

This isn’t a case of ‘loyalty’ to Georgia, it’s one of an individual’s personal situation and the need to ‘get on with his life’ - whatever that life may hold. Clearly the kid’s family could probably use the money, regardless of how much it may be (and remember there’s always an agent out there willing to ‘advance’ them something ‘on the come’) and who knows, maybe he’s just tired of going to classes and taking tests.

Sure, for selfish reasons we’d all like for these guys to hang around and ‘do their damnedest for ‘good ol’ UGA’, but face it, in the end it is all about the money. I mean nobody goes to College except to improve their earning power for the rest of their lives, and some of these guys get to figuring that hanging around for another year ain’t gonna increase it that much so you might as well go ahead - sorta like deciding to take Social Security early at a discount rather than waiting for full retirement.

By Pago Flyer

January 14, 2009 9:10 AM | Link to this

Gee, what about his degree!

By BDS

January 14, 2009 9:14 AM | Link to this

Tim Tebow, enough said.

By jtriverdog06

January 14, 2009 9:16 AM | Link to this

Danny Ware may not play but he is employed by the NY Giants and does have a NFL Championship ring. Do your research fool. Asher wasnt that great of a tackler and tried to jump routes too much. Boykins and Cuff will be better. I would rather have Asher over prince anyday though. The worst player in the UGA Secondary is Brian Evans though. I refer to him as B!tch Evans. Hopefully we will have Reid and Smith back there.

By Joe

January 14, 2009 9:20 AM | Link to this

2006 Recruiting class was a total bust. Lots of stars, but too many selfish egos to win anything. Good riddance.

By uga8forever

January 14, 2009 9:24 AM | Link to this

Pete, Danny Ware plays for NY and have a super bowl ring. So before you talk no what you talkin about!

By Voice of Reason

January 14, 2009 9:24 AM | Link to this

Danny Ware plays for the NY Giants. I would say having a Super Bowl ring is pretty good employment.

By No Surprise

January 14, 2009 9:24 AM | Link to this

Just like GT basketball, UGA football has become a weigh station for the pro level. If UGA football held promise for anything big- i.e. national title- you would not see such early exits. UGA has a good program but that’s all it will ever be. When your coach accepts good from talented players, you can’t expect great.

By Voice of Reason

January 14, 2009 9:26 AM | Link to this

Tim Tebow stayed because he wouldn’t have gone very highly in the draft and could only improve his status with another year. Everyone needs to stop acting like he stayed because UF is just so great he couldn’t bear to leave.

By St. Bernard

January 14, 2009 9:28 AM | Link to this

I bet they don’t have a press conference for this one.

By darrell starks

January 14, 2009 9:37 AM | Link to this

Bad decision allen should have stayed and made your DRAFT STOCK HIRE THIS decision will COAST YOU MILLIONS OF DOLLAR but other than that we wish you well. GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By JB

January 14, 2009 9:38 AM | Link to this

What does UGA and the SEC lose a lot of guys early and USC and the west coast teams don’t . Easy.. Most of the kids in the south come from single parent homes with little or no money. They want to help themselves and their mamma’s ASAP. Most of those west coast kids come from middle to upper middle class homes with both parents and providing basic life needs are not quite as urgent. They also have a better perspective about getting a degree to use in the long run. There are exceptions, but this is the case more than not.

By Snoop

January 14, 2009 9:39 AM | Link to this

How many penalty yards did Allen accrue this season? The reason S Cal and TX are retaining players is their quality of recruit and the focus on academics. Academics are not an issue for Richt. He recruits for talent only and blames Georgia’s disgraceful arrest record on the Athens Police. Many of his players exhaust remedial coursework in two years and essentially flunk out of the University, which is not easy (remember Basketball 101?) It would be interesting to see the grade-point averages and credit coursework of Richt’s players who depart after two or three seasons. Georgia remains near the bottom on graduation rate, and Adams releases SAT data that is 10-years old.

By leslie22h

January 14, 2009 9:39 AM | Link to this

Asher will be missed, there’s no doubt. Although (like the entire 2008 defense) he played somewhat anemic at times, Allen is still a very dynamic and talented player - I think he can succeed in the pros and I wish him nothing but the best of luck. Too bad the menacing defense that showed up to play Michigan State wasn’t around for the Alabama, Florida, and GT games.

Like many other UGA fans, I’d love to see Stafford and Moreno stay, but I can understand the injury risk they take by not going pro - remember Willis McGahee’s final bowl game? Even though his mangled leg recovered, he’s not the All-Pro running back I envisioned him becoming. Good, for sure, but not great. Good luck to all the departing Dawgs. Come back and visit sometime. Stafford will finally be able to afford to get braces on his teeth once he signs that big contract with the Lions.

By Dawgs2008

January 14, 2009 9:43 AM | Link to this

Goodbye Asher! Don’t let the door hit you in your a$$ on the wat out.

The dogs need to rebuild anyway. The more new players the better. There was a bad chemistry on the team and Asher leaving just helps with the cleansing.

And thank God Stafford is gone! It was obivious he was just using UGA to prepare for the NFL. I hope he gets his a$$ handed to him in the NFL.

By Falcon Fan

January 14, 2009 9:46 AM | Link to this

Tebow realizes he needs more polishing before he is ready for the NFL. I wonder who the idiot was who told Allen he would go high this season… What a joke! He is a no tackling, no interception machine. good ridence…

By Pete, you're an idiot

January 14, 2009 9:47 AM | Link to this

Hey Pete, you may want to actually know what you are talking about before posting. DANNY WARE plays for the New York Giants and has a SUPER BOWL ring from last year…..YOU ARE AN IDIOT!!!!

By CHARLOTTE DAWG

January 14, 2009 9:48 AM | Link to this

Reshad Jones actually thought about entering the draft? Someone needs to wake up. I hope the coaches took notice to that.

Or maybe he thought about it b/c he knows the coaches are fed up with his play and he sees talent behind him. But him thinking he’s ready for the NFL is laughable at best.

Could our players be leaving early b/c they see the program as a sinking ship with no confidence in the current coaching staff? Just throwing that out there for discussion.

By DawgGirl32

January 14, 2009 9:55 AM | Link to this

1. Branden Smith will not be redshirted next year.
2. Tebow would have bolted to the NFL had he been higher than a 3rd round pick. Him staying had little to do with his loyalty to UF and everything to do with the fact that he knew that once he goes pro, he won’t be playing football for a loooooong time.
3. I wish Asher Allen all the best in his future but I reallly question his decision. I think in the end it came down to trying to help his family financially. If you haven’t noticed, times are a little rough right now.

By Peace Out

January 14, 2009 10:04 AM | Link to this

Goodbye to a good player…go Dawgs 2009! Joe Cox for Heisman…bank on it!

By Pete

January 14, 2009 10:07 AM | Link to this

Oops. Danny Ware is a fourth string RB for the NY Giants and does not play at all – even on special teams. So, it’s underemployed, not unemployed … for now. Asher Allen is headed for the same fate.

By WHY oh WHY...

January 14, 2009 10:15 AM | Link to this

…could he not talk Jones, Miller and Evans into going with him???

Addition by subtraction.

The whole group of DB’s and their coach are weak.

I think Allen is ready to cover Moss, T.O, Steve Smith, Calvin Johnson, Fitzgerald, Bolden, White, etc.

Good grief

By mcdawg

January 14, 2009 10:16 AM | Link to this

he had a shot at ALL-SEC /not sure what kind of money he thinks a walk-on or late draft pick is going to be able to negotiate but i think he has the talent and was our best cover and open field tackler until his injury which did explain some things—will miss his senior leadership more than his skills

By Joe

January 14, 2009 10:16 AM | Link to this

One reason west coast players may not be leaving early is that there is not the risk of injury in the PAC-10 as there is in the SEC - not as physical a game out there.

As far as the other comments bashing the UGA program - from a football perspective, we are in the top 5 in players currently in the NFL, so somebody obviously thinks we know how to develop talent. They would also rather have players from a team that plays a pro-style offense rather than a ‘give it to tebow and let him dive for three yards’. Every time he does that little jump pass, I have visions of him being met mid-air by a 270lb. pro linebacker.

As far as academics, can we please get over the idea that this matters for most top tier football programs? College is supposed to prepare you for your career and most of these guys want to play pro ball. That is what the football programs are preparing them to do. Also, this high and mighty bullsh!t from others schools is rediculous. This issue is something that they all deal with.

I for one was hoping Rashad Jones would leave, and it is a monument to his lack of intelligence that he thought that anyone would want a safety that doesn’t know how to rotate down into coverage on a show cover two corner blitz.

By BDS

January 14, 2009 10:17 AM | Link to this

Tim Tebow stayed because he does love Florida and because the all mighty dollar does not run his life. His life is ran by the all mighty up stairs and greed does not come into play with his decisions. All the exiting Georgia players were good but none of them were leaders. Georgia has a better chance of winning with Cox, King and Samuel plus the incoming freshmen. Best of luck to the Bulldogs next year and I know that Cox will be a better leader than Stafford ever was.

By Voice of Reason

January 14, 2009 10:19 AM | Link to this

Snoop an article published May 7, 2008 has the following headline “Dawgs’ graduation rate best in SEC football” … research research research!

By WTF???

January 14, 2009 10:19 AM | Link to this

Damn it… I wish I weren’t so clumsy & could run really fast….

By GATORZONE

January 14, 2009 10:21 AM | Link to this

All you Dawg fans who say Tebow would go had his draft status been higher, may be correct. However, here in Florida Tebow has said all along he wanted to play 4 years at UF and the thought of going pro was only a brief thought in passing. He grew up in Jax and wanted to play for the Gators forever. He has true ties to UF since his parents went there as well. It is not too farfetched to believe that He is staying because he wants to. Look at the basketball team that won back to back championships. All of those guys could have jumped, but decided to stay and win another one.

Believe it or not, every school does not view itself as a stopover for recruits on their way to the pros.

By sj

January 14, 2009 10:25 AM | Link to this

1.’Could our players be leaving early b/c they see the program as a sinking ship with no confidence in the current coaching staff’.. Disagree. Solid except Martinez, IMO. 2. B. Evans can’t tackle…watch him..why does CWM keep playing him, b/c he runs 4.3? 3. Maybe Martinez will leave for the NFL with A Allen.

By ATLfan

January 14, 2009 10:25 AM | Link to this

Allen reminds me of D Hall. The best view they have of a wide-out is from behind. You can go back and watch film of Allen getting beat and beat bad down the side line all year long. I’m glad your leaving and trust me No.2 will NOT be missed!

By Voice of Reason

January 14, 2009 10:26 AM | Link to this

While he may not be a star, you are still wrong because he does play on special teams. Paul Oliver was said to be headed for the bench also but look at how it turned out for him. You never know how he will do in the NFL. Terrell Davis!

By Reality

January 14, 2009 10:29 AM | Link to this

Still trying to tackle Roddy Jones…

PINK OUT!!! who are the ad wizards who came up with that one… Disgraceful.

By BBR

January 14, 2009 10:33 AM | Link to this

First of all, there are continually non-UGA fans in our blogs. I can’t understand that. You people sure do have a lot to say about OUR team! I don’t consider it “whining” when we are disappointed that one of our players is leaving early. Why are you discussing our team anyway? I guess I would too if I didn’t have much of one of my own.

As far as Asher Allen going pro, I hate to see him go. I met him once and he is truly a stand up guy. Also, he was one of VERY few on our defense that gave 100% in every game. We love you Asher and will miss you!

By Hans Delbrooke

January 14, 2009 10:36 AM | Link to this

Asher Allen needs to learn techniques to keep receivers from grabbing his jersey and slinging him around like Louis Murphy of the Gators did.

By bob

January 14, 2009 10:36 AM | Link to this

great programs have kids that want to stay. mediocre programs have kids jumping to get away.

By Voice of Reason

January 14, 2009 10:36 AM | Link to this

Matthew Stafford had always said he wanted to stay four years also. They all say that. Bottom Line if Tebow was expected to go in the top 5 picks like Stafford he would have left as well. And to act as if he is better than another player because he does not have to worry about money is pretty harsh. They are not as forunate to be as well off as the Tebow’s. You do what you have to do in order to do what you want to do. They made a decision to help their family and you have to respect them for it. Oh and it is sad that you capitalize “He” when you speak of Tebow like they do God in the Bible. Remember those commandments now. Tebow might send a plague if you don’t

By Voice of Reason

January 14, 2009 10:39 AM | Link to this

Reality… think Pink for breast cancer bud. I wouldn’t call that a disgrace.

By Bill W.

January 14, 2009 10:41 AM | Link to this

Not sure why a lot of folks on here get so resentful toward a college student athelete. It’s almost comical like that we have something invested in these kids. jtriverdog06 calling Bryan Evans names because he doesn’t like the way he plays!? C’mon folks, stop hating on these kids and support them. No wonder some of these kids leave early. At least in the NFL they can be criticized and get paid for it, ha. We have a lot of guys that can fill the CB spot. UGA will be fine.

Good luck to AA. I wish he would have stayed another season but I’m sure he went with his heart. He will be a fine CB in the NFL, maybe not next year but eventually. He will be missed. Maybe the Falcons could pick up another Dawg. God bless.

By typical bulldawg fan

January 14, 2009 10:46 AM | Link to this

WE LOVE YOU ASHER, MATTHEW AND NOSHOW!!

WE WILL ALL MISS YOU HERE IN ATHENS!!

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

JOE COX FOR HEISMAN IN 09!

PRESEASON NATIONAL CHAMPS 09!!!

By Dawgs2009

January 14, 2009 10:46 AM | Link to this

“THE PINK OUT” has to do with breast cancer, you jacka$$!

Show some respect for the cause!

By typical bulldawg fan

January 14, 2009 10:47 AM | Link to this

HUNKER DOWN

LET THE BIG DAWG EAT!

SICEM!!

WOOF WOOF!

By Florida Dawg

January 14, 2009 10:51 AM | Link to this

If anyone thinks TEBOW is staying at Floridia because of his LOVE of the gators is in la-la land. He knew that his chances of being drafted the first day would be nil…he did the ONLY thing he could do. He may have threatened Urban Crier to change the offense or do a lot of trick plays with him playing tight end, center, defensive tackle / linebacker or maybe fullback. No… he didn’t decide to stay to hear the replays of the gator radio play man say “oh my”….every time Tebow jumps up and down.

By Let's get real

January 14, 2009 11:01 AM | Link to this

To put this is in perspective, this is the first time since 2005 we have had starters leave early. Ware left after the 2006 season, but he was pretty much 3rd string by that point. It happens at every program. USC has had players leave early in the past (Bush, for example) and so has Texas (VY, for example). Also, the reason Florida in 2007 had very few returning starters on defense was because a lot of juniors jumped. So quit acting like this is the only place where it happens. Those cases I mentioned, players did win national titles before they left, but players usually leave early because they feel they are ready for the NFL and would not benefit from returning - even if they are being delusional about how ready they really are. And also quit acting like it’s something that everyone at Georgia does. We’ve had 3 players leave early this, and two were highly expected.

By Palmetto State Dawg

January 14, 2009 11:04 AM | Link to this

Asher Allen is a moron. If this guy thinks he is ready for the NFL, then I am Sammy Davis Jr. Are you freakin’ kidding me? He can’t even cover Florida receivers much less NFL ones. What a joke. LOL!

By who cares??

January 14, 2009 11:07 AM | Link to this

This will create an opportunity for someone else to step up. I’ts not as if we are losing Champ Bailey. He had an opportunity to help his family financially. NONE of you, who criticize these players, would turn down millions to stay another year, go to class, take tests, “be loyal to your school”, and possibly get hurt. These kids have an opportunity to help their families. NONE of you would turn down that opportunity!

By CCROSS

January 14, 2009 11:08 AM | Link to this

Too bad these 3 Dawgs couldn’t take a leson from Tebow who has the character & loyalty to stay in college. I can’t beleive that Rashead Jones even considered it after the way he played against Tech.

By typical bulldawg fan

January 14, 2009 11:11 AM | Link to this

how good did allen do against Julio Jones? He will be facing that caliber every week in the NFL

By K-DAWG

January 14, 2009 11:12 AM | Link to this

Asher,you should have stayed,but maybe our penalties will decrease 30% or more and the player replacing you will not get burned so often, so maybe it’s a good thing, for UGA, not for you, I wouldn’t draft on the second day of drafts, but you will probably luck out and some NFL team will draft you and you will become a millionaire standing on the sidelines(what a country!)The reason Tebow is staying is, yes, he will not be drafted that high, I don’t see he playing on the next level at QB, but I think he really just enjoys college life and I don’t blame him along with McCoy at Texas.

By WTF???

January 14, 2009 11:20 AM | Link to this

Someone needs to gather all these disrespectful a$$ nerds up in the parking garage at Atlantic Station & put a J-Dam through the damned roof.

By truth be known

January 14, 2009 11:27 AM | Link to this

JB,

I didn’t realize you were a demographer and that you did a study showing that most of UGAs players were from single parent families while most of USCs kids were from middle class to upper class homes with money and the basic necessities. Really? What a stunning revelation. I always thought that Pete Carrolls kids mostly come from the inner city of Los Angeles and other major California cities. I had no idea that kids from south central LA came from middle and upper class studies. Where did you come up with your information. Let me guess. The top of your head. You are truly an ignoramus.

As for Asher Allen going pro this kid is way overrated in his own mind. He just wasn’t very good. I suspect its probably a combination of things. Mostly, he probably just doesn’t want to go through a senior season with yet another beatdown at the hands of the gators. Who knows? I surely didn’t do any demographic studies like JB did to find out why this kid or any other junior would want to come out early.

By Typical bulldawg hater

January 14, 2009 11:38 AM | Link to this

Look at me. I think I’m cool. I really don’t have a team I root for, so I spend most of my time just hating Georgia. Really sad life I live, but that would be expected from someone who was underqualified to work at McDonald’s. Hate is all I know. If had any sense, I would follow other media outlets so I don’t have to hear about Georgia. But I’m not smart enough to figure that out. So I get on here and use names like typical bulldawg fan and make stereotypical comments and think theses are funny and cute. Really, thiugh, I’m just a tool who has no friends.

By KneeJerk

January 14, 2009 11:42 AM | Link to this

Yeah, the Athens cops have nothing better to do than uphold the law. Shame on them.

By Pete

January 14, 2009 11:49 AM | Link to this

How do you know he plays on special teams? I’ve seen Giants games and haven’t seen it. He’s not listed on the special teams depth chart on the Giants Web site. Do you know it, or are you just blowing?

By D3

January 14, 2009 11:50 AM | Link to this

Easy to understand why we got our butts beat in three games this year: the 2008 Bulldogs were infested with a ME-First mentality. Stafford and Moreno may be making great decisions for themselves, but you can’t tell me their number one goals was winning an SEC and National Championship, it would have been a nice after-thought for them. No leadership.

But to have Asher Allen going pro after getting burned many times this year and having Reshad Jones EVEN consider the NFL after that embarassing display he put on against Tech makes me think this team had a bunch of talented individual players, but no leadership and certainly no TEAM.

Throw in the undisicplined nature of our year (4th worst in the nation in penalties), double-digit arrests, and all the dancing and partying on the sidelines and it all makes perfect sense. I think that Richt has realized his errors and needs to light a fire under the 2009 class. Maybe Joe Cox can help with that.

By typical bulldawg fan

January 14, 2009 11:57 AM | Link to this

Hayyyyy! Yall quit hatin on Asher! he had to do what whas best for him and his family. who wouldn’t! I have to go back to flippin hamburgers now, since i have no friends to talk to.

By TYPICAL FAN OF SOMEONE OTHER THAN UGA

January 14, 2009 12:01 PM | Link to this

ALL YOU UGA FANS ARE CHILDISH!

WHY CAN’T YOU BE SOPHISTICATED LIKE US AND TROLL ON OTHER TEAM’S BOARDS?

TIM TEBOW IS LOYAL IT ISN’T THAT HE WILL NEVER GET DRAFTED IN THE NFL!

TECH BEATS YOU ONCE A DECADE! HEY JOE HAMILTON, PASS THE BONG!

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAA

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

By DawgNLville

January 14, 2009 12:01 PM | Link to this

Asher’s a class act, tough football player and will be missed more than Stafford and Knowshon. This really hurts our defense that needs returning starters and leadership.

Competition during spring should be fierce.

Bernie’sDawgBlawg

By typical bulldog fan

January 14, 2009 12:13 PM | Link to this

I like to come on UGA blogs and hate on black players, but I’ll pretend it’s a rant against UGA fans. I’m just like Tech fans who privately talk about all of the stupid n*s at Georgia but publicly tell how superior we are for being Tech fans.

Where’s my white robe at anyway, I have a cross burning to get to.

By DC Dawg

January 14, 2009 12:18 PM | Link to this

Another mercenary. Whatever happened to being an honorable man and keeping your commitments, getting a degree, being true to your school and your team? This guy is disgusting as is Stafford and Moreno. If you want to see an honorable man, look no further than Tim Tebow and Brandon Spikes. They are doing the right thing. University of Florida must have a different outlook than the UGA team. Spirit wins games. They will continue to spank us soundly until we change the mercenary, “all about me”, soljah boy attitude…

By gratefuldawghead

January 14, 2009 12:22 PM | Link to this

I would think he needs another year of college if he is not projected to be a high pick. Remeber Notre Dame’s Darius Walker from Georgia? He left early and is struggling on the practice squad. Good luck to Allen.

By DawgMaster

January 14, 2009 12:22 PM | Link to this

The dawgs have plenty of studs to replace Allen—-with their D coming back, and the improvement in the Oline and Dline—-UGA wins the SEC next year—mark it down!

By Pitbull

January 14, 2009 12:26 PM | Link to this

Asher was a good college player, but I do not think he is NFL material. I hope he makes it, but doubt he will. I wish for his sake he would have completed his degree and had a solid career back up plan if he gets cut or hurt.

I do not understand why more of the players these days do not get education degrees and have the option of coaching at the high school level with a chance of jumping to the college level as an assistant - and maybe to a head coaching job or an NFL job with time.

Coach Erk Russell was a teacher / high school football coach before he went over to UGA and it worked well for him.

By Okefenokee Dawg

January 14, 2009 12:30 PM | Link to this

What do I have in common with Tebow? The NFL didn’t want me either.

By MoDawg (a.k.a. 256-160)

January 14, 2009 12:50 PM | Link to this

GATORZONE

Did you intend to capitalize “He” when mentioning Tebow in your post at 10:21? (I just thought it was funny. It looks more like you forgot the period from the sentence prior. Still funny.)

Good luck, Asher! You were a better corner than a lot of people realize and I know you will do well in the combine. You’ll always be considered a Damn Good Dawg!

Techies, stop hatin’ because he chose UGA over GT.

256-160

By reebok

January 14, 2009 12:57 PM | Link to this

I wonder if Allen was about to go academically ineligible or something. A guy who can’t tackle Roddy Jones is not going to be a first- or second-round pick in the NFL draft.

By Voice of Reason

January 14, 2009 1:04 PM | Link to this

Pete- special teams depth charts do not have all the players on them. Only the Kicker Punter Long Snapper and returners. Not only did I see him on special teams for the Giants it has special teams tackle on his stat page. Not that any of this has anything to do with the price of eggs.

By KneeJerk

January 14, 2009 1:17 PM | Link to this

MoDawg, you’re not another typical UGA fan living in the past, are you? You can’t live in the present (45-42), so you have to dip into the past to find your glory (256-160). Get over it, your team lost in 2008. Accept it and look forward to 2009.

By Kendawg

January 14, 2009 1:20 PM | Link to this

Any chance Asher could take Willie with him? I think Willie would make a great pro coach. I also think he would do a great job at any college other than UGA.

By Pookie

January 14, 2009 1:22 PM | Link to this

Folkston, St. George or Waycross, Okefenokee Dawg?

By WTF???

January 14, 2009 1:25 PM | Link to this

This is getting ridiculous.

Anyway, I think Asher will be just fine in the NFL in a few years. These post talking about he’s ready to cover Moss, TO, Smith etc are just retarded. What rookie corner is ready to cover these guys? I mean, you can’t really expect a rookie to come in & be on the same level as the game’s elite players. Quit being douches..

By TYPICAL TECH FAN

January 14, 2009 1:28 PM | Link to this

45-42 LOSERS!!! SUCK IT, I LIKE STAR WARS.

PAUL JOHNSON RULEZ DUDE, I’M A WEINER.

By RAMBLE ON!!!

January 14, 2009 1:31 PM | Link to this

Hey let me jump in here.

You mutts can be proud of your post season appearances. That was quite a streak there, looks like that’s come to an end too.

45-42

By WTF???

January 14, 2009 1:40 PM | Link to this

RAMBLE ON!!!, you just further proved my point…

By hatfieldgeoff

January 14, 2009 1:49 PM | Link to this

I don’t think Allen made a mistake. He will either impress NFL people at the combine or he won’t. I think his size is his biggest problem. And I am not sure he has enough athletic ability (though it is considerable) or long enough arms to make up for his small stature. But none of that was going to change with one more year in Athens. Thanks for the effort and Good Luck!

By MoDawg (a.k.a. 256-160)

January 14, 2009 1:52 PM | Link to this

KneeJERK

Okay, you want present? 256-160 includes this years’ score. I only post it because of your fellow gnats throwing that 45-42 score around like you’re proud of it. Of course you want to talk about the present. Remember that before you and your cohorts start dragging up things that happened 30-50 years ago, okay? Congratulations! Be proud of 3 points in 8 tries. You were the better team that day.

I am looking forward to 2009 so we can put you back in your place.

Here’s some more recent news for you -

AP Poll

UGA 13

GT 22

Coaches Poll

UGA 10

GT 22

Timely enough for you?

Besides, this story is about Asher Allen taking his talents to the NFL. Why some of your “pals” want to come in here and start trashing the guy is beyond me, but doesn’t surprise me. He’s a good guy and I wish him the best!

By K-DAWG

January 14, 2009 1:52 PM | Link to this

To Ramble On!!! How do you think our post season streak has come to a end, if you techies would have lost, we would not be hearing from all of you. One more thought ;

38-3 38-3 38-3 LSU, has just scored again against TECH, getting off the bus in Baton Rouge!!!!!

By Lew

January 14, 2009 1:52 PM | Link to this

Is it too late for Asher to change his mind. He needs anotehr year at Georgia!

By hatfieldgeoff

January 14, 2009 2:00 PM | Link to this

Another Tech Rout, 45-42!

By Steven

January 14, 2009 2:03 PM | Link to this

Well, it seems like the right idea if UGA lands Greg Reid… Think about it, UGA has Branden Smith and if they land Reid, the starting position for corner (despite Asher’s senority) would be wide open. Therefore, Asher is doing the right thing to go ahead and declare for the draft. I’m disappointed but hey it’s the rational decision in light of these two great recruits (if Reid does) coming to UGA.

By hatfieldgeoff

January 14, 2009 2:05 PM | Link to this

Hey Joe, Some of the Tech guys want you to come over and breakdown some game film for them!

By WTF???

January 14, 2009 2:07 PM | Link to this

Lew, you from Summerville?

By Villa Rica DAWG

January 14, 2009 2:17 PM | Link to this

That’s 3 less pass interference calls per game that we have to worry about this season.

By ATL Gator

January 14, 2009 2:31 PM | Link to this

You Dawgs fans are the most delusional, bitter group of people I’ve ever run across. Well, maybe the Seminoles rival you for first place, but not by much. Every comment you make about Tebow, Meyer, and the Gators reeks of jealousy and dissatisfaction with your own team, players, and coaches.

Regardless of why Tebow didn’t leave, the fact is, he’s coming back! Maybe his draft status will improve by staying, maybe it won’t. Any money Tebow makes in the NFL will go to mission/philanthropic work (see Danny Weurffel, 1996 Heisman Trophy Winner and Gator Great).

I realize it’s hard for many people to believe that Tebow is genuine in his love for God, family, and UF and the Gators (in that order). However, those of us who have grown up with him, through church or in the Jacksonville/Gainesville communities, know him to be a relatively selfless individual who wants to do much bigger things in life than play football. The NFL is a means to an end for Tim—financial stability that will give him the money and influence to do a lot of good (again, see Danny Weurffel). He feels a loyalty to the University, his coaches and teammates, his family, and his many fans. He is an excellent role model in a world where there are very few positive influences for the younger generations.

Deep down inside your cold, red-and-black UGA hearts, you acknowledge that Tebow is a good young man with a lot more going for him than a nice pass or the ability to mow down a linebacker. And I guarantee you, you wish he was yours for another year.

By KneeJerk

January 14, 2009 2:36 PM | Link to this

MoDawg, join the rest of the world in the present and pretend to have thicker skin. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten so influenced or upset by someone that I amended my screenname.

By KneeJerk

January 14, 2009 2:38 PM | Link to this

MoDawg, It’s not only Tech fans trashing the guy, UGA fans are as well. I’m sure you remember that Stafford barely had his foot out the door before some UGA “fans” were sticking knives in his back.

By Rob

January 14, 2009 2:38 PM | Link to this

Don’t understand this one. If the draft were tomorrow I don’t think he would be drafted period. I’m afraid he’ll be trying to catch on somewhere as a rookie free agent. I wonder if he’s on target to graduate or if academics has something to do with it. I think he got some bad advice because he doesn’t look like NFL material. He’s not even a top CB in the SEC, much less the Nation.

By reservoirDAWG

January 14, 2009 2:39 PM | Link to this

Hey ATL Gator. Thanks for the speech and it’s nice to know you are trolling the UGA blog to protect your precious Tebow.

By Dawgpile

January 14, 2009 3:01 PM | Link to this

The Dawgs will not miss Asher Allen when they sign Reid, the top corner in the country. He decommitted from Florida and now that Allen’s gone, UGA will get him for sure. He’ll start day 1, and make 2 picks against Tebow next year. UGA upsets UF and will win the SEC.

By Huh?

January 14, 2009 3:04 PM | Link to this

Atl Gator, are you a dude or a chick? Because you obviously have a crush on T-blow. Oh, and thanks for the Weurffel references. I almost forgot how hugely successful his NFL career was!

By WTF???

January 14, 2009 3:17 PM | Link to this

ATL Gator, I agree with you about Tebow. He is a good young man with a lot more going for him than a nice pass or the ability to mow down a linebacker, I mean, just look at his hair…

By Brooks

January 14, 2009 3:21 PM | Link to this

When you see players like Asher Allen coming out early who still need to prove themselves more as an NFL player you have to wonder if grades or some other factor is involved. You look at Paul Oliver who left because of bad grades but nothing has been said about Asher Allen. Just a thought. We need corners badly. Big time corners not just guys from south Georgia who can fill in and play the position. We need play-makers in the same mold as Eric Berry. We also need a pass rush. I am personally expecting big things from Cornelius Washington. I think he is going to be the real deal. You look at 2 other things and you wonder is Kris Durham more than a possession receiver and can we find somebody to kick the ball in the stinking endzone! I am curious to see what the Favors kid says in a few hours. GO DAWGS!

By WTF???

January 14, 2009 3:31 PM | Link to this

Oh yeah, what is all of you Gator fan’s excuse for being on the UGA blogs today? Asher Allen’s decision to leave for the draft doesn’t have anything to do with UF or Tim Tebow..??..??

By GMAN

January 14, 2009 3:31 PM | Link to this

Those of you trashing Allen’s abilities as a corner have neglected one variable… a very weak pass rush. If you don’t have a pass rush, Champ Bailey would look bad (see Denver Broncos this year).

By Say what?

January 14, 2009 3:39 PM | Link to this

ATL Gator,

I don’t think a fan from a fan base who had a website wanting to fire their coach (Zook) as soon as he was hired has any reason to talk about another fan base being bitter. Remember all the hate the trailer trash Gator fans had for Spurrier after he bolted for the NFL. Sure, no one says it now because you guys are winning again. But during the Zook days, there was alot of animosity towards Spurrier. And when I say “trailer trash” Gator fans, I’m talking about a certain segment of Fla fans that every fan base has. I’ve seen your posts, and I would definitely NOT consider you in that category of fans. You are a good guy (or female). And as far as delusional, I wouldn’t really call it that delusional for a program that consistently has top 5 recruiting classes and consistently wins a ton of games to be able to win a national title. Fairly realistic to think that - even if our own “trailer trash segment” goes OVERBOARD with their predictions and make them in an unrealistic way.

I see where you’re coming from with your assessment of the Georgia fans, but keep two things in mind before throwing the entire fan base under the bus. First, every fan base has their “bad apples” so to speak. Remember, you are in the Atlanta area and are going to be subject to more Georgia fans than any other fan base. Therefore, you will encounter more of the bad apple fans from UGA than any other team. Second of all, don’t base the opinion of a fan base based on the “blog fans”. Regardless of the team, everyone knows a lot of these bloggers are people who are tooscared to say anything to anyone’s face and are not respresentative of the entire community.

By Mobile Home Park Store

January 14, 2009 4:00 PM | Link to this

Say What? - Your 2009 14X50 Fleetwood mobile home is ready for delivery. Would you like us to bring it tomorrow?

By FLA DAWG

January 14, 2009 4:07 PM | Link to this

Allen would have benefited from another year at the college level - yes, he runs the risk of re-injury of course.

Having said that, he is also a very talented player. I think in a couple of years he could be a real standout in the NFL.

I’m sorry to see him leave Athens but I wish him well. Besides, Prince Miller looked pretty damn good this season.

I don’t know why Tebow is mentioned on this blog. But for what it’s worth, he’s a tremendous talent who could have easily gone Pro but chose to stay. I don’t care much for The Gators but I think it shows real heart to want to come back and shoot for another championship. Now that’s leadership!

By SOUTHGADAWG88

January 14, 2009 4:14 PM | Link to this

If you go back and watch the games I didn’t see Asher getting beat often.He may have gave up a couple big plays in the 2 years he has started.So he might surprise some of you know it all talent scouts.The SEC is starting to become a serious NFL farm system….look at the amount of IMPACT players flooding the league in the last 5-6 years..given the talent level these kids face week after week I say MOST kids are gonna leave early if they are at least two year starters and can be reasonably assured of going in the 1st 3 rounds.Coming back could enhance your draft position but then again you could get injured.frankly if owens,atkins,and washington had all went pro after their jr year and they would be in the NFL right now,Now how much their draft status will be enhanced by coming back shall be determined,but in owens and washington’s case if they don’t come back at pre injury level then they will not be drafted any higher than they would have last year.In the the end it’s gamble for sure to leave early however which one of our kids that have come up didn’t find a job in the NFL?

By Dawg Tired

January 14, 2009 4:31 PM | Link to this

GATORZONE - I agree with you. The bottom line is that Tebow is a class act. He is as good of a leader as I have ever seen at the college level. I do not exactly understand why he does not project higher for the NFL. I would much rather have him than Stafford at both the college level and the pro level. Leadership is invaluable. Work ethic is vital. Tebow scores unbelievably high in both categories. His character is tops. Finally, his arm strength looks very good to me (remember the bullet slant pass in NC game where he hit the guy in perfect stride between two defenders - amazing arm strength and accuracy displayed on that throw. Bottom line: he’s very good and he’s got his head screwed on right. It is not all about him, it really is about the TEAM and he understands that as well as believes that.

How can anybody not be a Tebow fan? Oh, how I wish he played for us!

By too funny

January 14, 2009 4:37 PM | Link to this

Thanks guys. Today’s blog has been very entertaining. My favorites:

“By TYPICAL TECH FAN

January 14, 2009 1:28 PM | Link to this

45-42 LOSERS!!! SUCK IT, I LIKE STAR WARS.

PAUL JOHNSON RULEZ DUDE, I’M A WEINER.”

Thats hilarious, and im a gt fan. I also love how every time someone makes a semi-valid point, someone responds with some sort of insult. Example:

“By Mobile Home Park Store

January 14, 2009 4:00 PM | Link to this

Say What? - Your 2009 14X50 Fleetwood mobile home is ready for delivery. Would you like us to bring it tomorrow? “

And “By Huh?

January 14, 2009 3:04 PM | Link to this

Atl Gator, are you a dude or a chick? Because you obviously have a crush on T-blow. Oh, and thanks for the Weurffel references. I almost forgot how hugely successful his NFL career was!”

So again, thanks for the entertainment guys.

By Johnny DangerDawg

January 14, 2009 4:57 PM | Link to this

DirtyDawg, Yeah, money matters to all of us. But Asher could get injured at any time or could just be an NFL bust. That’s why he should have stayed at UGA another year and earned his degree so he’d have a backup plan. Stafford, on the other hand, is basically guaranteed so much money when he signs that he’ll be set financially even if he becomes a bust.

By Say what?

January 14, 2009 5:02 PM | Link to this

Mobile Home Park Store,

That home is your Christmas bonus. I know this seems very generous, but I’ve seen you looking at the brochures at work on that model, and I thought with all the hard work you do cleaning the floors here at the Mobile Home Park Store that you desrved to have that home. And don’t turn it down and say you would like to do something like that on your own. I know with your credit score and education level that you would never be able to afford that. Consider it token of our appreciation for all the hard work you do for us here at The Mobile Home Park Store.

By Say what?

January 14, 2009 5:07 PM | Link to this

Too funny,

Yeah, I was trying to figure out what in my original post could get someone so fired up. But hey, never underetimate the intelligence (or lack thereof) of some the people who post here.

By DawgGirl32

January 14, 2009 5:13 PM | Link to this

This is the current list of underclassmen leaving for the NFL. It’s loooooong. For those of you who are complaining about Asher Allen’s loyalty or selfishness, here’s your reality check.

ATLGator- I understand your passion for your team but I expected more out of you than to call the entire Georgia fanbase delusional and bitter based off of some blog posts. Tebow is a great guy but I think the majority of the college football fanbase is just a liiittle tired of hearing about how great he is.

Chris Baker DT 6-2 298 Jr Hampton Kenny Britt WR 6-4 215 Jr Rutgers Eben Britton OT 6-6 310 Jr Arizona Donald Brown RB 5-10 210 Jr Connecticut Everette Brown DE 6-2 250 Jr Florida State James Casey TE/QB 6-4 225 So Rice Glen Coffee RB 6-1 198 Jr Alabama Austin Collie WR 6-2 206 Jr Brigham Young Emanuel Cook S 5-10 203 Jr South Carolina Jared Cook TE 6-5 240 Jr South Carolina Michael Crabtree WR 6-3 214 So Texas Tech Andrew Davie TE 6-5 266 Jr Arkansas Nate Davis QB 6-2 217 Jr Ball State Vontae Davis CB 6-0 204 Jr Illinois Ricky Jean-Francois DL 6-3 289 Jr LSU Josh Freeman QB 6-6 250 Jr Kansas State Mike Goodson RB 6-0 196 Jr Texas A&M Shonn Greene RB 5-11 235 Jr Iowa Darrius Heyward-Bey WR 6-2 206 Jr Maryland P.J. Hill RB 5-11 236 Jr Wisconsin Greg Isdaner OL 6-4 322 Jr West Virginia Paul Kruger DE 6-5 265 So Utah Jeremy Maclin WR 6-1 200 So Missouri Sen’Derrick Marks DL 6-1 294 Jr Auburn Brandon Mason RB/KR 6-2 225 Jr Stony Brook LeSean McCoy RB 5-11 210 So Pittsburgh Gerald McRath LB 6-3 220 Jr Southern Mississippi Andrew Means WR 6-0 215 Jr Indiana D.J. Moore CB 5-10 182 Jr Vanderbilt Knowshon Moreno RB 5-11 207 So Georgia Captin Munnerlyn CB 5-9 185 Jr South Carolina Hakeem Nicks WR 6-1 210 Jr North Carolina Kevin Ogletree WR 6-2 189 Jr Virginia Jerraud Powers DB 5-9 191 Jr Auburn Andre Smith OT 6-4 340 Jr Alabama Sean Smith DB 6-3 214 Jr Utah Matthew Stafford QB 6-3 237 Jr Georgia Chris “Beanie” Wells RB 6-1 237 Jr Ohio State

By Atlanta Gator

January 14, 2009 5:14 PM | Link to this

I had a 7 a.m. business meeting in Marietta this morning. After the meeting, I had 45 minutes to kill before my next appointment, so I did something that I have wanted to do for years but have never made the time to do: visit the Marietta Confederate Cemetery. I’m a history buff, and I enjoy visiting the Civil War historic sites that ring the northwestern arc of Atlanta. Sadly, the Marietta cemetery holds the graves of 3,000+ Georgians and young men from 10 other states.

Aside from the usual 1870-1920-ish memorials from the SCV, Daughters of the Confederacy, and the various Southern states whose young men are buried there, I discovered that there is a significant civilian cemetery directing adjoining and to the south of the war graves. As I wandered through the civilian grave stones and family plots, looking at the tombstones as I walked, one name immediately stood out: Steadman Vincent Sanford, UGA professor of English literature, founder of the UGA J-school and president of the university.

Just sourth of the the little open-air brick pavilion at the center of the cemetery is the Sanford family plot. According to the inscription on Sanford’s grave stone, UGA athletics had no better friend or bigger proponent. Sanford, as many of you older Dawgs know, was instrumental in the construction of Sanford Stadium, the original UGA basketball field house and Sanford Field (baseball). He was also one of the biggest proponents of the formation of the Southeastern Conference in 1933.

It’s funny what you find when you’re not looking for it.

By tom

January 14, 2009 5:15 PM | Link to this

Thanks, Asher! Dr. Thomas Johnson Class of ‘74

By Voice of the Tebow Nation

January 14, 2009 5:15 PM | Link to this

I think Asher Allen made a big mistake by not consulting Tim Tebow on this decision. I personally will never make another life altering decision without his sound advice. We all have to ask ourselves: What would Tebow do?

By Atlanta Gator

January 14, 2009 5:22 PM | Link to this

For anyone who is confused at home, “Atlanta Gator” and “ATL Gator” are not the same person.

By Johnny DangerDawg

January 14, 2009 5:28 PM | Link to this

Joe, I don’t think ego was the problem with UGA this season. Our defensive ends and cornerbacks would have still been lackluster if they’d been more humble.
The 2006 recruiting class was not a “total” bust. Moreno turned out to be better than higher-ranked RBs. (Remember how badly we wanted Stafon Johnson?) Dewberry, a 5-star recruit, is a big disappointment. But Gamble’s good, and the jury’s still out on the other LBs. Geno Atkins (only 3 stars) is the real deal. Chapas and Chris Davis are not busts.

By Say what?

January 14, 2009 5:32 PM | Link to this

Brooks,

I don’t think grades were an issue with Asher. The guy came to Georgia with a 4.0 GPA and a 1400 SAT. Now this doesn’t mean he didn’t slack off, but both he and Jeff Owens were on a list of candidates before the season for a national awrd that goes to a defensive player and takes into account not only performance on the field but academic performance and character as well.

By Say what?

January 14, 2009 5:41 PM | Link to this

Atlanta Gator,

Yes. Thank you. When I read ATL Gator’s post, you were the one who came to mind. I thought it was odd that you would call out the Georgia fan base, because that didn’t seem to be your style. But then I saw the Atlanta Gator post and realized that ATL Gator is someone else. Atlanta Gator is the one who always shows class. I have never seen ATL Gator before today.

By DawgGirl32

January 14, 2009 5:41 PM | Link to this

Wow. Yeah. Sorry Atlanta Gator. Didn’t mean to confuse you with the other guy. Didn’t mean to give ATLGator a backhanded compliment either. Anyways, that’s really cool about the Sanford Memorial you found. As a graduate, I’m a little ashamed to say that I really don’t know much about UGA’s deep history. I should probably get on that…

By Dawg_Baby

January 14, 2009 6:22 PM | Link to this

Hey All the best of luck to all the leaving Dawg’s, I wish you guys nothing but the best and I know you all will do nothing but your best at the next level. GO DAWGS!!!

By Logic Prevails

January 14, 2009 6:34 PM | Link to this

Just to throw this out……Asher definitely did not need the money. His family owns a multi million dollar estate in an Atlanta suburb. At the end of the day, the kid just wanted to open his presents on Christmas eve instead of holding out just a little longer

By Tim Moreau

January 14, 2009 6:36 PM | Link to this

Bradford stays while Stafford goes. Which one had the better year is pretty obvious? What does it say about each of them? I think it is pretty clear.

By UGA recruits take note

January 14, 2009 7:53 PM | Link to this

This is how UGA “fans” treat all black players in the end. They send their daughters to recruit them at any cost and then tear them (and their accomplishments) down as soon as they are no longer useful. Of course not all UGA fans are like this but most are..Tech fans are almost as bad. Now there will be post that say “we love Herschel and DJ” but that’s only because they were considered non-threatening. Herschel was an “aw shucks” country bumpkin that is so screwed up that he has multiple personalities. DJ chose the “loyalty route” and allowed Richt to screw him at will against the advice of everyone that has cared about him for his entire life. And on that note, the same “fans” that are now making disparaging comments about Asher’s unworthiness to play in the NFL touted David Green’s worthiness. He hasn’t seen an NFL field in his career. If Brannen Southerland was announcing his intention to leave after his junior year, there would be nothing but praise for him. He would be praised as the best college FB since Tom Rathman. If you’re a highly recruited black football player considering UGA, you’re just what they think you are…an idiot.

By IceDawg

January 14, 2009 8:00 PM | Link to this

The 2008 UGA secondary was not that good. Granted they did not have much help though from the defensive line. The SC tight end ate the UGA secondary up. Some of the other good teams did likewise. From the performance this season I am not convinced that Asher Allen will be able to make it in the NFL though he might make it up here in the CFL.

By Tron5000

January 14, 2009 8:05 PM | Link to this

Jeopardy Answer: “Matthew Stafford, Knowshon Moreno and Asher Allen”

Jeopardy Question: “Who are three guys that I’m glad I won’t see when UGA plays GT on The Flats this year?”

By Jimmy

January 14, 2009 8:10 PM | Link to this

Tim Moreau,

Youre leaving out a huge factor in the two QB’s decisions. Bradford grew up in Oklahoma and it was his life long dream to play QB for the Sooners. That he got to the MNC game and lost just fuels his fire for his university. Much like Timmy Teabags dream was to play for the Gaytors.

Now Stafford on the other hand grew up outside of Dallas, watching Troy Aikman and the Cowboys win SuperBowls. THAT was his life long dream. He saw Mark Richt(remember his rep as OC at FSU) and UGA as an ‘ends to a mean,’ IE getting to the NFL.

Not that there is anything wrong w/ that. Just look at all of the factors before you criticize someone.

By UGA recruits take note....

January 14, 2009 8:40 PM | Link to this

…..you have left out players such as Richard Seymour, Champ Bailey, Marcus Stroud, Charles Grant, Rodney Hampton, Garrison Hearst, Terrell Davis, Lars Tate, Robert Edwards, Hines Ward, Lindsey Scott, Amp Arnold, Musa Smith, Thomas Davis, Greg Blue, Max Jean Gilles, Leonard Pope, Randy McMichael, and Boss Bailey, just to name a few who are also very highly regarded by the UGA fans. Or maybe you would also consider them “exceptions” as well. You also failed to notice some of the backlash Stafford received. Or how about players like Joe T, Preston Johnson, Greg Talley, Blake Barnes, and Tripp chandler to name a few are that also were thrown under the bus by UGA fans. You missed that one too. It’s not surprising considering the narrow minded, ignorant thought process you displayed in your post.

By Fort Worth Dawg

January 14, 2009 8:50 PM | Link to this

I viewed landing Favors as about the only thing that would save Felton. Oh well. I am wondering about rumors of Tubby’s desire to return. No hard feelings Tubby, come on back.

By Ramguy

January 14, 2009 9:04 PM | Link to this

I don’t understand all the hate for Allen and the others. Allen gave his all for his school during his stay at UGA. Heck he played much of the year with a broken hand. I wonder how many of those who criticize him would have been giving their all for the Red and Black with that kind of injury. Stafford will make his bucks. I can’t blame him for that. I’ve seen people in the corporate world who would cut their best friends throat for a few more bucks a month and then slam college players for coming out early. I think Knowshon should have left. A RB only has so many hits in him. I wish they would have all stayed but still wish all of them the best.

By Lou Vales

January 14, 2009 9:59 PM | Link to this

Dear Say What, There was a lot of enmity directed towards Steven Orr Spurrier because he PURPOSEFULLY pulled the rug out on the University of Florida at the worst possible time. Spurrier had EVERY right to change jobs, BUT to leave with no heads up given to the university(you supposedly love) and one of your best friends—who was also the AD was heinous. Spurrier did this BECAUSE the university would not back him up in a p** contest with FSU over the injury inflicted by Darnell Dockett upon Earnest Graham. Spurier thought the interim President at the time and Jeremy Foley should go PUBLIC with insinuations that FSU taught dirty play. The university told Spurrier “Sreve, we’re not doing that”. Now, you don’t cross Steven Orr Spurrier and he stayed mad and the day after his last game in the Orange Bowl he tells Florida he was gone. DON’T tell me that Steven Orr Spurrier made up his mind overnight to leave the University of Florida. It was calculated and meant to get back at them. It worked. The Florida AD, with no heads up, was put in the position of crisscrossing the country to find a football coach at the peak of recruiting season. Shanahan and Stoops BOTH had no time to give it deliberate thought and Jeremy Foley panicked—-Ron Zook!!! I don’t blame Ron Zook. He should not have been hired to be equipment manager, but Steven Orr Spurrier is as dead to me as a spouse who gave you 12 years of a wonderful marriage and then with no warning tells you “Dear, It’s the pool boy”. Do you have good memories of the 12 years?/ Yes!! Do you want to see her face in your house again—I’ll let you decide.

By joe_h

January 14, 2009 10:22 PM | Link to this

Tim Tebow stayed because he does love Florida and because the all mighty dollar does not run his life. His life is ran by the all mighty up stairs and greed does not come into play with his decisions.

Biggest load of BS I’ve seen in a long time. Tim Tebow stayed because he was no better than a late 3rd, early 4th round pick at best and you know it. Had nothing to do with Florida. If Tim Tebow was the first pick in the draft like Stafford, he would have bolted. He just isn’t an NFL QB.

• He doesn’t take snaps under center.
• Because of the above, he can’t read defenses.
• He has a wind up throwing motion.
• Poor throwing mechanics.
• Bad footwork
• Plays in a spread

Those are the facts.

By william cranman

January 14, 2009 10:23 PM | Link to this

Dawgpost is now reporting that Reshad Jones has changed his mind and is going pro. What a joke.

By BE#3

January 14, 2009 10:24 PM | Link to this

Asher’s departure just opens the door for Greg Reid to come in and start as a true freshman at the SC position. Can’t wait to see Reid in Red & Black wearing #24! Reid was as impressive in the UA AA game as AJ Green was last year. This kid is gonna be a playa.

By Dawg Run

January 14, 2009 10:26 PM | Link to this

Am I the only one that missed the reason Allen did not return kick-offs in “08. Didn’t he like set a record for that in ‘07?

By SOUTHGADAWG88

January 14, 2009 10:26 PM | Link to this

Rashard jones going pro now?what’s up in athens?

By Rob

January 14, 2009 10:27 PM | Link to this

I think Allen is making a mistake jumping this year. He could have used that extra year in college. Can’t blame Stafford or Moreno. Stafford may end up being the first overall pick and both are almost assured of being first round picks. Wish they were coming back though. Would have been fun to watch them behind an experienced OL.

Good luck in the NFL to Allen, Stafford and Moreno.

By william cranman

January 14, 2009 10:37 PM | Link to this

Reshad Jones had a disastorous season. With classes just starting, I guess he realized he didn’t want to study. The guy got progressively worse from his freshman year. I’ll say it again, what a joke.

By Obeone

January 14, 2009 10:38 PM | Link to this

Allen you will regret not having a part of the Fighting Prancing Poodles season in which they will thrash the Gators among others next year. Weee Willie the Peacemaker and Richt the Righteous are going to cause much havoc for the SEC. Some teams might even be afraid of us err at least leary of us. Go you Prancing Poodles you, as Larry would say!

By 28 LONGGGGGGGG Years

January 14, 2009 10:38 PM | Link to this

Dear JoeH, Tim Tebow is obviously a piece of excrement with no talent. That having been said, how can a system be that good?? It boggles the mind how Florida is going to be able to continue putting guys with bad throwing motions, bad mechanics, bad footwork and inability to read footwork at the QB position and get someone who puts up these numbers. Scary!!!!!!! If Stafford would have played in this offense Florida might have won a National Championship and he’s probably got a Heismann.

By Obeone

January 14, 2009 10:55 PM | Link to this

Tebow is a naive kid that ask his coach to call two time outs back to back at the end of the game on Ga. Had to be told to go back to his bench by a ref. for showboating while the game was still going on. Don’t tell me how humble and kind he is, cause that’s BS. The kid acts like a sixth grader!

By firstout

January 14, 2009 10:57 PM | Link to this

How can any of us blame or point fingers at Stafford, Moreno, or Allen for leaving? I don’t live here lives or at there homes. They make the best decision for them. UGA gives them an opportunity for an education the rest is up to them. Grow up and let them live there lives as they need to for them and there families. Thanks for the years at UGA and good luck in the future.

By Mother Teresa

January 14, 2009 10:58 PM | Link to this

I hope Harvin and Spikes don’t come back. That would be like Horford, Brewer and Noah coming back. Sometimes enough is enough. Show some compasion.

By the way, what do you think of this Spiller dropping. The guy has a kid. Wouldn’t you think he would have the decency to try to help his child. AND it’s not even like he has any national aspirations. He plays for CLEMSON!! Their only goal is to beat South Carolina. C’mon, CJ show some integrity—Help your child.

By North Florida

January 14, 2009 11:14 PM | Link to this

Good point about Spiller. He is one shot on his knee from collecting garbage in Lake Butler, Florida. By the way, nice choice on Clemson over Florida—-National Championships vs. Music City Bowls. Actually think the kid was as good as Harvin, but playing in an offense formulated by a demented cretin like Tommy Bowden usually has less tan expected results. Oh, Urban Meyer vs. Tommy Bowden. Hell, who was advising this kid??

By Anybody Home

January 14, 2009 11:29 PM | Link to this

Spiller was advised by Bernie Madoff. Contraception advice came from Mother Teresa.

By Denver Dog

January 14, 2009 11:51 PM | Link to this

Atlanta Gator,

With all due respect, Tim Tebow would not go very high this year. He stays in Fl, becuase that is the best thing for him. It may not be for the rest of us in the conference, but it is for him. He doesn’t need to, nor do you need to defend his position. He is a great college player, and more than likely will be in the NFL also. Someday!

As far as the other, the NCAA is on the trail of the UF alumni fat cats donations to the “mission” of his family and the disbursement to the players at UF. Everyone is aware of it, some big mouth gator fans have talked about it. Foley will be fighting off the probation on that.

I wish he had turned pro, but I enjoy watching him and his intensity. It is very mindful of a great UGA Quarterback n in the 1970’s; Ray Goff. Goff got drafted by Denver, but gave the money back after a few weeks in training camp. He was/is a real class guy also, just not a great head coach at UGA. We still love him though.

By Denver Dog

January 15, 2009 12:02 AM | Link to this

Asher Allen has his reasons for going to the NFL. We may not know them, but he does. We don’t need to speculate on what, when, why, etc.

I remember the first UGA player to leave early. It was not Hershel. It was Jake Scott. He had to go to Canada and then went to the NFL. He became a Super Bowl MVP, as did Terrell Davis, and Hines Ward.

So let’s not sell his decision short. He did a great job for UGA, helped fill the seats, and got paid nothing. He got some college credits, and maybe someday he will pay us back other than he and all college players do.

Good luck Asher! We will miss you. The thing about college ball is that players turn over every 4 years at worst. Asher is just cutting out one year, and the times have changed and he is doing what is right for him.

By Pago Flyer

January 15, 2009 12:14 AM | Link to this

It really doesn’t matter if Tebow is drafted #1. He’s the best college player ever. And probably a pretty nice guy. (opps, can I say guy and not person)??

By 38-3

January 15, 2009 1:16 AM | Link to this

RAMBLE ON

Good that you made your typical UGA blog “invasion” - Keep proving me right!

UGA owns your simple mind RAMBLE ON:SMIRK:

BTW, still waiting on those chick-fil-a bowl rings?

Asher Allen, I wish him all the best. As a UGA fan it would have been nice to have him anchor our secondary, he’s been a leader for the past 2 years and will be missed.

R. Jones has a lot to prove this upcoming season. He still has a chance to turn it around with a strong year at SS.

By Big Al

January 15, 2009 5:42 AM | Link to this

Man, da rats are leaving the ship. Probably figure Oklahoma State is gonna drill them in the first game next fall and the season will come apart. Really afraid of TEBOW…

By Columbus Dawg

January 15, 2009 7:00 AM | Link to this

Coach Richt had better hope that Quintin Banks can contribute. These other safteies on our roster do not seem to have the speed or talent,(according to their position ranking), to be headhunting SEC safties. I’ve got news for Richt and the others on the coaching staff, there will still be the expectations from the people in charge, and who write the checks, for a much better defense in 2009. It is getting harder every day it seems for that to become a reality with what we have left in our secondary. These kids Boykin and Cuff may or may not be the answers at cornerback, but if that clown Evan’s is on the field we are in real trouble. I had hoped that we could regroup on defense, and really make a showing there this year, but like always, there are holes in our recruiting of specific positions in previous years that always comes to bite us whether it be in the OL like the past couple of years or the saftey position. I really hope it’s not coming apart in Athens, but it does’nt look good.

By AltamahaDawg

January 15, 2009 7:26 AM | Link to this

R. Jones is was not the best DB we have ever had. Kind of difficult to be that as a first year starter. But 5 ints, and team second leading tackler isnt exactly a disaster now is it?

By Atlanta Gator

January 15, 2009 7:48 AM | Link to this

Denver Dawg——Sorry for any confusion, but the blogger who calls himself “ATL Gator” is not me. Two different guys.

In any event, please let me know how that NCAA investigation turns out. I would certainly be curious to hear the outcome.

By get em outa here

January 15, 2009 8:20 AM | Link to this

I’ll say this, I’m a lifelong Dawg fan, and I can understand Stafford and Moreno leaving, Stafford is projected #1 pick, he can’t turn that down and Moreno only has so many carries in his body as a running back. But Allen and Jones? Does Reshad Jones not remember the terrible pursuit angles he took in the tech game? I know I do! If Reshad Jones was a NFL caliber safety, I doubt we give up 400 to a high school offense like we did. Good riddance fellas, if you don’t want to be here anymore, we don’t want you hear anymore. Have fun on the taxi squad of whatever team signs you as a FA! Maybe it was attitudes like this from these 2 that reveal why we disappeared in our big games this year. And here’s a message to anybody else in that locker room on the fence for the NFL, if you’re not 100% committed to the University of Georgia, CYA!

By NY Dawg 84

January 15, 2009 8:22 AM | Link to this

Great new for all you CWM lovers!!

With R Jones rethinking the draft (and you know he’s going), CWM will cry about the youth and inexperience on his defense. Sprinkle in a few injuries and you guys will be claiming he’s a miracle worker when UGA holds an opponent under 40.

Since CWM blamed his players for his failings last year, marginal prospects are now leaving for the NFL (wonder why?). The good news for Soft Willie is that one by one he’s getting rid of the players that made him look so bad.

The coaches might want to spend a few minutes re-recruiting their existing payers. Everyday we hear of juniors staying at school. At UGA we are losing sophomores. Sounds like they just loved their college experience in Athens. Allen and Jones are leaving school to make salaries for 1 or 2 years that they could equal and exceed in a few years with their degrees (NFL minimum is $285k – not much if it has to last for a while). Not to mention, both would have a better shot at making an NFL roster after next year (Jones has TWO more years).

You may not like it, but it’s hard to argue with the decisions made by Stafford and Moreno. Allen and Jones though? That is something else entirely. I’d bet that if either were at UF or USC, they’d stick around.

Looking at the team last year, many sensed that something is just not right (of course many of you think it is absolutely normal and expected to get annihilated in your biggest games). The fact that these guys would roll the dice and rush to the NFL rather than stay at UGA confirms that UGA doesn’t have the same attraction of other big-time schools.

OK, time for the usual suspects to tell me that A) I am not a real fan, like them (despite my diploma and significant patronage). B) CWM is a great coach (my favorite is “hey, it’s not like he forgot how to coach!” – as though he was ever anything special. C) The players WERE bad. D) NOBODY has injuries like us! E) Expectations are just too high. F) Quit complaining-we beat Auburn, UT and Kentucky last year!

I can remember after the AU game in ’07 thinking how bright the future was. The star QB was a soph, the RB phenom was a frosh and the rest of the team young and getting better in a hurry. Never imagined we’d be starting over in a year.

By MoDawg (a.k.a. 256-160)

January 15, 2009 8:23 AM | Link to this

You know, the fact that Reshad is probably bolting for the NFL is not crushing news. He was athletic, but that’s about it. He was not a good cover safety and did not strike fear in opposing wide receivers or runners as a hitter back there. If he decides to go pro, I wish him well in his scout and special teams duties. Heck, I guess even a minimum NFL salary is nothing to sneeze at for these kids.

What concerns me, though is the fact that the elite teams in college (Florida, Texas, Oklahoma and USC, etc.) keep their kids in school. How do they do this? It speaks well of a program when your coaches are sought after, offered more money to leave, but decide to stay, but when you lose 4-5 underclassmen per year, there’s another dynamic in place that we don’t understand or know about.

Is it that there is so much talent coming behind them that they might be supplanted in their starting roles, or is it that there’s nothing behind them and they don’t want to hang around for a “down” year?

I wonder about that, seriously.

By Supes

January 15, 2009 9:18 AM | Link to this

Anyone consider that R.Jones’ decision maybe based on finances (or lack there of) and bad grades (in class)? Why else think about bolting for the NFL after such a mediocre performance in 2008?

By Atlanta Gator

January 15, 2009 9:46 AM | Link to this

Well, there’s at least one 5-star quarterback from Georgia who needs a scholarship. According to the Palm Beach Post, Gators sophomore QB Cameron Newton has transferred from the University of Florida to a junior college, and is entertaining scholarship offers from other universities.

Newton, who was an all-everything QB at Westlake High in Atlanta, was kicked off the Gators squad by Coach Urban Meyer after the end of the regular season. Newton was caught with the stolen laptop computer of another student in November, and was immediately suspended from the team. Newton was expected to compete for the primary back-up position next season, and for the starting position in 2010.

Despite his recent legal problems, I wish Newton well, and I hope he gets his life turned around. It’s a shame to see a kid with that much talent get into trouble over something as stupid (and avoidable) as stealing, but hopefully he will benefit from living with the consequences.

By DawgGirl32

January 15, 2009 10:38 AM | Link to this

Florida played with a very young defense this year and clearly it was no problem for them. I agree with Mark Richt. If their hearts are not fully in it, then they should leave. Yeah, we’ll be inexperienced next year but I don’t think anybody is going to be questioning our hunger and desire with Joe Cox and some of these young kids like Branden Smith coming in. Next year will be interesting, that’s for sure.

By FLA DAWG

January 15, 2009 11:30 AM | Link to this

NY Dawg 84,

I’m not going to give you a hard time about your coments - I agree with much of what you state. I was complaining about Martinez most of the season and hoped he’d resign or be fired.

The brightest spots last season for the defense were against Arizona State and Michigan State. I gave the defense and Martinez credit for jobs well done in those games but the other games were miserable to watch defensively.

I can only guess why so many players are leaving before their senior year but I’d expect we’d get comments from Tucker, Chip and Tony. If there was ever a time for a Sports Section piece on players leaving UGA early for the Pros, it’s now! These guys should have some information about this.

Tim, Tony, Chip - Speak Up Boys!

By Dawg Tired

January 15, 2009 3:29 PM | Link to this

When a player with the ability of R. Jones opts to leave early, one has to wonder just what is going on. Surely he does not project very high in the draft. Will he will even be drafted seems like a legitimate question to ask.

I keep hearing Tebow did not go early because he did not project very high in the draft. Well, I guarantee you he would be drafted!

I repeat: One has to wonder what is going on. These defections by non-first round draft choices (in Jones’ case perhaps merely a free agent) may explain how this past year’s team could look great one game and absolutely terrible the next. There my be a much more serious problem than we realize. Perhaps we were witnessing a team without any team chemistry or spirit. Of course, that is usually the result of no leaders, which also goes a long way in explaining why UF is current NC. Leaders tend to be players who have a passion to win the game. We certainly played at times as if winning was not too important. Were we that much worse this year than the previous? Was Florida that much better?

Hope I’m wrong about there being a serious problem. On the other hand, could it be that players like ones were the problem? If so, his leaving may be a blessing.

By Harry Rand

January 19, 2009 8:46 PM | Link to this

Thought the idea of going early was based on going high enough it would be worth leaving early because of injury. Sounds like some one doesn’t think he can make the academics another year, really it’s a miracle some of these guys can even get enrolled to begin with. I mean if your having a problem with an SAT score, it takes an IQ of about 80 or 90 to pass it.