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 > 2009 > February > 03 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USExpect high drama on signing day
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When I first broke into the sports writing business back in the 1980s, there were basically two ways I kept up with recruiting. I’d buy the reigning recruiting magazines of the day — you know, Lindy’s Southeastern, Max Emfinger, etc. — and I’d call my recruiting “source,” a guy named Don in Commerce who for whatever reason always knew exactly whom the Georgia Bulldogs were after and exactly when they’d get them.
It’s a little different nowadays. All due respect to Rodney Garner and Lance Thompson and all the other reputed recruiting superstars in coaching, but you’d have to have your head in the sand not to be able to identify the best prospects these days. Between Rivals.com and Scout.com and UnderArmour, there must be a hundred camps nationwide that start measuring, weighing and testing potential prospects as high school freshmen and sophomores. Between that, some actual games and YouTube, there’s not much guesswork as to which kids can run, throw or bench a Volkswagen.
That said, the competition for these prospects has never been more fierce. After all, everybody knows who the best ones are and they all want them. Therein lies the thrill of the chase for millions of “recruitniks.”
Which brings us to national signing day Wednesday and Georgia’s pursuits. The Bulldogs have already assimilated a nice class. By all accounts it’s a national Top 10 group, even though it’s smallish in nature. But what was expected to be an anticlimactic signing day when the Bulldogs thought they were at near-capacity in September will be anything but on Wednesday.
Thanks to some unexpected roster activity (ie: Stafford, Moreno and Allen turning pro, couple of players shown the door, one or two not getting admitted) Georgia ended up with more scholarships available than expected. The trouble is, thinking they were close to capacity, the Dogs narrowed their focus to superstar national targets at the expense of showing more love to some promising in-state prospects. That could be a good thing if they land a few of those big fish this week — or really bad if they don’t.
So now, according to our resident recruiting guru Michael Carvell, it has come down to this: There are basically six main targets on Georgia’s wish list heading into the final 24 hours — WR Marlon Brown, TE Orson Charles, LB Jarvis Jones, OT Bobby Massie, CB Greg Reid and S Jawanza Starling. We’ll all learn about Reid, the relative late-bloomer from Lowndes County, when he announces at 7 p.m. Tuesday night at Austin’s Steakhouse in Valdosta (insert meat market joke here). Apparently Charles isn’t going to decide until well after signing day. The other four will have Wednesday announcements.
If Georgia landed half these remaining targets the recruitniks will be dancing in South Lumpkin Street Wednesday afternoon. Whiff on them all and they’ll be taking away the glass mugs in Athens’ pubs.
So there’s my rundown on national signing day for the Dogs. Our experts will be breaking it down and rating it for you six ways to Sunday over the next couple of days. Meanwhile, we’ll be there to chronicle the flips and the flops and the drama. Let me know what you think is going to happen.
Permalink | Comments (112) | Post your comment | Categories: Football
Services »
Comments
By JB
February 3, 2009 7:17 AM | Link to this
As a Dawg fan, I’m going to use this list as a big measuring stick for our Dawgs. The 6 young men get lot’s of advice. Part of what they are being told is ( by Fla, Bama, LSU) don’t go to Georgia, they have a pretty good team, but will never get to the big game. Of course, our coach’s can say, look at the NFL. Georgia runs 1 or 2 in the NFL for alumni in the league. Signing most of these guys would get us to the big game. getting one or none will tell me that the word on Richt is working. Nice guys do finish second.
By LSU DAN
February 3, 2009 7:22 AM | Link to this
Play for the Dawgs and never win anything of importance. Well, I think there are 25 kids dumb enough to do that in this country.
By Old Dawg
February 3, 2009 7:23 AM | Link to this
Chip:
Thanks for all you hard work. As a former sports writer, I understand that no one outside the business understands the demands, hours put in and insults swallowed.
You work is very much appreciated.
By dap01
February 3, 2009 7:46 AM | Link to this
LSU Dan: Thanks for that most intelligent comment.
Go to an LSU blog.
By kerryb
February 3, 2009 7:49 AM | Link to this
LSU DAN, get on your knees and thank the good lord that you got to play in that BCS Title game after last year with two losses including your last home game to Arkansas. If the media did’nt love you so much you would not have. And while you are at it thank him for the fact that you played TN in that SEC title game and not Georgia because you were not even the best team in the SEC in 2007. There is no doubt in my mind that the LSU team that played in that game would have gotten destroyed by Georgia.
By Sautee Dawg
February 3, 2009 8:17 AM | Link to this
Chip
Thanks for the blog, you are in my opinion the blogmeister at the AJC, if there is one. These recruits have a lot to absorb for the next 24 hours about which team is this and which is that. I think most of these recruits have known for sometime where they will go to school. I also think UGA will get 2 out of these 6. Don’t think however that Brown, and Jones will be the 2. Charles, i think goes to USC just because of the late visit. The 2 i think UGA lands is Reid, and Massie.
I may be totaly wrong on all these.
LSU DAN
Not winning an important game? Slapping LSU around at LSU was a very important game to UGA this past season, maybe it wasn’t to you and the LSU fans, something like that happens to you on a regular basis you kinda get used to it and it’s not very important anymore. Thanks again Chip.
By bank walker
February 3, 2009 8:58 AM | Link to this
LSU dan, you come from the cesspool of the country and think you can talk the smack. Your school didn’t become relevant until 2000. Sit back down chump and think about how you can improve your joke of a state, instead of UGA’s recruiting!! GO DAWGS!!!!
By JamesD
February 3, 2009 9:00 AM | Link to this
I don’t think we have a chance to get Massie. He never visited UGA as far as I know.
If we could land two, I would love to see Massie and Charles in red and black.
By LBS
February 3, 2009 9:05 AM | Link to this
I’m going to say we get Charles and Reid definitely and Brown will surprise Tennessee nation when he commits to UGA.
By doodoobailey
February 3, 2009 9:08 AM | Link to this
Saban taps LSUdan’s a$$ still in mind, body, spirit, and score.
By Judge Dawg
February 3, 2009 9:08 AM | Link to this
How can a top ten class be “really bad” if we do not sign a few guys who are already celebs? I suspect we may have had a few too many last year.
By Maryland Dawg
February 3, 2009 9:13 AM | Link to this
LSU Dan, please tell me what Les Miles has done against a “not great Georgia team?
By Dawg Fud
February 3, 2009 9:21 AM | Link to this
LSU Dan
i believe UGA and LSU have a nice little rivalry. UGA has won 5 out of the last 7 and three straight, the most recent was a record breaking amount of points scored in Tiger Stadium. LSU has a chance to break that trend this year in Athens.
It is easy to get on here and make a smart-alek comment. Try some actual analysis and people would take you seriously. Our coach is loyal to our school, his student-athletes, his coaches and the Athens community. Of all schools, I think LSU could appreciate that.
Then again, if all you are capable of posting is something about “kids being stupid,” i would not expect you to comprehend the notions of loyalty and respect for one’s opponent.
GO DAWGS!
By Mikey
February 3, 2009 9:21 AM | Link to this
I like the chopped steak with peppers and onions at Austins in Valdosta. They are much better than any of the “chain” steakhouses and on top of that they are a better value. On my trips to winnersville I always wind up at Austins for dinner.
It should be a wild and crazy time there tonight with all the DAWGS barking when 24 puts on the UGA cap ! Go Dawgs!!!!
By Cuz
February 3, 2009 9:27 AM | Link to this
Tell Reid, I like my T-Bone medium rare.
By UGA wins
February 3, 2009 9:31 AM | Link to this
please no more GT losers/army wannabe’s begging for respect on here. UGA realizes GT’s lack of big time prospects and has nothing else to do except make their comments with their historic lack of true football knowledge.
52pts in Baton Rouge is pretty good Dan. still hurting from that one huh?
By LSU BCS 2-time NCs
February 3, 2009 9:33 AM | Link to this
bank walker I believe your comment was that “we didn’t become relevant until 2000”. Last time I checked LSU had more all time wins than UGAy.
And by the way your team hasn’t been relevant since 1982. Mark Richt has all you stupid @ss fans thinking that just winning 10 games a year and an SEC Championship ever 3 or 4 years is enough. Mark Richt is just a thug from FSU and Miami that likes to hide behind his so-called “Christian Values”.
I will be glad to see Saint Richt with his butt cutt hair fall on his face this year.
By shards1967
February 3, 2009 9:36 AM | Link to this
As a Dog grad, I see UGA now only as a mid level SEC conference team. This observation is based on past so called top 10 recruiting classes. We can not handle the big boys because we lack top tier coaching.
If we get a D coach, it might change but ask this: What top notch all SEC players has W Martinez signed in hs era??? We do not sign them and if we do, they do not develop. See Safety #09 for UGA. He is horrible and was a so called top player in state of GA. We sign the wrong D players. 09 and 10 will be ugly for UGA as we have 0 D players. U of T got Eric Berry and we got #09 and the beat goes on.
By 59-39-5
February 3, 2009 9:42 AM | Link to this
Mark Richt is about as far from a thug as it gets. You are just making things up now. Try to put some substance into your thoughts before you post.
By OLD DOG
February 3, 2009 9:44 AM | Link to this
LSU Dan, please tell these dog fans what they want to hear. LSU has 2 NC in the last 5 years to the dogs OOOOOOOOOOO. No matter how you slice it LSU still has two and the dogs 00000000. Cry all you want, say all you want, but in the end they have two. Ask them just one question, why are all the good kids leaving to play at other school? Even with the low IQ of most dog fans they should be able to figure that one out. These kids want to WIN the big game. It sad in just his 2nd year Nick can out recruit CMR and put a whipping on him to. There is a new breed of kids in GA and they want to win so they are leaving to go to a school that can provide that for them. CMR and UGA is not the answer and until they find a coach that can provide this to UGA they will always be a good time and not a great one and it seems that the fans are ok with what they have so this is why the good ones are getting away. WAKE UP UGA OLD DOG OUT.
By GARY
February 3, 2009 9:44 AM | Link to this
Every year, UGA always signs all these supernames, 8 of them will wind up at a JC or Military school, and the Gators will still kick they’re butts.
By Mike
February 3, 2009 9:47 AM | Link to this
As a TN fan, I’d love to have Marlon but Kiffin has only been recruiting him for less than 2 months vs. Richt, Meyer, Tresel and Ole Miss recruiting him over a year now. Hard to overcome that…would be nice to have Marlon wear the orange but realistically don’t see it. Hopefully Kiffin can make an impact on 2010 and 2011 recruiting.
By raymond
February 3, 2009 9:49 AM | Link to this
LSU DAN Have you forgotten the beating the Dawgs put on your Tigers this past year ( along with others) and the 2005 SEC Championship game.
By Shane
February 3, 2009 9:58 AM | Link to this
Well then you haven checked lately.
UGA has 724 all time wins
LSU has 701 all time wins
Number of SEC titles
UGA 12 LSU 10
Either way you slice it UGA is the better team historically
By Anthony
February 3, 2009 10:02 AM | Link to this
I believe Georgia will get one or two of the following; WR Marlon Brown, TE Orson Charles, CB Greg Reid and S Jawanza Starling. The other two want happen. Of these four I think TE Orson Charles, CB Greg Reid are the most likely.
By baloney
February 3, 2009 10:05 AM | Link to this
I think Brown is UGA bound. I base that on the fact as hard as the went after Kenney to get him to take his visit and then just let him walk.I think they havea silent from Brown is the reason they allowed that to happen. By the way I thought the UGA recruiter was Ronnie Gardner.
By TheItalianDawg
February 3, 2009 10:08 AM | Link to this
well said kerryb, lSU was not the best team in 2007 and would have been destroyed by Georgia. they were very lucky
By Kendawg
February 3, 2009 10:09 AM | Link to this
It would be great if UGA got two or three of these so-called superstars, but I think if we get one we’re lucky. I think UGA made a serious mistake this year in not targeting any in-state receivers. But I may be wrong; it may work out yet. Incidentally, Gary, it’s their, not they’re. Did you go to high school? Obviously, you’re not a Harvard English major.
By rfsbkr
February 3, 2009 10:15 AM | Link to this
I hope that these recruits look at which schools are sending their players on to the NFL. If you are an offensive player at Florida, your chances are not going to be that good, because of that system. Who was the last offensive player from Florida who went on to star in the pros. E. Smith. Their wide receivers are fast, but small. Please consider this when choosing a school if you want to be successful at the next level.
By BrizDawg
February 3, 2009 10:18 AM | Link to this
If this year taught us anything, it’s that good recruits are important, but good coaching is more important. Stafford and Moreno were top notch recruits, but they did not bring a title to Athens. But if you get coachable recruits like David Pollack and coach them well, you can do more with less heralded recruits. The jury is out right now about how good a coach Richt actually is. He has to do a better job of getting the guys to take lesser opponents more seriously and get them to focus during the big games and not get caught up in the hype. But as long as he keeps winning SEC championships the Dawgs will get their shot at the title.
By dbc
February 3, 2009 10:20 AM | Link to this
This blog is for info on recruiting. So what happens? This clown LSU Dan attempts to hijack the post and most of you take the bait and allow him to do it. Just ignore the f’er and he’ll go away for God’s sake.
By dedi
February 3, 2009 10:21 AM | Link to this
I hope all of them come to Athens Especially the IN STATE guys!
By AltamahaDawg
February 3, 2009 10:22 AM | Link to this
So, Jones has 5 ints, which lead the team, and right around the top in the SEC. And had more tackles that Eric Berry did this year. He was in the upper list all all of the individual SEC stats. But let’s not let the facts get in the way. That’s just horrible. I’m telling you, if this sophomore, first year starter couldn’t do any better than second team All-SEC, we need to kick him off the team..
By Elvis
February 3, 2009 10:26 AM | Link to this
Question:
When was the last time UGA had one of those “magical” signing days? The kind that FSU traditionally has. We are mentioned as finalists for these big names but rarely get chosen at the end of the day.
Reid MAY pick UGA but then will not qualify. I actually think he will sign with bama.
Charles and Starling will go to FSU.
Brown is a vol.
Massie is signing with Nutt.
I think #24 and #7 are still available if anyone is interested….
I feel very confident in my “inside sources” predicting that UGA will get Murray. He will sign. I am sure of it.
The Dawgs will still do well, it just won’t be exciting with suprise signings. Never is.
By AceDawg
February 3, 2009 10:28 AM | Link to this
More than anything, UGA needs pass rushers and a tight end to catch the ball again. The rest can be tweaked with better coaching when the offense is in the red zone and better coaching on defense when we aren’t getting a natural pass rush (aka try to blitz!!).
By trudog
February 3, 2009 10:28 AM | Link to this
Why in the hell can’t we just spell dog as dog. Is it really necessary to change the spelling of dog?? Is that susposed to make us a bad or something? Really stupid rednecks like it though. And that is 99% of our fan base. So I guess it’s ok then.
By Herschel
February 3, 2009 10:29 AM | Link to this
Hopefully, we won’t lose too many to Hargrave and JUCOs
By GaDawg
February 3, 2009 10:32 AM | Link to this
Spring Game ESPN!! It’s Great to be A GEORGIA BULLDOG! oh yea, Bring on Bobby Knight!
By Buddy El
February 3, 2009 10:33 AM | Link to this
OLD DOG:
LSU has 2 NC’s in the last 5 years.How many times has LSU defeated UGA in the last 5 years? ……………………………………………
GARY: “will still kick THEY”RE butts”. You are not smarter than a 5th grader. At least not in English. ………………………………………….. It is RODNEY Garner
By Dawg Fan
February 3, 2009 10:36 AM | Link to this
We are also after Kwame Geathers. Dude is a beast. I predict we get Brown, Reid, & Geathers. Massie canceled his visit (or we canceled and pulled our offer if you believe nasty rumors, which I don’t). I would not really be surprised either way with Starling or Charles. Would be shocked if we landed Jones.
By 82DAWG
February 3, 2009 10:42 AM | Link to this
UGA should have planned for attrition when they determined how many recruits to sign. That was a terrible lack of foresight.
By Denver dog
February 3, 2009 10:45 AM | Link to this
Hey LUS buddy boy,
Great language there, it appears that it is part of your “half raised” upbringing.
Sorry that you feel that you have to make fun of Coach Richt’s spirituallity, and dedication to his God.
Your team will get a chance to prove itself in Athens this year. We will indeed see.
I prefer to see who wins before I run my mouth. You should take that advice
By NCDAWG
February 3, 2009 10:54 AM | Link to this
To Elvis:
By NCDAWG
February 3, 2009 10:54 AM | Link to this
To Elvis:
By NCDAWG
February 3, 2009 10:55 AM | Link to this
To Elvis: Murray is already at UGA with Zac Mettenberger and Dallas Lee. They enrolled early
By LSU
February 3, 2009 11:12 AM | Link to this
By Buddy El
February 3, 2009 10:33 AM | Link to this
OLD DOG:
LSU has 2 NC’s in the last 5 years.How many times has LSU defeated UGA in the last 5 years? ……………………………………………
Who cares how many times you beat us, The question is how many crystal balls do you have there in Athens?
By the way I don’t give a d@mn about what uga did in 2007. Win your divison and play in the SECCG then you can lay claim to something, until then LSU and Tenn played in the SECCG and the pups had to sit at home. I’ll take a 2 loss NC over going 13-1 and not having jack to show it.
By JTMDawg
February 3, 2009 11:16 AM | Link to this
Yeah, about that prediction Elvis.
Murray’s already on campus. We’ve recruiting Reid pretty hard, I think he’s with us. Starling is a cousin of Bryan Evans, but I’m not sure. Charles seems to be with us, since Murray recruited him, but I’m not sure at that either. Jones, I have no idea. I wouldn’t be surprised if it came down to TN and GA for Brown. And rumors say that Massie is with the Tide.
That’s my prediction, if you call it one.
By Hey Denver Dog
February 3, 2009 11:17 AM | Link to this
Does richt tell you how pretty you are while he is behind you? because he is sticking it up all you uga fan’s @sses with his coaching and loyalty to WM. how do you not win sh!t with players like Stafford and Moreno?
By FLDAWG
February 3, 2009 11:26 AM | Link to this
Who cares, we will all know tomorrow. LSU Dan, I think we have spanked you the last 2 times we have played to the tune of 45-16 in 04 and 52-38 in 08. I am sure LSU Dan has no ties to the school and is using a computer at the local library because they do not have internet access in the trailer park.
By Chip Towers
February 3, 2009 11:29 AM | Link to this
Judge Dawg: I meant only that it’d be “really bad” if Georgia got none of those guys. This class will still be good even if they don’t, but not likely Top 10… .
Old Dawg, SauteeDawg: Thanks for the kind words… .
LSU BCS 2-time NCs: You crack me up. I’ve never heard Mark Richt referred to as “a thug.” …
Shane: You beat me to the all-time numbers on Georgia and LSU. Nice post… .
DawgFan: I forgot about Geathers. You’re right. What’s his leanings?
By SOUTHGADAWG88
February 3, 2009 11:37 AM | Link to this
Massie was a no show on his visit so I doubt he will sign.Brown and Starling IMO are GA bound.Reid and Charles according to Rivals most likely WONT qualify so I think we may sign them both but they will not make it to the field for anybody but a prep school this year…which kinds of takes the steam out of picking them up(Toby Jackson).Jones….all signs point to USC or FLA…but I don’t know….there were a couple of comments he made awhile ago that still makes me wonder.1.He said everybody knows UGA has a track record of putting LB’S into the NFL.Interesting.2.He promised that there WILL BE DRAMA when he commits wed.Considering this kid has been a LOCK for heading out of state forever… the only DRAMA I can see is him shocking everybody by staying instate.I’M thinking we get this kid.Geathers out of SC is another guy we seem to be after but he seems to be headed to prep school as well.Which means that we might sign 6 more kids bringing the total to 23 …however there is a very likely scenario that plays out where we lose Reid,Charles,Geathers along with Lott and Moody to grades so only 18 actually make it on campus this fall.
By alldogsareballlickers
February 3, 2009 11:56 AM | Link to this
Doesn’t matter who GA signs, they will always be second fiddle to FL, LSU and AL. GA hasn’t been relevant in 2 decades but they think they have this great tradition and are on part with the to schools in the country. The reality is that are not even part of the national recruiting picture and are having a hard time retaining their in state recruits. Ga Tech signed the best receiver in the state and they are a running team. If Tech takes GA down again next year, they will soon become the dominate state team. Their history is about on par with UGAY. One national title. The only difference is they don’t act like they are USC or FL.
By Chapple Belle
February 3, 2009 11:57 AM | Link to this
GO DAWGS!
By Elvis
February 3, 2009 12:00 PM | Link to this
NC and JTM Dawg:
If Murray is already there then my “SOURCE”, as always, is right!
The above was an attempt at a little humor. I just always laugh at all these people with “inside sources”. Very reliable.
I know he is an early enrolee and has backed off recruiting Charles, I think, because he knows he is a ‘nole.
I just do not agree with some of these predictions that have UGA getting 3 or 4 of these guys. MAYBE 2. I also see no way that Brown is not at ut.
I hope I am wrong and it is like the year I got the Green Machine for Christmas. A suprise I had no idea was coming! Will never forget it.
By Missman
February 3, 2009 12:01 PM | Link to this
Two words to remember on Signing Day:
OLE MISS.
They are going to shock some “experts.”
By Top Dawg
February 3, 2009 12:25 PM | Link to this
Hey LSU Dan (7:22 a.m.): You mean except on October 25, 2008. Right? … And it was 52 to 38 as I recall.
By CapeCodDAWG
February 3, 2009 12:30 PM | Link to this
I predict that UGA will land. Charles,Reid,Starling and Brown…although I dont feel too good about Charles. Hopefully Reid and Charles will be eligible to play this year. Massie cancelled his reported visit to Athens from what I’ve read and Jones is going to Florida (my guess). I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that Bowman signs with UGA
By Seamus ORyan
February 3, 2009 12:31 PM | Link to this
My God! the oohing, aahhing, gushing, fawning and fainting over this matter is overwhelming. Why not take all this back to the Holy Land where it belongs? After all, Obama is through and has checked out of his hotel in Nazareth, so the masses may now check in and hold their collective breaths for Joe, Moe, Curly, DoDo or whomever to sign for GA or Tech. I see that the personal pronouns for all these idols are now capitalized. Right on! Seamus
By Elvis
February 3, 2009 1:01 PM | Link to this
You heard it here first:
A press confernece will be called for 12:30 Wednesday to introduce the newest Dawgs.
It will all be very dramatic. Out from behind the red curtain will come:
Reid
Brown
Jones
Massie
Starling
and then…
and then…
Tubby Smith as the new basketball coach!!!!!!
Oh what a day. I can hardly wait.
By UGAalum07
February 3, 2009 1:14 PM | Link to this
I love how tech fans can’t go a day without getting on uga blogs and showing their envy and jealousy of georgia’s top 10 program. Get over it, you will always play second fiddle to the flagship university of the state.
By Otto
February 3, 2009 1:16 PM | Link to this
Everyone saying UGA can’t win the big game. Sine 2000 only USC has been in the Top 10 more often than UGA. UGA has just lost the wrong games or been the highest 1 loss team when the others had perfect records. It is only a matter of time in Athens. Richt has never lost to another coach 3 times in a row and has kept all but 1 UF game close.
I do think UGA should have gone after local WRs. You can not depend on national talent look at Miami going back to their Dade county roots.
By George
February 3, 2009 1:20 PM | Link to this
You forgot the seventh name on the Georgia targets list: Kwame Geathers
By BLUE
February 3, 2009 1:23 PM | Link to this
I am a life long UGA fan but this is the problem at UGA I think LSU DAN was talking about impotant games he meant BCS championships not some meanless game in November WHEN WILL MY FELLOW DAWG FANS DEMAND CHAMPIONSHIPS BEFORE WE CALL OUR COACH GREAT
By OLD DOG
February 3, 2009 1:40 PM | Link to this
This is for Top dog and all the others. HOW MANY NC GAMES HAS CMR WON???? This is not a hard question to answer. Let me give you a hint its below the number 1. Lets see has uga ever beat LSU twice in one year, no has LSU beat uga twice in a year: answer YES and went on to win the first of two NC. When was the last time uga won the NC. It doesn’t matter if uga wins the next 10 times they still will not win a NC with CMR he is to soft of a coach always has been always will be. Now instead of taking the bowling why doesn’t he try and put a foot up where the sun doesn’t shine and maybe he will get some respect. Oh before you start typing about how much respect they have for him check out the arrest records for the last 3 years and then come back nad answer. WAKE UP UGA OLD DOG OUT
By The ole Ball Coach
February 3, 2009 1:42 PM | Link to this
I like all of these guys. any would help
By anotherdawg
February 3, 2009 1:48 PM | Link to this
All this crap about Ga being second fiddle to teams like LSU, Fla, Alabama is BULL! I don’t care who you are! Everyone has bad years! Injuries, tough schedule, and sometimes the players just don’t make the plays. Case in point - Big Ben hooking up with Santana in the corner of the endzone with 3 defenders there. The perfect play and the Steelers win. Hey, the Falcons, who absolutely stunk last year, could have actually been in the big game. Chip’s article makes a very good point. Everyone knows who the good players are, and this day in time, all the teams have them, and all the teams have good coaching. So to badmouth UGA or any other team is just childish, and to call Mark Richt a thug is nothing more than trying to get a reaction.
By Matt
February 3, 2009 1:50 PM | Link to this
As a UGA Alum, I’m so pumped about getting another thug in Greg Reid. Anyone see the brawl with Grayson? He’ll fit right in with the defense of last year. Hell, he should add another 1 or 2 personal foul penalties a game.
Nice to see UGA has learned from last year on the type of guys they want!
By 1eyedJack
February 3, 2009 2:02 PM | Link to this
I think it is a SAD day when the only measure of a football coach is how many National Championships he has won. These kids are still amateurs. They are still in the maturation process and should be able to enjoy their last few years before they have to make a living. Some of you guys want to make them professionals and make them accountable for losing a football game. Get real.
Don’t get me wrong. I would like nothing more than to celebrate a National Championship, but if Coach Richt can mold these young men into productive, responsible members of society I would be happy if we never win the NC. If the only way you can judge a coach or school is by the NC banners they hang then you need to go root for someone else.
The problem with this society is that we have become all or nothing. We can no longer find anything redeeming in anything or anyone who is less than perfect, and I know for an absolute fact that none of you are perfect.
By truth be known
February 3, 2009 2:10 PM | Link to this
Shane and Top dawg,
You should have just ignored LSU Dan rather than trying bringing about your old living in the past routine. This isn’t 1980 and Herschel Walker.
And if you do want to live in the past and brag about your football legacy than let’s just bring up the bigger boys in the conference. Tennessee has more sec titles and more national titles than you. And oh yeah, they won one in the 90s.
And the Bammers. Comparing your tradition to them is like the proverbial gnat on that Elephant’s big crimson azz! While I dispute their 12 national titles its obvious they have somewhere between 7 and 12 depending on who is counting and there’s no disputing that they have 21 or 22 sec titles. And like Tennessee they won a title in the 90s in the modern era of the sec going to a 2 division league.
So before ya go slamming someone else’s program keep in mind that there are bigger names than you both in the modern era like Florida and in the hisotric past like Bammers and Vols. Incidentally, I believe the Auburn tigers own your butts head to head even if you have won the last 2 or 3 in a row.
By crs
February 3, 2009 2:23 PM | Link to this
In the current system national championships mean very little, the rankings are comical for the most part, what counts is SEC championships and Richt bring home 2 and playing in a third ain’t too shabby at all.
As far as what Tower said, I disagree, what Scout and Rivals say doesn’t mean diddly. The key is finding real football players like David Pollack, Tim Jennings and Sean Jones. The problem is basing recruiting on anything other than does the kid have adequate size and speed but more importantly does he love football and is he a football player. The problem lately has been UGA hasn’t had the Pollacks, we’ve had the 4 and 5 star kids like Ellerbee and R.Jones who aren’t really football players.
By PHIL
February 3, 2009 2:36 PM | Link to this
I think it’s sad that a kid can get into one SEC scholl but can’t get into another. Then the schools that allowed the non qualifiers in, claim to have the better program and team. How ridiculous is that? If it takes Saban or Cryer to coach and academic rejects to win a title, Alabama and Florida can keep them.
By jarvis
February 3, 2009 2:54 PM | Link to this
Isn’t Georgia 3-0 in their last three against LSU? Rather lopsided vitories at that.
By Tell it like it is
February 3, 2009 3:09 PM | Link to this
1eyedJack, When a coach makes the amount of money these guys make they needed to be judged by the NC banners. I don’t know where you work but if they paid you what these guys are getting and you were not making the numbers would they keep you around? What gets me sick is all the talk about how good CMR is for the kids. If this is the case how many uga football players have been arrested in the last 5 years? I bet if you add it up they will be very close to the top. If he is that good of a coach he players would reflect that. Oh and lets hear about the ones uga put in the NFL of those how many have been arrested? I don’t have enough room to type the current ones and past. Don’t get me wrong I am not bashing CMR for his faith I think that is wonderful. But there comes a time when he needs to put his foot down and stand by it, and over the last 5 years he hasn’t done that. Before everyone starts saying that he does punish them STOP! you think one game at the begining of the season is a punishment. People think Nick Sabin is a bad person (GREAT COACH) but what very few know is that he goes to church every sunday just like CMR. But he will not put up with bad kids. Example the running back that he had at LSU Justin Vincent (The one that ran all over UGA in the SEC CG) and was the MVP of the NC game he didn’t start the next year and sat the bench till Nick left LSU because he thought he was better than everyone else. Would CMR do that I don’t think so.
By dawg92
February 3, 2009 3:11 PM | Link to this
I think not enough is being said about the class we have as it is right now. Two top rated QB’s. A blue chip TE from out of state. couple of great OL. #1 running back in the state. Possibly the #1 athlete in the state in Branden Smith. We’re currently in the top 10 of most recruiting services. Hopefully we fill some open spots with a few of the guys listed by Chip but either way no reason to be disappointed with this class.
By OLD DOG
February 3, 2009 3:16 PM | Link to this
jarvis…… You are the winner!!!!!!! Oh but like uga you don’t get a ring because you can’t win the big one.
By Oledawg
February 3, 2009 3:24 PM | Link to this
Old Dog- You aren’t a Dawg. I figure Tech is more in your line. Anyone on this blog that disses Richt or his staff is not a Dawg fan and certainly isn’t an alumnus. I think we have been through your sort earlier in the season, but everyone knows now you are interlopers trying to drag some fans into your specious arguments. Stick your blog where the sun don’t shine, kid. Then get off this blog.
We have already recruited a fine class and if we don’t get anyone else this year, we have done well. If these media babies don’t sign here, it will not affect how our team is placed together to play as a team this year. Plug the ones we have into the team and see who you want to replace right away and you are down to low numbers. Whether we get any of these media seeking “prima donnas” or not won’t matter how Richt and company coach them up to SEC speed by fall. Before we salivate too much and lay the success of the coming year on whether we get a player’s services or not, we need to place the correct perspective on these players and how we view the players we have. Greed is behind some of our feelings, but realistically we are doomed to someone turning us down for their own reasons which are legitimate and don’t have to be perceived negatively toward UGA. So, relax and cheer tomorrow for each person who decides he wants to become a Georgia Bulldog. They are separate from these guys in that they have committed their hearts earlier to our program and deserve our plaudits for becoming one in the spirit with the rest of the Bulldog Nation.
I hope Greg Reid signs since he has already voiced his pride in his state. He is the only one who I have read about that has the potential to be a great Dawg and Georgian.
UgaVII- How about two “Woofs” for a class with spirit and an ATTITUDE!
By DAWG
February 3, 2009 3:25 PM | Link to this
IF U WANT TO DETERMINE WHO THE BETTER TEAM IS BETWEEN GEORGIA AND LSU, ESPN JUST PUT THEIR PRESTIGE RANKINGS OUT AND LSU WAS AHEAD OF GEORGIA!! SO THERE, SHUT UP GEORIGA FANS!! OH YA, AND SINCE I’M A VOLS FAN, WE FINISHED AHEAD OF BOTH GEORGIA AND LSU IN THOSE PRESTIGE RANKINGS, WHOSE UR DADDY?
By Oledawg
February 3, 2009 3:28 PM | Link to this
dawg92- Way to go! Exactly! You know this class!
By RealityUGA
February 3, 2009 3:32 PM | Link to this
You dawg fans are truly pathetic,
You annointed yourselves national champions before a single game was played and now you’re reduced to insulting a team like OU that at least made it to the national title game. BTW, at least they were in the game with the gators and lost by 10 instead of getting blown out by 39.
I’m not an OU fan by any means but your tradition compared to the Sooners is a freaking joke. In terms of national titles, conference titles, bowl appearances and victories, alltime winning %, alltime # of wins you are pathetic in comparison with OU. Sit down in your corner you little mid level midgets.
By K-Town Dawg
February 3, 2009 3:41 PM | Link to this
truth be known
While I agree that ALABAMA has alot of history on it’s side, I think my DAWGS stack up very well against TENNESSEE.
Tenn - has 2 NC’s (1951 and 1998 both consensus)
UGA - has 2 NC’s (1942 and 1980 both consensus)
Tennessee has 13 SEC championships to UGA’s 12
And UGA has the most recent SEC championship in 2005
As for Auburn owning us, the series record is 53-50-8 dating back to 1892. That is not exactly owning someone.
By the way, who is your team?
By Elvis
February 3, 2009 3:41 PM | Link to this
Tell it like it is:
Some of what you say does hold water. However, a couple of points:
I attended UGA and can tell you first hand the ACC police dept and University rent-a-cops love to bust students and athletes. I am not proponent of turning a “blind eye”, but other college towns will help students out if it is possible. I have friends that attended school all over and many have stories of the authorities following them back to dorm rooms, giving warnings, etc. In my experience (88-92) the “authorities” in Athens behaved more like Barney and less like Andy…
Coach Richt does behave in a Christian manner. He feels that he, football and UGA are the best opportunity for alot of his kids. Tony Milton was an example. CMR takes an awful lot of heat (sometimes rightfully so) for being too lenient. It is easy to kick a kid, sit a kid, etc. It is much harder to give 2nd and 3rd chances and try to change a players behavior. He has also helped multiple players secure scholarships at other schools after UGA board rejected them (Arkansas, Miss St, etc). If you cite the endzone celebration, I cite Tebow dancing around during Q4 last year to the point the ref had to heard him back to the sideline. It is, after all, football and it’s emotional.
Everyone has growth opportunity. Coach Richt has coaching, development and management opportunities. However, I truly believe he does what he thinks is in the best interest of the kids, the team and the university without malice or self presevation in mind.
With all the above being said, I look forward to fewer arrests and more qualifiers in 2009.
Sorry for the novel and, I’m sure, many spelling errors.
By 1eyedJack
February 3, 2009 3:44 PM | Link to this
Tell it like it is
I work in a post secondary institution in this state. We get a lot of these types of kids (nonqualifiers for 4 year schools) and beleive me when I tell you that Jesus Christ himself couldn’t keep some of them out of trouble. I live in fear of being fired everyday, some of the best instructors get fired because they stand by their principals and therefor have high failure rates. A lot of these kids come from broken households and from communities that condone this kind of behaviour. You can’t make them study, (that is assuming they can read above a 6th grade level, h*ll, you can’t even make them show up for class. That would be “dissin’ them”.
So yes, I do respect CMR as a coach and a man, and I have empathy for him or anyone else put into the position of having to try to make mashed potatoes out of rutabagas.
By Oledawg
February 3, 2009 3:46 PM | Link to this
Dawg- you couldn’t even ID yourself as to which team you follow? I’m sure you haven’t graduated from any, but you can still call yourself an “olesmokey”(as in the song,”On Top of Ole Smokey”) as Vols fans don’t mind. What is a “Georiga fan”? and you don’t know who your daddy is? You sound like a yankee kid.
By Oscar
February 3, 2009 4:01 PM | Link to this
Dawgs,Tigers, Gators,etc….hee hee….post an article about the economy or North Korea and see how many responses you get from these SEC dimwits.
By Oscar
February 3, 2009 4:03 PM | Link to this
Yo Elvis:
Richt behaves in a “Christian manner”? What does that mean other than he lies and is a hypocrite?
By BobDog
February 3, 2009 4:04 PM | Link to this
HEY LSU DAN, IS IT STILL SAFE TO FRY A TURKEY IN PEANUT OIL?????
TruDog, I agree. The spelling of “Dog” is D-O-G.
By dawg92
February 3, 2009 4:09 PM | Link to this
Sounds like “tell it like it is” is a bama fan. I’ve got some numbers for him: 10-3, 11-2, 9-4, 10-3, 10-2, 11-3, & 13-1. Mark Richts’ records over the past 7 years. I’d say he’s making his numbers.
And the last time I checked, coach Saban had to kick a kid off the team for COKE and another suspension for talking with an agent!! Coach Richt isn’t perfect but, as I’ve just pointed out, you will probably agree that it’s not easy to baby sit 80 young men. If the punishments don’t seem harsh enough for you, maybe it’s because our players weren’t selling COKE or talking to agents.
By DAWG
February 3, 2009 4:18 PM | Link to this
OLEDAWG - U NEED TO READ MY POST AGAIN, I CLEARLY IDENTIFY WHAT TEAM IM FOR. AND FOR K-TOWN DAWG - SOUNDS LIKE U LIVE IN KNOWVILLE, HAVE U EVER BEEN TO A GAME? IF U HAVE, U WILL SEE(AS IT IS CLEARLY POSTED IN THE STADIUM) THAT TENNESSEE HAS WON 6 NC’S!! NOT 2. SINCE BEING A DAWG FAN, I KNOW U HAVE TO BELITTLE OTHERS SINCE U CAN’T WIN THE BIG ONE!!
By gdawginkalamazoo
February 3, 2009 4:21 PM | Link to this
Can’t any of these kids at least smile in the photos they show on the front page of the paper? They are about to sign up for four years of free education at a fine institution of learning (GT< UGA, UF, FSU, Bama etc). Sure they have to lift weights and play football but damn its all covered. Plus it is a chance of a lifetime to punch their ticket to the NFL. To quote Ricardo Monteban “Smiles everyone, smiles”. Also can we tag the kids that have four hats in front of them a*******clowns. Be a man make a choice and stop all the hoopla. It is tiresome to see this show. Then you have the ones that linger until after signing day to get even more face time. Anybody remember Jimmy Clausen and the CHOF entrance? LMAO! What has he done lately.
By LSU
February 3, 2009 4:22 PM | Link to this
Dawg92
those maybe richt’s number the past seven years but other than 2 SECCs how many times has he won a NC?
Congrats you have won 74 games in the past 7 years with ZERO National Championships. I would have a 2-loss NC than not have one in 28 effing years.
Mark Richt is a pu**y when it comes to team discipline and his players having respect for anyone other than themselves.
By Elvis
February 3, 2009 4:33 PM | Link to this
Oscar:
It appears you are lost in more ways than one.
By the by, I always comment on the economy and the “nuclar” capabilities of NK when I am on those blogs. It is far more effective to keep comments and opinions germane to the topic at hand. Do you often start a discussion on the triple option when on a blog discussing issues with the proposed stimulus package?
By dawg92
February 3, 2009 4:45 PM | Link to this
LSU, you and UF think NC’s grow on trees. You’ve been veeerrrry fortunate to play for a National title recently. 1958 to 2003 ring a bell? Probably not. In 2002 UGA needed just 1 team to lose in front of us for a month and no luck. Didn’t get a chance at the title game. In 07 we were passed by a more deserving LSU team IMO. No argument there. The fact is that LSU had 2 losses and still was lucky enough to wind up in the game. UGA - no such luck in 02 and 07. UF needed USC to lose to a 20 pt dog to get in in 06. It freakin happened! You needed a 30 pt dog to lose in 07. It freakin happened. Don’t act like your teams been some perfect & undefeated juggernaut the last decade. Fact is your team has been really good and really lucky.
By LSU
February 3, 2009 5:02 PM | Link to this
dawg92
Apparently NCs do grow on trees since the SEC has won 3 in a row. Don’t give your whiney BS about not being lucky.
Please tell me where in my last post I said we were undefeated. Give it up and yeah 58-03 was a long time but we have also one another one since 03. I will say it again I would much rather have a 2-loss NC than to not have had one in 28 soon to be 2009 years.
UGAy fans=whiney, crying, little bit*hes
By MountainDawg
February 3, 2009 5:05 PM | Link to this
*”LSblew” Dan - the Dawgs handed your Tigerettes their sorry @$$es to them in their own back yard son!!!
I’m hoping the mighty Dawgs can land 2-3 of those kids (above). We need to keep the talent coming into Athens & “reload” the roster. I suspect we’ll finish in the top 10 (recruiting), but adding 2-3+ of those bluechippers may assure a top 5 finish. GO DAWGS!!
By dawg92
February 3, 2009 5:25 PM | Link to this
Thanks for keeping it civil LSU. Lot of anger issues I see. Just making a point. As a rational college football fan, I think NC’s are extremely difficult to come by. SEC championships are different, since you actually control your own destiny. All I’m saying is LSU and UF did not control it’s own destiny and needed others to lose. I also don’t lump fans of a particular school together as if they all act the same. That’s just ignorant. If UGA fans bother you so much, you may want to try an LSU blog. Here’s a few:
www.andthevalleyshook.com
www.tigersmack.com
By doug
February 3, 2009 6:38 PM | Link to this
Lsu Dan is a pest but is correct about one thing. If nobody wants the SEC title, Georgia will take it. But under no circumstance are they allowed to play for or win a National title. Mark Richt is either not serious or doesnt understand what it takes to win the big one. Good man though.
By Dr. Merkwurdigliebe
February 3, 2009 6:46 PM | Link to this
A lot of LSU smack. The only smacking I can recall is the smack down we gave the Tigers in Baton Rouge this past year. If I recall correctly that’s 3 in a row!
By More of the Same
February 3, 2009 7:07 PM | Link to this
Looks like another class that will go bust and not pan out. Who really cares about these prima donnas that will wear their bling and flip flop baseball caps or have someone wear a jersey. Until CMR gets rid of Willie and the offense gets it going in the red zone it will be more of the same anyway top ten class or not. More of the Same mutts!!!!
By AltamahaDawg
February 3, 2009 7:27 PM | Link to this
AJC needs to update the Reid story.
By Dawgone
February 3, 2009 7:29 PM | Link to this
I hear Greg Reid committed to FSU. Anybody else hear that.
By 59-39-5
February 3, 2009 7:49 PM | Link to this
I heard that as well
By anotherdawg
February 3, 2009 8:03 PM | Link to this
Well, as usual, we cannot carry on a decent discussion without the stupid dribble from LSU, Fla, and Tech fans. What I want to know is what happened to the Gamecocks? Have they gone underground?
By Lou Vales
February 3, 2009 8:17 PM | Link to this
I’m a 1969 Florida grad. The ONLY school that Reid would have been accepted to is Florida State. READ any info from any guide about what is needed to get enrtolled there. Next, check out what is required at Georgia and Florida.
Reid chose FSU for ONE reason—-He Can Get In. I know kids who are dumb a*******es in Florida and FSU is the choice EVEN over Central Florida.
By ben
February 3, 2009 8:21 PM | Link to this
Reid committed to FSU
By War Eagle
February 3, 2009 8:52 PM | Link to this
Tenn, Auburn and FSU will drop UGA recruiting monarchy to a slight slow-down in Ga. Auburn could jump ahead of dawgs with Vols not far behind after the final tally tomorrow.
By Chip Towers
February 3, 2009 9:39 PM | Link to this
As for Greg Reid’s decision to commit to Florida State, that is exactly why I NEVER predict what might happen in recruiting. Every indication I got was that it was going to be close between Georgia and Alabama, with the Dogs nudging ahead due to local pressure in Valdosta. Then he does with the ‘Noles… .
I told you it was going to be high drama. And just in case you haven’t thought about, Reid hasn’t sent in a signed letter of intent just yet. He could change his mind a few more times before hitting the button on the ol’ fax machine… . I’m just sayin’ …
By HIGH TIDE
February 4, 2009 7:29 AM | Link to this
Bama still tearing dog a* up! If anyone has seen Richt and Saban on Sports South’s “IN MY OWN WORDS” you can see why. Richt comes across as a *good man who is a football coach while Saban comes across as a football coach who is a good man.
By NoleKiller
February 4, 2009 8:25 AM | Link to this
By Lou Vales Reid chose FSU for ONE reason—-He Can Get In. I know kids who are dumb a*es in Florida and FSU is the choice EVEN over Central Florida.
That POS George O’Leary fits right in there (Central Florida). He turned Georgia Tech into the cesspool of the ACC before Mark Richt ran his fat azz out of Atlanta. You know when anyone hires George O’Leary that they have no ethics or integrity whatsoever.
By Joe
February 4, 2009 8:28 AM | Link to this
High Tide-nobody outside of Tuscaloosa thinks Nick Saban is a “good man.” He is an above average football coach, but certainly not a good human.
By Dawg Fud
February 4, 2009 9:11 AM | Link to this
Nick Saban is an excellent coach. I have never met him and could not comment on his character. even if had met him, i am not presumptive enough to publicly judge another man’s character. however, he does seem to be a job hopper but he also seems to be happy in Tuscaloosa. and my friends who graduated from Bama seem to be happy with him, too.
GO DAWGS!
By Dawg Fud
February 4, 2009 9:16 AM | Link to this
trudog - the only dog you are is a weiner dog.
By Dawgfaithful68
February 26, 2009 4:41 PM | Link to this
Point blank for my Dawg fans. Dont argue with retards; They will bring you down to your level and beat you with their experience. Coach Richt has put together an impressive body of work, and it is not hard to see that the right season is going to come together for a big game. If we dont win one we dont win one, the team is ours, and we will be behind them anyways. They are our team; I appreciate the effort they put out, and I look forward to another season of smash mouth Georgia football.
Go Dawgs!