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 > 16 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWild weekend for Georgia sports
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It was a wild weekend and a lot has gone down over the last week. So let’s take just a minute this morning to kind of catch up on everything before forging forward with the rest of this week.
No doubt the biggest news of the weekend was the stunning 88-86 upset of Florida by the Georgia basketball team. The Gators had come in leading the SEC East and, of course, the Bulldogs hadn’t won an SEC game and had lost 11 in a row. To me it was very reminiscent of the amazing awakening we saw Georgia experience in Atlanta to win the SEC Tournament last March… . Meanwhile, here comes Auburn into Stegeman Coliseum on Wednesday. Could the Dogs make it two in a row?
Of course there is always a flip side to any athletic contest and the devastating loss rocked the Gators pretty good. They’re trying to play their way onto the NCAA bubble after missing out last season. Anyway, here’s the write-up in the Gainesville Sun
Boy Blunder has done it yet again. Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin, as he is otherwise known, committed his third NCAA violation in about as many weeks when he dropped the name of Bryce Brown — the No. 1-rated prospect in football according to Rivals who remains unsigned and was scheduled to visit UT this weekend — during a radio interview. At this point it’s clear Kiffin either doesn’t know the rules or simply doesn’t believe they apply to him and neither is an acceptable reason. The Knoxville News Sentinel reported the slip up and the Nashville Banner took a detailed look into why Kiffin keeps screwing up… .
A real interesting story is developing with the Georgia men’s track team. Freshman sprinter Torrin Lawrence is lighting it up and this past weekend logged the fastest 400-meter time on the planet this year. Lawrence also ran an awesome anchor leg for a come-from-behind win over No. 1 Florida in the 4x400 relay and has singlehandely lifted the Bulldogs into another whole stratosphere of competition this year. You’ll be seeing a profile on this kid pretty a soon… .
By the way, our old buddy pitcher Joshua Fields finally signed with the Seattle Mariners, reportedly for $1.75 million. The UGA star’s agent, the notorious Scott Boras, had asked for $2 million and the M’s offered $1.5 million. Don’t know if that was worth missing a whole year of pitching but I guess we’ll find out this spring. Fields was invited to the major league camp. Here’s what they’re saying about him out West. By the way, he cut his hair short… .
And, finally, former Georgia football player Tony Milton reportedly is trying to become a pro golfer. I kid you not.
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By TorrinLawrenceagent
February 16, 2009 8:09 AM | Link to this
Can Torrin play football? There’s nothing like speed. Congrats to the Hoop dawgs for showing a lot of heart on saturday. When Florida finally got the lead, they could have folded, and kudos to Richt for giving the hoop dawgs a motivational speech.
By Too Easy
February 16, 2009 8:51 AM | Link to this
Don’t forget the GymDawgs and Kupets’ 7th straight overall title. Do forget the Lady Dawgs basketball game.
By Ben
February 16, 2009 9:37 AM | Link to this
So, that’s 3 violations for Kiffin since he’s been hired? Do any of these come with actual penalties? Seems like they’re just getting warned.
By Chip Towers
February 16, 2009 9:40 AM | Link to this
Roger on the Gym Dogs. Also, Dave Perno’s Diamond Dogs get underway on Friday.
By Bill
February 16, 2009 10:24 AM | Link to this
Correction,UF was tied for the lead.They are a sham of a contender.They have no inside presence,are not athletic enough to defend on the perimiter,and are doomed if thet don’t hit the three.
UGA should not be too overjoyed anout this win.Take a look at the big picture.
By FloydLawson
February 16, 2009 10:29 AM | Link to this
Chip, I wouldn’t woory too much about the happenings at Tennessee. I’m sure they along with the SEC and NCAA will handle things as needed.As the old saying goes,it’ll all come out in the wash.
By Gen Neyland
February 16, 2009 10:33 AM | Link to this
Unless a recruit arrives Atop Rocky in a borrowed coaches car, or with a pocket full of cash from a ‘booster’, or both, Kiffin’s errors in judgement are just that. He’s in a re-learning curve, albeit somewhat of an aggresive nature. There are sports people which rationalize that his perceived blunders are not unintentional, but a calculated tactic. To paraphrase, ‘He who is laughed at first, may laugh last’…
By David
February 16, 2009 10:34 AM | Link to this
I guess playing for a National Championship doesn’t matter unless it is football or basketball. Men’s Tennis plays Virginia at 1pm for the National Indoor Team Championship, and nary a mentionn in the AJC. Sad….
By will
February 16, 2009 10:38 AM | Link to this
Milton is a good golfer - he worked at a country club before he came to Georgia. He’s an incredible guy too - I hope he succeeds. He’s one of Richt’s favorite past players.
By baloney
February 16, 2009 10:51 AM | Link to this
I worked at a hospital (in the cafeteria) does that mean I can be a doctor?
By godawg
February 16, 2009 11:04 AM | Link to this
Living just south of Knoxville it amazes me how people can put a “good” spin on lying to the media, fans and recruits and publicly calling a fellow coach a cheat all while failing to follow the rules himself. Lame has made himself and UT a national laughing stock and nobody around here seems to know or mind. I guess bad publicity is better than no publicity and ignorance is bliss. Sad…
By DawgGirl32
February 16, 2009 11:06 AM | Link to this
Bill- I don’t think anyone really cares if Florida is a “sham of a contender.” The big picture is: we hadn’t won a game in 2009, our coach just got fired, Florida won a National Championship 2 years ago and are tied for the east, we haven’t beat Florida in basketball in YEARS, and most importantly: it’s FLORIDA. So should we not be overjoyed? I beg to differ. This was huge for a team not only for our record, but for our pride. And the fact that it was Florida made it that much sweeter.
By billiej
February 16, 2009 11:08 AM | Link to this
Bill,
I’m ALWAYS overjoyed when we beat the Gators at anything! I think we all know one win will not salvage this season on the court. Still, it’s good to celebrate the victories. I read somewhere that Coach Richt gave the team a pep talk Friday night.
By Ted Striker
February 16, 2009 11:36 AM | Link to this
Good stuff about Tony Milton.
By T B Shirey
February 16, 2009 11:40 AM | Link to this
You’re showing your age Chip. The Nashville Banner hasn’t been published in years, much to my sorrow. Where’s Freddie Russell when we need him? Of course, the Nashville Tennessean ;published the story. What’s the over/under on the number of years before Kiffin gets Tennessee on probation?
By ATLDawg
February 16, 2009 11:42 AM | Link to this
Bill, the big picture is that Georgia’s victory proves that good ultimately triumphs over evil. Everyone should be overjoyed, not just Georgia fans.
By Parkland Dawg
February 16, 2009 12:06 PM | Link to this
DawgGirl32,
I could not have said it any better. You have hit the perverbial nail on the head.
By Bernie
February 16, 2009 1:23 PM | Link to this
Bill eats more boogers than gators do. Way to put him in his place DawgGirl32.
Great weekend to be a Dawg. And our best season is just around the corner…spring. Or as they say in Athens, championship time..
Bernie’sDawgBlawg
By Chip Towers
February 16, 2009 1:28 PM | Link to this
By the way, Diamond Dogs were picked by the coaches to win the SEC East, according to a release from the school today. FWIW, that’s usually the kiss of death for the Dogs. They tend to do well when nobody is expecting them to. Here’s the release:
FROM UGA SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS
The 14th-ranked Georgia baseball team was picked to win the SEC Eastern Division in the preseason poll voted on by league coaches, it was announced Monday by the Southeastern Conference.
The defending SEC Champion Bulldogs earned 62 total points and 10 first place votes in the East and one vote as league champion. LSU, which joined Georgia at the 2008 College World Series, received 10 league champion votes while Ole Miss had one vote.
Florida was picked second in the East ahead of Vanderbilt, South Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky.
In the West, LSU was first followed by Ole Miss, Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn and Mississippi State.
Points were complied on a 6-5-4-3-2-1 basis for each division, and each coach was not allowed to vote for their own team. The 12 coaches also voted for one team as overall conference champion.
The Bulldogs open the season Friday at 5 p.m. against Youngstown State.
By P-Man
February 16, 2009 1:37 PM | Link to this
Let’s not forget that the Women’s tennis team is also playing for the national indoor championship, and the softball team scored 38 runs in 4 games this weekend, and pitched 4 shutouts. Except for the Lady Dawgs, it was a GREAT weekend!
By Mort Merkel
February 16, 2009 1:39 PM | Link to this
Suzanne Yoculan is hot.
By Bulldawg
February 16, 2009 1:47 PM | Link to this
Chip,
Umm…would it kill you to give the sprinter’s time in said 400?
By bill_in_atl
February 16, 2009 2:42 PM | Link to this
46.18 Bulldawg… Umm…would it have killed you to click his link?
And I wouldn’t get too excited about Tony’s golf career yet. That story says NOTHING about what he is really doing and frankly just says he was pretty good relative to some guys on the football team in college, which is anecdotal and rumor at best. That being said, I would LOVE to hear about him tearing up some mini-tours (real scores against real people) and preparing for bigger things. I admire what that young man went through and sincerely wish him the best in life.
By Atlanta Gator
February 16, 2009 2:44 PM | Link to this
Damn. And that’s all I have to say about this weekend’s basketball game.
By charlotte dawg
February 16, 2009 3:32 PM | Link to this
Atlanta Gator:
I don’t think you will find sympathy here…
Believe me, you guys have plenty to cheer about.
How many NCs have WE won in football or B-ball lately?
By Mike Slive
February 16, 2009 3:50 PM | Link to this
For Immediate Release To streamline reporting and save trees, the University of Tennessee is asked to bundle all football recruiting violations by Coach Kiffin into a weekly report, rather than the usual reporting as they occur. We simply cannot keep track with so many reports. Thank you for your cooperation.
By David
February 16, 2009 4:31 PM | Link to this
I used to work at the UGA golf course… Milton has a nice swing. He was out there more than the golf team. That’s one way to stay out of trouble
By Gary
February 16, 2009 5:37 PM | Link to this
What, no mention of the irony of beating Florida in a rematch of the game that finally cost Felton his job? Even if it’s the only SEC game they win, it was worth it. Now let’s find a coach that can keep them beating Florida and everyone else for the next 10 years. (btw… that ain’t Bobby Knight)
By shane#1
February 16, 2009 5:38 PM | Link to this
Maybe Kiffin thinks bad press is better than no press at all. As long as they spell his name right. Congrats to the Dawgs, that was a hell of a game. I thought they were going to give it back to the Gators. There is nothing wrong with working at a golf course. Arnie and “Super Mex” both started as caddies. Good luck to Tony! I am looking forward to Baseball season, but I don’t think pre-season rankings mean a damn thing, I never have. Football and track go hand in hand. UGA should have a great track program, possibly they should send a little of that football money that way. I LOVE THOSE GYM DOGS!
By doug
February 16, 2009 6:52 PM | Link to this
Glad to hear about Tony Milton. Class guy. He will forever be in the hearts of true dawg fans. Not to mention the “Block of the Century” a few years back. Good luck on the links Tony.
By boc
February 16, 2009 9:37 PM | Link to this
block of the century in regards to uga??? please remember that uga is as relevant in basketball as a parapalegic is in MMA.
By shane#1
February 16, 2009 10:27 PM | Link to this
boc, or as relevant as MMA is to a sport? I know some pool halls in South Ga where yo can see MMA every night for free. Just watch those cue sticks.! BTW, I have a relative that’s a parapalegic and he is twice the man that you or any of the MMA goons will ever be!
By ............................................BuLLdawg
February 17, 2009 5:26 AM | Link to this
Seven (7) Consecutive Years and Counting, The Georgia Bulldogs have been ranked AHEAD of the Tennessee Volmits in the Final AP Poll.
General Neyland, are you still defending Phillip Fulmer ?
Does anyone expect Fulmer to become a head coach anywhere else, having finished his career 7 years in a row ranked worse than UGA in the Final AP Poll ?
How’s Junior doing General Neyland ? Recruit well ?
How is your APR of your football team General Neyland ?
By ............................................BuLLdawg
February 17, 2009 6:01 AM | Link to this
following a 5-7 season during which the Vols were an SEC “AFTERTHOUGHT” and failed to reach a bowl game
I thought we were not allowed to use the word AFTERTHOUGHT discussing the volmits in here General Neyland ? But, it’s OK for the TENNESSEEAN newspaper up there to use the very same word the very same day ?
That’s like Junior saying Urban Meyer cheated by placing a cell phone call to a recruit on campus in ObKnoxiousville (Since when is a cell phone call cheating on a day recruiting is allowed?) when Junior has fog machines on recruiting visits and says how great RB Bryce Brown from Kansas is, who he has not signed either.
Get used to AFTERTHOUGHT. It is what you are having finished in the Final AP Poll ranked worse than UGA yet again, 7 years now and counting.
5-7.
Bwaaa.
By Don
February 17, 2009 9:28 AM | Link to this
Bill will take a break from speaking at the John Maxwell Leadership tour and stop by Stegman and give the B-Ball players a pep talk. Bill don’t forget that trash pick up at my house is on Thursdays!
By Gen Neyland
February 17, 2009 10:38 PM | Link to this
………….BuLL
Getting a bit testy in the company of misery..? A little sunshine will brighten your mood…Honestly, I feel you have a great concern going forward with the new hire in Knoxville. Hey, you got your wish. Fulmer’s gone and takes his .750 (or so) winning percentage against UGA with him…Doesn’t that brighten you up just a wee bit..? BTW, so sorry I’m late responding. Real life matters came up. Take care.