AJC > Blog > Archives > 2006 > October > 05 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USRocky Toppers and Snappin’ Turtles
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
One of keys to doing successful opposition research is that you’ll find some gems buried rather deep — unless, say, you’re tasked with it currently for the Democratic Party, in which all you have to do to stock up on live ammo these days is turn on cable news. And leave it on.
Even for Saturday’s conflagration in Athens between blood rivals Georgia and Tennessee, the juiciest tidbits are far below the surface. And therefore worth waiting for.
So Enemy Watch will dispense quickly with the mainstream treatment, which doesn’t veer too far off the rails.
Who wouldn’t expect Vols offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe to pronounce that the Big Orange running game is the key for a second UT victory in Sanford Stadium in as many trips?
Or that one of the big reasons for UT’s improvement over the dreadful 5-6 finish a year ago is renewed offensive potency choreographed by Cutcliffe, now doing his second tour of duty in Knoxvegas?
And that UT’s gotta tackle its special teams woes?
This we all presume, obviously enough.
Much is also being made of Vols QB Erik Ainge returning to the scene of his best college moment.
And UT’s official site is especially helpful in pointing out that the Vols have been the best SEC road team since 12-team expansion in ‘92.
This is all nice and sweet. But nothing to stoke the blood flow.
Thank goodness then for UT fan site Rocky Top Talk, which posts this link with a few dashes of snark that only fan sites can manage, informing its legions that this will be the first ranked opponent for the Bulldogs.
On RTT proper, they’re continuing the Hail Mary Haiku, which appears to be to poetry what the orange-and-white checkerboard square end zone is to advanced graphic design.
But it’s all in good fun, and there’s some good, smart humor being spun there. Not to mention some really good links for those of you junkies who live for this stuff. The passion just seeps out.
One of them is from another fan site, Corn From A Jar, which boasts of being “unhindered by statistics, facts or sobriety.” This is Enemy Watch’s kind of blog, but it does delve into reality-based endeavors, such as a full breakdown of Ainge’s big plays this season. Lotsa numbers. Diehards will die for this.
And this is the sheer beauty, joy and delight of plunging the depths of the cyber underbelly, or correct that, Fulmer’s Belly, which recently featured a tribute to tubby coaches everywhere, and especially the one who stretches his orange gear on the sidelines. But apparently less so than in the past. So the John Mark Karr photo seems oddly placed, in addition to plain odd anyway. Then again, there’s nothing wrong with injecting a bit of the bizarre to stay sane. And there’s a lot of zany nonsense there.
One of those full-figured coaches is Maryland’s Ralph Friedgen, who brings the Snappin’ Turtles into Bobby Dodd against Tech Saturday looking for a fresh start in the ACC.
They’re 3-1 coming off a bye week but not playing very convincing football. Florida International trailed by only four points in the fourth quarter before UM dug out the win. Yes, that’s right. Florida. International.
This is the first of a tough ACC order for the Terps, who lead the conference in giving up turnovers, and are near the bottom in I-A in forcing them.
Piled on to that concern is some ineffective offense in general. We all know how tough it is being a QB for Friedgen, as his current, Sam Hollenbach, is finding out. Maryland’s longest pass play covers only 47 yards. Its longest running play is only 34 yards.
Does wily Ralph have the tools to spring a surprise against the Techies? Over on The Hive, there are cautious suggestions not to look ahead to Clemson and Miami.
Jackets fans having to resist the temptation of getting overconfident? Who’da thunk it?
Comments
By CJ
October 5, 2006 03:35 PM | Link to this
They have the internet in Tennessee? Wow, what is next running water?
By Rich
October 5, 2006 03:38 PM | Link to this
We are not a snapping turtle. We are a diamondback turtle.
By Michael
October 5, 2006 03:59 PM | Link to this
Enemy Watch, you’re a butt.
By GottaLuvDaVols!
October 5, 2006 04:25 PM | Link to this
Enemy Watch??? You gotta be kidding me? The BIG enemy will be the person under center for the BullPups on Saturday. JT will be so rusty he will need to drink WD-40 instead of Gatorade. But you always have Stafford and Cox..oh thats right..neither or them could direct a scoring drive in the first half against powerhouses Colorado and Ole Miss. Saturday night will be the beginning of the end for the puppies..arf arf!!!!
By TallapoosaDawg
October 5, 2006 04:29 PM | Link to this
Coach Rict has made a terrable misteak by starting JT aginst teh Vols. We would be better off with Cox or Stanford. I think we will looze but it will be cloze. Go Dawgss.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
October 5, 2006 04:36 PM | Link to this
repeat myself from another blog. Perfect setup for the “Texas Gunslinger”!
By Russ
October 5, 2006 04:44 PM | Link to this
Hey CJ good slap but it will take all the water in “Jorga” to grow new hedges after saturday night!!!!!
By Rico
October 5, 2006 05:00 PM | Link to this
TECH FANS OVERCONFIDENT???? You gotta be kidding me. Us Tech Fans would have to win 5 ACC Championships and 5 straight National Championships to get overconfident.
That is the difference between Tech and UGA fans. Not knocking either UGA or TECH fans, but, UGA fans think ther should win the National Championship every year. Tech fans have been to this “rodeo” before. That’s why talk radio on this town hates the Tech fans. We are not un-realistic about where our program. The fact is……This year, is the one in five year shot that we have to being better than 7-4 or 8-3. We do not recruit great football players. We have to develop them.
By Cuz
October 5, 2006 06:27 PM | Link to this
Tech wins in a landslide victory.
Dawgs win in a close one. The hedges will not be pruned Saturday night.
I would love the Thanksgiving bloodfest to involve one team playing for the SEC Championship and the other playing for the ACC Championship. I am a Dawg, but I think Tech has the better chance because of the rest of their schedule versus ours. Then we blast each other while eating Turkey sandwiches.
By GottaLuvDaVols
October 5, 2006 08:13 PM | Link to this
Hey Cuz..you might want to put down the bong for a few minutes. I just read that your kicker Coutu is out with a leg injury. His replacement has not tried a kick since 2004…hahaha that should be a riot. Maybe they will let JT try to throw the ball thru the uprights! The hedges will look like someone sprayed RoundUp on them Saturday!!
By Gen Neyland
October 5, 2006 10:33 PM | Link to this
Fulmer’s bellybutton is a great place to stash a jelly doughnut for the his pregame snack. Coutu out..?…If that’s true, then what will become of UGA’s offense Saturday night..?..If you haven’t placed your bets yet, for sure take the VOLS
By Chris
October 5, 2006 10:43 PM | Link to this
CJ:(first commenter) We may have slow internet and draw our water from a well but we sure as heck can play real football, unlike our SEC counterparts!
By physicsDawg
October 5, 2006 11:10 PM | Link to this
Tech fans got overconfident when they thought their Quarterback could count to FOUR, just because he went to an engineering school.
By physicsDawg
October 5, 2006 11:13 PM | Link to this
The only potency for the Vols will be the smell they bring with them.
By reality check
October 6, 2006 06:22 AM | Link to this
Andy Bailey is the best backup kicker in the country. We’ll be fine there.
By CJ
October 6, 2006 07:29 AM | Link to this
NOTE TO UT FANS:
1)If you visit our acquarium, the fish are only for viewing- please do not eat the fish.
2)In the unlikely event that UT wins tomorrow, incest is illegal in Georgia, so you will have to wait until you return home to “celebrate”.
By GottaLuvDaVols
October 6, 2006 07:40 AM | Link to this
Hey CJ…Just because you have been banned from the Atlanta Zoo for having an ususal interest in the sheep exhibit don’t assume that UT fans have never seen an aquarium..we have a fine one right in Chattanooga! Also..too bad your parents did not know about incest being illegal in Georgia otherwise you would not have been born. Must be weird that your parents are also your aunt and uncle..huh CJ! Vols win by at least 14 or more!!
By UTKGRAD 93&97
October 6, 2006 08:31 AM | Link to this
Hey Pups, chew on this!! Top defense: Georgia enters Saturday’s game ranked No. 1 nationally in scoring defense, but the Bulldogs haven’t exactly faced a murderer’s row of opposing offenses to this point. Of Georgia’s four I-A opponents, three rank 108th or lower in scoring offense. The Bulldogs’ only opponent in the top 100 is South Carolina, which ranks 80th. South Carolina also leads the group in total offense at 64th. Ole Miss is 99th, with Alabama-Birmingham 106th and Colorado 109th. Georgia’s other game was against Division I-AA Western Kentucky. Ruling the road: Tennessee remains the SEC’s best road team since divisional play began in 1992, with a record of 43-13.
Vols 21 UGA 13!!!
“Corn won’t grow at all on Rocky Top…”
By chip jones
October 6, 2006 08:31 AM | Link to this
Chattanooga Catfish Farm does not count.
By bamaterp
October 6, 2006 08:51 AM | Link to this
Maryland has a better chance of beating Tech this Saturday, ‘cause they’re the only ones playing them. Look for some surprises, some razzle dazzle, and the folks at GT having a continued admiration for the Big Fella. Terps win.
By Iceman
October 6, 2006 08:52 AM | Link to this
UGA remains overrated and should not even be in the top-25. UGA has been overrated for year, and as long as AU and UF stay on your schedule, any National Title hopes will go right out the window.
UT will take it to you this weekend, as will AU and UF. Another trip to the woodshed for those mighty bulldogs. MR is a good coach, but not nearly as good as Tubberville on the plains. TT can outcoach anyone, and proved it last year with AU took to you guys.
Beat of luck. Rocky Top Baby!
By Iceman
October 6, 2006 09:01 AM | Link to this
Vols 41 UGA 3
By Iceman
October 6, 2006 09:05 AM | Link to this
Vols 41 UGA 3
By Jeb
October 6, 2006 09:10 AM | Link to this
Tennessee = OVERRATED. This week the Vols start their charge to 5-6 AGAIN. You guys always lose to ranked teams, just ask Florida. Funny how you can run your mouths so much when your already out of the running for the SEC title. NOTHING SUCKS LIKE A BIG ORANGE. GO DAWGS.
By Ol Ball Coach
October 6, 2006 09:34 AM | Link to this
Old times are not forgotten….Dawgs fans being slapped back into reality (third place in the SEC East) where “we’ll loose but it will be close” is expected. That’s beautiful.
By Ol Ball Coach
October 6, 2006 09:39 AM | Link to this
Let the excuses begin!
By CJ
October 6, 2006 09:58 AM | Link to this
GottaLuvtheVols,
You are the one that brought up sheep. My God, what is wrong with you people? Beastiality is illegal in Georgia, too- GO BACK TO TENNESSEE and you can practice whatever you want. You can do whatever you want with your time in your double-wide. Comb your mullet, put on your silly orange jumpsuit and enjoy the game tomorrow night on your 13-inch BW TV. Good Luck!
By Jim Bob Cooter
October 6, 2006 10:48 AM | Link to this
UT will win….only if Jim Bob could be under center. Since I’m not, Georgia’s going to pull out a close one. Hey maw, pass me some more of that fat back…..YEEEEEE-HAWWW Ya’ll!!
By CK
October 6, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this
I can see the headlines already…
Joe T KO’s vols…throws two TDs, kicks two pats and two fg. On the Ground JT rushes for 26 yds including a TD and throws for the 2 point conversion.
Did I mention that JT catches a pass for 9 yds just short of the goal line that set up the rushing TD?
On Kickoffs… JT limited the vols to just under 49 net return yds.
Joe T’s only weakness was the total yards gained in the air. He only had 145 yards throwing the ball but it was enough since the Dawgs gained 225 on the ground and totally dominated the field. Mark Richt says after the game that the starter for the next weeks game will be a gametime decision between Stafford, Cox and Joe T.
Also up in the air is the kicking situation. Richt stil hasn’t decided the kicker for next weeks game as well.
Just remember you read it here first…
By justin
October 6, 2006 11:23 AM | Link to this
You all are wrong. Saturday night, the hedges will not be pruned, they will be BURNED!!
Go G.T.!!!!
By I-DOG
October 6, 2006 11:55 AM | Link to this
Gotta luv Da Vols:
To the Tune of Rocky Top:
Once a fat man coached on Rocky Top Got off to a pretty good start
Lost five out of six to UGA Broke those hillbilly’s hearts
Rocky Flop you’ll always be Third in the SEC (EAST)
Good Ole Rocky Flop Who will your next coach be?
By I-DOG
October 6, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this
UTKGRAD:
UGA five out of last six agsinst UT. Defending SEC Champs! UT… almost out of SEC race AGAIN. Played one good team this year and lost. Completely embarassed last season, Coach on hot seat if UT loses to UGA yet again. Who is your pick for the next Vols coach?
By DawgsBlow!!
October 6, 2006 12:08 PM | Link to this
Hey Jeb..or should that be Jed..or Jethro? Just a hint since you are obviously a well educated in the know football guy. This year teams have 12 games..so Tennessee could not go 5-6 again. Of course you may be doing UGA math so I understand. Just back away from the computer and get on back down to your greeter job at WalMart or are you still collecting the buggies? The Vols win by at least 14…take that to the bank!
By mcdwag
October 6, 2006 12:21 PM | Link to this
AINGE WILL NOT FINISH THE GAME-after we shut down the run they will be forced pto a*-C. Johnson and Moses will pinch the pocket and Ainge will step up into a delayed blitz where his head will be taken off by K. Johnson-don’t know who will win the game but Ainge will not be the deciding factor
By jackets fan
October 6, 2006 12:47 PM | Link to this
Dawg fans talking about counting to four again. Must be discussing their offensive output. Or how many drug possession arrests per player. Or how many times Odell has been arrested.
Good news. They only give 3 points for a field goal, so there’s a break, you’ll only need to count to 3 on Saturday. Oh wait, your kicker lost his knee in practice. Now somebody has to tell me how a top ten team lets their kicker hurt himself practicing on-side kicks?!?!? Since when does a 5-0 team need to worry about on-side kicks? Isn’t that for teams that are LOSING??!?!? I find that very telling about what UGA’s coaching staff thinks about their team.
By jackets fan
October 6, 2006 12:52 PM | Link to this
Hey mcdwag (I’m sure that was supposed to be “mcdawg”),
There is only one C. Johnson in this state and he don’t wear red and black. When you refer to your boring 2nd DE, use his full name because using C. Johnson in a lowly UGA post is simply insulting.
By mcdwag
October 6, 2006 12:57 PM | Link to this
Andy Bailey the kid from Tennessee boots the winning field goal with only seconds remaining on the clock-Dawgs 16 UT 14
By mcdwag
October 6, 2006 01:01 PM | Link to this
you mean that nice guy from tech who everybody loves because he is such a nice guy who was shut down in man on man coverage by Tim Jennings last year-the same nice guy who was shut down by Notre Dame one of the worst pass defenses in the country-what is he your mascot or something-maybe you can take him home to your mommy i’s ure she will think he is a nice guy too-maybe he will get you tickets for the Independence bowl
By RockyT
October 6, 2006 01:24 PM | Link to this
Georgia’s first ranked team? Wow, what a surprise. NOT. Every year they play a soft non-conf schedule…so is anybody surprised? Then you shouldn’t be surprised when UT opens a large, ex-large can of whup-a$$ on these mutts!!! VOLS win by 27, at least. If Fulmer resorts to being Phil, he’ll call the “dogs” off by the 3rd quarter and clear the bench, and Ga will mount a slight comeback against our 3rd & 4th stringers. Slight comeback. Just another win at Sanford Stadium, aka Neyland South. “Good ole Rocky Top…Rocky Top Tennessee”!!!!!!
By dawgsrulegatorsdrool
October 6, 2006 01:26 PM | Link to this
We have no chance saturday. We might as well not even show up. New QB, no kicker, struggling to beat Ole Priss.
I hope this is not the beginning of the Donnan era II……………..
Smellyteers 31 Dawgs 7
At least Florida will lose to LSwho
I hope you are reading this Coach Richt and know:
1.) I am kidding 2.) I hope you slap some offensive lineman and receivers around Saturday and get them motivated. 3.) I hope Joe T gets in the huddle and dares anyone to miss a block, drop a ball or miss an assignment 4.)I hope Andy Bailey makes his first FG attempt to take the pressure off.
21-17 Dawgs
By EJB
October 6, 2006 01:43 PM | Link to this
I’m a Tech graduate and fan. I attended last week’s game in Blacksburg and had a great time – the VT fans were exceptional and many congratulated our party on Tech’s superior play. (How many Tech fans would do the same?).
I’m also a big supporter of C. Gailey. I think many of our fans mistakenly believe the Tech head coaching position is one of the most prized possessions in college football. It’s not – hasn’t been since the Bobby Dodd era. Let’s face we would have a hard time landing a Spurrier, Tressel, Carroll, Brown, Meyer, or even Mark Richt if the head coaching position suddenly become vacant. What has really impressed me re: Gailey is the team’s performance this year and the quality of the upcoming recruiting class. We are well positioned for the future. I believe consistency is a big part of the reason things are coming together for Tech. Why? 1) The players know the coaches that recruited them will be there during their 4 years – that helps recruiting. 2) The players develop in depth knowledge of the offensive or defensive systems rather than learning the new systems being installed at each coaching change. 3) The coaching staff develops in depth knowledge of the players’ abilities and limitations. 4) More time means closer relationships and more teamwork.
I believe that Gailey can one day duplicate the type of success Frank Beamer has had at Virginia Tech. But it’s important to note the patience the VT Athletic director(s) and fans had during his first 6 seasons. See below….
1987 (2-9) 1988 (3-8) 1989 (6-4-1) 1990 (6-5) 1991 (5-6) 1992 (2-8-1)
By doggonegadawg
October 6, 2006 02:21 PM | Link to this
Hey Rocky Top: What are you smoking? Your time has past and you just cannot accept that UT is no longer a dominant force in the SEC East. By the way when was the last time UT opened up a can of whoop a$$ on UGA? Can you count that far back? FYI it won’t be Saturday. We got a hobbnail boot waiting for you! Just another day at the stadium and another broken nose.
By Go Tech!
October 6, 2006 02:34 PM | Link to this
Great points EJB! I believe in Chan. I love the fact that he had the humility to turn the offense over to Patrick Nix, and replace several other coaches when things were not working out. For example making Giff Smith our new recruiting coordinator. That was a great move. Smith really knows what he is doing. The future looks brighter for Tech than it has in a long time, and I believe that it has to do with Gailey laying a strong foundation. Many things went wrong for Gailey in his first few years, but things appear to be turning in his favor. Go Tech!
By SICEM
October 6, 2006 05:19 PM | Link to this
Rocky T. Do you remember spouting off last year and then the A$$ whopping your team took? Watch what you say boy because you wont get to eat the crow this year we are going to shove it down your ignorant hillbilly throat!
By Jeb
October 6, 2006 06:29 PM | Link to this
Hey Gators, smoke em if you got em. Guess you get suspended in Florida for smoking dope only until you play a good team. Way to sit the example gators.
By Gen Neyland
October 6, 2006 08:22 PM | Link to this
…….UT 23……UGA 14……
By Rambo
October 7, 2006 08:13 AM | Link to this
Man, you need to learn how to write. Your blog STINKS!! Go Dogs