Where is AJCsportstalk?
AJCsportstalk has moved…to a new blogging platform.
Don’t freak out, though. You’ll still be able to voice your opinion on all the latest breaking news dealing with UGA, Georgia Tech, the Falcons, Braves, Hawks, Thrashers and the rest of the sports world right here.
We’ll see you there.
Home > ajcsportstalk > Archives > 2006 > September
September 2006
Post-game forum: Georgia beats Ole Miss
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia beat Ole Miss 14-9 Saturday night. The Bulldogs won again but once again they were not impressive.
Can this sputtering Georgia team beat Tennessee next week? Who should star at QB for the Bulldogs? How about in the backfield?
Permalink | Comments (284) | Categories: UGA
Chipper forum: Price vs. value
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Despite three stints on the disabled list this season for ankle and knee sprains, a recurring oblique (side) strain and foot problems, Chipper Jones still was hitting .324 with 26 home runs and 85 RBIs in 108 games before Saturday.
But the 34-year-old third baseman, who was a model of consistency for nearly 10 years, has played just two-thirds of the games in the past two seasons.
Jones is guaranteed $11 million in each of the next two seasons, a large chunk of a team payroll that isn’t expected to exceed $80 million.
Is he still a valuable part of the team or is it time to let Chipper go? Does his salary make him untradable or would a team, perhaps an AL team, take him on for his bat?
Can you imagine Chipper playing in another uniform?
Permalink | Comments (99) | Categories: Braves
Are Jackets in driver’s seat?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Tech’s 38-27 win at Virginia Tech Saturday gives the Yellow Jackets the momentary advantage in the ACC Coastal Division, but there are still some tough tests waiting for them, notably Clemson and Miami.
What did you think of the Jackets’ performance overall? Especially the way they started the game? Are you concerned about how quickly they let the Hokies back in, including two ill-fated interceptions by Reggie Ball?
The second half played out in similar fashion — a quick start by the Jackets and a late rally by the Hokies. Does Georgia Tech look like a team capable of reaching the ACC championship game?
Permalink | Comments (115) | Categories: Georgia Tech
Giles forum: Time for a trade?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
28-year-old Braves second baseman Marcus Giles could see his salary rise from this year’s $3.85 million to more than $5 million in his final year of arbitration. The salary, along with his marketability and reluctance to embrace the leadoff role, are all factors that put him at the top of the list of Braves most likely to be traded this winter.
Is it time to let Giles go? Do you feel the Braves have capable replacements for Giles?
Permalink | Comments (81) | Categories: Braves
Tim Hudson’s future
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Like Andruw Jones, the Braves may have to make a decision soon on whether to keep Tim Hudson, who has endured a tough 2006 season.
The pitcher acquired from the A’s before last season is, like Jones, 30ish, and when the 2008 season kicks around he will get a big boost in his salary.
Should the Braves try to move him now and try to get some young, affordable talent to help rebuild the franchise? Can they get anyone to bite, given his financial situation?
If you could advise the Braves front office, what would you say?
Permalink | Comments (90) | Categories: Braves
The Falcons’ sputtering passing game
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
After three weeks of the NFL season, Alge Crumpler is still Michael Vick’s favorite receiving target, and the QB remains near the bottom in the league in passing. This was one of the major objectives for the Falcons to address in the off-season, but thus far little has changed.
The Falcons respond that it’s still early and they’re building chemistry with newly acquired Ashley Lelie. Jim Mora says he’s pleased with Vick and sees no reason to worry. Vick is repeating his belief that it’s wins, not individual statistics, that matter.
Are you concerned about the passing game? Do they have all the right ingredients to get better? If not, what can they do to improve?
Permalink | | Categories: Falcons
What to do about Andruw?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Braves center fielder Andruw Jones is still one of the best outfielders in the game, but he’s about to turn 30. Is it time to deal him for a package of young players and prospects, if you can fill a couple of needs? If you were the GM, what would you do?
Permalink | Comments (304) | Categories: Braves
Can T.O.’s career be saved?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Given Terrell Owens’ alleged suicide attempt and his checkered past in the NFL, is there any chance his career can be salvaged?
Tell us what you think.
Post-game forum: Falcons fall
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons fell to the Saints 23-3 Monday night in the first game in the Louisiana Superdome since Hurricane Katrina.
What are your thoughts on the game? Are you supporting the Falcons or doing a little second-guessing?
Permalink | Comments (509) | Categories: Falcons
Dogs dig one out
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Who saw this coming — a 13-0 lead by Colorado going into the fourth quarter, and a struggling Matthew Stafford yanked?
Joe Cox threw two touchdown passes in the final period, including the clincher to Martrez Milner with 46 seconds left, as the No. 9 Bulldogs pulled out a 14-13 win over winless Colorado.
The Buffaloes dominated, but Georgia wins — just barely. Did the Dogs take Colorado lightly, or is this a pretty good 0-4 team that just came up unlucky Saturday?
What happens to the quarterback situation now? What else do you see that the UGA coaching staff needs to address before resuming SEC play next Saturday night at Ole Miss?
How rattled a team do you think Georgia is after a very, very close call?
Dog fans, name your defense
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With “Junkyard Dawgs” already taken, we’re looking for your suggestions on what to nickname Georgia’s defense, which has pitched back-to-back shutouts.
E-mail your best idea, along with your name, hometown and contact information, to AJC deputy sports editor Jeff D’Alessio at jdalessio@ajc.com. We’ll run the best names in Friday’s AJC.
You can also offer your ideas here — try to keep them clean, people.
Permalink | Comments (152) | Categories: UGA
Has officiating quality worsened?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Marist coach Alan Chadwick, in appealing his one-game suspension for confronting officials after a Sept. 8 loss to Tucker, complained about the quality of officiating. Other Georgia high school coaches agreed that the quality has indeed gone done, but the GHSA disagrees.
What do you think? Has the officiating at high school football games declined in recent years?
ESPN unfair to LaRoche?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
An ESPN Outside The Lines program credited medication for attention deficit disorder as the sole reason for Adam LaRoche’s statistical improvement this season.
LaRoche has hit .344 with 20 home runs and 52 RBIs in 69 games since June 24.
In edited interviews with LaRoche and other Braves players, no mention was made of LaRoche’s opportunity to play every day, instead of being benched vs. left-handed pitchers.
Was ESPN unfair to LaRoche? Do you admire the first baseman for being willing to discuss his ADD? LaRoche told the AJC’s David O’Brien: “The reason I wanted to do [the show] was really for kids who might not think they can play sports or be successful with ADD. “
Permalink | Comments (83) | Categories: Braves
Tech-Troy postgame forum
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Yellow Jackets had their hands full with Troy on Saturday, but dominated the fourth quarter and wore down the Trojans to win 35-20.
It was their last non-conference game before Thursday’s ACC opener against Virginia. Reggie Ball set a Tech single-game record with 130 rushing yards and the Jackets defense made big plays late.
What are your thoughts on the game? On how Ball played? Is Tech ready for the ACC? What excites you, and worries you the most, as conference games begin?
Permalink | Comments (26) | Categories: Georgia Tech
UGA-UAB postgame forum
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What did you think of Matthew Stafford’s first start for the Bulldogs Saturday? And of Georgia’s dominating performance overall?
Do you think this game tested UGA in any way? Do you think Colorado can provide some better competition next week? Or could Matthew Stafford use a little bit more non-conference seasoning before the Dogs get back into their SEC schedule?
Permalink | Comments (77) | Categories: UGA
Spurrier rips referees, Dogs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said officials told him Georgia got away with several penalties in the Bulldogs’ 18-0 victory last Saturday.
“I heard our fans booing a lot the other night and later in the week I learned that Georgia should’ve been called for about 12, 13 clips or holds during that game that wasn’t called,” Spurrier said on his weekly radio call-in show.
What do you think about his comments? Is it just sour grapes? Or does he have a good point? Did Georgia get away with penalties that should have been called? If so, would those have mattered in an 18-0 loss? Should Spurrier instead be worrying about the arrest and suspension of his starting QB after a bar fight?
Permalink | Comments (383) | Categories: UGA
New name for the Dome?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Selling corporate naming rights to the state-owned Georgia Dome has been a discussed by the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (the state agency that operates the facility) and the Falcons (who are looking for ways to increase revenue).
Do you want to see the Dome get a new name or do you like the current Georgia Dome name?
How would you feel about a corporation being part of the name, such as Philips Arena?
It appears any change to the Dome name would involve the inclusion of a corporation in the name, but just for fun, what would you name the Dome if you had the chance to pick anyhing? We’ll throw out some bold ideas: The ATL Dome? The Falcons’ Nest? What ideas do you have ?
Permalink | Comments (443) | Categories: Falcons
Stafford now the starter
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia starting quarterback Joe Tereshinski was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain Sunday and will miss 4-6 weeks. Coach Mark Richt says that makes freshman Matthew Stafford the starter.
If he plays well, Stafford, a true freshman, will start against Alabama-Birmingham Saturday, then Colorado and Ole Miss. He may even face powerful Tennessee.
How do you feel about this news? Is Stafford ready? Will he succeed or will he fail, making way for No. 3 QB Joe Cox?
Wiill Tereshinski ever start again for Georgia or will Stafford perform so well that he keeps the job the rest of the season?
Permalink | Comments (204) | Categories: UGA
Braves beat Cubs 7-3
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Braves beat the Cubs 7-3 Saturday night at Turner Field.
Andruw Jones, Adam LaRoche and Brian McCann homered for the Braves. Chuck James got the victory.
Permalink | | Categories: Braves
Georgia beats South Carolina 18-0
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia beat South Carolina 18-0 Saturday night.
Bulldogs freshman Matthew Stafford replaced Joe Tereshinski at QB for the Bulldogs early in the game after the senior injured an ankle. Stafford gave Georgia a spark but also threw three interceptions.
Post-game forum: Stafford steps in
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia brought freshman Matthew Stafford in at QB early in Saturday night’s game against South Carolina due to an injury to starter Joe Tereshinski.
Despite throwing three interceptions, Stafford played well in an 18-0 victory.
Were you surprised to see Stafford come in instead of Joe Cox? What did you think of Stafford’s performance?
Permalink | Comments (142) | Categories: UGA
The death of Erk Russell
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Former Georgia Southern and UGA coaching legend Erk Russell died Friday morning following a car accident near Statesboro, although a medical official there said the cause of death is more likely a stroke.
After serving as Vince Dooley’s chief defensive coach for many years, he left UGA and won several national championships at Division I-AA Georgia Southern.
What do you believe Russell’s legacy will be for college football in the state of Georgia? What is your fondest memory of his coaching career?
Your memories of ‘Nique
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dominique Wilkins is being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame tonight in Springfield, Mass.
Wilkins played 12 of his 15 NBA seasons with the Hawks and is the NBA’s ninth all-time scorer with 26,668 points. His 23,292 points with the Hawks are the franchise’s best.
But more than the statistics, Wilkins was a fan favorite for his spectacular moves and dunks. We’d like for our readers to share their favorite memories of the “Human Highlight Film.”
How low can you go?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A doubleheader sweep at Shea Stadium Wednesday has put the Braves in more dire trouble. Smoltz goes down in the 4-1 opener, thanks to Carlos Delgado, and Kyle Davies gives up a leadoff homerun in an 8-0 drubbing to continue his miserable return to the rotation.
Permalink | | Categories: Braves
If Blank builds it, will you come?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank says he wants a new state-of-the art stadium by the year 2016 to replace the Georgia Dome, which has been home to the team since 1992.
Do you think this is something Atlanta needs?
And, if so, where should such a stadium be located?
Not quite enough for Tech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Yellow Jackets started strongly Saturday night, but No. 2 Notre Dame pulled out a 14-10 victory at Bobby Dodd Stadium with a dominating performance in the second half.
Calvin Johnson made a terrific TD grab to give Tech a 7-0 lead, but the Jackets were inconsistent with the ball. On the other hand, the Irish reeled off plenty of long plays after halftime, with Buford’s Darius Walker doing much of the damage.
What do you think of Tech’s effort? Where did it go wrong? What did you think of the offensive play-calling? And the defense’s inability to stop Notre Dame in the second half?
Permalink | Comments (82) | Categories: Georgia Tech
No surprise at Sanford
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A much-anticipated season opener by the Bulldogs turned out the predictable result. 48-12.
What didn’t go right for UGA? An apparent punt return for a touchdown by Mikey Henderson in the first quarter. He lost the ball short of the goal line and it bounced out of the back of the end zone for a touchback. But on his next opportunity on special teams, Henderson made good on a 62-yard TD that sent UGA on its way.
Joe Tereshinski III and Joe Cox got the work in the first half, and true freshman Matthew Stafford played in the second half. Any thoughts Mark Richt had about redshirting him didn’t last long.
What did you think of UGA’s effort against a I-AA team? Of Stafford playing? Was this a true test, given the Dogs’ SEC opener next week at South Carolina?
If you attended the game, what were the parking and tailgating sitations like? Improved? The same? Or are you going to go out and plaster another ‘Fire Mike Adams’ bumper sticker to your car?
Permalink | Comments (95) | Categories: UGA
Shots for Shockley
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As the Falcons enter the regular season, the amount of playing time that third-string quarterback D.J. Shockley gets could be limited at best. But should a player with such wide-ranging athletic ability be relegated to strictly toting a clipboard?
If you were Falcons head coach Jim Mora, how would you exploit Shockley’s talents? Would you apply him as a backfield receiving threat or, perhaps, a kick returner? How can the team best utilize Shockley’s skills? Or should he just stick to playing quarterback and bide his time?
Permalink | Comments (80) | Categories: Falcons
.JPG)
-1.JPG)
Services »
