Thursday, December 31, 2015

Kirby: Don't Change the Uniform

Sports Illustrated once voted Georgia's uniform as the best in college football. Bright Red helmets and jerseys with "silver britches". The lure, especially from Nike, for teams to  wear trendy uniforms has led to many different uniform combinations and schemes. It goes without saying that the Oregon Ducks have been the trend setters in this department. It seems as though their Saturday attire has no limitations as to variations. In the last fifteen years, Georgia has altered their traditional Saturday best four times. The Dawgs wore a different Nike creation for a season opener in the Georgia Dome several years ago, and showed up in Jacksonville with atrocious black helmets and pants one game day in October as well. The black jerseys have made it "Between the Hedges" on two different occasions, once for Auburn and once against Alabama. Even when Kirby Smart wore number 16 as a Dawg, Jim Donnan added black striping to the helmets, but thankfully Mark Richt brought back the single white stripe to the bright and distinctive red headgear. Vince Dooley even put Herschel Walker in red pants on occasion. But, Georgia's traditional home and road uniforms are the standard. When anyone sees those uniforms on the TV, they know it's Georgia. They are classic and sharp looking. The temptation is out there to change-up the uniform look, but why mess up a good thing? After all, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Tae Crowder: Don't Burn That Shirt Georgia

Georgia is extremely thin at the tailback position as they prepare for the TaxSlayer Bowl against Penn State. UGA has only two tailbacks on their roster who have logged carries this season, Sony Michel and Keith Marshall. Missing are Brendon Douglas, Quayvon Hicks, and of course, Nick Chubb, all sidelined with injuries. That leaves third team Tae Crowder and fourth string A.J. Turman. The only concern with this rotation is that Crowder is a true freshman who has not seen the field all season, and Turman is a mystery man who the Bulldog staff has had very little to say about all year. If Crowder does play Saturday, he will forfeit a full year of eligibility for his appearance in this single game. The interim coaching staff remains noncommittal on the issue, only indicating that the actual game situation will dictate their response. It seems unreasonable to me that Crowder would enter the game before Turman, regardless of the depth chart. Georgia should protect Tae Crowder's redshirt under all costs. He shouldn't play Saturday. Period.

Georgia Football: "Between the... Coaches"?

The Georgia football team is in Jacksonville for final preparations for Saturday's TaxSlayer Bowl. Former head coach Mark Richt is in Miami. Future head coach Kirby Smart is in Texas with Alabama's Cotton Bowl team. Interim head coach Brian McClendon is actually in Jacksonville with the Dawgs, but he'll soon be in Columbia, South Carolina. We fondly refer to the Dawgs as playing "Between the Hedges", but for a while now they have been, and will be, playing "Between the Coaches".

Monday, December 28, 2015

Cotton Bowl: Going Out of Conference This Time

In most cases when an SEC team plays out of conference, I tend to go with the conference when selecting my preferred winner. But I always make that decision weighed upon the impact the winner might have on Georgia's season. With that being said, I am hoping for an upset Michigan State win in this year's Cotton Bowl over favored Alabama. Yea I know. a Spartan win eliminates any chance of the SEC winning the National Championship. I get all of that. My reason for not wanting the Crimson Tide to win is totally selfish: I want Kirby Smart back in Athens as soon as possible working for Georgia, not Alabama. A Tide loss puts Smart with UGA, where he belongs by the way, at least 11 days sooner than does a Tide victory. As far as I'm concerned, the 2016 campaign has already begun and the Head Coach needs to be on campus steering the ship. It's just that simple...

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Thomas Brown: What Was the Deal All Along?

It is being reported that Georgia running backs coach Thomas Brown will be joining Mark Richt's staff at Miami after the Dawgs January 2nd bowl game. Earlier, it was speculated that Brown would remain at Georgia with new head coach Kirby Smart, although Smart never confirmed this himself. However, Coach Brown did accompany Smart on several recruiting trips just after Smart was announced as Georgia's new coach. So, what's the deal: Did Smart ask Brown to stay on at UGA and now Brown has had a change of heart, or was he never offered the option of remaining with the Bulldogs to begin with? This coaching wheel just keeps spinning...

Monday, December 21, 2015

Georgia's Quarterbacks: 2015 Edition

It's fair to say that the play of Georgia's quarterbacks this season has been less than exemplary. After losing Jacob Park to transfer, the Dawgs had three signal-callers coming out of summer camp, but none of the trio could nail down the starting job. Incoming UVA graduate Greyson Lambert eventually emerged as the starter, with Faton Bauta making an ill-fated start against Florida. Brice Ramsey earned more time as a punter than he did as a quarterback. In the last several games of the season, the Bulldogs spent a considerable amount of snaps out of the "Wild-Dawg" formation with play-makers handling the direct snap from center. Was the inept play at the position due to OC/Quarterback Coach Brian Schottenheimer's inability to develop any of these guys? Did Georgia miss Mike Bobo terribly in that role? Did Mark Richt not get involved enough in the hands-on quarterback coaching? Did poor offensive line play contribute to the situation? Did the loss of Nick Chubb hurt the quarterback play that much? Were the three just overwhelmed by the level of competition in the SEC and unable to respond and perform? Perhaps some of all the above? I think it was at least some of everything above. Regardless of the reasons, the lack of production was evident. What do you think?

Malcolm Mitchell: He Deserves Success!

Malcolm Mitchell is one of the "Good Guys". He is a recipient of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Award Team, a published author, a college graduate, and an accomplished college football wide receiver. He was UGA's 2014 Comeback Player of the Year after sustaining an ACL injury during a touchdown celebration at Clemson in the first quarter of the first game of 2013. Bulldawg fans will always remember his 45 yard catch-and-run against Florida in 2012. He knows how to handle adversity. He knows how to handle success. He knows about giving back. On January 2nd he will play his final game for Georgia. No matter what happens in that TaxSlayer Bowl against Penn State, Mitchell will go out a winner. A winner in every aspect of the word. Here's hoping there is a successful Pro career awaiting him, as well as many more children's books published. He deserves all things good, because he really is one of the "Good Guys". Thanks Malcolm!

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Bryan McClendon: A Dawg's Dawg

Bryan McClendon has always been a Dawg. His Dad played for Georgia, as did he. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Georgia, and has paid his dues and worked himself up all the way to the title of interim head coach. He now is the man in charge of getting the Bulldogs ready for their January 2nd bowl game. The big thing about this is that McClendon might not be sure of his future. Incoming coach Kirby Smart has not named him as a member of his new staff at this point. It is believed that Smart would prefer to bring Alabama's wide receiver's coach Billy Napier with him to Athens. It is also no stretch to assume that McClendon has a spot on Mark Richt's Miami staff if he wants it. Regardless of where he ends up for the 2016 football season, McClendon is in Athens doing what needs to be done for the 2015 UGA squad. He could be job hunting, or even at a new location by now, but he chose to "Finish the Drill" with this team. That in itself says a lot about the character of the man. Wherever Bryan McClendon is coaching next year, he will be a credit to the kids and the program. Thanks Coach for always being a Damn Good Dawg!

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

How's Everything Going Over There In Tuscaloosa...?

Get the picture: Kirby Smart was at Alabama but now is at Georgia, but is back in Tuscaloosa coaching the Crimson Tide. Jeremy Pruitt was at Georgia but is now a member of the Tides coaching staff, but not currently coaching. Just to thicken the plot, Smart and Pruitt are sharing an office together in the Alabama football operations complex. Glenn Schumann, who Kirby Smart brought to Athens with him, is also now back at Alabama for bowl practices. Now for the really awkward part: Georgia and Alabama are hoping to sign several of the same kids for their respective 2016 classes. Even though we are in the "Dead Period" as far as recruiting contacts are concerned, we all know the business of recruiting never stops. For instance, Georgia just tendered an offer to an Alabama quarterback recruit (2017), who incidentally hails from Georgia. Georgia also approached a defensive back who is a Tide commit. And don't forget that Coach Smart perhaps might be trying to steal yet another one of Nick Saban's staff members to bring back to UGA with him. Don't you think all of this leads to a lot of whispering around the Alabama offices? Don't you think the situation is just a tad bit uncomfortable for all concerned? Don't you find all of this just a little strange? For two schools just a state line apart, residing in the same super competitive conference, vying not only for the same recruits, but also for the same coaches no less, you dang straight it's more than a little weird. I know we will all be glad when this strangeness ends and everyone gets settled in their new homes. But for now I really do wonder how things are going in Tuscaloosa...

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Monday, December 14, 2015

TaxSlayer Bowl: Who Will Step Up and Help Coach the Dawgs?

Georgia plays Penn State in the TaxSlayer Bowl in Jacksonville on January 2nd. As of now they will do so without their head coach, as well as both their offensive and defensive coordinators. Mark Richt is in Miami, Jeremy Pruitt is in Alabama, and who knows where Brian Schottenheimer is. Several of  UGA's position coaches might not coach in the bowl game due to the fact that they will not be on  Kirby Smart's staff next season. This could be determined by language in their contracts. The only coach who is a certainty to be with the Dawgs in Jacksonville is interim head coach Bryan McClendon. His coaching staff at this point appears to be composed mostly of graduate assistants.  Nevertheless, bowl practices begin on Wednesday. With or without a full coaching staff.

Robert Nkemdiche: He's No Match For Gravity

Ole Miss star Robert Nkemdiche fell 15 feet from an Atlanta hotel balcony but told police "I don't know how I ended up on the ground". Well Robert, when you fall 15 feet and you're not over water, the ground is usually where you end up. Nkemdiche can dominate offensive lineman, but it appears he is no match for good old gravity!

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Jake Ganus: Bulldog For a Year, Bulldog For Life!

One year ago Jake Ganus was a football player without a football team. His school of three years, UAB, had elected to discontinue their football program. One year later he is the MVP of the 2015 Georgia football program. A player without a team to a player with a team forever. The Dawgs just wish they had you longer. A Damn Good Dawg!

Friday, December 11, 2015

Just Like Watching the Grass Grow...


" Hey there Ole Timer, whatcha doin, watching the grass grow?" Naw Young Buck, just rockin' and waitin' for Kirby to name his coordinators!" Nuff said.

Kirby Smart: What's Wrong With This Picture?

Georgia Gets Kirby Smart from Alabama, but not full-time immediately. Alabama gets Jeremy Pruitt from Georgia, on a full-time immediate basis. Jeremy Pruitt is on the job at Alabama working on recruiting and looking at tape of his new defense. Kirby Smart will also be on the job at Alabama Monday coaching Pruitt's new defense for their National Championship run. Smart will not be looking at tape of his new Georgia players. He will be looking at tape of the Crimson Tide's next opponent. Something just isn't right with this picture. Nick Saban and Alabama are in a win, win situation.  Georgia is in at least a lose, lose situation with no head coach on campus and no coordinators in place. Again, something just isn't right with this. And you know it too. 

Jeremy Pruitt to Alabama? Then it Will Be Give and Take...

If it is indeed true that Georgia's Jeremy Pruitt will be the next defensive coordinator at Alabama, then it will be give and take on the recruiting front for the two schools. Georgia will probably lose some recruits that have developed a relationship with Pruitt to Alabama. Conversely, Alabama will also lose recruits who have developed that same type of relationship with Kirby Smart to Georgia. Only time will tell which program comes out on top of this swap shop. One name who will most definitely be lost to the Bulldogs is Mecole Hardman, the number one ranked athlete in the country. Hardman and Pruitt have a bond that will probably turn him to the Tide. Another development that could have a big impact on recruiting is the hiring of Georgia's offensive and defensive coordinators. Those two appointments would certainly clarify a lot for the recruits Georgia currently has committed. Smart has said he wants to take his time in naming his coordinators, but the timing of those hires is now crucial.

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Should Mark Richt Attend UGA's Senior Gala?

Part of me says that Mark Richt should not attend Georgia's annual Senior Gala this weekend. He's moved on, we've moved on, let's all go forward. The other part of me says that he should attend. After all, he's been with these seniors 4 and 5 years. He recruited them, coached them, and mentored them. They asked him to be there. So, why shouldn't he? Are there too many conflicts of interest now that he's at Miami for him to come back at this time?  I'm really leaning to the side that says he shouldn't attend. Nothing against Coach Richt. We all know what a great guy he is. It just seems somewhat awkward. But really, is it even such a big deal if he's there or not?

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

What if Jacob Eason Doesn't Choose Georgia?

High school football players de-commit often. Georgia just had that to happen this week. Kids flip their commitments from one school to another. That happened for, as well as against, UGA last February. Jacob Eason is the Washington state quarterback who has been verbally committed to the Dawgs for more than a year. He has also sent in his non-binding financial aid papers. Eason has helped to recruit other players for his 2016 class. He hung with Georgia even after Offensive Coordinator Mike Bobo left for Colorado State. His plans were to early enroll at Georgia in January. He has been counting on being a Bulldog as much as the Bulldogs have been counting on him. But his college world got turned upside down on him when Georgia fired Head Coach Mark Richt. He took an official visit to Florida last week, and now says his choice is between the Gators and the Bulldogs. Once a solid lock, Georgia now finds itself in a battle with an arch rival. Meaning no disrespect to the Bulldogs' two quarterbacks on campus now, but the Dawgs do not have a quarterback to lead them in 2016. That was proven this year. Even though none of us know just how good Jacob Eason will actually be on the college level, he is an extremely talented quarterback who gives UGA another option and new hope. He is also the only quarterback we have committed for the 2016 class. By now I'm sure you see how important it is for newly appointed Coach Kirby Smart to win his first big recruiting war at Georgia. The position is that big; the numbers are that alarming; the stakes are that high, and who knows what Plan B actually would be?

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Those ACC Officials Strike Again

North Carolina never got the late chance to see if they could overtake Clemson in the ACC Championship Game. The ACC officiating crew made sure of that by making a "phantom" offsides call on an onside kick with 1:08 to play and trailing by eight points.

2015 has not been a banner year for ACC officials, who blew a whole slew of calls on a single play in Miami's win over Duke. There have been plenty of others — like this one and these ones.

In the ACC, I guess some things just aren't meant to be. A lot of times it seems...

Dabo Swinney: No "Punters Love" on This Night!

Andy Teasdall, Clemson Tiger punter, decided on his own to run a fake punt. His futile attempt came up woefully short, and his coach, Dabo Swinney, took over from there. Swinney chewed, and he chewed, and he chewed some more on Teasdall's rear end. All in front of the millions watching at home. It seemed to go on forever; so long that I thought "enough is enough" Dabo. I wonder if the punter will ever get back in the good graces of his coach? Good luck with that one, Andy.

South Carolina: You Got What You Didn't Want,,,

Ray Tanner, South Carolina's athletic director, probably just got what he didn't want: Will Muschamp as his new head football coach. After all, Tanner missed out on his first choice, Kirby Smart. His second choice, Tom Herman, chose to remain at Houston after Tanner basically got him a big raise there. Rich Rodriguez, Tanner's next in line, said no thanks. With time basically running out, he has been on this task for more than 50 days, Tanner turned to the guy who had lobbied the hardest for the job all along, Will Muschamp. Best of luck to ya Ray.


Friday, December 4, 2015

Support For Will Muschamp

Steve Spurrier supports Will Muschamp to be his replacement as head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Steve Spurrier, the former Florida head coach and now-resigned South Carolina head coach, supports the idea of fellow former Gators head coach Will Muschamp taking over the Gamecocks, according to multiple sources.
Spurrier has recommended Muschamp to South Carolina athletic director Ray Tanner and has assisted Muschamp's efforts to contact coaches affiliated with the Gamecock program, as well as key boosters, according to one source.

Guess what Head Ball Coach, we do too! Ha!

South Carolina Coaching Search Expands: Are You Kidding?

Steve Spurrier retired as the "South Carolina Head Ball Coach" in mid October. Now in early December when you would think the Gamecocks' brain trust should be getting ready to announce Spurrier's replacement, they announce that the search has expanded. Looks like the 'Cocks had the first SEC coaching vacancy and might just have the last. Study long, study wrong. Just sayin...

Mark Richt Speaks About Recruiting UGA's Commits

Mark Richt answered when asked if he would go after the commits he helped to recruit at Georgia. His answer was that he would not turn a kid away if a young man contacted him. Then he added that he would not "steal the board and all that", meaning he wasn't going to overtly contact and try to take Georgia's prospects. What's wrong with those comments? I don't see anything wrong with them.

Faton Bauta: Who Could Blame You...?

Georgia quarterback Faton Bauta is foregoing his final year of eligibility and transferring to another school for that final experience on the gridiron. Bauta already has his degree from the University, so he will not have to sit out the mandatory year before playing. He's been a team player as a Dawg, doing anything that has been asked of him. When he was thrown into the starting role against Florida this year, he wasn't even given a 'package ' to execute that would have fit his skill-set. We all heard that Bauta is a "Tebow type" quarterback whose game is much more fitted to a running attack as opposed to a passing one. UGA's game plan against the Gators did nothing to help Bauta succeed. But I certainly hope he succeeds in this last year of eligibility. It would be great to see him land somewhere that he could get some serious playing time. He deserves that. He's been a "Damn Good Dawg"!

GEORGIA: Stuck in the "Limbo Period"

I hate when things get bogged down. I want to see things completed and moving on to the next step. I don't like indecision and having to wait for change to take place. It's especially frustrating when outside issues have an impact on my alternatives. I'm like the kid at Christmas who can't wait for the 'big day" to finally get here. And that is exactly where I am with Georgia Football at this point, and I imagine many of you are as well. I want South Carolina to go ahead and make their head coaching hire. I want Mark Richt to begin assembling his staff at Miami. Coaching decisions at these two schools could have an impact on our new staff. After Saturday night, I want Kirby Smart to at least acknowledge the University of Georgia. It is common knowledge that he is riding out the remainder of the bowl/playoff season with Alabama, but I want to hear about how he is handling that as well as his new job with the Bulldogs. Whether Nick Saban likes it or not, Smart will have responsibilities in Athens once he is officially announced as head coach. He will have to begin juggling those two jobs. We all want to know which coaches he keeps on staff at Georgia, as well as where the ones go he chooses not to retain. Who will be the next defensive and offensive coordinators at Georgia? What will be our new offensive philosophy? Can the new staff hold the 4th rated 2016 recruiting class together, especially securing the commitment of quarterback Jacob Eason? So many questions, so few answers.Stuck in limbo...

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Greg McGarity: Irony of all Ironies...


Who would have thought that after Sunday morning Mark Richt and Jacob Eason would ever share a coach /player relationship again? I wonder if Georgia AD Greg McGarity ever thought that? Not me for sure. However, now that Richt is all but assured of being the next Hurricane head coach, it is being reported that Eason will take a look at the green and orange as well. After all, he's in the state of Florida now anyway. He might as well drive a few extra miles for the coach who just a couple of weeks ago flew more than a couple of thousand miles to pay him a surprise visit. Not to mention that they always say recruiting is all about relationships. The plot thickens...

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

UGA: Definitely Man's Best Friend!

A Mike Luckovich classic! No need to say more...

Miami Hurricanes New Head Man: Mark Richt!

An awful lot of Georgia Bulldogs just adopted the University of Miami as a "Step-Team". Mark Richt has probably just performed the absolute fastest collegiate head coach rehiring in the NCAA's history. Fired by UGA on Sunday, and the head man of the Miami Hurricanes by Wednesday. How 'bout them 'Canes! They just brought in a former player to help return their program to prominence. Not to mention the fact the Hurricanes play Georgia Tech every year! The Dawg Nation will eat that up! Who says you can't go home again...?

Can Kirby Smart Get Mecole Hardman to Georgia?

Mecole Hardman is a 5-Star athlete from Elbert County, Georgia. He is a hotly recruited prospect on just about every college's radar. He has developed a close relationship with Georgia's defensive coordinator (at least for now) Jeremy Pruitt. In fact, Pruitt was with Hardman when Coach Mark Richt was fired. Now for the dilemma in Athens: If Kirby Smart does not keep Pruitt on his Georgia staff, can the new regime still get Hardman "Between the Hedges"? I sure hope so...

Washington County High School's Joel Ingram Blasts Fans

Washington County (Ga.) High School head football coach Joel Ingram dished his community's fans on a local radio station interview recently. He labeled the lack of attendance at his Golden Hawks' first round playoff game "atrocious". The game was played on the Golden Hawks' home field, which proved to be no advantage as the host team was downed by Spencer of Columbus 47-27. For a little background here, Ingram has led his troops to consecutive State Finals the past two seasons, only to walk away with runner-up hardware. During those past two seasons, and many seasons prior to those, the Golden Hawks have been privileged to great crowds both at home and on the road. To the credit of the fans, Washington County has enjoyed a great fan base during those winning years. It's no strange fact that in sports, and especially football here in the South, everyone loves a winner. It's much harder to drum up the same enthusiastic fan base during a losing season. Sure, the family and friends of players and the hard core football fans will still turn out, but the general populace often times will not be in attendance. That just the way it is. And it's that way in high school, college and the pros. For Coach Ingram to further state that the only fans he cares about are the ones who did show up during the tough losses, especially this last one, is a big risk at alienating the somewhat fragile fan base. It also seems unwise for someone whose salary is paid by taxpayers to "bite the hand that feeds you". Just my take...

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Georgia Football: Best Case Scenario...

Everyone has an opinion over the past couple of days regarding what should or would or could happen with Georgia's head coaching position. I might as well fathom a guess myself. Here goes:  Since Kirby Smart is the name being brought to the forefront the most, I'll agree that the Alabama defensive coordinator will be the Dawgs successor to Mark Richt. As his defensive coordinator I'll go contrary to many and say Jeremy Pruitt stays at Georgia. In order for this to happen, AD Greg McGarity has to stay out of Smart's way and allow him the control he needs to formulate his staff. I've heard that McGarity has been informed to do just that. On the offensive side of the ball, Smart will bring in Western Kentucky's Tyson Helton. He'll bring in an offensive scheme that will keep Jason Eason honoring his UGA commitment. With Smart, Pruitt, and Helton the Bulldogs recruiting class stays intact and probably even gets stronger. I have no idea how the wheels are spinning in the athletic offices at Georgia, nor do many other people for that matter. We're all just guessing and wondering. I just gave you my rendition. What's yours? The good thing is we will know the truth after the SEC Championship this weekend.

Jacob Eason: The Stakes Just Got Higher for UGA

Jacob Eason, the Lake Stevens, Washington quarterback who has been verbally committed to Georgia for a long time, is heading to Florida today for an official visit. He has always maintained he loves the passion of SEC football. He also, as you would expect, has been contacted by numerous other schools in the wake of Georgia's firing of Mark Richt. His recruitment is obvioulsy wide open at this point.Probably no one knows where Eason's UGA commitment stands at this point, perhaps not even Eason himself. But there is one thing still crystal clear: Georgia needs him desperately. The Bulldogs do not have a quarterback on campus that can carry them through next year, and Eason is their sole target in the 2016 class. This head coach  decision at Georgia needs to be swift. There is a 4th ranked recruiting class at stake. It has to be saved. My question for you is this: If Jacob Eason goes to another SEC school because of Richt's firing, is the destruction of the 2016 recruiting class worth the price of a new head coach?