Georgia Defeats Georgia Southern

I hope you didn't expect Georgia to hang 50+ on Georgia Southern this afternoon in Sanford Stadium. I wanted us to win big because of the national picture, but realistically I knew we wouldn't just blow the Eagles out. Historically, we just haven't been that kind of team. It's not a Marl Richt trait, we've been that way since through the Vince Dooley years. It seems we tend to "play down" to our competition's level, and I mean no disrespect to Georgia Southern here. But we did have such a talent, as well as depth, advantage today that the score really should have been around 56-10, rather than the actual 45-21. We just did not look like an over-powering, preseason number 1 football team. I know, it was the first game, but I just walked out of my den and Alabama isn't playing like it's a first game (first half vs Clemson). Georgia must be the kind of team that gets better each week it plays. If they can be that kind of team, they can show themselves worthy of their lofty ranking. If not, those "Ford Tough" Georgia Saturday's might turn out to be "Root Canal Tough".

Durant Brooks: New Redskins Punter

It's now official, The Washington Redskins have cut Derrick Frost and named Durant Brooks as their punter for 2008 (and probably a lot of years after that!). The 'Skins made Brooks their 6th round selection in this year's draft, but he certainly was not promised the job just because of that (just ask his Mom! O.K. LuAnne, you can relax a little now.). Durant went out and earned the job in a very close competition. He showed a tremendous amount of poise for a rookie, being able to stay consistently good, even if not spectacular. I think you will see him settle into this role as a starting NFL punter, and just get better as the season progresses. He was so adept at Georgia Tech at being able to turn the field position game around for his team with his booming kicks. I think Washington will soon enjoy that same benefit from the leg of Brooks. It isn't always that you have a young punter who is the total package that Durant Brooks is. He has the strong leg capable of booming those 60 yarders, he has fantastic hang time that results in great coverage, and he has the touch to drop those pouch kicks inside the red zone. Congratulations, Durant! You've worked hard and you deserve to be an NFL punter. Here's to a great rookie season!

UGA VII

Today before the Georgia - Georgia Southern game, UGA VII will be officially crowned and join that famous group of English Bulldogs who have represented the University of Georgia so well! UGA VII weighs in at a rambunctious 56.5 pounds, and is said to be "a spitting image of his father". Sounds like another 'Damn Good Dawg' to me!

Georgia Saturdays, Built Ford Tough!

Georgia coach Mark Richt appears in a Ford truck commercial on Georgia network stations. A couple of his players who have seen it say it was "pretty cool". Phil Mickelson and Toby Keith have nothing on Coach Richt. His Ford commercial stacks up pretty well against theirs. The spot does a good job of bringing the identity of the University into it, and at the end Richt says "Georgia Saturdays, built Ford tough". Maybe Ford should make a limited edition UGA VII model. The slogan could be: "A Damn Good Dawg deserves a Damn Good Truck!".

ESPN: Make a Few Cuts...Please!

We all know that ESPN is the "Worldwide Leader in Sports". Wall to wall sports coverage. Innovative, progressive, powerful, encompassing. There wear all the superlatives well. Except for one thing. They have too many ex-jocks trying to be commentators. Heck, many of them can't even speak the English language correctly. I understand taking advantage of their expertise in their given field, but they fail miserably when they attempt to be broadcast journalists. Why so many trying to say the same thing? I noticed yesterday on an NFL segment, there was one "ESPN guy" with three retired players. When they do that, I get the impression they are all trying to outdo the other. And to say they over-analyze is a tremendous understatement. Did you ever wonder what the payroll is at ESPN? It has to be astronomical, but it could be cut back easily. One of my first 'cuts' would be 'Ole Loose Bolts (Lou Holtz). Why on earth does the network keep him around? Temperamental Bobby Knight would be gone, along with the biggest mouth in all of the world of commentary, none other than Mr. Stephen A. Smith. I realize he's not a jock, but boot him out with the rest. Speaking of Smiths, Cowboy #22 Emmitt would have to go also. He's much better at dancing and running than he is at enunciating. What's up with Marshall Faulk behind a microphone? Give me a break! I could go on and on with this list, and I know you have a list of your own. (And I bet it includes Joe Morgan!). Post your comments and let us see some of the names you "love to hate". And ESPN, cut us some slack...PLEASE!

Alabama -vs- Clemson

Two Top 20 teams square off in a 'Neutral Site' contest that could end up looming large for both programs this season. Clemson is expected to win the light-weight ACC, as well as be a factor in the national picture. It will be a huge test for Nick Saban's Tide as they roll into Atlanta seeking to escape with a win for the SEC. I believe Alabama will wear their underdog role well and play the Tigers extremely tough. Nothing would suit Bama better than to start the regular season by defeating a group of Tigers, and to end it the same way by dumping the Tigers of Auburn. Clemson's Tommy Bowden realizes he has to start changing the perception of his program from under-achieving to playing up to the level of talent and capability that his teams have. The game, which is being played in the Georgia Dome, is the first of what officials hope will become an annual Kickoff Classic between the SEC and ACC. This year's battle will also showcase two of the top recruits in the country in Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones and Clemson defensive end DaQuan Bowers. Two programs with storied histories, two big name head coaches, and two teams with much to gain. Those are the ingredients for a high-powered showdown that could blow the roof off of the Dome in the A-T-L!

Georgia -vs- Arizona State

Georgia versus Arizona State in Tempe on September 20th has been listed as one of top ten non-conference games in the country. The Bulldogs, preseason ranked number one, have the Sun Devils sandwiched between conference foes South Carolina (away) and Alabama (home). Georgia has not traveled outside the South for a non-conference regular season game since the sixties. This Arizona State team, coming on the heels of a tough Carolina bunch, will test the Dawgs early. Hold on 'Dawg Nation', this UGA schedule is tougher than a cheap sirloin!

Beijing National Stadium

I posted this because I thought it was a terrific shot. The "Bird's Nest" is certainly an awesome sight with that reflection off the water. Now time will tell the legacy of the Beijing Olympics.

Knowshon Moreno: SI Pre-Season All America Team

Knowshon Moreno has been selected as a pre-season All-American by Sports Illustrated. No surprise here regarding that news. His name and picture sure have been popping up a lot lately!

"UGA" - Number 1 Mascot!

O.K., get the picture: Georgia's Mark Richt ranked in the Top 5 coaches in the country. Dawgs defense ranked number 3 in the country. Bulldawgs offense ranked number 5 in the country. Georgia is ranked number 1 preseason by several polls. Now to top it all off, "UGA" is ranked as the TOP mascot in the country. Numero Uno! UGA VII will have big shoes to fill, but he'll have the entire "Bulldog Nation" behind him. No doubt here that he will be another one of those great English Bulldogs we'll all call: Damn Good Dawg!

Rookie Matt Ryan Named Falcons Starter

The Atlanta Falcons have named rookie quarterback Matt Ryan as their starting QB for the season opening game against the Detroit Lions. Ryan was signed to a six year $72 million contract after being the third selection in this year's NFL draft out of Boston College. I guess the Falcons want Ryan to start earning that salary immediately. Houston's David Carr was the last rookie to start his team's opener back in 2002.

Georgia Bulldogs: Top Rated "D" and "O"

Our last post was about Coach Mark Richt being ranked in the Top 5 college coaches. Now we follow that up with Georgia's Top 3 defense and its Top 5 offense. Names such as Gino Atkins, Jeff Owens, Rennie Curran, Dannell Ellerbe, Reshad Jones and Asher Allen are reasons to expect that the Dawgs defense will be a dominating force in Georgia's season. There is experience , depth, and talent on that side of the ball for the Bulldogs. Of course the offense features two legitimate Heisman Trophy candidates in quarterback Matthew Stafford and tailback Knowshon Moreno. The receivers feature returning starter Mohamed Massaquoi and highly touted true freshman A.J. Green, along with a host of talent and depth as well. The offensive line has incurred a devastating loss in left tackle Trinton Sturdivant, but the unit as a whole is in much better shape to overcome such a setback than in recent years. Coaching, offense, and defense are three solid reasons expectations are running so high for the Georgia Bulldogs this season. They are at the top of several preseason polls. However, we all know it's one thing to be placed high in the rankings and quite another to stay there, and there's one more Top 5 list we haven't mentioned here: Georgia's schedule is perhaps the toughest or second toughest in the country. Just thinking about having to play four consecutive ROAD games against LSU, Florida, Kentucky and Auburn is mind boggling. But there's one good thing regarding this entire scenario: Just one more week and all the conjecture can subside. Kickoff is literally just around the corner!