The Georgia Bulldogs had a chance. The team certainly had a chance to beat the Florida Gators after falling 17 times of the last 20 meetings between the two SEC East rivals. After trailing 21-7 at halftime, Georgia got hot in the second half as Aaron Murray found receivers and the running game got going. But then the Dawgs turned into the Dawgs that usually show up to Jacksonville, and Florida was able to escape OT with a 34-31 victory. So what happened in the 2010 installment of the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Part...wait, we can't say that anymore. What happened?
First off, the game appeared to be bigger than Aaron Murray, at least early on. Murray, who has played far better than his redshirt freshman status would suggest, just seemed too jacked to be playing against his "hometown" squad of the Florida Gators. Murray's cause wasn't helped by throwing a pick on his very first pass, the first play from scrimmage for the entire game. Murray was overthrowing passes, throwing behind receivers and missing wide open options, sometimes too high, sometimes too hard. He was simply too jacked up. He seemed to calm down after halftime, but by then the damage was done. He had already thrown two INTS (he would throw another on a 2pt conversion which doesn't technically count and then he'd throw one in OT which effectively ended the game.) and had fumbled a ball while being spun around on a sack. Was he trying to make something out of nothing? Likely. He made plays with his legs all day, but he MUST learn when to wrap up the ball and eat turf to play again.
What would have happened if just one of those INTs hadn't happened? What would have happened if he hadn't fumbled the ball away? What if...
Speaking of "what if..." the biggest what if might be the Sanders Commings' failure to simply fall on a loose ball. Early in the scoreless contest, Trey Burton fumbled and the ball was just lying on the turf when Commings tried to scoop it deep in Georgia territory. He failed to do so and the Gators recovered. Several plays later it was 7-0 Florida. What if Commings had simply fallen on the ball? Blair Walsh would have made that field goal in his sleep and suddenly it is 3-0 Georgia (at worst) and Georgia fans are remembering 2007 and the early INT that led to the Gator Stomp. But instead....
No, for anyone wanting to throw this defeat at the feet of Mark Richt or even Mike Bobo is sorely mistaken. This one is strictly on the players for not executing. The plan was fine. Even the first throw in OT was fine. You were going for the endzone. Too bad Murray didn't put it in the right place. On third down, too bad Murray chose to force it into triple coverage. He could have dumped it low. He could have run it to the middle of the field. The moment was maybe too big for Murray, still a redshirt freshman. Perhaps next season, Murray will learn from his mistakes. He certainly seemed to play with a swagger when bringing this team back. When Georgia fell behind 21-7, many years it would have been done. Not this season. The Dawgs came back; Georgia just couldn't finish the drill. Next season, if Georgia doesn't commit all of the turnovers and possibly takes advantage of a turnover or two, then Georgia might just start its own 18-3 streak. Too bad it didn't start this season though. The opportunity was certainly there.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
TheFletch for ThisWeek
Georgia Public Broadcasting’s Sports Central XL was able to score quite a coup last week when Dacula coach Kevin Maloof appeared on the Wednesday night webcast about 24 hours after he revealed to his team that he would be stepping down at the end of the season. Maloof doted on his players, as one would expect a coach to do, but Maloof also turned serious and discussed how coaches are, in his opinion some of the most important folks in any high school and are thus compensated as such. He also floated that perhaps coaches and teachers in general are underpaid for what they do for the young adults they are influencing, coaching and teaching. Lastly Maloof revealed that he would in fact be taking a “solid” year away from any sort of coaching to be with his family and to also not force Dacula’s new coach to look over his shoulder at the shadow that Maloof no doubt cast as Gwinnett County’s longest-tenured coach. While he sprinkled in the typical coachspeak in regards to “we will take the games one at a time” when asked about how the team, currently in a position to make the playoffs, might feel the extra pressure with the coach stepping away after the year, he did offer some honesty. That is rare these days to hear a coach actually talk about something without giving a stock and boring answer. Here is hoping that Coach Maloof, after his year off, decides to get back into the coaching game and here is hoping that he continues to be honest when answering questions. A refreshing change is always nice every now and then.
Most sports fans watch television for an unbiased report on the game but the true fans will listen to the radio often-times to hear the “hometown calls” of a homer play-by-play man. While most fans find their own “homer” play-by-play make endearing, for whatever reason Dan Kamal of 680 The Fan’s Thrashers coverage just doesn’t resonate. For some reason, listening to Steve Holman is nice as he has an “us against the world” mentality that I can get behind; Kamal is just different for some reason. Perhaps it is his apparent (to me) lack of a go-to call. Perhaps it is his use of pop culture references in his calls which puts the shelf-life of the call at about 19 days. Or perhaps it is that his goal calls are just too Kenny Mayne sans the comedy that Mayne used to supply when he called highlights on SportsCenter. I want to get behind the Thrashers, but I cannot listen to them on the radio because the play-by-play man simply doesn’t do it for me.
I am not certain if Bill Simmons of ESPN.com was watching the same postseason baseball coverage that I was, but I thought that TBS’s coverage was WAY better than Fox. In a recent column on ESPN.com Simmons took Ernie Johnson to the woodshed, saying at one point, “I don't blame him for being overmatched as a play-by-play guy this postseason; I blame TBS for being the latest television network to think that, just because somebody is excellent on television, this automatically means they will be a good play-by-play guy. Actually, the opposite is true: No matter how talented and/or prepared they are, you can't pick up the rhythm of announcing football, basketball, baseball, hockey or soccer overnight.” I must say that I disagree with Simmons, by far my favorite writer at ESPN.com. Ernie Johnson was superb throughout the season, calling Braves games with former Braves pitcher John Smoltz and his was a voice that I could get behind. Like Simmons, I like EJ when he plays ringmaster on TNT’s NBA coverage, but I thought he really got to shine this season calling a few Braves games. Maybe Simmons just didn’t think EJ could range out to calling games for a network instead of a team. Whatever the reason, I will have to disagree with The Sports Guy. In fact, I wish TBS had the World Series instead of Joe Buck, Tim McCarver and Fox. Last time I checked, Tim, I UNDERSTAND THE GAME OF BASEBALL. THAT’S WHY I AM WATCHING. Honestly, the ONLY people staying up until 2 AM are the REAL baseball fans, not the casual channel-flipper. You don’t need to explain how a double-switch works in the seventh inning of a game played in San Francisco because that puts the time of the game around 11:50 PM which means I am one of seven people left watching. WE KNOW WHAT A DOUBLE-SWITCH IS.
Hey, did anyone catch new Tennessee coach Derek Dooley comparing his team to the Germans from World War II? Huh? Wait, what? He likened his team to the Germans and how they handled the D-Day invasion on Omaha Beach, in that neither unit had leadership or knew what to do when a difficult surprise occurred. I am no coach and I majored in journalism not PR, but I am pretty sure you NEVER compare your team to the Germans from World War II. Poor Derek Dooley. First the guy nearly blows the UAB game because he cannot count. Then he DOES blow the LSU upset because he cannot count. Now he compares his team to history’s greatest monsters after getting blown out against Georgia and Alabama. Maybe he should just stop talking for a little while. I guess when you put on the Tennessee orange and white you just start acting like a crazy person (See: Kiffin, Lane)?
Finally Georgia Public Broadcasting’s Friday Night Game of the Week last week was Grady edging out St. Pius. For the first time all season, the GPB game of the week featured instant replay as well as a sideline reporter. Both features were well received and will likely be incorporated into future broadcasts, especially with the playoffs gearing up in two weeks.
Can you believe he said that?
But as for (Urban) Meyer, I really would like to see a copy of his discipline guidelines. Is buying a stolen laptop worse than a player texting a death threat to a former girlfriend?
That was the AJC’s Jeff Schultz pondering why Cam Newton is an Auburn Tiger and Chris “Time To Die” Rainey might just be playing this weekend against Georgia. Schultz is absolutely correct in assuming that Rainey will play because he is the closest thing to Percy Harvin that Meyer has on the roster. He needs SOMEONE to help out Brantley as the Gators look to snap a three-game losing streak. I guess Meyer just texted Rainey: Time to Play
Most sports fans watch television for an unbiased report on the game but the true fans will listen to the radio often-times to hear the “hometown calls” of a homer play-by-play man. While most fans find their own “homer” play-by-play make endearing, for whatever reason Dan Kamal of 680 The Fan’s Thrashers coverage just doesn’t resonate. For some reason, listening to Steve Holman is nice as he has an “us against the world” mentality that I can get behind; Kamal is just different for some reason. Perhaps it is his apparent (to me) lack of a go-to call. Perhaps it is his use of pop culture references in his calls which puts the shelf-life of the call at about 19 days. Or perhaps it is that his goal calls are just too Kenny Mayne sans the comedy that Mayne used to supply when he called highlights on SportsCenter. I want to get behind the Thrashers, but I cannot listen to them on the radio because the play-by-play man simply doesn’t do it for me.
I am not certain if Bill Simmons of ESPN.com was watching the same postseason baseball coverage that I was, but I thought that TBS’s coverage was WAY better than Fox. In a recent column on ESPN.com Simmons took Ernie Johnson to the woodshed, saying at one point, “I don't blame him for being overmatched as a play-by-play guy this postseason; I blame TBS for being the latest television network to think that, just because somebody is excellent on television, this automatically means they will be a good play-by-play guy. Actually, the opposite is true: No matter how talented and/or prepared they are, you can't pick up the rhythm of announcing football, basketball, baseball, hockey or soccer overnight.” I must say that I disagree with Simmons, by far my favorite writer at ESPN.com. Ernie Johnson was superb throughout the season, calling Braves games with former Braves pitcher John Smoltz and his was a voice that I could get behind. Like Simmons, I like EJ when he plays ringmaster on TNT’s NBA coverage, but I thought he really got to shine this season calling a few Braves games. Maybe Simmons just didn’t think EJ could range out to calling games for a network instead of a team. Whatever the reason, I will have to disagree with The Sports Guy. In fact, I wish TBS had the World Series instead of Joe Buck, Tim McCarver and Fox. Last time I checked, Tim, I UNDERSTAND THE GAME OF BASEBALL. THAT’S WHY I AM WATCHING. Honestly, the ONLY people staying up until 2 AM are the REAL baseball fans, not the casual channel-flipper. You don’t need to explain how a double-switch works in the seventh inning of a game played in San Francisco because that puts the time of the game around 11:50 PM which means I am one of seven people left watching. WE KNOW WHAT A DOUBLE-SWITCH IS.
Hey, did anyone catch new Tennessee coach Derek Dooley comparing his team to the Germans from World War II? Huh? Wait, what? He likened his team to the Germans and how they handled the D-Day invasion on Omaha Beach, in that neither unit had leadership or knew what to do when a difficult surprise occurred. I am no coach and I majored in journalism not PR, but I am pretty sure you NEVER compare your team to the Germans from World War II. Poor Derek Dooley. First the guy nearly blows the UAB game because he cannot count. Then he DOES blow the LSU upset because he cannot count. Now he compares his team to history’s greatest monsters after getting blown out against Georgia and Alabama. Maybe he should just stop talking for a little while. I guess when you put on the Tennessee orange and white you just start acting like a crazy person (See: Kiffin, Lane)?
Finally Georgia Public Broadcasting’s Friday Night Game of the Week last week was Grady edging out St. Pius. For the first time all season, the GPB game of the week featured instant replay as well as a sideline reporter. Both features were well received and will likely be incorporated into future broadcasts, especially with the playoffs gearing up in two weeks.
Can you believe he said that?
But as for (Urban) Meyer, I really would like to see a copy of his discipline guidelines. Is buying a stolen laptop worse than a player texting a death threat to a former girlfriend?
That was the AJC’s Jeff Schultz pondering why Cam Newton is an Auburn Tiger and Chris “Time To Die” Rainey might just be playing this weekend against Georgia. Schultz is absolutely correct in assuming that Rainey will play because he is the closest thing to Percy Harvin that Meyer has on the roster. He needs SOMEONE to help out Brantley as the Gators look to snap a three-game losing streak. I guess Meyer just texted Rainey: Time to Play
Eleven reasons Georgia beats Florida tomorrow
You can also find this blog on http://chuckoliver.net as I now cover the Bulldog beat for The Kang of College Football
Let’s forget for a minute about the “history” here that Florida has won 17 of the last 20 games as well as that, despite that incredible run for the Gators, Georgia still owns the all-time series lead. Let’s just not take that into account when the two teams tussle in the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party….outside of Mardi Gras.” (wait, can I still call it that?) What happened 11 years ago doesn’t have any hold on what happens this Saturday. Just remember that. The only people that should be bragging about 17 in 20 are drunk Gator fans yelling at 70-year-old Georgia fans who are tailgating with an inflatable gator pool toy tied up to their RV.
This year will be different for the Georgia Bulldogs. This year will be the year that the Dawgs perhaps start their own streak of 17 of the next 20. This will be the year that Urban Meyer blubbers after the game about how much he loves his team despite another loss. This year…well a guy can dream, right?
In all seriousness, there are eleven reasons why Georgia will win the Cocktail Party this season. And here they are…
No.1 The best player on the field will be wearing red and black. Since returning from a four-game suspension, AJ Green has shown EVERYONE why he might just be the first non-quarterback taken in the upcoming NFL draft. In his first game back in Colorado, Green only made a catch that I believe is STILL being shown on SportsCenter, and Georgia owned that game while he was playing; only when he left did Georgia lose. Since his season-debut in Athens against Tennessee, he has been playing like a man possessed. He is determined to prove that he is THE weapon in college football and the Athens-faithful should get a good look over the last few games as he will be catching passes in Buffalo or San Francisco next season.
No.2 Georgia is pretty good at forcing turnovers. Not sure if you realized it but THIS SEASON, Georgia is GETTING THE BALL BACK. After years of not being able to squeeze potential INTs and not forcing and finding the fumbles, Georgia is creating turnovers and then capitalizing on them. Last week against Kentucky, Georgia forced a fumble on Kentucky’s opening drive and then took advantage for an early score. And in case you forgot, Florida has a bit of an issue with just snapping the ball…
No.3 Justin Houston suits up for Georgia. I remember in 2007 when Marcus Howard was sacking Tebow every time he dropped back. Houston has been thriving the last two seasons and this year he has stepped it up even more, piling up 8.5 sacks and moving to within 5.5 of the single-season record. Houston is always in the backfield and could be a first round pick this April in the NFL draft.
No.4 Brandon Boykin reminded everyone that he can still take it to the house. The Georgia return game, when unleashed, is just lethal. Boykin returned a kick 100 yards against Kentucky after doing it twice last season. And Branden Smith is returning from a pair of concussions to bolster a punt return unit that had AJ Green back there over the last few weeks.
No.5 Blair Walsh is a MAN kicking that ball. Last week it finally happened: Blair Walsh missed an extra point. First of his career. Yep. He stinks right? Nope. He had set the school record and I still trust the junior kicker to make any kick this side of 65 yards and if it is longer, I still give him better than 50% odds.
No.6 Drew Butler helps out the defense. The best punter in the college game last season has been a weapon once again, constantly hanging balls high to allow the coverage team to descend upon the return units. That will be important this week as Florida’s Meyer puts pride in his return units. If Butler can flip the field position game and keep the Gator offense always starting inside its own 20, then the Dawgs should get out with a win.
No.7 The offensive line is starting to play like Phil Steele thought it would. Before the season, many publications predicted Georgia to have one of the top offensive lines in the country. Until the last few weeks, the line has looked awful at run blocking and passable at pass protection. Against Vandy, the line started opening up holes and last week in Lexington, Ealey had holes open up for five TDs. Enough said. These guys are starting to play with the return of Trinton Sturdivant to his 2007-form.
No.8 Other receivers have stepped up. A blessing in disguise (if you can call going 1-3 without him a blessing) with Green out may have been the return of Kris Durham and the emergence of Tavarres King. Durham showed he is more than just a third down specialist and with King out there, the Dawgs may have found the No.1 next season when Green is gone. He has nice size, some speed and could emerge as an All-SEC performer.
No.9 Karma. It sounds weird, but Florida might have angered the football and moral gods by letting Chris Rainey back on the field. Urban Meyer is getting raked over the coals for his decision to let “Time To Die” back on the field. Is Meyer starting to crack a bit? The guy has two national titles but is showing signs of desperation. A desperate man is dangerous but sometimes a little shove will send him over the edge.
No.10 The new-look defense. Clearly whatever Willie Martinez was throwing at Florida the last two seasons wasn’t working. By mixing it up to a 3-4 with multiple looks, Georgia has become the top run defense in the SEC. Florida, who struggles with the run will have to put it up and then you have Sanders Commings and Jordan Love and Vance Cuff, who have been playing better, bolstered by Smith and Boykin out there. The sheer numbers with game experience that Georgia can throw out there means something will have to give for Florida’s offense.
No.11 Exactly. He is the biggest reason that Georgia wins Saturday. Aaron Murray was the biggest question mark entering the season, and with all due respect to Green, Murray has been the biggest exclamation point for the Dawgs this season. Georgia’s QB position is locked in and locked down for years to come. Florida has a few QBs it will rotate in and out due to necessity, but Georgia can go with the steady leadership and mistake-free play of Murray, who might just go 1-0 against the man that wanted him to come to Florida. Murray, with his legs, his arm and his cool, will take the Dawgs to a place that the squad hasn’t been to in quite some time: the victors’ lockerroom after the game on Saturday.
Prediction: Georgia 26, Florida 20
Let’s forget for a minute about the “history” here that Florida has won 17 of the last 20 games as well as that, despite that incredible run for the Gators, Georgia still owns the all-time series lead. Let’s just not take that into account when the two teams tussle in the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party….outside of Mardi Gras.” (wait, can I still call it that?) What happened 11 years ago doesn’t have any hold on what happens this Saturday. Just remember that. The only people that should be bragging about 17 in 20 are drunk Gator fans yelling at 70-year-old Georgia fans who are tailgating with an inflatable gator pool toy tied up to their RV.
This year will be different for the Georgia Bulldogs. This year will be the year that the Dawgs perhaps start their own streak of 17 of the next 20. This will be the year that Urban Meyer blubbers after the game about how much he loves his team despite another loss. This year…well a guy can dream, right?
In all seriousness, there are eleven reasons why Georgia will win the Cocktail Party this season. And here they are…
No.1 The best player on the field will be wearing red and black. Since returning from a four-game suspension, AJ Green has shown EVERYONE why he might just be the first non-quarterback taken in the upcoming NFL draft. In his first game back in Colorado, Green only made a catch that I believe is STILL being shown on SportsCenter, and Georgia owned that game while he was playing; only when he left did Georgia lose. Since his season-debut in Athens against Tennessee, he has been playing like a man possessed. He is determined to prove that he is THE weapon in college football and the Athens-faithful should get a good look over the last few games as he will be catching passes in Buffalo or San Francisco next season.
No.2 Georgia is pretty good at forcing turnovers. Not sure if you realized it but THIS SEASON, Georgia is GETTING THE BALL BACK. After years of not being able to squeeze potential INTs and not forcing and finding the fumbles, Georgia is creating turnovers and then capitalizing on them. Last week against Kentucky, Georgia forced a fumble on Kentucky’s opening drive and then took advantage for an early score. And in case you forgot, Florida has a bit of an issue with just snapping the ball…
No.3 Justin Houston suits up for Georgia. I remember in 2007 when Marcus Howard was sacking Tebow every time he dropped back. Houston has been thriving the last two seasons and this year he has stepped it up even more, piling up 8.5 sacks and moving to within 5.5 of the single-season record. Houston is always in the backfield and could be a first round pick this April in the NFL draft.
No.4 Brandon Boykin reminded everyone that he can still take it to the house. The Georgia return game, when unleashed, is just lethal. Boykin returned a kick 100 yards against Kentucky after doing it twice last season. And Branden Smith is returning from a pair of concussions to bolster a punt return unit that had AJ Green back there over the last few weeks.
No.5 Blair Walsh is a MAN kicking that ball. Last week it finally happened: Blair Walsh missed an extra point. First of his career. Yep. He stinks right? Nope. He had set the school record and I still trust the junior kicker to make any kick this side of 65 yards and if it is longer, I still give him better than 50% odds.
No.6 Drew Butler helps out the defense. The best punter in the college game last season has been a weapon once again, constantly hanging balls high to allow the coverage team to descend upon the return units. That will be important this week as Florida’s Meyer puts pride in his return units. If Butler can flip the field position game and keep the Gator offense always starting inside its own 20, then the Dawgs should get out with a win.
No.7 The offensive line is starting to play like Phil Steele thought it would. Before the season, many publications predicted Georgia to have one of the top offensive lines in the country. Until the last few weeks, the line has looked awful at run blocking and passable at pass protection. Against Vandy, the line started opening up holes and last week in Lexington, Ealey had holes open up for five TDs. Enough said. These guys are starting to play with the return of Trinton Sturdivant to his 2007-form.
No.8 Other receivers have stepped up. A blessing in disguise (if you can call going 1-3 without him a blessing) with Green out may have been the return of Kris Durham and the emergence of Tavarres King. Durham showed he is more than just a third down specialist and with King out there, the Dawgs may have found the No.1 next season when Green is gone. He has nice size, some speed and could emerge as an All-SEC performer.
No.9 Karma. It sounds weird, but Florida might have angered the football and moral gods by letting Chris Rainey back on the field. Urban Meyer is getting raked over the coals for his decision to let “Time To Die” back on the field. Is Meyer starting to crack a bit? The guy has two national titles but is showing signs of desperation. A desperate man is dangerous but sometimes a little shove will send him over the edge.
No.10 The new-look defense. Clearly whatever Willie Martinez was throwing at Florida the last two seasons wasn’t working. By mixing it up to a 3-4 with multiple looks, Georgia has become the top run defense in the SEC. Florida, who struggles with the run will have to put it up and then you have Sanders Commings and Jordan Love and Vance Cuff, who have been playing better, bolstered by Smith and Boykin out there. The sheer numbers with game experience that Georgia can throw out there means something will have to give for Florida’s offense.
No.11 Exactly. He is the biggest reason that Georgia wins Saturday. Aaron Murray was the biggest question mark entering the season, and with all due respect to Green, Murray has been the biggest exclamation point for the Dawgs this season. Georgia’s QB position is locked in and locked down for years to come. Florida has a few QBs it will rotate in and out due to necessity, but Georgia can go with the steady leadership and mistake-free play of Murray, who might just go 1-0 against the man that wanted him to come to Florida. Murray, with his legs, his arm and his cool, will take the Dawgs to a place that the squad hasn’t been to in quite some time: the victors’ lockerroom after the game on Saturday.
Prediction: Georgia 26, Florida 20
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Marcus Caffey could be a Dawg, if Richt wants him...
Grady standout running back Marcus Caffey joined Score Atlanta’s The Official Visit last Monday to discuss his recruitment and dispel a few rumors as to where he might be headed next season.
Marcus Caffey is used to being overshadowed. Caffey is considered by Scout and Rivals to be the sixth best tailback in the state and he isn’t even the highest-profile recruit on his own team. That distinction belongs to Damian Swann, the do-it-all athlete that has offers from Alabama and Georgia among many others. Caffey though has plenty going for him and last week in a big region game against St. Pius, Caffey churned up the Golden Lions for over 130 yards and he scored the game’s lone TD in a Grady victory.
Caffey started out the interview clearing the air that the South Carolina Gamecocks were NOT in fact his leader as many had believed. “They’re not really my leader,” Caffey revealed, instead placing Illinois and Purdue as the leaders in his top five, which he rounded out with Arkansas, South Carolina and Kentucky. He also mentioned Wake Forest as being another school he is considering. The Gamecocks do have “good coaching,” going for them according to Caffey, but the emergence of freshman tailback Marcus Lattimore “is a huge thing.” Caffey gave Lattimore props, saying, “he’s a good running back,” but admitted that his presence as well as the likelihood that the roster has plenty of other options that haven’t found the field because of Lattimore as a reason the Gamecocks have slipped. “I’ve talked about the situation with my parents. Wherever I go, I feel like I can play.”
The surprising new leader Illinois has a style of offense that intrigues Caffey. “I like the coaches and I can get on the field a little quicker than (at) an SEC school. The Illini lead two SEC programs though that may be quickly gaining. Kentucky was his second offer and Caffey likes what Joker Phillips and the Wildcats offer. “I had a teammate that went there and he had a good experience.” Arkansas has also shown interest as Caffey has spoken with several Hogs coaches and feels they can win an SEC title.
The recruiting elephant in the room though has to be the Georgia Bulldogs. The Dawgs clearly have their recruiting sights set on Isaiah Crowell of Carver-Columbus, but Caffey was quite candidly in favor of potentially going to Georgia, even saying he’d be willing to play defensive back if need be. Asked if he was interested in Mark Richt’s squad, Caffey responded, “most definitely. Them being the closest school and that’s a huge offer. I grew up in Georgia and my parents could go to the games.”
While Caffey seems willing to jump at a Bulldog offer based on location, that isn’t necessarily a factor with his recruitment. “Location doesn’t matter. I’ve gone everywhere with track.” Coaching will be a factor with Caffey he says and he will be looking strongly at the campus and how his potential fellow students. His first year on campus wherever he goes will depend on the coaches he agrees to play for. “(My first year) depends on where I go, and what they (the coaches) want me to play. At running back maybe I’ll redshirt to get stronger. If I play defensive back, I could be on the first making plays.”
Caffey promises to Work hard wherever he does decide to go. “I’m going to keep my team motivated.” Perhaps next season Caffey will be out of the shadows and finally into the spotlight that he has shown on the field he deserves.
Marcus Caffey is used to being overshadowed. Caffey is considered by Scout and Rivals to be the sixth best tailback in the state and he isn’t even the highest-profile recruit on his own team. That distinction belongs to Damian Swann, the do-it-all athlete that has offers from Alabama and Georgia among many others. Caffey though has plenty going for him and last week in a big region game against St. Pius, Caffey churned up the Golden Lions for over 130 yards and he scored the game’s lone TD in a Grady victory.
Caffey started out the interview clearing the air that the South Carolina Gamecocks were NOT in fact his leader as many had believed. “They’re not really my leader,” Caffey revealed, instead placing Illinois and Purdue as the leaders in his top five, which he rounded out with Arkansas, South Carolina and Kentucky. He also mentioned Wake Forest as being another school he is considering. The Gamecocks do have “good coaching,” going for them according to Caffey, but the emergence of freshman tailback Marcus Lattimore “is a huge thing.” Caffey gave Lattimore props, saying, “he’s a good running back,” but admitted that his presence as well as the likelihood that the roster has plenty of other options that haven’t found the field because of Lattimore as a reason the Gamecocks have slipped. “I’ve talked about the situation with my parents. Wherever I go, I feel like I can play.”
The surprising new leader Illinois has a style of offense that intrigues Caffey. “I like the coaches and I can get on the field a little quicker than (at) an SEC school. The Illini lead two SEC programs though that may be quickly gaining. Kentucky was his second offer and Caffey likes what Joker Phillips and the Wildcats offer. “I had a teammate that went there and he had a good experience.” Arkansas has also shown interest as Caffey has spoken with several Hogs coaches and feels they can win an SEC title.
The recruiting elephant in the room though has to be the Georgia Bulldogs. The Dawgs clearly have their recruiting sights set on Isaiah Crowell of Carver-Columbus, but Caffey was quite candidly in favor of potentially going to Georgia, even saying he’d be willing to play defensive back if need be. Asked if he was interested in Mark Richt’s squad, Caffey responded, “most definitely. Them being the closest school and that’s a huge offer. I grew up in Georgia and my parents could go to the games.”
While Caffey seems willing to jump at a Bulldog offer based on location, that isn’t necessarily a factor with his recruitment. “Location doesn’t matter. I’ve gone everywhere with track.” Coaching will be a factor with Caffey he says and he will be looking strongly at the campus and how his potential fellow students. His first year on campus wherever he goes will depend on the coaches he agrees to play for. “(My first year) depends on where I go, and what they (the coaches) want me to play. At running back maybe I’ll redshirt to get stronger. If I play defensive back, I could be on the first making plays.”
Caffey promises to Work hard wherever he does decide to go. “I’m going to keep my team motivated.” Perhaps next season Caffey will be out of the shadows and finally into the spotlight that he has shown on the field he deserves.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Grady edges the Golden Lions at St. Pius
The St. Pius X Golden Lions drove down the field after holding Grady to an early three-and-out and and managed to put a field goal on the board. For a while, it looked like that might be enough. Coach Paul Standard’s Golden Lions came away with several turnovers and looked to be in control until Marcus Caffey took a handoff and churned 70 yards for a touchdown, running out of his right shoe in the process.
A blocked field goal allowed Grady to take a 7-3 lead to halftime and Coach Ronnie Millan knew that Pius would make some adjustments. Once again early in the half, Pius took advantage of several Grady penalties to drive down for a field goal to cut the Grady lead to 7-6.
Then the defenses took over. Grady would force a fumble then St. Pius would come away with an interception. Then Grady would force a three-and-out. The two defenses combined to force turnovers on three consecutive drives and Pius would blow a golden opportunity at the end of the third quarter, fumbling inside the redzone.
When Grady needed a big play on defense, the Knights came away with an interception that allowed the offense to then convert several first downs to run out the clock. Following the win, Coach Millan was doused in water by his happy players before confirming that his team will wash this game away and focus on next week’s opponent, despite being in the driver’s seat for a region title. Coach Standard meanwhile admitted that his team will have to regroup in a tough region but could take care of business and still find themselves in the playoffs.
Both of these teams will be a force come playoff time if the defenses play this way for the rest of the season. As the two coaches departed, Standard wished Millan good luck. Millan in turn reminded Standard that if the Golden Lions continue to play the brand of defense it did tonight, they will meet again in the playoffs.
A blocked field goal allowed Grady to take a 7-3 lead to halftime and Coach Ronnie Millan knew that Pius would make some adjustments. Once again early in the half, Pius took advantage of several Grady penalties to drive down for a field goal to cut the Grady lead to 7-6.
Then the defenses took over. Grady would force a fumble then St. Pius would come away with an interception. Then Grady would force a three-and-out. The two defenses combined to force turnovers on three consecutive drives and Pius would blow a golden opportunity at the end of the third quarter, fumbling inside the redzone.
When Grady needed a big play on defense, the Knights came away with an interception that allowed the offense to then convert several first downs to run out the clock. Following the win, Coach Millan was doused in water by his happy players before confirming that his team will wash this game away and focus on next week’s opponent, despite being in the driver’s seat for a region title. Coach Standard meanwhile admitted that his team will have to regroup in a tough region but could take care of business and still find themselves in the playoffs.
Both of these teams will be a force come playoff time if the defenses play this way for the rest of the season. As the two coaches departed, Standard wished Millan good luck. Millan in turn reminded Standard that if the Golden Lions continue to play the brand of defense it did tonight, they will meet again in the playoffs.
The Hottest team in CFB (over the past two weeks) hits the road
OK, so maybe the Dawgs AREN'T the hottest team in the country over the last two weeks, but it is something I can hold on to. LET ME HAVE THAT!
Anyway, Georgia is on the road up in the Bluegrass state and while Randall Cobb is tweeting to the UK fans how much they suck, he and the Wildcats are still dangerous. I am NOT looking forward to watching the game tomorrow because I still fear the Dawgs could revert back to their ways from week 2 thru week 5 of the season. That said, Georgia has also shown that perhaps they are closer to 6-1 than they are to a legit 3-4, but the Dawgs COULDN'T find a way to win those games so let's move on.
Georgia is on the road, typically a place that Mark Richt thrives, and hopefully he is beating into the heads of his players that going 2-2 against Kentucky over the last four years is TURBULL. If Georgia is truly elite, it CANNOT lose to Kentucky. Georgia MUST take care of business.
Aaron Murray can get his legacy really cooking at Georgia by winning the next two weeks, and after watching Murray in person last week, I'll say this: I've seen every QB CMR has coached live and in person and Murray is the best one. Sorry Shock. Sorry Greenie. Sorry Stafford (you were the best NFL QB, Richt has ever coached but as far as college QB....). I would apologize to Joe Cox, but I am convinced he killed Uga VII. Murray might just let CMR say, "Screw the oline's run blocking problems. Let's just have them pass block out of a shotgun!" (though CMR would never say "Screw") And PS, I fully believe what I said on Score Atlanta's The Official Visit last Monday night: Aaron Murray will be the reason Isaiah Crowell commits to Georgia. Who WOULDN'T want to play with Murray?
Prediction: Kentucky has a letdown after the emotional win over SoCar last week and Georgia builds a big lead. Kentucky scores a few TDs after halftime, but since Murray is 10X the QB Garcia is, Georgia holds on to cover the spread and win by 8.
Anyway, Georgia is on the road up in the Bluegrass state and while Randall Cobb is tweeting to the UK fans how much they suck, he and the Wildcats are still dangerous. I am NOT looking forward to watching the game tomorrow because I still fear the Dawgs could revert back to their ways from week 2 thru week 5 of the season. That said, Georgia has also shown that perhaps they are closer to 6-1 than they are to a legit 3-4, but the Dawgs COULDN'T find a way to win those games so let's move on.
Georgia is on the road, typically a place that Mark Richt thrives, and hopefully he is beating into the heads of his players that going 2-2 against Kentucky over the last four years is TURBULL. If Georgia is truly elite, it CANNOT lose to Kentucky. Georgia MUST take care of business.
Aaron Murray can get his legacy really cooking at Georgia by winning the next two weeks, and after watching Murray in person last week, I'll say this: I've seen every QB CMR has coached live and in person and Murray is the best one. Sorry Shock. Sorry Greenie. Sorry Stafford (you were the best NFL QB, Richt has ever coached but as far as college QB....). I would apologize to Joe Cox, but I am convinced he killed Uga VII. Murray might just let CMR say, "Screw the oline's run blocking problems. Let's just have them pass block out of a shotgun!" (though CMR would never say "Screw") And PS, I fully believe what I said on Score Atlanta's The Official Visit last Monday night: Aaron Murray will be the reason Isaiah Crowell commits to Georgia. Who WOULDN'T want to play with Murray?
Prediction: Kentucky has a letdown after the emotional win over SoCar last week and Georgia builds a big lead. Kentucky scores a few TDs after halftime, but since Murray is 10X the QB Garcia is, Georgia holds on to cover the spread and win by 8.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
TheFletch for ThisWeek
Perhaps the “BEST TEAM IN THE NFC” talk was a bit premature but it was sure fun while it lasted, wasn’t it? The Atlanta Falcons were kings of the NFC for a week after dispatching Cleveland up in Ohio, and folks from the local radio stations to the newspaper to some national media members were dubbing the Falcons the best of the NFC. Bill Simmons of ESPN.com predicted the Falcons to knock off the Eagles “Because the Falcons are headed for a 1-seed and 1-seeds win games like this. And because the Eagles are the Good Bad Team: They whup other bad teams and lose to good ones.”
Foxsports.com’s Adam Schein also called the Falcons the best in the NFC before the squad went to Philadelphia and lost to the Eagles. ESPN’s Adam Schefter had the Falcons near the top of his NFL Power Poll, behind just two AFC squads Pittsburgh and Indy. SI’s Don Banks also had the Falcons at No.3 in his poll for SI.com and John Kincade from 680 The Fan placed the Dirty Birds in his recent Top Five at Five, just days before the Philly loss. 790 The Zone’s Steak Shapiro was even in Philly covering the game for the Atlanta radio station, hoping the Falcons could shake off a recent losing streak to the Eagles.
Now though, it seems everybody is jumping OFF of the Falcons bandwagon, starting with the AJC’s Mark Bradley, who I am surprised hasn’t sprained an ankle with all of his jumping off and on bangwagons recently. After giving the Falcons an “F” on its performance against Philly, Bradley wrote earlier this week that he is “(slightly) disappointed in these 4-2 Falcons.” He points out that the team is good at gaining yards but not points as it settles for too many field goals. He notes that Michael Turner is no better than he was last year in an injury-plagued season. Oh, and he throws Matty Ice under the bus, saying that Ryan, “as an every-down quarterback isn’t significantly better than he was as a rookie.”
On the flip side, Bradley recently commented that Georgia is suddenly looking hot in what is turning out to be a very bad SEC East, or Least as he called it. Several weeks back after the Colorado game, Bradley was throwing dirt on the Dawgs season, predicting just a pair of wins over Vandy and Idaho State, but now apparently Bradley is back to singing the praises of Richt as being calm and cool and possibly “the most stable guy in his division.” Wow. I just hope you don’t hurt yourself as you jump from Falcons to Dawgs.
Speaking of the Georgia Bulldogs, the basketball program is starting to garner a little attention across SEC country. The SEC media declared Bulldog forward Trey Thompkins as the preseason player of the year and Thompkins was joined on the first team All-SEC by teammate Travis Leslie. Georgia in fact was the only team to have two members on the SEC preseason first unit. Thompkins received 18 of a possible 20 votes for the player of the year honor. As a unit the Bulldogs, who were winless on the road last season and have finished last in the SEC East the last three seasons, were picked to finish third in the SEC preseason media poll behind predicted champion Florida and a reloaded Kentucky. The Dawgs did receive two first place votes from twenty voters and one voter picked Georgia to win the entire SEC. (No I did not get a vote in the poll; otherwise, Georgia would have received three for the East and two for the overall title.) Mark Fox is really starting to build something in Athens and the media is starting to realize it. Hopefully the local paper and radio stations will give the college basketball teams the same attention that the football teams get. Paul Hewitt and Mark Fox could sure use the attention.
Score Atlanta’s The Official Visit was lucky enough to have former Tucker Tiger and Georgia Bulldog running back Thomas Brown join in for an interview on last week’s broadcast on Sports Radio 790 The Zone. Brown discussed his recruitment six years ago and how he took just one official visit and that was to Athens as he had pledged his word to Mark Richt and Georgia before his senior season, when recruits are permitted to take official visits. Brown did admit that he went on multiple unofficial visits, including one to Florida State as he grew up a Seminole fan.
Another issue Brown really touched on though was the fact that college players should receive some sort of compensation. Brown acknowledged that many underprivileged players received the Pell Grant, but he noted that what a school brings in on just ticket sales could easily take care of just one recruiting class’s worth of players in regards to a monthly stipend. Brown made sure to note that he never had contact with an agent but did say that while some of the media calls agents “a problem,” Brown said that some players look at agents as a sort of solution. He came across many players that he felt were forced to leave Georgia early to pursue an NFL career due to financial struggles at home.
Lastly, Brown said that he hasn’t ruled out coaching or even a venture into the broadcasting booth. Brown was also recently featured on GPB’s Sports Central, which you can watch online anytime at gpb.org/sports and click on the Sports Central link.
In what may be a first ever, the Atlanta Thrashers were featured on the front page of ESPN.com earlier this week. The Worldwide Leader has been following the Ondrej Pavelec story after the goaltender collapsed on the ice a few weeks back. The story was well constructed by Scott Burnside with quotes from the Thrashers head coach Craig Ramsay and Pavelec himself.
And finally, can someone send Mike Bell a memo that the whole Coach Beelzebub was only funny the first time and slightly amusing the second time? It might be time to send “Coach” back to the underworld.
Can you believe he said that?
“Interesting how winning a couple of games can change the mindset. Just two weeks ago, fans were barking loud. Now there is hope. I want to see these guys go on the road and win a game, before I start talking about running the table.”
That was 680 The Fan’s Buck Belue talking about why Georgia fans shouldn’t be as quick as the AJC’s Mark Bradley to rush onto the Georgia bandwagon. He is also putting out a very diplomatic statement should the folks at Georgia be reading his blog, debating whether or not to put him in for Scott “WHOOOOOOOOAA” Howard on the radio broadcasts.
Foxsports.com’s Adam Schein also called the Falcons the best in the NFC before the squad went to Philadelphia and lost to the Eagles. ESPN’s Adam Schefter had the Falcons near the top of his NFL Power Poll, behind just two AFC squads Pittsburgh and Indy. SI’s Don Banks also had the Falcons at No.3 in his poll for SI.com and John Kincade from 680 The Fan placed the Dirty Birds in his recent Top Five at Five, just days before the Philly loss. 790 The Zone’s Steak Shapiro was even in Philly covering the game for the Atlanta radio station, hoping the Falcons could shake off a recent losing streak to the Eagles.
Now though, it seems everybody is jumping OFF of the Falcons bandwagon, starting with the AJC’s Mark Bradley, who I am surprised hasn’t sprained an ankle with all of his jumping off and on bangwagons recently. After giving the Falcons an “F” on its performance against Philly, Bradley wrote earlier this week that he is “(slightly) disappointed in these 4-2 Falcons.” He points out that the team is good at gaining yards but not points as it settles for too many field goals. He notes that Michael Turner is no better than he was last year in an injury-plagued season. Oh, and he throws Matty Ice under the bus, saying that Ryan, “as an every-down quarterback isn’t significantly better than he was as a rookie.”
On the flip side, Bradley recently commented that Georgia is suddenly looking hot in what is turning out to be a very bad SEC East, or Least as he called it. Several weeks back after the Colorado game, Bradley was throwing dirt on the Dawgs season, predicting just a pair of wins over Vandy and Idaho State, but now apparently Bradley is back to singing the praises of Richt as being calm and cool and possibly “the most stable guy in his division.” Wow. I just hope you don’t hurt yourself as you jump from Falcons to Dawgs.
Speaking of the Georgia Bulldogs, the basketball program is starting to garner a little attention across SEC country. The SEC media declared Bulldog forward Trey Thompkins as the preseason player of the year and Thompkins was joined on the first team All-SEC by teammate Travis Leslie. Georgia in fact was the only team to have two members on the SEC preseason first unit. Thompkins received 18 of a possible 20 votes for the player of the year honor. As a unit the Bulldogs, who were winless on the road last season and have finished last in the SEC East the last three seasons, were picked to finish third in the SEC preseason media poll behind predicted champion Florida and a reloaded Kentucky. The Dawgs did receive two first place votes from twenty voters and one voter picked Georgia to win the entire SEC. (No I did not get a vote in the poll; otherwise, Georgia would have received three for the East and two for the overall title.) Mark Fox is really starting to build something in Athens and the media is starting to realize it. Hopefully the local paper and radio stations will give the college basketball teams the same attention that the football teams get. Paul Hewitt and Mark Fox could sure use the attention.
Score Atlanta’s The Official Visit was lucky enough to have former Tucker Tiger and Georgia Bulldog running back Thomas Brown join in for an interview on last week’s broadcast on Sports Radio 790 The Zone. Brown discussed his recruitment six years ago and how he took just one official visit and that was to Athens as he had pledged his word to Mark Richt and Georgia before his senior season, when recruits are permitted to take official visits. Brown did admit that he went on multiple unofficial visits, including one to Florida State as he grew up a Seminole fan.
Another issue Brown really touched on though was the fact that college players should receive some sort of compensation. Brown acknowledged that many underprivileged players received the Pell Grant, but he noted that what a school brings in on just ticket sales could easily take care of just one recruiting class’s worth of players in regards to a monthly stipend. Brown made sure to note that he never had contact with an agent but did say that while some of the media calls agents “a problem,” Brown said that some players look at agents as a sort of solution. He came across many players that he felt were forced to leave Georgia early to pursue an NFL career due to financial struggles at home.
Lastly, Brown said that he hasn’t ruled out coaching or even a venture into the broadcasting booth. Brown was also recently featured on GPB’s Sports Central, which you can watch online anytime at gpb.org/sports and click on the Sports Central link.
In what may be a first ever, the Atlanta Thrashers were featured on the front page of ESPN.com earlier this week. The Worldwide Leader has been following the Ondrej Pavelec story after the goaltender collapsed on the ice a few weeks back. The story was well constructed by Scott Burnside with quotes from the Thrashers head coach Craig Ramsay and Pavelec himself.
And finally, can someone send Mike Bell a memo that the whole Coach Beelzebub was only funny the first time and slightly amusing the second time? It might be time to send “Coach” back to the underworld.
Can you believe he said that?
“Interesting how winning a couple of games can change the mindset. Just two weeks ago, fans were barking loud. Now there is hope. I want to see these guys go on the road and win a game, before I start talking about running the table.”
That was 680 The Fan’s Buck Belue talking about why Georgia fans shouldn’t be as quick as the AJC’s Mark Bradley to rush onto the Georgia bandwagon. He is also putting out a very diplomatic statement should the folks at Georgia be reading his blog, debating whether or not to put him in for Scott “WHOOOOOOOOAA” Howard on the radio broadcasts.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Xzavier Dickson likes Bama even after trip to Athens
For the second time since June, Griffin’s Xzavier Dickson appeared on Score Atlanta’s The Official Visit when the defensive end spoke with co-hosts Fletcher Proctor and Scott Janovitz last Monday. Dickson has been touring SEC programs since becoming a senior, and he recently returned from a trip to Athens for Georgia’s homecoming game against Vanderbilt. “I enjoyed the victory and I talked to the coaches,” Dickson said of his trip to the University of Georgia. The Dawgs won its second straight conference game and Dickson said he certainly kept that in mind during his visit. “The on the field (record) and the program matters to me,” Dickson revealed after being asked what will go into his decision on Georgia. He also noted that he believes Georgia’s new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham is impressive, but it might take a while for the system to get fully installed.
Dickson traveled to the Classic City with Griffin teammate Corey Moore, a safety that is committed to Mark Richt and the Georgia Bulldogs but told The Official Visit that Moore won’t affect his decision.
Georgia came in at number two on Dickson’s top four list, which he revealed Monday. Alabama leads Georgia, with Auburn checking in at No.3 and the Florida Gators rounding out his list in fourth position. “Alabama’s still the leader, but all the teams are (really) close.”
When asked since he is factoring Georgia’s results into his decision, is he doing the same with Florida, Dickson responded, “a little bit but not really.” He acknowledged that the Gators are “rebuilding, but next year, they (will)be really good.”
Those four schools will likely all get an official visit from Dickson but his fifth could go to one of three schools: USC, Miami, or South Florida. Of the surprising Bulls, who have recruited Georgia well this year, Dickson said, “they play fast and get after it.” Dickson confirmed that he still plans to commit during the Under-Armor All-American Game.
Dickson certainly isn’t hurting for confidence. After a Friday where he got after quarterback for three sacks in a high school game, Dickson raised the bar for this first year at college. “I want to start (my first year) and I want to lead the SEC in sacks my freshman year.” Big words from a big player.
Dickson traveled to the Classic City with Griffin teammate Corey Moore, a safety that is committed to Mark Richt and the Georgia Bulldogs but told The Official Visit that Moore won’t affect his decision.
Georgia came in at number two on Dickson’s top four list, which he revealed Monday. Alabama leads Georgia, with Auburn checking in at No.3 and the Florida Gators rounding out his list in fourth position. “Alabama’s still the leader, but all the teams are (really) close.”
When asked since he is factoring Georgia’s results into his decision, is he doing the same with Florida, Dickson responded, “a little bit but not really.” He acknowledged that the Gators are “rebuilding, but next year, they (will)be really good.”
Those four schools will likely all get an official visit from Dickson but his fifth could go to one of three schools: USC, Miami, or South Florida. Of the surprising Bulls, who have recruited Georgia well this year, Dickson said, “they play fast and get after it.” Dickson confirmed that he still plans to commit during the Under-Armor All-American Game.
Dickson certainly isn’t hurting for confidence. After a Friday where he got after quarterback for three sacks in a high school game, Dickson raised the bar for this first year at college. “I want to start (my first year) and I want to lead the SEC in sacks my freshman year.” Big words from a big player.
So the Mayans were wrong. Who didn't see that one?
I saw this on yahoo this morning. My thoughts to follow....
It's a good news/bad news situation for believers in the 2012 Mayan apocalypse. The good news is that the Mayan "Long Count" calendar may not end on Dec. 21, 2012 (and, by extension, the world may not end along with it). The bad news for prophecy believers? If the calendar doesn't end in December 2012, no one knows when it actually will - or if it has already.
A new critique, published as a chapter in the new textbook "Calendars and Years II: Astronomy and Time in the Ancient and Medieval World" (Oxbow Books, 2010), argues that the accepted conversions of dates from Mayan to the modern calendar may be off by as much as 50 or 100 years. That would throw the supposed and overhyped 2012 apocalypse off by decades and cast into doubt the dates of historical Mayan events. (The doomsday worries are based on the fact that the Mayan calendar ends in 2012, much as our year ends on Dec. 31.)
The Mayan calendar was converted to today's Gregorian calendar using a calculation called the GMT constant, named for the last initials of three early Mayanist researchers. Much of the work emphasized dates recovered from colonial documents that were written in the Mayan language in the Latin alphabet, according to the chapter's author, Gerardo Aldana, University of California, Santa Barbara professor of Chicana and Chicano Studies.
Later, the GMT constant was bolstered by American linguist and anthropologist Floyd Lounsbury, who used data in the Dresden Codex Venus Table, a Mayan calendar and almanac that charts dates relative to the movements of Venus.
"He took the position that his work removed the last obstacle to fully accepting the GMT constant," Aldana said in a statement. "Others took his work even further, suggesting that he had proven the GMT constant to be correct."
But according to Aldana, Lounsbury's evidence is far from irrefutable.
"If the Venus Table cannot be used to prove the FMT as Lounsbury suggests, its acceptance depends on the reliability of the corroborating data," he said. That historical data, he said, is less reliable than the Table itself, causing the argument for the GMT constant to fall "like a stack of cards."
Aldana doesn't have any answers as to what the correct calendar conversion might be, preferring to focus on why the current interpretation may be wrong. Looks like end-of-the-world theorists may need to find another ancient calendar on which to pin their apocalyptic hopes.
My response: No shit
It's a good news/bad news situation for believers in the 2012 Mayan apocalypse. The good news is that the Mayan "Long Count" calendar may not end on Dec. 21, 2012 (and, by extension, the world may not end along with it). The bad news for prophecy believers? If the calendar doesn't end in December 2012, no one knows when it actually will - or if it has already.
A new critique, published as a chapter in the new textbook "Calendars and Years II: Astronomy and Time in the Ancient and Medieval World" (Oxbow Books, 2010), argues that the accepted conversions of dates from Mayan to the modern calendar may be off by as much as 50 or 100 years. That would throw the supposed and overhyped 2012 apocalypse off by decades and cast into doubt the dates of historical Mayan events. (The doomsday worries are based on the fact that the Mayan calendar ends in 2012, much as our year ends on Dec. 31.)
The Mayan calendar was converted to today's Gregorian calendar using a calculation called the GMT constant, named for the last initials of three early Mayanist researchers. Much of the work emphasized dates recovered from colonial documents that were written in the Mayan language in the Latin alphabet, according to the chapter's author, Gerardo Aldana, University of California, Santa Barbara professor of Chicana and Chicano Studies.
Later, the GMT constant was bolstered by American linguist and anthropologist Floyd Lounsbury, who used data in the Dresden Codex Venus Table, a Mayan calendar and almanac that charts dates relative to the movements of Venus.
"He took the position that his work removed the last obstacle to fully accepting the GMT constant," Aldana said in a statement. "Others took his work even further, suggesting that he had proven the GMT constant to be correct."
But according to Aldana, Lounsbury's evidence is far from irrefutable.
"If the Venus Table cannot be used to prove the FMT as Lounsbury suggests, its acceptance depends on the reliability of the corroborating data," he said. That historical data, he said, is less reliable than the Table itself, causing the argument for the GMT constant to fall "like a stack of cards."
Aldana doesn't have any answers as to what the correct calendar conversion might be, preferring to focus on why the current interpretation may be wrong. Looks like end-of-the-world theorists may need to find another ancient calendar on which to pin their apocalyptic hopes.
My response: No shit
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Who got the Hooch?
The current senior class at Chattahoochee had never experienced a winning season entering the 2010 campaign. After dropping down one classification due to enrollment and picking up a key transfer with a famous Chattahoochee pedigree, the Cougars are 7-0 and closing in on the school’s first region title since 2003. What is the key for a Chattahoochee squad that went 4-6 last year?
Perhaps it is the addition of Kane Whitehurst, cousin of former Cougar QB Charlie Whitehurst, who went on to Clemson and is now on the Seattle Seahawks roster. Last season at Northview, Whitehurst was under center and in the shotgun, but with coach Jim Showfety departing for Dunwoody, Whitehurst left for Chattahoochee and switched positions to get on the field. As a receiver, Whitehurst has used his speed to stretch defenses and thus far he has hauled in 10 touchdowns.
The man throwing those TDs has been Tim Byerly, who is a bit different than Brendan Cross (Wake Forest) and Whitehurst (Clemson). Those QBs were thought to be pass-first options while Byerly uses his legs a bit more often. He ran for two scores against Sequoyah and has 4.52 40-speed. Last season he rushed for nearly 1150 yards and found the endzone 17 times on the ground opposed to his 13 times through the air. He is attracting interest from southeastern schools including a few in the SEC.
His offensive line is also getting attention paid from the likes of the SEC. Matt Kiefer has been blowing open holes all season long on the offensive line and Barron Dixon, at just 6’4, 265 is also receiving attention as a lineman. Dixon might have a future in the SEC at defensive line as several schools such as Ole Miss and Arkansas are after the potential tackle.
All of these players have bonded together and have run The Hooch out to a 7-0 record, its best start since 2001. The Cougars have a chance to make some serious noise come playoff time and could challenge the likes of Clarke Central, Northside and Kell for the state title.
Perhaps it is the addition of Kane Whitehurst, cousin of former Cougar QB Charlie Whitehurst, who went on to Clemson and is now on the Seattle Seahawks roster. Last season at Northview, Whitehurst was under center and in the shotgun, but with coach Jim Showfety departing for Dunwoody, Whitehurst left for Chattahoochee and switched positions to get on the field. As a receiver, Whitehurst has used his speed to stretch defenses and thus far he has hauled in 10 touchdowns.
The man throwing those TDs has been Tim Byerly, who is a bit different than Brendan Cross (Wake Forest) and Whitehurst (Clemson). Those QBs were thought to be pass-first options while Byerly uses his legs a bit more often. He ran for two scores against Sequoyah and has 4.52 40-speed. Last season he rushed for nearly 1150 yards and found the endzone 17 times on the ground opposed to his 13 times through the air. He is attracting interest from southeastern schools including a few in the SEC.
His offensive line is also getting attention paid from the likes of the SEC. Matt Kiefer has been blowing open holes all season long on the offensive line and Barron Dixon, at just 6’4, 265 is also receiving attention as a lineman. Dixon might have a future in the SEC at defensive line as several schools such as Ole Miss and Arkansas are after the potential tackle.
All of these players have bonded together and have run The Hooch out to a 7-0 record, its best start since 2001. The Cougars have a chance to make some serious noise come playoff time and could challenge the likes of Clarke Central, Northside and Kell for the state title.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Big B's top ten GAHS basketball seniors
Brian Jones put together his list of top basketball prospects from the state of Georgia. Scott Janovitz and I debuted the list last night on Score Atlanta's The Official Visit on Sports Radio 790 The Zone (catch it every Monday at 7:30-10 pm). Scotty put down his thoughts on each player. Enjoy
10) Nigel Snipes: 6-4, 175-pound shooting guard out of Wheeler, transferred from Paideia. Snipes has offers from Delaware, Georgia Southern, Georgia State and Wet Virginia, but has committed to Western Kentucky. Snipes is strong and plays big for his size, very aggressive on the floor, a great rebounder, and is developing offensive player at this point.
9) Alonzo Nelson-Ododa: 6-8, 200-pound power forward out of Norcross, transferred from Winder-Barrow. Good skill and motor for a big guy, runs the floor very well, scores in transition and going to the hole. Also has a pretty nice outside shot. Needs to add some weight. Also a good defender and shot blocker, versatile on defense. Very interested in Cal, N.C. State, and Richmond;
8) E. Victor Nickerson: 6-7, 200-pound small forward out of Norcross, transferred from Paideia. Offers from Charlotte, Richmond, VCU and Georgia Southern. He’s more of a late bloomer at this point. Great athlete and most dangerous getting up and down the floor, but has developed a nice jumper, especially from mid-range. Also a smart player and a solid defender. More of an athlete at this point;
7) Kevin Ware: 6-4, 170-pound shooting guard out of Rockdale County. Has offers from Florida, Georgia Tech and Miami, but is currently committed to Tennessee. Ware has point guard skills, is exceptional beating defenders off the dribble, and is a very impressive athlete. Has blazing speed, and the size to be a tremendous defender, depending on whether he plays the one or two. Great getting to the bucket and finishing at the rim. The kid has CRAZY hops.
6) Malcolm Brogdon: 6-4, 180-pound shooting guard out of Greater Atlanta Christian. Impressive size and skills, but also tremendous body control. Not a dominant athlete or explosive, but a complete player. A very good rebounder for his size. Also a very willing passer and picks up a ton of steals on the defensive end of the floor. Great going to the hole, sneaky fast. A nice shooter too. He is committed to Virginia.
5) Shannon Scott: 6-1, 180-pound point guard out of Milton. He is my favorite player in this state. Committed to Ohio State. He has good size, and is the complete point guard. Very mature, composed player, passes well, is a great athlete, a good shooter, and a tenacious defender.
4) Nick Jacobs: 6-8, 245-pound power forward out of South Atlanta. He has offers from Alabama, Cincy, Clemson, FSU, Georgia, Florida, Miami, and Virginia Tech. He plans on signing in November, and has four leaders: Florida, UGA, Alabama, and Clemson. A pretty good scorer in the post, runs the floor well, plays physical inside, and is a good shot blocker. Has developed a lot, has a nice jump hook. Good finisher around the rim. A rare big athlete willing to play in the post;
3) Dai-Jon Parker: 6-3, 180-pound shooting guard out of Milton. Actually has spent a bunch of time playing the point this summer and has decided it’s what he wants to play in college. He is down to a final five: Oregon State, Vanderbilt, Oklahoma State, Georgia and Rhode Island. Will probably make his decision sometime this month.
2) Julian Royal: 6-8, 225-pound power forward. Committed to Georgia Tech over Georgia last week. Good shooter, great skill and potential, but has to add more powerful, efficient post play to his game.
1) Kentavious Caldwell: 6-6, 185-pound shooting guard out of Greenville. Committed to Georgia. Can shoot on the move and spotting up, great range on his jumper, good athlete and gets to the hole pretty well, really good defender too, but mostly a tremendous shooter.
10) Nigel Snipes: 6-4, 175-pound shooting guard out of Wheeler, transferred from Paideia. Snipes has offers from Delaware, Georgia Southern, Georgia State and Wet Virginia, but has committed to Western Kentucky. Snipes is strong and plays big for his size, very aggressive on the floor, a great rebounder, and is developing offensive player at this point.
9) Alonzo Nelson-Ododa: 6-8, 200-pound power forward out of Norcross, transferred from Winder-Barrow. Good skill and motor for a big guy, runs the floor very well, scores in transition and going to the hole. Also has a pretty nice outside shot. Needs to add some weight. Also a good defender and shot blocker, versatile on defense. Very interested in Cal, N.C. State, and Richmond;
8) E. Victor Nickerson: 6-7, 200-pound small forward out of Norcross, transferred from Paideia. Offers from Charlotte, Richmond, VCU and Georgia Southern. He’s more of a late bloomer at this point. Great athlete and most dangerous getting up and down the floor, but has developed a nice jumper, especially from mid-range. Also a smart player and a solid defender. More of an athlete at this point;
7) Kevin Ware: 6-4, 170-pound shooting guard out of Rockdale County. Has offers from Florida, Georgia Tech and Miami, but is currently committed to Tennessee. Ware has point guard skills, is exceptional beating defenders off the dribble, and is a very impressive athlete. Has blazing speed, and the size to be a tremendous defender, depending on whether he plays the one or two. Great getting to the bucket and finishing at the rim. The kid has CRAZY hops.
6) Malcolm Brogdon: 6-4, 180-pound shooting guard out of Greater Atlanta Christian. Impressive size and skills, but also tremendous body control. Not a dominant athlete or explosive, but a complete player. A very good rebounder for his size. Also a very willing passer and picks up a ton of steals on the defensive end of the floor. Great going to the hole, sneaky fast. A nice shooter too. He is committed to Virginia.
5) Shannon Scott: 6-1, 180-pound point guard out of Milton. He is my favorite player in this state. Committed to Ohio State. He has good size, and is the complete point guard. Very mature, composed player, passes well, is a great athlete, a good shooter, and a tenacious defender.
4) Nick Jacobs: 6-8, 245-pound power forward out of South Atlanta. He has offers from Alabama, Cincy, Clemson, FSU, Georgia, Florida, Miami, and Virginia Tech. He plans on signing in November, and has four leaders: Florida, UGA, Alabama, and Clemson. A pretty good scorer in the post, runs the floor well, plays physical inside, and is a good shot blocker. Has developed a lot, has a nice jump hook. Good finisher around the rim. A rare big athlete willing to play in the post;
3) Dai-Jon Parker: 6-3, 180-pound shooting guard out of Milton. Actually has spent a bunch of time playing the point this summer and has decided it’s what he wants to play in college. He is down to a final five: Oregon State, Vanderbilt, Oklahoma State, Georgia and Rhode Island. Will probably make his decision sometime this month.
2) Julian Royal: 6-8, 225-pound power forward. Committed to Georgia Tech over Georgia last week. Good shooter, great skill and potential, but has to add more powerful, efficient post play to his game.
1) Kentavious Caldwell: 6-6, 185-pound shooting guard out of Greenville. Committed to Georgia. Can shoot on the move and spotting up, great range on his jumper, good athlete and gets to the hole pretty well, really good defender too, but mostly a tremendous shooter.
Lots of decisions for the Braves in free agency
Now that the Braves have picked a new manager to replace future Hall of Famer Bobby Cox, the team must think about several key free agents that it must either resign or replace before opening up the 2011 season. One very important decision must be made in regards to Eric Hinske. The Braves were able to lock up the super-utility player before the 2010 season on a one-year/1M deal, but Hinske provided such pop off of the bench as well as 68 starts, that the team would likely have to offer a multi-year deal to retain him. Hinkse seemed to be a perfect laid-back fit in the clubhouse and losing him would certainly take away from the “team vibe” as well as from the team’s offensive prowess. Last year Hinske posted his highest batting average since 2006 and mashed eleven home runs in just 281 official at-bats. Hinkse also provided a huge home run in game three of the NLDS that produced bedlam at Turner Field and temporarily gave the Braves a 2-1 lead in the pivotal game three. With Freddie Freeman penciled in at first base, leftfield may be an option for Hinske but he may want to take a bigger deal with perhaps a first base or outfield spot guaranteed at another location.
Troy Glaus likely will not be retained by the Braves. He started out slow in his one year with Atlanta before getting hot in June, but he cooled off after the all-star break. He suffered an injury that required him to be placed on the DL and sent down to Gwinnett for a rehab assignment. Freeman likely will have every opportunity to play first in spring training and Martin Prado will likely be called upon at third base.
In the outfield, the team must decide whether or not to bring back Melky Cabrera (arbitration-eligible) and Rick Ankiel (mutual option) in a crowded outfield. The team likely would want Cabrera back to go with Nate McLouth and Jason Heyward in the outfield.
Several attractive free agents could hit the market after the playoffs end, including two players currently battling in the NLCS. Cody Ross of the Giants likely won’t hit the free agency market as he has one year of arbitration left and the way the former Marlin has played, the Giants would be crazy not to try and lock him up. If they choose not to though, the Braves may pick up where the rumors back in July ended and try and make a play for him. Jayson Werth of the Phillies may be available as well but the price could be steep for the 31-year-old who pounded 46 doubles in the regular season. Plus the team would have to move either him or Heyward as they both play right field.
Troy Glaus likely will not be retained by the Braves. He started out slow in his one year with Atlanta before getting hot in June, but he cooled off after the all-star break. He suffered an injury that required him to be placed on the DL and sent down to Gwinnett for a rehab assignment. Freeman likely will have every opportunity to play first in spring training and Martin Prado will likely be called upon at third base.
In the outfield, the team must decide whether or not to bring back Melky Cabrera (arbitration-eligible) and Rick Ankiel (mutual option) in a crowded outfield. The team likely would want Cabrera back to go with Nate McLouth and Jason Heyward in the outfield.
Several attractive free agents could hit the market after the playoffs end, including two players currently battling in the NLCS. Cody Ross of the Giants likely won’t hit the free agency market as he has one year of arbitration left and the way the former Marlin has played, the Giants would be crazy not to try and lock him up. If they choose not to though, the Braves may pick up where the rumors back in July ended and try and make a play for him. Jayson Werth of the Phillies may be available as well but the price could be steep for the 31-year-old who pounded 46 doubles in the regular season. Plus the team would have to move either him or Heyward as they both play right field.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Don't let the scoreboard fool you
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The Georgia Bulldogs sent the home crowd away happy yesterday with a 43-0 victory on homecoming, and with several other SEC East teams losing, into multiple conversations about just how Georgia can still hold on to the pipe dream that is the SEC Championship game. However if you look closely at the game yesterday and not just the score, you'd still feel a little iffy about the Georgia Bulldogs. From my seat I could see missed opportunities early in the game that, while it turned out it didn't matter, COULD matter next week against Kentucky or two weeks against the Florida Gators.
On the opening defensive drive, the defense is forced to call a time out as a player isn't sure whether or not he is supposed to be on the field on a 2nd and short. We are talking two plays into the game here. Georgia burns a time out only to see Vanderbilt complete a pass for about 14 yards. After forcing a punt once Vandy picked up another first down or two, the Dawgs burn two more time outs on the opening offensive drive. Come on coaches!
Aaron Murray did hook up with Kris Durham for a long pass to flip the field position, but on the next play he has Durham open on a wheel play that could have gone for six, but the ball was underthrown. The Dawgs settled for a field goal after Orson Charles dropped what would have been a third down conversion for first and goal inside the five.
AJ Green dropped two passes that I counted, including one that could have gone for a score, though he redeemed himself by hauling in a quick slant and then jetting it in for a long score. Aaron Murray had 287 yards passing and two scores while Washaun Ealey busted the century mark for 123 yards and a score and Carlton Thomas found paydirt twice. Still though despite the QB's success and the mild success of the running game, you get the feeling the the OLine still isn't mashing like everyone thought before the season it would.
On defense, clearly no points were allowed and Justin Houston was constantly in the backfield, but the opening drive was a bit scary and there were still TOO MANY breakdowns in coverage that a speedy team like Florida will take to the house while a not-so-fast squad like Vanderbilt was simply able to gain twenty yards on.
As a Georgia alum that left the stadium following the 43-0 win, I was happy that Georgia won its second straight and Aaron Murray continued his climb to the top of the SEC QB Chart (my thought is that he'll be the top returning QB next season. Notice I said QB and not Wildcat option). I was just a little worried about the offensive line really creating holes for the running game and the defense blowing coverages still in the team's seventh game of the year.
Next week's trip to Kentucky will be NO cakewalk, especially after Kentucky's comeback win last night over South Carolina. The Dawgs had better bring the A game and not look past the Wildcats because the Gators are licking wounds and will be ready in two weeks.
The Georgia Bulldogs sent the home crowd away happy yesterday with a 43-0 victory on homecoming, and with several other SEC East teams losing, into multiple conversations about just how Georgia can still hold on to the pipe dream that is the SEC Championship game. However if you look closely at the game yesterday and not just the score, you'd still feel a little iffy about the Georgia Bulldogs. From my seat I could see missed opportunities early in the game that, while it turned out it didn't matter, COULD matter next week against Kentucky or two weeks against the Florida Gators.
On the opening defensive drive, the defense is forced to call a time out as a player isn't sure whether or not he is supposed to be on the field on a 2nd and short. We are talking two plays into the game here. Georgia burns a time out only to see Vanderbilt complete a pass for about 14 yards. After forcing a punt once Vandy picked up another first down or two, the Dawgs burn two more time outs on the opening offensive drive. Come on coaches!
Aaron Murray did hook up with Kris Durham for a long pass to flip the field position, but on the next play he has Durham open on a wheel play that could have gone for six, but the ball was underthrown. The Dawgs settled for a field goal after Orson Charles dropped what would have been a third down conversion for first and goal inside the five.
AJ Green dropped two passes that I counted, including one that could have gone for a score, though he redeemed himself by hauling in a quick slant and then jetting it in for a long score. Aaron Murray had 287 yards passing and two scores while Washaun Ealey busted the century mark for 123 yards and a score and Carlton Thomas found paydirt twice. Still though despite the QB's success and the mild success of the running game, you get the feeling the the OLine still isn't mashing like everyone thought before the season it would.
On defense, clearly no points were allowed and Justin Houston was constantly in the backfield, but the opening drive was a bit scary and there were still TOO MANY breakdowns in coverage that a speedy team like Florida will take to the house while a not-so-fast squad like Vanderbilt was simply able to gain twenty yards on.
As a Georgia alum that left the stadium following the 43-0 win, I was happy that Georgia won its second straight and Aaron Murray continued his climb to the top of the SEC QB Chart (my thought is that he'll be the top returning QB next season. Notice I said QB and not Wildcat option). I was just a little worried about the offensive line really creating holes for the running game and the defense blowing coverages still in the team's seventh game of the year.
Next week's trip to Kentucky will be NO cakewalk, especially after Kentucky's comeback win last night over South Carolina. The Dawgs had better bring the A game and not look past the Wildcats because the Gators are licking wounds and will be ready in two weeks.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Norcross rebounds to bump off Ridge Lions
The Peachtree Ridge Lions and the Norcross Blue Devils each entered Friday night’s Region 7-AAAAA tilt having lost last week to fall one game behind North Gwinnett in the standings. Both teams displayed a conservative approach early, Peachtree Ridge by design and Norcross perhaps not wanting to fall back 28-0 like last week.
The Lions offense could not get untracked with either Diandre Atwater or Raham Dixon gaining any real yardage, but Tanner Mack found find some open grass on several buck sweeps. Mack was able to punch the ball into the endzone with less than twenty seconds to play in the first half to take a 7-0 halftime lead.
In the second half, Norcross got back to playing traditional Blue Devil football as mobile-QB Matt Poole and tailback Kendrix Huitt seized control of the game. After a scoreless third, the Blue Devil backfield tandem connected for a nine-yard touchdown on third and goal to knot the game at 7-7 with less than eight minutes to play.
After the two teams exchanged punts, Poole scampered in from 25 yards out to give Norcross its first lead of the game at 14-7 with 2:21 left. Martavius Edwards sealed the win for Norcross with an interception on 4th and 3 and returned it to the one-yard line, where Poole took a knee to end the game.
Norcross now moves to 6-1 on the season and 3-1 in region play while Peachtree Ridge drops to 5-2 and 2-2 in region play. The Lions now are tied for the final playoff spot in the region and could very well be on the outside looking in when the playoffs roll around as the Lions must still face North Gwinnett. Meanwhile if Norcross continues to play its brand of football, the Blue Devils will certainly be a team to watch come playoff time. The Blue Devils are not as bad as they looked last week. Now they will surely want a shot at revenge to see just how good they can be.
The Lions offense could not get untracked with either Diandre Atwater or Raham Dixon gaining any real yardage, but Tanner Mack found find some open grass on several buck sweeps. Mack was able to punch the ball into the endzone with less than twenty seconds to play in the first half to take a 7-0 halftime lead.
In the second half, Norcross got back to playing traditional Blue Devil football as mobile-QB Matt Poole and tailback Kendrix Huitt seized control of the game. After a scoreless third, the Blue Devil backfield tandem connected for a nine-yard touchdown on third and goal to knot the game at 7-7 with less than eight minutes to play.
After the two teams exchanged punts, Poole scampered in from 25 yards out to give Norcross its first lead of the game at 14-7 with 2:21 left. Martavius Edwards sealed the win for Norcross with an interception on 4th and 3 and returned it to the one-yard line, where Poole took a knee to end the game.
Norcross now moves to 6-1 on the season and 3-1 in region play while Peachtree Ridge drops to 5-2 and 2-2 in region play. The Lions now are tied for the final playoff spot in the region and could very well be on the outside looking in when the playoffs roll around as the Lions must still face North Gwinnett. Meanwhile if Norcross continues to play its brand of football, the Blue Devils will certainly be a team to watch come playoff time. The Blue Devils are not as bad as they looked last week. Now they will surely want a shot at revenge to see just how good they can be.
Dawgs facing Vandy Saturday!
Saturday Uga VIII gets officially collared as Georgia welcomes in Vandy for Homecoming 2010. The Dawgs are 2-4 and hopefully tomorrow go 3-4, 2-3 in SEC play.
I will be at the game tomorrow and let me reveal what I'll be looking for....
1) a RUNNING GAME! No Caleb King, (but that's OK because he's a pussy), and perhaps Carlton Thomas will miss some time. I DON'T CARE. RUN EALEY THERE 20 times and if he's too winded, just let Aaron Murray go shotgun and chuck it around.
2) Aaron Murray continuing on his way to becoming the best QB in the SEC. Suck it Mallet. Eat it Brantley. Steal it Newton!
3) Justin Houston learning how to be a 3-4 LB. The Dawgs will need him to be more than just a rusher when Florida and Auburn and Tech stand on the other sidelines.
4) Blair Walsh to nail a 60+ yard Field Goal. I just want to see it.
5) AJ Green making at least 8 more catches, hopefully without getting injured YET AGAIN.
6) Marlon Brown to become the NEXT AJ GREEN
7) The fans REALLY coming out despite a rough start to the season.
Can't wait to go Between the Hedges (well, just outside, but you get the idea) tomorrow. Go Dawgs!
Prediction: Georgia 37, Vandy 13. Go Dawgs! And GOOOOOO KENTUCKY! And GOOOO Miss State!
I will be at the game tomorrow and let me reveal what I'll be looking for....
1) a RUNNING GAME! No Caleb King, (but that's OK because he's a pussy), and perhaps Carlton Thomas will miss some time. I DON'T CARE. RUN EALEY THERE 20 times and if he's too winded, just let Aaron Murray go shotgun and chuck it around.
2) Aaron Murray continuing on his way to becoming the best QB in the SEC. Suck it Mallet. Eat it Brantley. Steal it Newton!
3) Justin Houston learning how to be a 3-4 LB. The Dawgs will need him to be more than just a rusher when Florida and Auburn and Tech stand on the other sidelines.
4) Blair Walsh to nail a 60+ yard Field Goal. I just want to see it.
5) AJ Green making at least 8 more catches, hopefully without getting injured YET AGAIN.
6) Marlon Brown to become the NEXT AJ GREEN
7) The fans REALLY coming out despite a rough start to the season.
Can't wait to go Between the Hedges (well, just outside, but you get the idea) tomorrow. Go Dawgs!
Prediction: Georgia 37, Vandy 13. Go Dawgs! And GOOOOOO KENTUCKY! And GOOOO Miss State!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
TheFletch for ThisWeek
College football coverage on television is always interesting and last weekend was no different. 790 The Zone’s David Pollack has been doing games on ESPNU all season long with play-by-play partner Rob Stone and the last few weeks the young tandem have had some cruddy games. Last week Stone and Pollack were in Blacksburg, Virginia as the Hokies of Virginia Tech faced Central Michigan. The two have also done games involving FIU and Samford but two weeks ago did the Wake Forest/Georgia Tech game. As bad as the games are that ESPNU sticks Pollack with, he clearly won the coin toss with one of his fellow “Experts” cohorts Danny Kanell. As I flipped to ESPNU to check out the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets taking on the Cavaliers of Virginia, I shuddered when I heard the low tones of Pam Ward setting the scene as the Atlanta skyline invited the viewers to Historic Grant Field at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Georgia Tech fans surely groaned as they heard Ward going over the offensive philosophy of Yellow Jackets head coach Paul Johnson, but she didn’t make too egregious of an error for me to comment on here. While Pollack doesn’t have the good games, he also doesn’t have to deal with Ward, though you just KNOW that his 790 The Zone Pollack & Bell co-host Mike Bell would LOVE for Pollack to have been partnered up with one of his famous spoofing targets.
Speaking of Georgia Tech, since I had to mute the television to avoid hearing Ward butcher the call of the game by not knowing how many quarters there in a college game (it sounds ridiculous, but I wouldn’t put it past her…), I tuned in to 790 The Zone to hear Wes Durham call the game. (PS, I believe Ward has a deeper voice) One thing I found interesting was, late in the second half, Durham made the comment after Tech took control of the ball, “And we’ll likely see the Novocain offense here.” Now I am 99.99% certain that this was not a swipe by the Georgia Tech play-by-play announcer at the play-calling of Coach Paul Johnson, but what if subconsciously it was? What if he was just like the REST of the college football world that doesn’t wear Old Gold, Navy and White (and even some that do) that is sick of this boring, high school offense? As one of the play-by-play announcers for GPB’s Friday Night Game of the Week, I see enough of the Wing-T on Friday nights. I don’t need to see it Saturday mornings or even Sunday afternoons as Johnson alluded it could work in the NFL in a recent column in The Sporting News. What if Durham had heard from enough football fans that were fed up with the offense that it seeped into a part of his brain that let it slip when Tech was dominating Virginia? Again, it most likely wasn’t meant with any ill will towards the play-calling, but what did Tech have to lose by trying to give the fans SOMETHING at the end of a game the Jackets were clearly going to win?
Does anyone else that watches CBS’s SEC coverage pick up on the fact that Gary Danielson is clearly a cross between Nostradamus and Stephen Hawking? Seriously! This guy is SOOO freaking smart it is unreal. ANYTHING that happens in the SEC Saturday game of the week, he knows about and he knew it was going to happen. I’m not sure if it is his tone or the smugness with which he delivers his analysis, but something about Danielson just comes across weird. If you tracked his common expressions, the top of the chart would be, “this is exactly what we KNEW would happen Verne.” Interesting, Gary. Why did Verne just say, “Wow, Gary! Can you believe this is happening?” He KNEW that Georgia was going to run onto the field and celebrate in 2007. He KNEW that Auburn would take an early lead over Alabama last season. He KNEW that Ryan Mallet would start Arkansas/Alabama game on such a hot streak with some early TDs. If an alien spaceship were to suddenly descend onto the field at Death Valley, surely Danielson would have foreseen that happening. “Verne, we KNEW this was going to happen. The Green Men are clearly trying to help LSU slow down Cam Newton and this Auburn offensive attack!”
In case you picked up any of the recent Sports Illustrated or The Sporting News issues looking for some predictions on the NHL season and the Thrashers in particular, I doubt you found anything. No, not just on the Thrashers, but on the NHL. WOW, hockey just doesn’t get ANY sort of pub anymore, and you sort of have to blame the NHL as well as ESPN. When the National Hockey League’s television contract was up with ESPN several years back, the commissioner and other league execs shopped the rights around and decided to go for more money with Versus. Apparently that didn’t please ESPN and the Worldwide Leader of course stopped discussing hockey pretty much anytime other than the playoffs. Without ESPN talking about it, the magazines followed suit too and the only hockey preview I’ve gotten this for this season (which has already started, by the way), has come from the Score Atlanta Scoreboard Show this past Sunday on 790 The Zone. Michael Queen broke down the Thrashers’ playoff chances, which he put at 60% and he said that the team likely would not be breaking up the team with all of the new additions and acquisitions because the players are relatively inexpensive. He noted that the team was just five wins away from the playoffs last season, and in his opinion, the team has made the effort to make a playoff push this season. The Thrashers can be heard on 680 The Fan and you can read all about Atlanta’s hockey squad in Score Atlanta.
And PS, could some one tell Jim Mora Jr of Fox and the NFL Network that NO, Michael Vick WASN’T listening to him back when both were with the Falcons!
Can you believe he said that?
“I don’t think anyone would confuse Tim Hudson with a great-hitting pitcher.”
That gem was from TBS’s Bob Brenly after Hudson broke up Jonathan Sanchez’s no-hit bid in game three of the Giants/Braves National League Divisional Series. Brenly was joined in the booth by Dick Stockton and on the field by Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated. Stockton was finally able to alert Brenly that ACTUALLY Hudson led the Braves pitchers in hits this season, for the record. Also, while at Auburn, Hudson was a pretty decent hitter. Just so he knows…
Speaking of Georgia Tech, since I had to mute the television to avoid hearing Ward butcher the call of the game by not knowing how many quarters there in a college game (it sounds ridiculous, but I wouldn’t put it past her…), I tuned in to 790 The Zone to hear Wes Durham call the game. (PS, I believe Ward has a deeper voice) One thing I found interesting was, late in the second half, Durham made the comment after Tech took control of the ball, “And we’ll likely see the Novocain offense here.” Now I am 99.99% certain that this was not a swipe by the Georgia Tech play-by-play announcer at the play-calling of Coach Paul Johnson, but what if subconsciously it was? What if he was just like the REST of the college football world that doesn’t wear Old Gold, Navy and White (and even some that do) that is sick of this boring, high school offense? As one of the play-by-play announcers for GPB’s Friday Night Game of the Week, I see enough of the Wing-T on Friday nights. I don’t need to see it Saturday mornings or even Sunday afternoons as Johnson alluded it could work in the NFL in a recent column in The Sporting News. What if Durham had heard from enough football fans that were fed up with the offense that it seeped into a part of his brain that let it slip when Tech was dominating Virginia? Again, it most likely wasn’t meant with any ill will towards the play-calling, but what did Tech have to lose by trying to give the fans SOMETHING at the end of a game the Jackets were clearly going to win?
Does anyone else that watches CBS’s SEC coverage pick up on the fact that Gary Danielson is clearly a cross between Nostradamus and Stephen Hawking? Seriously! This guy is SOOO freaking smart it is unreal. ANYTHING that happens in the SEC Saturday game of the week, he knows about and he knew it was going to happen. I’m not sure if it is his tone or the smugness with which he delivers his analysis, but something about Danielson just comes across weird. If you tracked his common expressions, the top of the chart would be, “this is exactly what we KNEW would happen Verne.” Interesting, Gary. Why did Verne just say, “Wow, Gary! Can you believe this is happening?” He KNEW that Georgia was going to run onto the field and celebrate in 2007. He KNEW that Auburn would take an early lead over Alabama last season. He KNEW that Ryan Mallet would start Arkansas/Alabama game on such a hot streak with some early TDs. If an alien spaceship were to suddenly descend onto the field at Death Valley, surely Danielson would have foreseen that happening. “Verne, we KNEW this was going to happen. The Green Men are clearly trying to help LSU slow down Cam Newton and this Auburn offensive attack!”
In case you picked up any of the recent Sports Illustrated or The Sporting News issues looking for some predictions on the NHL season and the Thrashers in particular, I doubt you found anything. No, not just on the Thrashers, but on the NHL. WOW, hockey just doesn’t get ANY sort of pub anymore, and you sort of have to blame the NHL as well as ESPN. When the National Hockey League’s television contract was up with ESPN several years back, the commissioner and other league execs shopped the rights around and decided to go for more money with Versus. Apparently that didn’t please ESPN and the Worldwide Leader of course stopped discussing hockey pretty much anytime other than the playoffs. Without ESPN talking about it, the magazines followed suit too and the only hockey preview I’ve gotten this for this season (which has already started, by the way), has come from the Score Atlanta Scoreboard Show this past Sunday on 790 The Zone. Michael Queen broke down the Thrashers’ playoff chances, which he put at 60% and he said that the team likely would not be breaking up the team with all of the new additions and acquisitions because the players are relatively inexpensive. He noted that the team was just five wins away from the playoffs last season, and in his opinion, the team has made the effort to make a playoff push this season. The Thrashers can be heard on 680 The Fan and you can read all about Atlanta’s hockey squad in Score Atlanta.
And PS, could some one tell Jim Mora Jr of Fox and the NFL Network that NO, Michael Vick WASN’T listening to him back when both were with the Falcons!
Can you believe he said that?
“I don’t think anyone would confuse Tim Hudson with a great-hitting pitcher.”
That gem was from TBS’s Bob Brenly after Hudson broke up Jonathan Sanchez’s no-hit bid in game three of the Giants/Braves National League Divisional Series. Brenly was joined in the booth by Dick Stockton and on the field by Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated. Stockton was finally able to alert Brenly that ACTUALLY Hudson led the Braves pitchers in hits this season, for the record. Also, while at Auburn, Hudson was a pretty decent hitter. Just so he knows…
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Some local radio hosts are friggin' crazy
I was going to wait and put this in next week's TheFletch, but I couldn't wait. Yesterday as I drove home from the gym, Mike Bell on 790 The Zone was railing on and on about Bobby Cox, saying it wasn't his fault, but then saying that in New York, he wouldn't have had 20 years, and a change would have been made a LONG time ago.
Bell at one point said that in New York or Boston or Philly, he'd have been shown the door 10 or 15 years ago.
REALLY? I doubt it.
Let's look at a calendar, shall we? 15 years ago was 1995. AKA the year the Braves won the World Series. You'd have fired him after he won you a World Series? Then he went to the series the next season (and likely should have won, but his bullpen blew that game when Mark Wohlers hung the slider). And if you fire him after 1997 when the Marlins win the NLCS, then Cox doesn't take you to the World Series in 1999. Do you think you get there that year?
OK, so if you'd have fired him 10 years ago, you are saying you'd have fired him ONE YEAR after he went to the World Series? Wow. That is cold-blooded.
I will give you perhaps wanting to make a change after the 2003 season, for example, when the team had YET ANOTHER early exit from the postseason. Or I'll give you after the 2007 season when the team missed the playoffs for the second straight year.
But we're talking three more seasons, one of which he went to the playoffs. I am not disagreeing that a change couldn't have been made LOOKING BACK when hindsight is 20/20, but to say 10 or 15 years ago is just ridiculous. 7 years ago...6 years ago... 4 years ago...3, 2, perhaps. Next time look at the date before you just throw out a number.
Bell at one point said that in New York or Boston or Philly, he'd have been shown the door 10 or 15 years ago.
REALLY? I doubt it.
Let's look at a calendar, shall we? 15 years ago was 1995. AKA the year the Braves won the World Series. You'd have fired him after he won you a World Series? Then he went to the series the next season (and likely should have won, but his bullpen blew that game when Mark Wohlers hung the slider). And if you fire him after 1997 when the Marlins win the NLCS, then Cox doesn't take you to the World Series in 1999. Do you think you get there that year?
OK, so if you'd have fired him 10 years ago, you are saying you'd have fired him ONE YEAR after he went to the World Series? Wow. That is cold-blooded.
I will give you perhaps wanting to make a change after the 2003 season, for example, when the team had YET ANOTHER early exit from the postseason. Or I'll give you after the 2007 season when the team missed the playoffs for the second straight year.
But we're talking three more seasons, one of which he went to the playoffs. I am not disagreeing that a change couldn't have been made LOOKING BACK when hindsight is 20/20, but to say 10 or 15 years ago is just ridiculous. 7 years ago...6 years ago... 4 years ago...3, 2, perhaps. Next time look at the date before you just throw out a number.
Fredi in? Braves could name new manager tomorrow
In what could be the worst-kept secret in Atlanta sports history, the Atlanta Braves appear ready to name former Florida Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez as the team’s new manager. Bobby Cox officially retired following the team’s loss in the NLDS to the San Francisco Giants, and now it appears the team is ready to turn, perhaps as early as tomorrow according to several media outlets, to Gonzalez, who served as the Braves third base coach from 2003-06. In three plus seasons as the Marlins’ manager, Gonzalez was 276-279 while competing with one of baseball’s lowest payrolls. He was 34-36 this season when he was let go by the team. His best year with the Braves’ NL East rival was in 2009, when the Marlins finished 87-75 but missed the playoffs.
Gonzalez earned a lot of national attention earlier this season for lifting all-star shortstop Hanley Ramirez after Ramirez loafed while chasing a grounder he booted in a game. The Marlins ownership appeared to side with the superstar over the manager and Gonzalez was relieved of his duties with one year and one half left on his contract.
The team has not officially commented on the potential change, but the team’s website is running a story that the selection has been confirmed by several sources.
How will Gonzalez do with Atlanta, should he officially be given the job? Gonzalez was a loyal lieutenant under Cox, so he should move in nicely without too much disruption as Cox moves upstairs to assist GM Frank Wren and team president John Schuerholz. Gonzalez seems old school, just like Bobby, which means a culture shock isn’t likely. While in past seasons, some wondered if a new and fresh voice was needed, this season, Cox’s message was received as the team made the playoffs for the first time since 2005. Gonzalez will be able to offer new angles but likely the message will remain in the same ballpark.
Should this hire be finalized today or tomorrow, the Braves must be considered immediate playoff contenders entering the 2011 season. The team was able to make the playoffs in 2010 despite an avalanche of injuries; with a healthy roster and a manager ready to get hands on with his new “old” team, this team could dominate the Wild Card race and potentially edge out the Phillies for the division.
Gonzalez earned a lot of national attention earlier this season for lifting all-star shortstop Hanley Ramirez after Ramirez loafed while chasing a grounder he booted in a game. The Marlins ownership appeared to side with the superstar over the manager and Gonzalez was relieved of his duties with one year and one half left on his contract.
The team has not officially commented on the potential change, but the team’s website is running a story that the selection has been confirmed by several sources.
How will Gonzalez do with Atlanta, should he officially be given the job? Gonzalez was a loyal lieutenant under Cox, so he should move in nicely without too much disruption as Cox moves upstairs to assist GM Frank Wren and team president John Schuerholz. Gonzalez seems old school, just like Bobby, which means a culture shock isn’t likely. While in past seasons, some wondered if a new and fresh voice was needed, this season, Cox’s message was received as the team made the playoffs for the first time since 2005. Gonzalez will be able to offer new angles but likely the message will remain in the same ballpark.
Should this hire be finalized today or tomorrow, the Braves must be considered immediate playoff contenders entering the 2011 season. The team was able to make the playoffs in 2010 despite an avalanche of injuries; with a healthy roster and a manager ready to get hands on with his new “old” team, this team could dominate the Wild Card race and potentially edge out the Phillies for the division.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Rory Anderson likes the Gamecocks
Several weeks ago McEachern linebacker Marcquis Roberts admitted to Score Atlanta’s The Official Visit co-hosts that he and teammate Rory Anderson would likely be a package deal for whichever college they decide to attend. Last night on the Official Visit, Anderson didn’t exactly confirm Roberts’ claim but he did mention that the two are planning to take visits together and one school could set up nicely for both.
“South Carolina is my top school right now,” said Anderson when asked about his top five. “It’s not too far but not too close. My mom can come to all of the home games and Marcquis’s grandmother lives there.” In fact when the two went to Columbia to visit the campus, the two stayed with Roberts’ grandmother according to Anderson. The McEachern tight end, one of the top TEs in the state of Georgia and a member of the Score 44, likes how Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks use the tight end position as well as their loyalty. “They’ve been with me from the jump,” said Anderson.
A “close second” is the University of Virginia however and Anderson said he enjoyed himself on a recent visit to Charlottesville. “I had a chance to go up there. It was a nice, historic campus.” Anderson was intrigued by the fact that the Virginia coaching staff asked him what position he wanted to play because Anderson has considered playing receiver. “I can be a receiver because my dad is tall and I’m tall. If I put on weight though I’ll stay at tight end.” He revealed that the Gamecocks want him strictly as a tight end.
Anderson said that he doesn’t plan on committing until after making his visits. “It’s a big decision. It’s the next four years of my life,” said Anderson of his important decision and forthcoming pledge in the next few months. “I will take my officials before I decide. Education is something I’m looking at everywhere I go,” Anderson admitted. He also noted that location was the other big factor for him as he wants to be close enough for his mother to be able to watch his games.
With his college selection needing to be close, he has included the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Florida Bulls in his final four. “I like the Vols,” Anderson said about Tennessee but he was more complimentary of USF. “I’ve been through South Florida and I’ll most likely take an official there.” He said he wants to learn more about the Tampa area before potentially matriculating there.
His mother though gave a big clue as to where Anderson, and Roberts, may end up. “My mom thinks it is (going to) be South Carolina.” Anderson wouldn’t confirm that he will do what “mama” says but he did admit that he has a better relationship with the South Carolina coaching staff than any other school, Virginia included, despite the Cavalier coaching attending a recent McEachern game.
“I’ve always dreamed about playing football on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons, I’ll be ready to go,” said Anderson about his attitude once he finally decides. “I want to play early, but if I have to redshirt, I’ll be more prepared and more ready to go next year than this year,” Anderson concluded about his first year expectations. Whatever college snags Anderson, and possibly Roberts, Anderson will be ready to compete and with his size, it will be difficult for ANY coaching staff to keep him off the field, great relationship or not.
“South Carolina is my top school right now,” said Anderson when asked about his top five. “It’s not too far but not too close. My mom can come to all of the home games and Marcquis’s grandmother lives there.” In fact when the two went to Columbia to visit the campus, the two stayed with Roberts’ grandmother according to Anderson. The McEachern tight end, one of the top TEs in the state of Georgia and a member of the Score 44, likes how Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks use the tight end position as well as their loyalty. “They’ve been with me from the jump,” said Anderson.
A “close second” is the University of Virginia however and Anderson said he enjoyed himself on a recent visit to Charlottesville. “I had a chance to go up there. It was a nice, historic campus.” Anderson was intrigued by the fact that the Virginia coaching staff asked him what position he wanted to play because Anderson has considered playing receiver. “I can be a receiver because my dad is tall and I’m tall. If I put on weight though I’ll stay at tight end.” He revealed that the Gamecocks want him strictly as a tight end.
Anderson said that he doesn’t plan on committing until after making his visits. “It’s a big decision. It’s the next four years of my life,” said Anderson of his important decision and forthcoming pledge in the next few months. “I will take my officials before I decide. Education is something I’m looking at everywhere I go,” Anderson admitted. He also noted that location was the other big factor for him as he wants to be close enough for his mother to be able to watch his games.
With his college selection needing to be close, he has included the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Florida Bulls in his final four. “I like the Vols,” Anderson said about Tennessee but he was more complimentary of USF. “I’ve been through South Florida and I’ll most likely take an official there.” He said he wants to learn more about the Tampa area before potentially matriculating there.
His mother though gave a big clue as to where Anderson, and Roberts, may end up. “My mom thinks it is (going to) be South Carolina.” Anderson wouldn’t confirm that he will do what “mama” says but he did admit that he has a better relationship with the South Carolina coaching staff than any other school, Virginia included, despite the Cavalier coaching attending a recent McEachern game.
“I’ve always dreamed about playing football on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons, I’ll be ready to go,” said Anderson about his attitude once he finally decides. “I want to play early, but if I have to redshirt, I’ll be more prepared and more ready to go next year than this year,” Anderson concluded about his first year expectations. Whatever college snags Anderson, and possibly Roberts, Anderson will be ready to compete and with his size, it will be difficult for ANY coaching staff to keep him off the field, great relationship or not.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Big B's Top ten uncommitted Georgia prospects
Big B Brian Jones of Score Atlanta fame put together this list which debuted on Monday Night's edition of Score Atlanta's The Official Visit. Scott Janovitz provided the commentary on each. Tune in next week to The Official Visit 7:30-10pm
10) Xzavier Ward: The 6-7 255-pound OT from Colquitt County was in Tuscaloosa two weekends ago and in Gainesville last weekend. He still wants to get to Auburn as well. I think it could come down to the end for Ward, as he will take his official visits after the season;
9) Kadetrix Marcus: 6-0, 182-pound safety out of Stephenson. He has a final five of South Carolina, South Florida, Miami, Tennessee and West Virginia. He needs to go on more visits before anyone knows where he’s going. I think Tennessee and South Caroline have good shots right now as top two, but Miami is the place if he gets a Cane offer;
8) Avery Walls: 5-11, 184-pound out of Eagles Landing Christian. Walls is looking at Oregon, Virginia, Michigan, Michigan State, Stanford, UCLA, Cal... I like Michigan here, but he may be the toughest prospect to get a read on, and he will make a smart decision, no doubt;
7) Xzavier Dickson: 6-3, 238-pound DE out of Griffin. He will take at least four official visits, to Bama, Florida, Georgia, and Auburn. He says Auburn and Alabama are recruiting him the hardest, I think it’s a Georgia-Bama battle;
6) Malcolm Mitchell: 6-1, 187-pound athlete out of Valdosta. He was in Gainesville over the weekend. I think it is a three-team race for Mitchell, with Florida, Georgia and Bama in the running. Gator in the end;
5) Damian Swann: 6-0, 180-pound athlete out of Grady. He says Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Ohio State lead right now. Based on how many times he has wanted to commit, I think Georgia is the school, it’s his dream school;
4) Gabe Wright: 6-3, 275-pound DT out of Columbus. If you’ve spoken to Wright, you know he isn’t a kid that cares at all about what anyone else does. He’s looking at Bama, Auburn, Georgia and Tennessee, and Clemson. Auburn and Tennessee lead, but it’s Auburn all the way in the end;
3) Jay Rome: 6-5, 255-pound TE out of Valdosta. Rome visited Gainesville over the weekend. He is flirting with other schools, and I think Alabama is a legitimate threat, but he seems destined to be a Bulldog;
2) Isaiah Crowell: 5-11, 190-pound running back out of Columbus. Says Bama is his leader, but I think that is all about on-the-field results. If Georgia can turn its season around at all, I think they get Isaiah in the end;
1) Ray Drew: 6-5, 243-pound DE out of Thomas County Central. Drew was in Baton Rouge for LSU’s game with Tennessee two weeks ago. Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Clemson are also all still in the running. This one will come down to the end, and I have absolutely no read.
10) Xzavier Ward: The 6-7 255-pound OT from Colquitt County was in Tuscaloosa two weekends ago and in Gainesville last weekend. He still wants to get to Auburn as well. I think it could come down to the end for Ward, as he will take his official visits after the season;
9) Kadetrix Marcus: 6-0, 182-pound safety out of Stephenson. He has a final five of South Carolina, South Florida, Miami, Tennessee and West Virginia. He needs to go on more visits before anyone knows where he’s going. I think Tennessee and South Caroline have good shots right now as top two, but Miami is the place if he gets a Cane offer;
8) Avery Walls: 5-11, 184-pound out of Eagles Landing Christian. Walls is looking at Oregon, Virginia, Michigan, Michigan State, Stanford, UCLA, Cal... I like Michigan here, but he may be the toughest prospect to get a read on, and he will make a smart decision, no doubt;
7) Xzavier Dickson: 6-3, 238-pound DE out of Griffin. He will take at least four official visits, to Bama, Florida, Georgia, and Auburn. He says Auburn and Alabama are recruiting him the hardest, I think it’s a Georgia-Bama battle;
6) Malcolm Mitchell: 6-1, 187-pound athlete out of Valdosta. He was in Gainesville over the weekend. I think it is a three-team race for Mitchell, with Florida, Georgia and Bama in the running. Gator in the end;
5) Damian Swann: 6-0, 180-pound athlete out of Grady. He says Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Ohio State lead right now. Based on how many times he has wanted to commit, I think Georgia is the school, it’s his dream school;
4) Gabe Wright: 6-3, 275-pound DT out of Columbus. If you’ve spoken to Wright, you know he isn’t a kid that cares at all about what anyone else does. He’s looking at Bama, Auburn, Georgia and Tennessee, and Clemson. Auburn and Tennessee lead, but it’s Auburn all the way in the end;
3) Jay Rome: 6-5, 255-pound TE out of Valdosta. Rome visited Gainesville over the weekend. He is flirting with other schools, and I think Alabama is a legitimate threat, but he seems destined to be a Bulldog;
2) Isaiah Crowell: 5-11, 190-pound running back out of Columbus. Says Bama is his leader, but I think that is all about on-the-field results. If Georgia can turn its season around at all, I think they get Isaiah in the end;
1) Ray Drew: 6-5, 243-pound DE out of Thomas County Central. Drew was in Baton Rouge for LSU’s game with Tennessee two weeks ago. Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Clemson are also all still in the running. This one will come down to the end, and I have absolutely no read.
Julian Royal announces it will be either Georgia or Tech
Just moments ago on Score Atlanta's The Official Visit, Milton forward Julian Royal announced that when he announces his college decision this Thursday at his high school, it will be either the University of Georgia or Georgia Tech. Wake Forest was previously in his top three, but Wake apparently will not make the final cut.
Other highlights from his interview with Scott Janovitz and Fletcher Proctor, Royal said that he preferred high school basketball over the AAU game because it is more team-oriented and you have set and designed plays over just individual efforts that AAU showcases.
Royal also thinks that his team should be very tough come playoff time because it is playing more of a national schedule, perhaps even compete for a "national title."
Royal was quick to say that both GT head coach Paul Hewitt as well as Georgia coach Mark Fox were very impressive on in-home visits and he wouldn't give negatives on either. He did mention that he's wondered about Hewitt's future but if he were to go to Tech, it would be for the school and the education and not for just a coach. He did reference Mark Fox though several times, perhaps tipping his hand?
As far as a package deal with high school teammate Dai-jon Parker, Royal said that that likely won't happen. He referenced that they had actually spoken about it a while ago but with Shannon Scott headed to Ohio State and Parker weighing his options, it still likely won't happen.
As far as first year expectations, Royal wouldn't go so far as to say he'll be a starter, be he said he will work hard to at least be in the rotation for playing time. He says his versatility is his best attribute and that will help him see some early playing time.
Other highlights from his interview with Scott Janovitz and Fletcher Proctor, Royal said that he preferred high school basketball over the AAU game because it is more team-oriented and you have set and designed plays over just individual efforts that AAU showcases.
Royal also thinks that his team should be very tough come playoff time because it is playing more of a national schedule, perhaps even compete for a "national title."
Royal was quick to say that both GT head coach Paul Hewitt as well as Georgia coach Mark Fox were very impressive on in-home visits and he wouldn't give negatives on either. He did mention that he's wondered about Hewitt's future but if he were to go to Tech, it would be for the school and the education and not for just a coach. He did reference Mark Fox though several times, perhaps tipping his hand?
As far as a package deal with high school teammate Dai-jon Parker, Royal said that that likely won't happen. He referenced that they had actually spoken about it a while ago but with Shannon Scott headed to Ohio State and Parker weighing his options, it still likely won't happen.
As far as first year expectations, Royal wouldn't go so far as to say he'll be a starter, be he said he will work hard to at least be in the rotation for playing time. He says his versatility is his best attribute and that will help him see some early playing time.
North Gwinnett is Gwinnett's best after last weekend
While football's region play is getting hot and heavy, the region titles on the softball diamond were being decided in Gwinnett County. In Region 7-AAAAA, Collins Hill won its second straight crown with a 5-1 victory over the Bulldogs of North Gwinnett. The two Suwanee schools went at it hard and the Eagles led 2-1 in the championship game when Christina Parham of Collins Hill gave pitcher Kayla Floor a dash of insurance with a three-run home run. Parham's blast came in the fifth inning, and with the extra runs, Floor cruised to the victory. Floor's final line included one run on four hits with six strikeouts. The Eagles are hoping that a second straight region title will bring a second straight Class AAAAA state title and will enter the state playoffs with a 25-2-1 record and were set to face Etowah at home in the first round. The results were not available at press deadline. Meanwhile, despite the loss, North Gwinnett will host Lassiter in the first round and carry a 20-7-1 record into the state playoffs.
Across the county, Brookwood claimed Region 8-AAAAA by coming out of the elimination bracket to beat Grayson twice for the title. The Lady Broncos won game one 7-5 by rallying back thanks to a Megan Litumbe two-run double and then used a three-run homer from Litumbe to build a 10-0 lead before holding on against the Lady Rams to win 10-9. Brookwood earned a date with West Forsyth by winning the region while Grayson was to face Roswell after finishing second in Region 8-AAAAA. Both series were slated to be played after press deadline.
In the lower classifications, Buford won its third straight Region 6-AA title with an 8-1 win over the Greater Atlanta Christian School. Karly Fullem tossed a complete game in the win and helped her own cause by going 2-2 at the dish. The complete game was Fullem's eleventh this season.
And in an upset on the volleyball courts, Wesleyan was unable to win its tenth straight Area A/AA championship, falling to Holy Innocents' in a mild upset 24-26, 17-25, and 18-25.
On the prep gridiron, Gwinnett County had three of the top teams in Class AAAAA and those three were all in action last week. Collins Hill sent shockwaves throughout the state after knocking off No.3 Peachtree Ridge 14-10. The Lions were held to just 261 total yards, well below its season average of total offense and Collins Hill made two first half TD passes stand up with strong defense in the second half. Score 44 member Taylor Heinicke attempted 40 passes and two went for TDs early, including one to Jeff Glover to get the Eagles on the scoreboard. The catch for Glover was bittersweet though as he would have to leave the game later with a broken right arm.
Heinicke found Herdie Lawrence on a three-yard scoring pass to give the Eagles a 14-3 halftime lead. Ridge would open up the second half with a 68-yard scoring drive capped off with a Billy Best 34-yard TD pass to Joe Horn. The Eagles defense would then stand up though, forcing three turnovers as well as a turnover on downs and would intercept Best to end the game. The Eagles improved to 3-3, while Peachtree Ridge dropped its first game of the year.
No.2 North Gwinnett surely did not want to fall victim to the upset bug that bit the Ridge Lions and the Bulldogs would never even sweat it, shutting out No.7 Norcross 38-0. The Bulldogs led 28-0 at intermission and CJ Uzomah accounted for over 150 yards of total offense including 20 receiving, 81 passing and 52 rushing and two TDs while North Gwinnett totaled 382 yards of offense. Joe Jones rushed for a score to get North Gwinnett on the board first and then Ethan Kilgore found the endzone on a 13-yard run. Jones then connected with Uzomah on a reverse pass for a TD. The shutout loss for Norcross was its first whitewashing since 2003. Peachtree Ridge will travel to face Norcross this week as the two teams attempt to rebound from the first loss for each on the year. On last week's GPB Sports Central XL, Gwinnett County coaching legend Dave Hunter applauded North Gwinnett for its tough scheduling, saying that the Bulldogs toughened themselves for the region slate, which he called the toughest in the state.
In other football action, the South Gwinnett Comets got back to its winning ways with a 54-27 victory over Berkmar. Running back Aaron WImberly had 155 yards and three TDs before being lifted in the third quarter of the blowout win. QB Kent Rollins, a member of the Score 44, passed for 157 yards on 11-16 throwing and one TD, with one INT. The Comets fell out of the rankings last week after losing to Brookwood.
Grayson, ranked No.9 in the latest poll defeated No.10 Dacula 16-10 in a defensive struggle. Dacula, ranked No.10 and ranked for the first time since preseason 2007, fell after gaining just 140 yards of offense while the Rams managed just 157 yards. Grayson QB Nick Schuessler did manage a TD pass late in the second quarter to give the Rams a 16-7 lead and put the game out of reach thanks to Mickey Conn's suffocating defense.
Duluth got its first region win with a 46-22 victory over Mountain View while Parkview edged out Central Gwinnett 24-17. Meadowcreek couldn't dent the scoreboard yet again as Mill Creek romped to a 47-0 victory. The shutout loss was the fifth straight game where the Mustangs could not manage a single point. For Mill Creek, Tyler Cierski, headed to Maryland to play fullback, scored three TDs.
At the AA level, GAC earned a huge road region win with a 28-18 decision over Decatur. Kyle Scales, Lavondre Nelson and Jared Chapple all ran for TDs for the Spartans. The win ran GAC's record up to 5-1. The No.2 Buford Wolves used two early Alex Ross TD passes to put Clarkston in a hole early. The final would be 47-0 in favor of Buford. Dominique Swope ran for one TD while Seon Jones notched a TD scamper of his own.
In Class A, Wesleyan earned its 24th straight regular season victory dating back to 2008 with a victory over King's Ridge 49-6. Quarterback Andrew Frerking posted 222 passing yards and 4 TD through the air while sneaking one across for a score. Running back Kyle Karempelis finished with 182 total yards (102 rushing and 80 receiving) for the Wolves.
Across the county, Brookwood claimed Region 8-AAAAA by coming out of the elimination bracket to beat Grayson twice for the title. The Lady Broncos won game one 7-5 by rallying back thanks to a Megan Litumbe two-run double and then used a three-run homer from Litumbe to build a 10-0 lead before holding on against the Lady Rams to win 10-9. Brookwood earned a date with West Forsyth by winning the region while Grayson was to face Roswell after finishing second in Region 8-AAAAA. Both series were slated to be played after press deadline.
In the lower classifications, Buford won its third straight Region 6-AA title with an 8-1 win over the Greater Atlanta Christian School. Karly Fullem tossed a complete game in the win and helped her own cause by going 2-2 at the dish. The complete game was Fullem's eleventh this season.
And in an upset on the volleyball courts, Wesleyan was unable to win its tenth straight Area A/AA championship, falling to Holy Innocents' in a mild upset 24-26, 17-25, and 18-25.
On the prep gridiron, Gwinnett County had three of the top teams in Class AAAAA and those three were all in action last week. Collins Hill sent shockwaves throughout the state after knocking off No.3 Peachtree Ridge 14-10. The Lions were held to just 261 total yards, well below its season average of total offense and Collins Hill made two first half TD passes stand up with strong defense in the second half. Score 44 member Taylor Heinicke attempted 40 passes and two went for TDs early, including one to Jeff Glover to get the Eagles on the scoreboard. The catch for Glover was bittersweet though as he would have to leave the game later with a broken right arm.
Heinicke found Herdie Lawrence on a three-yard scoring pass to give the Eagles a 14-3 halftime lead. Ridge would open up the second half with a 68-yard scoring drive capped off with a Billy Best 34-yard TD pass to Joe Horn. The Eagles defense would then stand up though, forcing three turnovers as well as a turnover on downs and would intercept Best to end the game. The Eagles improved to 3-3, while Peachtree Ridge dropped its first game of the year.
No.2 North Gwinnett surely did not want to fall victim to the upset bug that bit the Ridge Lions and the Bulldogs would never even sweat it, shutting out No.7 Norcross 38-0. The Bulldogs led 28-0 at intermission and CJ Uzomah accounted for over 150 yards of total offense including 20 receiving, 81 passing and 52 rushing and two TDs while North Gwinnett totaled 382 yards of offense. Joe Jones rushed for a score to get North Gwinnett on the board first and then Ethan Kilgore found the endzone on a 13-yard run. Jones then connected with Uzomah on a reverse pass for a TD. The shutout loss for Norcross was its first whitewashing since 2003. Peachtree Ridge will travel to face Norcross this week as the two teams attempt to rebound from the first loss for each on the year. On last week's GPB Sports Central XL, Gwinnett County coaching legend Dave Hunter applauded North Gwinnett for its tough scheduling, saying that the Bulldogs toughened themselves for the region slate, which he called the toughest in the state.
In other football action, the South Gwinnett Comets got back to its winning ways with a 54-27 victory over Berkmar. Running back Aaron WImberly had 155 yards and three TDs before being lifted in the third quarter of the blowout win. QB Kent Rollins, a member of the Score 44, passed for 157 yards on 11-16 throwing and one TD, with one INT. The Comets fell out of the rankings last week after losing to Brookwood.
Grayson, ranked No.9 in the latest poll defeated No.10 Dacula 16-10 in a defensive struggle. Dacula, ranked No.10 and ranked for the first time since preseason 2007, fell after gaining just 140 yards of offense while the Rams managed just 157 yards. Grayson QB Nick Schuessler did manage a TD pass late in the second quarter to give the Rams a 16-7 lead and put the game out of reach thanks to Mickey Conn's suffocating defense.
Duluth got its first region win with a 46-22 victory over Mountain View while Parkview edged out Central Gwinnett 24-17. Meadowcreek couldn't dent the scoreboard yet again as Mill Creek romped to a 47-0 victory. The shutout loss was the fifth straight game where the Mustangs could not manage a single point. For Mill Creek, Tyler Cierski, headed to Maryland to play fullback, scored three TDs.
At the AA level, GAC earned a huge road region win with a 28-18 decision over Decatur. Kyle Scales, Lavondre Nelson and Jared Chapple all ran for TDs for the Spartans. The win ran GAC's record up to 5-1. The No.2 Buford Wolves used two early Alex Ross TD passes to put Clarkston in a hole early. The final would be 47-0 in favor of Buford. Dominique Swope ran for one TD while Seon Jones notched a TD scamper of his own.
In Class A, Wesleyan earned its 24th straight regular season victory dating back to 2008 with a victory over King's Ridge 49-6. Quarterback Andrew Frerking posted 222 passing yards and 4 TD through the air while sneaking one across for a score. Running back Kyle Karempelis finished with 182 total yards (102 rushing and 80 receiving) for the Wolves.
Is this Cobb County's year?
It has been quite some time since Cobb County hoisted a Georgia state football title. Not since Marietta claimed the 1967 Class-AAA title has a school representing Cobb County won a football state title. This season Cobb has two teams on which it will pin its hopes to snap the streak: McEachern in Class AAAAA and Kell in Class AAAA.
The McEachern Indians were undefeated last season but lost in the first round of the state playoffs, despite Rajaan Bennett’s best efforts. This season the team got off to a rocky start, losing on a controversial missed field goal in the Georgia Dome against Peachtree Ridge, but quickly rebounded to beat traditional power Lowndes at home. The Indians seemed to find a leader in its QB rotation in Dondre Purnell as the signal caller rallied his team from a halftime hole to win the game on a Purnell scramble into the pylon with three seconds left in the game. Since then Purnell has shined, most recently connecting on 11 of 16 passes for 242 yards and four scores against Hillgrove while also racking up 101 yards and a score on five carries in the 64-48 win. Purnell has plenty of options to throw to in TE Rory Anderson and WR Amba Etta-Tawo or hand off to Zander Wilder. The defense for McEachern, though lit up against Hillgrove, has plenty of playmakers including Chris Okpala and Marcquis Roberts, a member of the Score 44, at linebacker. McEachern can score in bunches and plays good enough defense to go along with a fabulous kicker in Nicholas St. Germain, but come playoff time will the defense be able to play with the same emotion it did in the victory against Lowndes? Can the offense continue to put up huge numbers when the defenses get harder and harder? And bet that if the Indians meet up with Lowndes, the Vikings will have revenge on the mind.
Meanwhile Kell is undefeated and moving up the Class AAAA rankings in a hurry. This is Kell’s first season at the AAAA level and the Longhorns have dominated their schedule thus far. The Horns got a huge victory over Grayson to start the season and Brian Randolph has put Kell on his back and carried them in seemingly all of their games. Randolph has done it on the offensive side of the ball, rushing for TD after TD, several being game-winners and last week against Osborne, he showed why Tennessee wants him in its defensive secondary as he ballhawked two INTs from his safety spot. Austin Petrik is a cerebral quarterback and Chris Gaines is going to be a star next year at tailback when he breaks out of Randolph’s shadow. This season, Gaines will have to settle for second-billing while he churns out 100 yards-rushing games. Kell will be tested in the playoffs but with Derek Cook calling the plays for Kell, a run to the Georgia Dome isn’t out of the question.
The McEachern Indians were undefeated last season but lost in the first round of the state playoffs, despite Rajaan Bennett’s best efforts. This season the team got off to a rocky start, losing on a controversial missed field goal in the Georgia Dome against Peachtree Ridge, but quickly rebounded to beat traditional power Lowndes at home. The Indians seemed to find a leader in its QB rotation in Dondre Purnell as the signal caller rallied his team from a halftime hole to win the game on a Purnell scramble into the pylon with three seconds left in the game. Since then Purnell has shined, most recently connecting on 11 of 16 passes for 242 yards and four scores against Hillgrove while also racking up 101 yards and a score on five carries in the 64-48 win. Purnell has plenty of options to throw to in TE Rory Anderson and WR Amba Etta-Tawo or hand off to Zander Wilder. The defense for McEachern, though lit up against Hillgrove, has plenty of playmakers including Chris Okpala and Marcquis Roberts, a member of the Score 44, at linebacker. McEachern can score in bunches and plays good enough defense to go along with a fabulous kicker in Nicholas St. Germain, but come playoff time will the defense be able to play with the same emotion it did in the victory against Lowndes? Can the offense continue to put up huge numbers when the defenses get harder and harder? And bet that if the Indians meet up with Lowndes, the Vikings will have revenge on the mind.
Meanwhile Kell is undefeated and moving up the Class AAAA rankings in a hurry. This is Kell’s first season at the AAAA level and the Longhorns have dominated their schedule thus far. The Horns got a huge victory over Grayson to start the season and Brian Randolph has put Kell on his back and carried them in seemingly all of their games. Randolph has done it on the offensive side of the ball, rushing for TD after TD, several being game-winners and last week against Osborne, he showed why Tennessee wants him in its defensive secondary as he ballhawked two INTs from his safety spot. Austin Petrik is a cerebral quarterback and Chris Gaines is going to be a star next year at tailback when he breaks out of Randolph’s shadow. This season, Gaines will have to settle for second-billing while he churns out 100 yards-rushing games. Kell will be tested in the playoffs but with Derek Cook calling the plays for Kell, a run to the Georgia Dome isn’t out of the question.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Braves blow a golden chance with Conrad's third error
The Atlanta Braves had victory within reach. Make-shift closer Craig Kimbrel had two strikes on the San Francisco Giants' "last hope" but alas the Giants were able to put the tying run on second with a base hit off Kimbrel and Bobby Cox went to his bullpen for Mike Dunn to try and close out the game. The Braves led 2-1.
Just how the Braves got the lead was a story in itself. Jonathan Sanchez was on his game for the Giants, striking out eleven Braves batters before leaving the game in the eighth with a runner on first base. The Braves were held without a hit until starter Tim Hudson managed a soft liner to rightfield in the sixth with one out and then Sanchez retired each batter until Alex Gonzalez led off the eighth with a shot to right-center. Sergio Romo came in and promptly surrendered a two-run homer to pinch-hitter Eric Hinske to give the Braves a 2-1 lead.
It looked for a while like Sanchez would only need the one run, given to the Giants care of a Brooks Conrad error in the second. Conrad failed to squeeze on a pop fly to shallow right field and the Giants were able to scamper home with a runner from third. Conrad would have another error to his name before the top of the ninth.
With runners on first and second belonging to Kimbrel, Dunn allowed an Aubrey Huff single to rightfield to tie the game at 2-2, and then Buster Posey managed fight off a grounder to second base that should have retired the side. Unfortunately for Braves fans, Conrad let the ball slide under his glove and the Giants' Freddy Sanchez scored the eventual winning run. Brian Wilson would not blow another save as he did in game two and now Derek Lowe, the Braves game one starter, will be called upon on short rest to extend the series back to San Francisco, where Tim Lincecum would be waiting in game five.
Prior to the game Billy Wagner was deactivated and replaced on the roster by Takashi Saito in a move that will make Wagner ineligible for the NLCS as well, should the Braves make it that far. Wagner hurt his left oblique muscle while fielding a ball in Friday's game two.
Just how the Braves got the lead was a story in itself. Jonathan Sanchez was on his game for the Giants, striking out eleven Braves batters before leaving the game in the eighth with a runner on first base. The Braves were held without a hit until starter Tim Hudson managed a soft liner to rightfield in the sixth with one out and then Sanchez retired each batter until Alex Gonzalez led off the eighth with a shot to right-center. Sergio Romo came in and promptly surrendered a two-run homer to pinch-hitter Eric Hinske to give the Braves a 2-1 lead.
It looked for a while like Sanchez would only need the one run, given to the Giants care of a Brooks Conrad error in the second. Conrad failed to squeeze on a pop fly to shallow right field and the Giants were able to scamper home with a runner from third. Conrad would have another error to his name before the top of the ninth.
With runners on first and second belonging to Kimbrel, Dunn allowed an Aubrey Huff single to rightfield to tie the game at 2-2, and then Buster Posey managed fight off a grounder to second base that should have retired the side. Unfortunately for Braves fans, Conrad let the ball slide under his glove and the Giants' Freddy Sanchez scored the eventual winning run. Brian Wilson would not blow another save as he did in game two and now Derek Lowe, the Braves game one starter, will be called upon on short rest to extend the series back to San Francisco, where Tim Lincecum would be waiting in game five.
Prior to the game Billy Wagner was deactivated and replaced on the roster by Takashi Saito in a move that will make Wagner ineligible for the NLCS as well, should the Braves make it that far. Wagner hurt his left oblique muscle while fielding a ball in Friday's game two.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Stephenson defense is GOOD
DeKalb County’s Hallford Stadium was the sight for a doubler-header tonight as No.6 Stephenson “hosted” Newton County and Southwest DeKalb met Dunwoody. In the first contest, the Jaguars got on the board in a hurry as Mike Davis returned the opening kickoff 78 yards for a touchdown, breaking tackles and then breaking away around midfield. After the Newton Rams were forced to punt, it was Willie Davis that punched in a six-yard TD run after a 73-yard completion set up first and goal at the seven. In the second quarter, Colin Anderson nailed a 47-yard field goal after missing a field goal earlier in the contest as well as two extra-points.
In the third quarter, two questionable fourth down calls led to just three points for Newton County as the Rams went for fourth down on 4th and 9 after a penalty, then decided to go for three points on fourth and goal from the down while down 15 points.
In the fourth, Willie Davis capped off a 65-yard scoring drive with a 31 yard scamper for paydirt to stretch the Stephenson lead to 22-3.
Akeem Hunt then took over the Hallford Stadium contest by hauling in an 85-yard scoring pass after the Jaguar coverage broke down. After the Jags punted again, Hunt toasted Stephenson for another TD, this one from three yards out. The lead was cut to 22-16 but Stephenson recovered the onside kick and the Jaguars were able to run out the clock to improve to 6-0.
In the nightcap, Southwest DeKalb got the scoring going with a 65-yard TD after a Dunwoody defensive back gambled and came up empty, leading to Desmond Young finding the endzone.
In the second quarter, John West-Grant hauled in a 16-yard TD strike from Andre Wilson and Wilson found Moses Charles in the third on a 21-yard TD toss. After Dunwoody’s Tracey White plunged in from one yard out, Toran Davis intercepted a last minute gasp and ran untouched 16 yards for a Pick-6.
The final score was 28-6, Southwest DeKalb.
The bottom line from these games: the Stephenson defense, if it stays motivated, could be the best in the state and it has been the best we’ve seen this season on GPB’s Games of the Week. Also, this Stephenson squad, in my opinion, is better than last year’s playoff edition because the offense is a bit more balanced with the two Davises in the offensive backfield.
In the third quarter, two questionable fourth down calls led to just three points for Newton County as the Rams went for fourth down on 4th and 9 after a penalty, then decided to go for three points on fourth and goal from the down while down 15 points.
In the fourth, Willie Davis capped off a 65-yard scoring drive with a 31 yard scamper for paydirt to stretch the Stephenson lead to 22-3.
Akeem Hunt then took over the Hallford Stadium contest by hauling in an 85-yard scoring pass after the Jaguar coverage broke down. After the Jags punted again, Hunt toasted Stephenson for another TD, this one from three yards out. The lead was cut to 22-16 but Stephenson recovered the onside kick and the Jaguars were able to run out the clock to improve to 6-0.
In the nightcap, Southwest DeKalb got the scoring going with a 65-yard TD after a Dunwoody defensive back gambled and came up empty, leading to Desmond Young finding the endzone.
In the second quarter, John West-Grant hauled in a 16-yard TD strike from Andre Wilson and Wilson found Moses Charles in the third on a 21-yard TD toss. After Dunwoody’s Tracey White plunged in from one yard out, Toran Davis intercepted a last minute gasp and ran untouched 16 yards for a Pick-6.
The final score was 28-6, Southwest DeKalb.
The bottom line from these games: the Stephenson defense, if it stays motivated, could be the best in the state and it has been the best we’ve seen this season on GPB’s Games of the Week. Also, this Stephenson squad, in my opinion, is better than last year’s playoff edition because the offense is a bit more balanced with the two Davises in the offensive backfield.
Braves need to win this thing in 4!
The Atlanta Braves managed just two hits in the 1-0 Game One loss of its National League Divisional Series against the Giants in San Francisco. The Braves started the first inning off right with a double but then went quietly into the next few innings as two-time Cy Young award-winner Tim Lincecum struck out five straight and totaled 14 on the night in a two-hit shutout win. The Giants scored just once, after a questionable call at second base and a “hit” that got under third baseman Omar Infante’s glove to plate the game’s only run. That was enough though in this pitchers’ duel.
Derek Lowe was the tough-luck loser despite allowing just the one run on four hits in 5.1 innings of work. He struck out six but walked four. It was the Buster Posey steal in the fourth inning though that was the difference. Cody Ross, who many people felt the Braves could have targeted at the trading deadline, hit a grounder that made Infante go to his left. The fourth-string third baseman couldn’t haul in as Posey scored. Lowe was able to get out of more trouble and the bullpen didn’t allow any runs, but it wouldn’t be enough as the Braves offense couldn’t muster anything of its own. Brian McCann managed the team’s only other hit, a double coming in the seventh with only one out, though it amounted to squat as Alex Gonzalez and Matt Diaz were both quickly retired.
In my opinion, the Braves MUST take tonight’s game with San Francisco as Tommy Hanson faces 13-game winner Matt Cain. The Braves know in the back of their minds that Lincecum is lurking, possibly as a Game Four or more likely Game Five starter. The Braves probably need to win the next three in order to take this series because if the Giants take Game Two and can let Lincecum rest until a potential Game Five, then this series is likely cooked. Atlanta must get to the other San Fran starters and hope that Lincecum is forced to come back on short rest in Game Four with the Braves leading two games to one. If that is the case, Atlanta can save Lowe for a potential Game Five. The bats must also wake up and the team, which struggled at times in the regular season to deliver the timely hit, must find that hit, ideally early on and not in the final at-bat. Brian Wilson of the Giants is too good of a closer for Braves fans to be holding on to the hope that you can beat him three times in a short series.
This series is by no means over but the Braves will have to be on red-alert, knowing that both of the Lincecum-started games will likely go to the Giants. The Braves need to hit Cain and Sanchez hard in the next two games.
Derek Lowe was the tough-luck loser despite allowing just the one run on four hits in 5.1 innings of work. He struck out six but walked four. It was the Buster Posey steal in the fourth inning though that was the difference. Cody Ross, who many people felt the Braves could have targeted at the trading deadline, hit a grounder that made Infante go to his left. The fourth-string third baseman couldn’t haul in as Posey scored. Lowe was able to get out of more trouble and the bullpen didn’t allow any runs, but it wouldn’t be enough as the Braves offense couldn’t muster anything of its own. Brian McCann managed the team’s only other hit, a double coming in the seventh with only one out, though it amounted to squat as Alex Gonzalez and Matt Diaz were both quickly retired.
In my opinion, the Braves MUST take tonight’s game with San Francisco as Tommy Hanson faces 13-game winner Matt Cain. The Braves know in the back of their minds that Lincecum is lurking, possibly as a Game Four or more likely Game Five starter. The Braves probably need to win the next three in order to take this series because if the Giants take Game Two and can let Lincecum rest until a potential Game Five, then this series is likely cooked. Atlanta must get to the other San Fran starters and hope that Lincecum is forced to come back on short rest in Game Four with the Braves leading two games to one. If that is the case, Atlanta can save Lowe for a potential Game Five. The bats must also wake up and the team, which struggled at times in the regular season to deliver the timely hit, must find that hit, ideally early on and not in the final at-bat. Brian Wilson of the Giants is too good of a closer for Braves fans to be holding on to the hope that you can beat him three times in a short series.
This series is by no means over but the Braves will have to be on red-alert, knowing that both of the Lincecum-started games will likely go to the Giants. The Braves need to hit Cain and Sanchez hard in the next two games.
So if you want it, here it is; come and get it
The backlash was horrible last week. I was nearly run out of blogspot for not providing a weekly picks. Not sure why, but since you guys wanted it, HERE IT IS.
On a side note, I will be calling a double-header of football tonight at Hallford Stadium for GPB.org/sports, beginning at 5pm. Stephenson v Newton (should be awesome) then Southwest DeKalb v Dunwoody (did I mention Stephenson v Newton?). Log on and tell your friends! Then check me out tomorrow around 9:25 on 790 The Zone for the High School recap, read my stuff on GPB.org/sports and GAPREPNEWS.com, but miss me Sunday as I'll be at Turner Field covering the Braves instead of doing the radio show from 1-4. Sorry, but you should be able to read my stuff on www.scoreatl.com as well as here.
NOW THEN, ON TO THE PICKS
Tonight's action...
No.22 Oklahoma State @ Louisiana Lafayette. WHY ARE YOU TRAVELING TO UL-L when you are FRIGGIN' RANKED? This ISN'T one of those teams that should require a return trip and I don't think the Alumni REALLY want to go here (like the Wisco fans apparently LIKE to do with UNLV). Come ON Pokes! Seriously? I hope you lose to these guys just for going to their house. But you won't. I mean Georgia beat these guys. They can't be that good!
UConn @ Rutgers. So UConn really let the Big Easy down this season and I am not really sweating out the Aaron Murray v Tom Savage thing anymore. Umm, at home, go with Savage and the Scarlet Knights. LOSING LAKATOS REALLY HURT, DIDN'T IT!?!?!
SATURDAY'S ACTION
Indiana @ #2 Ohio State. This game is apparently on ESPN-3D. REALLY? I really need to see television in 3D? Do I have to wear those STUPID GLASSES? I think 3D television with glasses is just about the dumbest idea EVER! Make it so I don't NEED glasses and then we'll talk. Even still, why am I watching TV in 3D? Is the ball going to come FLYING AT ME? I would say that pass is an incomplete then. Ohio State.
Minnesota @ #20 Wisco. All I have to say is THANK GOODNESS FOR THE BIG TEN NETWORK. I am not subjected to accidentally flipping this game on by accident. Go with Michael Queen's Badgers. PS, listen for MQueen this Sunday from 1-4 on 790 The Zone.
Syracuse @ SoFla. Just checking to see if you are actually reading this. I'm not picking this game. COME ON!
BC @ NC State. The two most recent VaTech victims. let's see....Russell Wilson looked good against GT but threw three picks v VaTech. Hmmmm BC was shutout by the Hokies. I'm going with State. Mainly because I think Tom O'Brien likes beating his old school
Illinois @ Penn State. And it's on ESPN2......Happy Valley, welcome to the Pam Ward Dance Party! WooooHooooo! We Are. Penn State. wins this one and then dances the night away.
CMU @ VaTech. For my thoughts on Darren Evans and how he is making up for a lost season, check out http://chuckoliver.net
Baylor @ Texas Tech. Tubs knows how to shut down a bad team. Baylor certainly isn't good. Red Raiders shoot em up! Wait, was that too un-PC? Wasn't Jon Favreau in PCU? How does that relate to this game? Dunno.
Tennessee @ Georgia. I just hope the team can send Russ out with a respectable showing. With this team, I'm not sure what "respectable" is though.....
Wyoming @ #5 TCU. I heard that TCU might move to the Big East? I guess they'd fit in as they are East of Arizona, but that would be AWESOME. Next let's get Boise State to move to the Big XII, along with Nevada and we'd have ourselves some REAL conferences again. PS, Wyoming? These were the people whose cheerleaders didn't like their attire, right? Or was that Idaho? Don't remember. One of those "only crazy people live here" states.
17 Michigan State @ 18 Michigan. I asked a Michigan Man to explain to me why this rivalry isn't really a rivalry, and I wasn't satisfied with his answer. If you know, please help me out here. You'd THINK this would be bigger....oh well. michigan and Denard Robinson gets the win. PS, if Robinson keeps going for 500+ all-purpose yards, he should win the Heisman, even if Michigan finishes 8-4. And anyone that says he cannot: Remember when Tebow won the Heisman? Florida lost to Georgia, michigan and LSU (and Auburn too I think). It can happen. Just letting you guys know what SHOULD happen. Nah, they'll give it to Troy Smith, I mean TPryor of Ohio State.
UCLA @ Cal. SWEET, WE FINISHED 8th in the PAC-10! That's what the winner will say. The winner: UCLA.
UVA @ GT. Ahh, you are realizing that we aren't doing the "local rooting interest" category. Georgia doesn't deserve one and why should I treat GT like they are special? Their fight song is the Bud song. And they dance to that Beyonce song. For more of my thoughts on this game, head to http://chuckoliver.net and see the UVa coverage.
Klimpsen @ UNC. Dabo, you LET Miami win that game. Shame on you Dabo! You'll beat Butch this week. But until then, you get called Klimpsen!
#3 Oregon @ Wazzou. Interesting situation here. If Oregon rolls up another 60+ points and Ohio State squeaks out another one, do the voters have the BALLS to put the Ducks ahead of the Buckeyes? I would. But alas I don't vote. Why doesn't the AP recognize SBF? Maybe SBF should get into the ranking biz itself! Take THAT AP!
Oregon State @ #9 Arizona. This is typically a game that Mike Stoops chokes in and you KNOW Oregon State could view this game as the one to save the season that saw them fail SBF by losing to BOTH TCU and Boise State. PS. I think the BCS is SOOO mad at the Beavs, that even if they rallied and won the Pac-10, the BCS wouldn't let them play. I'm going with the Wildcats. DO IT ARIZONA!
Colorado @ #24 Mizzou. Ahh a Big XII North powermatchup. If history is any forecaster, Colorado will drop this one just like Okie State did last year after beating Georgia. You can't be lucky forever Colorado! I mean, this ain't intramurals, Brutha!
#8 Auburn @ UK. I keep waiting for Auburn to drop one, but perhaps they won't until they host Georgia in November (waiting for you to stop laughing.) UK will beat them up, but not beat them. Tigers/WarEagles/Ironmen slap the Wildcats.
#12 LSU @ @14 Florida. The AJC's Mark Bradley TOTALLY stole my angle of how Georgia can still win the SEC. Didn't even give me credit. THIEF! Anyways, I would LOVE for LSU to win this one, but being on the road Les won't get the bailout call and the Gators will think they've really done something by beating UNDEFEATED LSU, but the Tigers just plain suck.
#23 FSU @ #13 Miami. Wasn't this supposed to be a preview of the ACC CHampionship game? Maybe it still is, but both of these teams were exposed in the only games they've played this year. I say FSU further exposes Miami.
USC @ #16 Stanford. Now everyone will be rooting for the secretly-poorsport Jimmy Harbaugh to lay 90 on USC and Lane Kiffin but maybe we should take a minute to think about Coach O of USC who is in the hospital. Wait, what? He is just ripping off Urban Meyer's recruiting strategy of "Fake an illness, go to the hospital and then be clearly fine, only after you've told a big-time recruit that you will only be able to survive if he signs with your school." It worked for Urban last year. Coach O is trying it out now? Guess we'll see in two weeks when he comes back RIGHT AS RAIN. GO CARDINAL. And if someone could tell the 3X All-American who is an "EXPERT" that it is Cardinal, not the Cardinals. They aren't the Arizona NFL team or the St. Louis baseball team. "Expert," huh? Term being used VERY loosely. Like Na from Survivor. AKA Loose.
Pro-Style Action.
Redskins v Packers. Can the Redskins build off of the Philly win? Well they've proven they beat NFC East rivals, but no one else. I'm going with Green Bay.
Falcons @ Cleveland. Why is Dave FM saying that the Browns are scary because they beat Cincy last week? Actually, why are music DJs talking sports at all? Falcons EASILY win this one.
Upset and Lock picks
#1 Alabama @ #19 SoCar. This is step three of Georgia winning the SEC East. Step One: Dawgs beat Tenn. Step Two: Florida loses to LSU. Step Three: Get her to open the box. Oops, wrong set of directions. I meant So Car loses this one and then later to Arkie and Florida, and then Georgia is SO IN! ROLL TIDE!
#11 Arkie @ TAMU. Apparently the Texas A&M Offense is really explosive. (Wasn't in the Independence Bowl last year against Georgia. OH!) The Aggies have had an extra few days by playing last Thursday. True Arkansas had the off-week last week, but I am going with TAMU to spring the upset in Jerry World, even though Jerry Jones, an Arkie Alum will likely have paid off the officials.
Have a great one everybody!
On a side note, I will be calling a double-header of football tonight at Hallford Stadium for GPB.org/sports, beginning at 5pm. Stephenson v Newton (should be awesome) then Southwest DeKalb v Dunwoody (did I mention Stephenson v Newton?). Log on and tell your friends! Then check me out tomorrow around 9:25 on 790 The Zone for the High School recap, read my stuff on GPB.org/sports and GAPREPNEWS.com, but miss me Sunday as I'll be at Turner Field covering the Braves instead of doing the radio show from 1-4. Sorry, but you should be able to read my stuff on www.scoreatl.com as well as here.
NOW THEN, ON TO THE PICKS
Tonight's action...
No.22 Oklahoma State @ Louisiana Lafayette. WHY ARE YOU TRAVELING TO UL-L when you are FRIGGIN' RANKED? This ISN'T one of those teams that should require a return trip and I don't think the Alumni REALLY want to go here (like the Wisco fans apparently LIKE to do with UNLV). Come ON Pokes! Seriously? I hope you lose to these guys just for going to their house. But you won't. I mean Georgia beat these guys. They can't be that good!
UConn @ Rutgers. So UConn really let the Big Easy down this season and I am not really sweating out the Aaron Murray v Tom Savage thing anymore. Umm, at home, go with Savage and the Scarlet Knights. LOSING LAKATOS REALLY HURT, DIDN'T IT!?!?!
SATURDAY'S ACTION
Indiana @ #2 Ohio State. This game is apparently on ESPN-3D. REALLY? I really need to see television in 3D? Do I have to wear those STUPID GLASSES? I think 3D television with glasses is just about the dumbest idea EVER! Make it so I don't NEED glasses and then we'll talk. Even still, why am I watching TV in 3D? Is the ball going to come FLYING AT ME? I would say that pass is an incomplete then. Ohio State.
Minnesota @ #20 Wisco. All I have to say is THANK GOODNESS FOR THE BIG TEN NETWORK. I am not subjected to accidentally flipping this game on by accident. Go with Michael Queen's Badgers. PS, listen for MQueen this Sunday from 1-4 on 790 The Zone.
Syracuse @ SoFla. Just checking to see if you are actually reading this. I'm not picking this game. COME ON!
BC @ NC State. The two most recent VaTech victims. let's see....Russell Wilson looked good against GT but threw three picks v VaTech. Hmmmm BC was shutout by the Hokies. I'm going with State. Mainly because I think Tom O'Brien likes beating his old school
Illinois @ Penn State. And it's on ESPN2......Happy Valley, welcome to the Pam Ward Dance Party! WooooHooooo! We Are. Penn State. wins this one and then dances the night away.
CMU @ VaTech. For my thoughts on Darren Evans and how he is making up for a lost season, check out http://chuckoliver.net
Baylor @ Texas Tech. Tubs knows how to shut down a bad team. Baylor certainly isn't good. Red Raiders shoot em up! Wait, was that too un-PC? Wasn't Jon Favreau in PCU? How does that relate to this game? Dunno.
Tennessee @ Georgia. I just hope the team can send Russ out with a respectable showing. With this team, I'm not sure what "respectable" is though.....
Wyoming @ #5 TCU. I heard that TCU might move to the Big East? I guess they'd fit in as they are East of Arizona, but that would be AWESOME. Next let's get Boise State to move to the Big XII, along with Nevada and we'd have ourselves some REAL conferences again. PS, Wyoming? These were the people whose cheerleaders didn't like their attire, right? Or was that Idaho? Don't remember. One of those "only crazy people live here" states.
17 Michigan State @ 18 Michigan. I asked a Michigan Man to explain to me why this rivalry isn't really a rivalry, and I wasn't satisfied with his answer. If you know, please help me out here. You'd THINK this would be bigger....oh well. michigan and Denard Robinson gets the win. PS, if Robinson keeps going for 500+ all-purpose yards, he should win the Heisman, even if Michigan finishes 8-4. And anyone that says he cannot: Remember when Tebow won the Heisman? Florida lost to Georgia, michigan and LSU (and Auburn too I think). It can happen. Just letting you guys know what SHOULD happen. Nah, they'll give it to Troy Smith, I mean TPryor of Ohio State.
UCLA @ Cal. SWEET, WE FINISHED 8th in the PAC-10! That's what the winner will say. The winner: UCLA.
UVA @ GT. Ahh, you are realizing that we aren't doing the "local rooting interest" category. Georgia doesn't deserve one and why should I treat GT like they are special? Their fight song is the Bud song. And they dance to that Beyonce song. For more of my thoughts on this game, head to http://chuckoliver.net and see the UVa coverage.
Klimpsen @ UNC. Dabo, you LET Miami win that game. Shame on you Dabo! You'll beat Butch this week. But until then, you get called Klimpsen!
#3 Oregon @ Wazzou. Interesting situation here. If Oregon rolls up another 60+ points and Ohio State squeaks out another one, do the voters have the BALLS to put the Ducks ahead of the Buckeyes? I would. But alas I don't vote. Why doesn't the AP recognize SBF? Maybe SBF should get into the ranking biz itself! Take THAT AP!
Oregon State @ #9 Arizona. This is typically a game that Mike Stoops chokes in and you KNOW Oregon State could view this game as the one to save the season that saw them fail SBF by losing to BOTH TCU and Boise State. PS. I think the BCS is SOOO mad at the Beavs, that even if they rallied and won the Pac-10, the BCS wouldn't let them play. I'm going with the Wildcats. DO IT ARIZONA!
Colorado @ #24 Mizzou. Ahh a Big XII North powermatchup. If history is any forecaster, Colorado will drop this one just like Okie State did last year after beating Georgia. You can't be lucky forever Colorado! I mean, this ain't intramurals, Brutha!
#8 Auburn @ UK. I keep waiting for Auburn to drop one, but perhaps they won't until they host Georgia in November (waiting for you to stop laughing.) UK will beat them up, but not beat them. Tigers/WarEagles/Ironmen slap the Wildcats.
#12 LSU @ @14 Florida. The AJC's Mark Bradley TOTALLY stole my angle of how Georgia can still win the SEC. Didn't even give me credit. THIEF! Anyways, I would LOVE for LSU to win this one, but being on the road Les won't get the bailout call and the Gators will think they've really done something by beating UNDEFEATED LSU, but the Tigers just plain suck.
#23 FSU @ #13 Miami. Wasn't this supposed to be a preview of the ACC CHampionship game? Maybe it still is, but both of these teams were exposed in the only games they've played this year. I say FSU further exposes Miami.
USC @ #16 Stanford. Now everyone will be rooting for the secretly-poorsport Jimmy Harbaugh to lay 90 on USC and Lane Kiffin but maybe we should take a minute to think about Coach O of USC who is in the hospital. Wait, what? He is just ripping off Urban Meyer's recruiting strategy of "Fake an illness, go to the hospital and then be clearly fine, only after you've told a big-time recruit that you will only be able to survive if he signs with your school." It worked for Urban last year. Coach O is trying it out now? Guess we'll see in two weeks when he comes back RIGHT AS RAIN. GO CARDINAL. And if someone could tell the 3X All-American who is an "EXPERT" that it is Cardinal, not the Cardinals. They aren't the Arizona NFL team or the St. Louis baseball team. "Expert," huh? Term being used VERY loosely. Like Na from Survivor. AKA Loose.
Pro-Style Action.
Redskins v Packers. Can the Redskins build off of the Philly win? Well they've proven they beat NFC East rivals, but no one else. I'm going with Green Bay.
Falcons @ Cleveland. Why is Dave FM saying that the Browns are scary because they beat Cincy last week? Actually, why are music DJs talking sports at all? Falcons EASILY win this one.
Upset and Lock picks
#1 Alabama @ #19 SoCar. This is step three of Georgia winning the SEC East. Step One: Dawgs beat Tenn. Step Two: Florida loses to LSU. Step Three: Get her to open the box. Oops, wrong set of directions. I meant So Car loses this one and then later to Arkie and Florida, and then Georgia is SO IN! ROLL TIDE!
#11 Arkie @ TAMU. Apparently the Texas A&M Offense is really explosive. (Wasn't in the Independence Bowl last year against Georgia. OH!) The Aggies have had an extra few days by playing last Thursday. True Arkansas had the off-week last week, but I am going with TAMU to spring the upset in Jerry World, even though Jerry Jones, an Arkie Alum will likely have paid off the officials.
Have a great one everybody!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
TheFletch for ThisWeek
The Georgia football team’s struggles have certainly made for plenty of headlines and radio fodder in the recent weeks and last Sunday was no different. After the Bulldogs fell again, this time on the road to Big XII weakling Colorado, the boys from 790 The Zone’s Ford Football show were once again at Georgia coach Mark Richt’s throat. Beau Bock was saying how it was a shame that Georgia couldn’t stop the Colorado offense and then shooting themselves in the foot with fumbles. He commented on how so many Buffaloes fans were storming the field and questioned why a fan base would be so excited to beat a 1-4 team. The crew also asserted that perhaps Dan Hawkins, of “it ain’t intramurals, bra-tha!” fame, may be off the hotseat now that he beat Georgia in front of the home fans celebrating the 20-year anniversary of the school’s last national title.
I will have to take exception with one thing Steak said on the show however. The Mayhem in the AM co-host said on the Ford Football show that Richt’s impact on the Georgia program was in full effect that, despite the record, over 7000 fans made the trek out to Boulder, Colorado because of what he’s done over his career in Athens. I must disagree. These tickets were bought at least one year ago and folks made plans months in advance, probably in the offseason when folks like Phil Steele were calling for Georgia to be a dark-horse candidate to run the table and play for the national title. These people were more or less stuck with their plane tickets, hotel reservations and game tickets just a week or two before the game and had to go. And PS, Steak, as a University of Georgia alumnus, I can say this: I loved Georgia before Mark Richt got there, I’ve loved what Mark Richt has done while he’s been there (at least for the first seven years of his tenure), and I will always love the Red & Black long after Mark Richt is gone. Those folks that traveled out there to Colorado did it because they love the Dawgs, not Mark Richt. They love the University of Georgia, not Richt. They love the school that they either went to or grew up rooting for even over their own alma mater. With all due respect to Steak, those folks were more likely there for the mascot than they were the coach. Please don’t think Richt has THAT much of an impact at Georgia. He is not yet synonymous with Georgia like JoePa is with Penn State or Bobby Bowden was with Florida State. Not yet anyways and possibly he’ll never get that chance if the crazy fringe is granted their wish.
I must say that I’ve never missed Larry Munson as much as I did while driving home from the Valdosta/ML King game on Saturday night and turned on the Georgia/Colorado game on the radio. Scott Howard and Eric Zeier have been the voices of the Georgia Bulldogs for the past few seasons after Munson’s semi-retirement became a permanent retirement and I must be honest: as a Georgia fan, it makes my ears bleed. While Munson’s homerism was adorable and requested, Howard’s slant towards the Dawgs makes me scream at the radio the way I scream at the drunk Georgia “fans” that have never stepped foot on the campus on a Monday through Friday in their lives. I wanted to give him a chance after he blew his first big call in 2007, aka the Alabama “Dawg Pile” where Georgia won in OT. If you weren’t watching on television you’d never have known what happened as Howard simply screamed and woohooed for 20 seconds before telling anyone the result of Stafford’s pass to the endzone. I wanted him to succeed, I really did. I knew his job would be hard as he was replacing a legend, but last week, he was still whooping it up after a tackle for a loss in the fourth quarter. Then he was going ballistic on a 12 yard run by Caleb King before game-ending fumble. Zeier was fine in an analyst role, the role that Howard performed before taking over for Munson, but as far as Howard in the main chair…it has been a lot like how the Dawgs have been in recent season: lacking. While I am not his agent, let me suggest that WSB and the University’s athletic department get together and make the decision to bring 680’s Buck Belue into a role with the Georgia broadcasts. Belue has experience in calling Georgia games as he has served as an analyst for CSS on Georgia’s coverage and he of course was the QB in 1980 when Georgia won the national championship. He might just be the perfect fit to slide right in as The Man after the man after THE MAN.
If you were busy watching the Georgia game or listening to the Georgia Tech game on Sports Radio 790 The Zone, perhaps you missed a special broadcast of the Valdosta/ML King high school football game last Saturday. The two teams met at Hallford Stadium in DeKalb County and the Valdosta Daily Times partnered with Georgia Public Broadcasting to carry the game live on the web on VDT.com and gpb.org/sports. Valdosta won a shootout with MLK setting up the undefeated and No.8 Wildcats for its huge matchup against Lowndes in the Winnersville Classic this Friday, which will air on ESPN’s family of networks. The game against the Lions ML King was back and forth but in the end Jay Rome, a huge recruit according to Scout.com, Rivals, Bleacher Report and Score Atlanta’s Score 44 and The Official Visit, caught two TDs and Malcolm Mitchell, also on the Score 44, scored twice to give the Wildcats the 43-28 victory. Demarco Robinson certainly proved he deserved his spot on the Score 44 with a 93-yard kick return for a score and a diving catch for paydirt. He had a third TD called back on a penalty.
Can you believe he said that?
“There are still seven games left in the season. That’s enough time for Georgia to turn its season around…and send the message that this program isn’t going down like Pompeii.”
That was Jeff Schultz of the AJC talking about the slow demise of the Georgia football program. He went on to say that he’s not “feeling it” could be possible. I must say that I tend to agree with Schultz, the last part. I don’t think Richt should get the boot, but if the season doesn’t turn around and SOON, I might just change my tune.
I will have to take exception with one thing Steak said on the show however. The Mayhem in the AM co-host said on the Ford Football show that Richt’s impact on the Georgia program was in full effect that, despite the record, over 7000 fans made the trek out to Boulder, Colorado because of what he’s done over his career in Athens. I must disagree. These tickets were bought at least one year ago and folks made plans months in advance, probably in the offseason when folks like Phil Steele were calling for Georgia to be a dark-horse candidate to run the table and play for the national title. These people were more or less stuck with their plane tickets, hotel reservations and game tickets just a week or two before the game and had to go. And PS, Steak, as a University of Georgia alumnus, I can say this: I loved Georgia before Mark Richt got there, I’ve loved what Mark Richt has done while he’s been there (at least for the first seven years of his tenure), and I will always love the Red & Black long after Mark Richt is gone. Those folks that traveled out there to Colorado did it because they love the Dawgs, not Mark Richt. They love the University of Georgia, not Richt. They love the school that they either went to or grew up rooting for even over their own alma mater. With all due respect to Steak, those folks were more likely there for the mascot than they were the coach. Please don’t think Richt has THAT much of an impact at Georgia. He is not yet synonymous with Georgia like JoePa is with Penn State or Bobby Bowden was with Florida State. Not yet anyways and possibly he’ll never get that chance if the crazy fringe is granted their wish.
I must say that I’ve never missed Larry Munson as much as I did while driving home from the Valdosta/ML King game on Saturday night and turned on the Georgia/Colorado game on the radio. Scott Howard and Eric Zeier have been the voices of the Georgia Bulldogs for the past few seasons after Munson’s semi-retirement became a permanent retirement and I must be honest: as a Georgia fan, it makes my ears bleed. While Munson’s homerism was adorable and requested, Howard’s slant towards the Dawgs makes me scream at the radio the way I scream at the drunk Georgia “fans” that have never stepped foot on the campus on a Monday through Friday in their lives. I wanted to give him a chance after he blew his first big call in 2007, aka the Alabama “Dawg Pile” where Georgia won in OT. If you weren’t watching on television you’d never have known what happened as Howard simply screamed and woohooed for 20 seconds before telling anyone the result of Stafford’s pass to the endzone. I wanted him to succeed, I really did. I knew his job would be hard as he was replacing a legend, but last week, he was still whooping it up after a tackle for a loss in the fourth quarter. Then he was going ballistic on a 12 yard run by Caleb King before game-ending fumble. Zeier was fine in an analyst role, the role that Howard performed before taking over for Munson, but as far as Howard in the main chair…it has been a lot like how the Dawgs have been in recent season: lacking. While I am not his agent, let me suggest that WSB and the University’s athletic department get together and make the decision to bring 680’s Buck Belue into a role with the Georgia broadcasts. Belue has experience in calling Georgia games as he has served as an analyst for CSS on Georgia’s coverage and he of course was the QB in 1980 when Georgia won the national championship. He might just be the perfect fit to slide right in as The Man after the man after THE MAN.
If you were busy watching the Georgia game or listening to the Georgia Tech game on Sports Radio 790 The Zone, perhaps you missed a special broadcast of the Valdosta/ML King high school football game last Saturday. The two teams met at Hallford Stadium in DeKalb County and the Valdosta Daily Times partnered with Georgia Public Broadcasting to carry the game live on the web on VDT.com and gpb.org/sports. Valdosta won a shootout with MLK setting up the undefeated and No.8 Wildcats for its huge matchup against Lowndes in the Winnersville Classic this Friday, which will air on ESPN’s family of networks. The game against the Lions ML King was back and forth but in the end Jay Rome, a huge recruit according to Scout.com, Rivals, Bleacher Report and Score Atlanta’s Score 44 and The Official Visit, caught two TDs and Malcolm Mitchell, also on the Score 44, scored twice to give the Wildcats the 43-28 victory. Demarco Robinson certainly proved he deserved his spot on the Score 44 with a 93-yard kick return for a score and a diving catch for paydirt. He had a third TD called back on a penalty.
Can you believe he said that?
“There are still seven games left in the season. That’s enough time for Georgia to turn its season around…and send the message that this program isn’t going down like Pompeii.”
That was Jeff Schultz of the AJC talking about the slow demise of the Georgia football program. He went on to say that he’s not “feeling it” could be possible. I must say that I tend to agree with Schultz, the last part. I don’t think Richt should get the boot, but if the season doesn’t turn around and SOON, I might just change my tune.
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