Monday, February 7, 2011

Current Dawgs could learn a thing or two from Ward

Hopefully the Georgia Bulldogs were watching the Super Bowl last night for a little inspiration. If the current Dawgs were viewing the big game, they likely would have seen the former Dawg Hines Ward make play after selfless play en route to a solid game. Ward had seven catches for Pittsburgh, totaling 78 yards and one touchdown in a Steelers’ loss to the Packers. The thirteen-year vet though showed up so much bigger than those numbers. He was on the sidelines getting the crowd into it when the defense was out on the field trying to stop the Packers. He was blocking down field when the Steelers running game was trying to get cranked up. He was doing what he always does: being the most selfless receiver in the game. In a league where 95% of the wide receivers are prima donnas and uber-divas, it is nice to see a receiver willing to block on one play and then go across the middle on the next play, whatever the team needs.

In 1994, Ward came to Athens as the No. 1 overall recruit in the country and the Forest Park (GA) QB could have pitched a fit for playing time, but instead he moved positions to catch passes from Eric Zeier. Ward was moved all over the field in his time in Athens, playing a dash of QB, a pinch of running back, but mostly wide out as he just wanted to be on the field, helping his team.

Hopefully the current crew of Bulldogs will watch Ward and emulate him to the best of their abilities. (And I don’t just mean the receivers.) Hopefully Isaiah Crowell will want to block as well as run with the ball to help out his QB. Hopefully Aaron Murray will be willing to continue to sacrifice obscene passing numbers in exchange for more wins. Hopefully the defense will play within the system and not just try and go out and get “their” numbers.

If this team, and the incoming freshmen in particular, follow the way Ward plays the game, the Georgia Bulldogs’ troubles will be gone before long and this TEAM will challenge for the SEC East title.

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