The man led the Georgia Bulldogs to a losing season last year after stumbling to a very poor record the year before after losing three of the biggest four games on the schedule in 2008. The man is dumb. The offense is boring, but he is too loyal to fire Mike Bobo. He took WAY too long to get rid of Willie Martinez. He got lucky by snagging this recruiting class and only did so because his last two teams were so bad that he could tell these high school kids they could play right away. Now he’s about to face Boise State in the Georgia Dome, a game he’ll probably lose because he is overmatched as a coach.
Those, sadly, are the crazy thoughts by some of the fans that call in to radio shows, post messages on newspaper message boards and boo in the stands during yet another loss to Florida. A slow-simmering yet ever-growing portion of Bulldog Nation is fed up with Georgia head coach Mark Richt. They think he is past his prime, finished, donezo.
What are they missing?
Former Dallas Cowboys defensive line coach Todd Grantham certainly respected Mark Richt enough to leave the NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE, where he was a former defensive coordinator and certainly a candidate to get another gig after his work with DeMarcus Ware, to come work for Richt. Grantham took a three-year deal with a very steep buyout because he believed in what Richt was bringing to the table and the Georgia program.
Now a man very respected in the NFL coaching world and who comes from a fine coaching family has decided to leave the Washington Redskins after eleven seasons, having worked for seven different head coaches to come and work for Richt. Kirk Olivadotti decided to make the same trip to Athens that Grantham did one year ago, entering the college ranks from the pro game because he believed in Richt and his direction for the Georgia program. Two straight offseasons saw Richt go to the NFL coaching pool to draw in an assistant coach. Would a coach that is dumb or lucky or stupidly loyal be able to attract such professional talent to his on-the-way-down program?
The truth is Mark Richt is has a program that is about to bust back on track thanks to incredible defensive coaches and talent that is ready for primetime. You want to blast Richt for the losing season last year? Saban’s first Alabama squad lost six games (including one to Richt’s Bulldogs) while learning the 3-4. You want to blast Richt for losing at home to Kentucky in 2009? I guess now we know why Joe Cox was a Duke lean until Georgia got into his recruiting process. A good coach is going to have a rough year every now and then. Richt is a good coach: the NFL sure seems to think so. As a Georgia alum and fan, I’ll take the NFL circles over the tailgate circles any day.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Top 10 Most Talented Football Schools for 2012
Brian Jones of Score Atlanta fame provides a top ten list for every show of The Official Visit on 790 The Zone (Monday nights, 7-9pm) Here he breaks down the Top 10 Most Talented Football Schools in Georgia. Cohost Scott Janovitz weighs in with his thoughts on each school....
10) St. Pius: T.J. Holloman: 6-2, 202-pound LB with offers from Illinois and South Carolina; Geno Smith: 6-0, 165-pound CB with offers from Bama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, FSU, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Stanford, Tennessee and USC among others. Trey White: 5-11, 183-pound QB;
9) Sandy Creek: Quinteze Williams: 6-4, 295-pound DT with offers from Auburn, Florida, FSU, Kentucky, Louisville, Mississippi and Tennessee; Will Adams: 6-7, 275-pound OT with interest from Auburn, Alabama, Arkansas, Clemson, Mississippi State, Ole Miss. Mike Hilton: 5-10, 172-pound athlete with an offer from Cincinnati;
8) Peachtree Ridge: DiAndre Atwater: 5-9, 195-pound RB with interest from Florida, South Carolina and UCLA; Alex Jauregui: 6-7, 275-pound OT with offers from Illinois, interest from Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Miami. Ray Buchanan Jr.: 5-10, 170-pound CB;
7) Jenkins County: Jonathan Taylor: 6-3, 307-pound DT with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, FSU, Georgia, Georgia Tech, LSU, UNC, and Tennessee; James Deloach: 6-2, 242-pound DE with offers from Bama, Florida, FSU, Georgia Tech, South Carolina and Tennessee;
6) McEachern: WR Amba Etta-Tawo (6-1, 172), offer from Illinois; Cameron Gamble: 5-10, 165-pound corner with interest from BC, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest; Darius English: 6-6, 210-pound DE with an offer from South Carolina;
5) North Hall: C.J. Curry, 6-2, 184-pound WR committed to Georgia; Imani Cross: 6-1, 215-pound RB committed to Tennessee; Kanler Coker: 6-4, 195-pound QB with interest from Georgia Tech, Georgia, Clemson and UCLA;
4) North Gwinnett: Jordan Washington: 6-2, 260-pound DT with an offer from Southern Miss.; Scotty Hosch: 6-3, 180-pound QB; Raahmil Brantley: 6-0, 200-pound athlete with interest from Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech and LSU; Joe Jones: 5-11, 202-pound RB; Ethan Kilgore: 5-11, 205-pound RB. Tim Hill: 5-11, 170-pound S;
3) Buford: Ryan Dillard: 5-10, 165-pound CB with interest from Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, and Oregon; Vadal Alexander: 6-6, 310-pound OT with offers from everyone. Has particular interest in LSU, Alabama, USC and Oregon; Dillon Lee: 6-3, 220-pound LB with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida and FSU, to name a few. Right now Auburn, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama lead for Lee; Kurt Freitag: 6-4, 217-pound TE with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, FSU, Tech and South Carolina; Reid Ferguson: 6-2, 235-pound long snapper;
2) Carver, Columbus: Deion Bonner: 5-11, 169-pound S/CB with offers from Auburn, Clemson, Florida, FSU, Georgia, and Tennessee; Artimas Samuel: 6-2, 205-pound WR with offers Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, and South Carolina; Derious Bennett: 6-1, 285-pound DT;
1) Stephenson: Raphael Kirby: 6-2, 218-pound LB with offers from Florida, Georgia, Miss. State, South Florida. Georgia/Florida battle; Jarontay Jones: 6-3, 234-pound LB with offers from Auburn, Clemson, Florida, FSU, Georgia Tech, NO Georgia offer. Auburn and Florida lead; JaFar Mann: 6-3, 258-pound DT with offers from Auburn, Florida, Miami, South Carolina and Tennessee. Florida leads, he’s bitter Georgia didn’t offer earlier; Mike Davis: 5-11, 195-pound RB, committed to Florida; Joshua Parris: 6-3, 225-pound TE with offers from South Florida and Virginia; Carlos Hood: 6-4, 275-pound DT with offers from Auburn, Miami, Mississippi State, South Carolina and Southern Miss.
Also: Lassiter, Hillgrove, Brookwood, Colquitt County, Tucker…
10) St. Pius: T.J. Holloman: 6-2, 202-pound LB with offers from Illinois and South Carolina; Geno Smith: 6-0, 165-pound CB with offers from Bama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, FSU, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Stanford, Tennessee and USC among others. Trey White: 5-11, 183-pound QB;
9) Sandy Creek: Quinteze Williams: 6-4, 295-pound DT with offers from Auburn, Florida, FSU, Kentucky, Louisville, Mississippi and Tennessee; Will Adams: 6-7, 275-pound OT with interest from Auburn, Alabama, Arkansas, Clemson, Mississippi State, Ole Miss. Mike Hilton: 5-10, 172-pound athlete with an offer from Cincinnati;
8) Peachtree Ridge: DiAndre Atwater: 5-9, 195-pound RB with interest from Florida, South Carolina and UCLA; Alex Jauregui: 6-7, 275-pound OT with offers from Illinois, interest from Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Miami. Ray Buchanan Jr.: 5-10, 170-pound CB;
7) Jenkins County: Jonathan Taylor: 6-3, 307-pound DT with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, FSU, Georgia, Georgia Tech, LSU, UNC, and Tennessee; James Deloach: 6-2, 242-pound DE with offers from Bama, Florida, FSU, Georgia Tech, South Carolina and Tennessee;
6) McEachern: WR Amba Etta-Tawo (6-1, 172), offer from Illinois; Cameron Gamble: 5-10, 165-pound corner with interest from BC, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest; Darius English: 6-6, 210-pound DE with an offer from South Carolina;
5) North Hall: C.J. Curry, 6-2, 184-pound WR committed to Georgia; Imani Cross: 6-1, 215-pound RB committed to Tennessee; Kanler Coker: 6-4, 195-pound QB with interest from Georgia Tech, Georgia, Clemson and UCLA;
4) North Gwinnett: Jordan Washington: 6-2, 260-pound DT with an offer from Southern Miss.; Scotty Hosch: 6-3, 180-pound QB; Raahmil Brantley: 6-0, 200-pound athlete with interest from Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech and LSU; Joe Jones: 5-11, 202-pound RB; Ethan Kilgore: 5-11, 205-pound RB. Tim Hill: 5-11, 170-pound S;
3) Buford: Ryan Dillard: 5-10, 165-pound CB with interest from Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, and Oregon; Vadal Alexander: 6-6, 310-pound OT with offers from everyone. Has particular interest in LSU, Alabama, USC and Oregon; Dillon Lee: 6-3, 220-pound LB with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida and FSU, to name a few. Right now Auburn, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama lead for Lee; Kurt Freitag: 6-4, 217-pound TE with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, FSU, Tech and South Carolina; Reid Ferguson: 6-2, 235-pound long snapper;
2) Carver, Columbus: Deion Bonner: 5-11, 169-pound S/CB with offers from Auburn, Clemson, Florida, FSU, Georgia, and Tennessee; Artimas Samuel: 6-2, 205-pound WR with offers Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, and South Carolina; Derious Bennett: 6-1, 285-pound DT;
1) Stephenson: Raphael Kirby: 6-2, 218-pound LB with offers from Florida, Georgia, Miss. State, South Florida. Georgia/Florida battle; Jarontay Jones: 6-3, 234-pound LB with offers from Auburn, Clemson, Florida, FSU, Georgia Tech, NO Georgia offer. Auburn and Florida lead; JaFar Mann: 6-3, 258-pound DT with offers from Auburn, Florida, Miami, South Carolina and Tennessee. Florida leads, he’s bitter Georgia didn’t offer earlier; Mike Davis: 5-11, 195-pound RB, committed to Florida; Joshua Parris: 6-3, 225-pound TE with offers from South Florida and Virginia; Carlos Hood: 6-4, 275-pound DT with offers from Auburn, Miami, Mississippi State, South Carolina and Southern Miss.
Also: Lassiter, Hillgrove, Brookwood, Colquitt County, Tucker…
Back from Mexico, still alive. TheFletch!
If you happened to turn your television on to Georgia Public Broadcasting last weekend, you might have caught three exciting hours worth of GHSA Traditional Wrestling championships Saturday night. For the first time ever, the GHSA wrestling championships hit the GPB airwaves and it was quite a success. Over the years, GPB has partnered with the GHSA to air football championships as well as basketball championship games but this was its first stab at wrestling. In addition to the three hours of live coverage on television, the event received broadcast via the internet on gpb.org/sports, and if you missed the championships you can watch the replay on gpb.org/sports or follow the link on gaprepnews.com. You may be seeing more wrestling in the years to come on GPB as Georgia Public Broadcasting and the GHSA have agreed to extend their partnership for another five years. For more information, check out a fantastic article about the extension on www.scoreatl.com or follow the link on gaprepnews.com.
High school wrestling was in the national news last week, not for the GHSA championships airing on GPB but for an Iowa sophomore defaulting because he did not want to face a girl in the first round. The 16-year-old boy was the fifth-ranked wrestler in the state in his weight class, but he chose to default rather than face her because “as a matter of conscience and my faith I do not believe that it is appropriate for a boy to engage a girl in this manner.” That was Joel Northrup’s point of view on why he shouldn’t face a female, but for some reason ESPN.com’s Rick Reilly decided to take him to task for not wrestling, saying that religion should have nothing to do with wrestling this girl.
Reilly pointed out in an article for ESPN.com, “Body slams and takedowns and gouges in the eye and elbows in the ribs are exactly how to respect Cassy Herkelman. This is what she lives for. She can elevate herself, thanks.” Northrup and his father and coach decided to default the match and were not hiding behind religion. It was their decision and they went with it. It is a tough spot for both Northrup as well as the girl. Perhaps Iowa can do a better job next time of separating girls into their own sport/class/competition. It would likely be awkward for ANY boy to face a girl at that age and the IHSA (if there is one) should have thought about that in its state’s most popular sport. Wrestling is to Iowa what football is to Georgia. You’d think that Iowa would have planned this out and perhaps if Girls Wrestling was offered, more girls would enter into the tournaments.
There is a fine line between doing what it takes to gather a news story and becoming a part of the news story, and The Golf Channel’s Jim Gray apparently likes indulging in the latter. Last week Gray was sent home by TGC after he got into a shouting match with Dustin Johnson’s caddie following Gray’s discussion with Johnson during the four-time PGA Tour winner’s round at Riviera. Gray was following up on why Johnson was late but did so during the round, something that Johnson’s caddie Bobby Brown had a problem with. It was Brown’s prerogative to tell Gray in the scoring area that the freelance reporter should not have been conducting the line of questioning during Johnson’s round. The Golf Channel quickly pulled Gray from the event, the second time in less than seven months that TGC has sent Gray home from an event. At the PGA Championship Gray got into it with Ryder Cup Captain Corey Pavin over some information that Gray felt was on the record vs. not on the record about Tiger Woods’ inclusion on the US Roster. And how can we not forget Gray’s attack on Pete Rose before Game Two of the 1999 World Series here in Atlanta when Rose was being honored on the All Century Team. Pete Rose was a guy that had created a black cloud over his legacy as one of the greatest hitters of all time, but after Gray took daggers to him during the interview you actually felt bad for Rose. Chad Curtis refused to speak with Gray following a game-winning home run in Game Three of the Series following the Rose incident.
The real story though is that Gray once again couldn’t help but put himself in the story. He put himself in the story with the LeBron James’ Decision. He did it last week and he did it in Atlanta with Rose. Reporters should gather the news, not make it. On a local level, a certain radio personality has run into this before, especially when it comes to a former Braves reliever. 790 The Zone’s Steak Shapiro has been in the news before with run-ins with John Rocker at charity events and on the air during interviews. While the two might not like each other, the media “professional” should be the one that steps back and goes about his business the proper way and keeps his name out of the headlines. The Golf Channel was right on in benching Gray and it is surprising that he was given a second chance after last August. It will be interesting to see if Gray is given a shot at strike three.
Finally, earlier this week, rumors abounded over Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray after he was spotted on crutches around Athens. As it turns out Murray simply had a sprained ankle, sustained in a soccer game. One college football website went with a “team source” that said Murray had broken his ankle in two places but it was later confirmed in the AJC that is was merely a sprain. In this day of “we have to beat their twitter feed with our own blog,” false information gets tossed around far too much. You have to go with trusted sources, but sometimes, isn’t it better to get the correct story late opposed to the wrong story first?
Can You Believe He Said That
Should the Falcons pursue Bob Sanders? And my answer — and I stress this is just my answer — is no.
That was the AJC’s Mark Bradley and I’m not certain if I am coming down with something, but I AGREE. Bradley argued against the Falcons pursuing the former Colt standout because of his injury history and I could not agree more. Sanders isn’t what you need at this point in his career or at this point in William Moore’s career. Sanders would be a back-up in Atlanta and the Falcons already have two quality safeties. Let the Redskins overpay Sanders to watch him get injured…again. The Falcons don’t need him.
High school wrestling was in the national news last week, not for the GHSA championships airing on GPB but for an Iowa sophomore defaulting because he did not want to face a girl in the first round. The 16-year-old boy was the fifth-ranked wrestler in the state in his weight class, but he chose to default rather than face her because “as a matter of conscience and my faith I do not believe that it is appropriate for a boy to engage a girl in this manner.” That was Joel Northrup’s point of view on why he shouldn’t face a female, but for some reason ESPN.com’s Rick Reilly decided to take him to task for not wrestling, saying that religion should have nothing to do with wrestling this girl.
Reilly pointed out in an article for ESPN.com, “Body slams and takedowns and gouges in the eye and elbows in the ribs are exactly how to respect Cassy Herkelman. This is what she lives for. She can elevate herself, thanks.” Northrup and his father and coach decided to default the match and were not hiding behind religion. It was their decision and they went with it. It is a tough spot for both Northrup as well as the girl. Perhaps Iowa can do a better job next time of separating girls into their own sport/class/competition. It would likely be awkward for ANY boy to face a girl at that age and the IHSA (if there is one) should have thought about that in its state’s most popular sport. Wrestling is to Iowa what football is to Georgia. You’d think that Iowa would have planned this out and perhaps if Girls Wrestling was offered, more girls would enter into the tournaments.
There is a fine line between doing what it takes to gather a news story and becoming a part of the news story, and The Golf Channel’s Jim Gray apparently likes indulging in the latter. Last week Gray was sent home by TGC after he got into a shouting match with Dustin Johnson’s caddie following Gray’s discussion with Johnson during the four-time PGA Tour winner’s round at Riviera. Gray was following up on why Johnson was late but did so during the round, something that Johnson’s caddie Bobby Brown had a problem with. It was Brown’s prerogative to tell Gray in the scoring area that the freelance reporter should not have been conducting the line of questioning during Johnson’s round. The Golf Channel quickly pulled Gray from the event, the second time in less than seven months that TGC has sent Gray home from an event. At the PGA Championship Gray got into it with Ryder Cup Captain Corey Pavin over some information that Gray felt was on the record vs. not on the record about Tiger Woods’ inclusion on the US Roster. And how can we not forget Gray’s attack on Pete Rose before Game Two of the 1999 World Series here in Atlanta when Rose was being honored on the All Century Team. Pete Rose was a guy that had created a black cloud over his legacy as one of the greatest hitters of all time, but after Gray took daggers to him during the interview you actually felt bad for Rose. Chad Curtis refused to speak with Gray following a game-winning home run in Game Three of the Series following the Rose incident.
The real story though is that Gray once again couldn’t help but put himself in the story. He put himself in the story with the LeBron James’ Decision. He did it last week and he did it in Atlanta with Rose. Reporters should gather the news, not make it. On a local level, a certain radio personality has run into this before, especially when it comes to a former Braves reliever. 790 The Zone’s Steak Shapiro has been in the news before with run-ins with John Rocker at charity events and on the air during interviews. While the two might not like each other, the media “professional” should be the one that steps back and goes about his business the proper way and keeps his name out of the headlines. The Golf Channel was right on in benching Gray and it is surprising that he was given a second chance after last August. It will be interesting to see if Gray is given a shot at strike three.
Finally, earlier this week, rumors abounded over Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray after he was spotted on crutches around Athens. As it turns out Murray simply had a sprained ankle, sustained in a soccer game. One college football website went with a “team source” that said Murray had broken his ankle in two places but it was later confirmed in the AJC that is was merely a sprain. In this day of “we have to beat their twitter feed with our own blog,” false information gets tossed around far too much. You have to go with trusted sources, but sometimes, isn’t it better to get the correct story late opposed to the wrong story first?
Can You Believe He Said That
Should the Falcons pursue Bob Sanders? And my answer — and I stress this is just my answer — is no.
That was the AJC’s Mark Bradley and I’m not certain if I am coming down with something, but I AGREE. Bradley argued against the Falcons pursuing the former Colt standout because of his injury history and I could not agree more. Sanders isn’t what you need at this point in his career or at this point in William Moore’s career. Sanders would be a back-up in Atlanta and the Falcons already have two quality safeties. Let the Redskins overpay Sanders to watch him get injured…again. The Falcons don’t need him.
Drake breakes Georgia's heart, goes with Saban and the Tide
Mark Ingram won the 2009 Heisman Trophy and will likely be a first round pick in the upcoming NFL draft. Trent Richardson is expected to step up as the starting tailback this season and will be the focal point of an Alabama attack that will begin the 2011 in the top five. Nick Saban has shown at Alabama that he knows his running backs and while he missed out on the top Georgia tailback on National Signing Day 2011, he will snag the top back from the Peach State on National Signing Day 2012. Just days before the current batch of seniors could ink letters of intent, Hillgrove junior running back Kenyan Drake pledged to be a member of the Crimson Tide signing class next year.
“It is really exciting to find you are a commodity (in the recruiting world),” said Drake in a recent interview on Score Atlanta’s The Official Visit. “It’s a good feeling to know your hard work paid off.”
Drake has been a commodity for some time now and he leads a bumper crop of the position Georgia is perhaps most known for: running back. Several of Georgia’s top tailbacks have already committed to colleges at the next level, but Drake got it all started earlier this year. He had plenty of options and had those options for quite a while. “It was really cool to get my first letter from UCLA as a freshman. It felt good to be noticed.”
Drake decided to pull the trigger on the Crimson Tide after visiting the campus three or four times, he says. “I saw myself living there for the next four of five years. I thought they could really develop me and prepare me for my goal.” His goal is of course the NFL, which he says is everyone’s goal that goes to a major program like Alabama.
The man that could help him get there is the Alabama head man Nick Saban. “He told my parents he liked my character,” Drake said about Saban. He says he first met Saban and defensive coordinator Kirby Smart at Alabama’s Junior Day and they both told him they liked his versatility. As far as a position, his versatility will help him see the field as he could play running back, slot receiver or straight-up wide receiver. “They don’t want to limit how I can help.”
On Coaches Saban and Smart, Drake says he feels really comfortable under them. “I can talk to them about anything.” Because of his comfort with the coaching staff and his love of the campus in Tuscaloosa, Drake says that his commitment is a solid one. “I want to go to Alabama, so if nothing changes I will go to Alabama.”
Though it is now over, the recruiting process for Drake was easy he says because of some of his past Hillgrove teammates. Synjyn Days played quarterback two years ago for the Hawks, attracting college recruiters before ending up at Georgia Tech. It is Days who Drake credits for getting his Alabama offer. “(Days) is the reason I got recruited at all.” Days’ younger half-brother Jabari Hunt-Days brought out the recruiters last year as the linebacker excelled on the field despite his less-than-prototypical size. “Jabari is a special player,” gushed Drake and Hunt-Days will join his half-brother at Georgia Tech. Now it is Drake’s turn to “lead” Hillgrove as a senior and he will attempt to take the Hawks to new heights. “I’m going to model everything I do this year after those two. We have a great opportunity to get back (competing) for a championship.”
Before Drake steps onto the Tuscaloosa campus however he will be working hard on leading Hillgrove to a state title while also improving his own game. “I want to get in the weight room, especially if I want to play running back.” Drake also says he must become a better vocal leader in addition to just being a leader on the field. Once a member of the Tide, Drake says he wouldn’t mind if the coaches red-shirted him but if called upon, he’ll be ready in 2012. “If they want to play me, I can show my skills.”
Drake is versatile, whether it is running the ball, making blocks or catching swing passes, so expect Saban to use the back in some way to great success. He does after all have a track record of churning out top quality backs.
“It is really exciting to find you are a commodity (in the recruiting world),” said Drake in a recent interview on Score Atlanta’s The Official Visit. “It’s a good feeling to know your hard work paid off.”
Drake has been a commodity for some time now and he leads a bumper crop of the position Georgia is perhaps most known for: running back. Several of Georgia’s top tailbacks have already committed to colleges at the next level, but Drake got it all started earlier this year. He had plenty of options and had those options for quite a while. “It was really cool to get my first letter from UCLA as a freshman. It felt good to be noticed.”
Drake decided to pull the trigger on the Crimson Tide after visiting the campus three or four times, he says. “I saw myself living there for the next four of five years. I thought they could really develop me and prepare me for my goal.” His goal is of course the NFL, which he says is everyone’s goal that goes to a major program like Alabama.
The man that could help him get there is the Alabama head man Nick Saban. “He told my parents he liked my character,” Drake said about Saban. He says he first met Saban and defensive coordinator Kirby Smart at Alabama’s Junior Day and they both told him they liked his versatility. As far as a position, his versatility will help him see the field as he could play running back, slot receiver or straight-up wide receiver. “They don’t want to limit how I can help.”
On Coaches Saban and Smart, Drake says he feels really comfortable under them. “I can talk to them about anything.” Because of his comfort with the coaching staff and his love of the campus in Tuscaloosa, Drake says that his commitment is a solid one. “I want to go to Alabama, so if nothing changes I will go to Alabama.”
Though it is now over, the recruiting process for Drake was easy he says because of some of his past Hillgrove teammates. Synjyn Days played quarterback two years ago for the Hawks, attracting college recruiters before ending up at Georgia Tech. It is Days who Drake credits for getting his Alabama offer. “(Days) is the reason I got recruited at all.” Days’ younger half-brother Jabari Hunt-Days brought out the recruiters last year as the linebacker excelled on the field despite his less-than-prototypical size. “Jabari is a special player,” gushed Drake and Hunt-Days will join his half-brother at Georgia Tech. Now it is Drake’s turn to “lead” Hillgrove as a senior and he will attempt to take the Hawks to new heights. “I’m going to model everything I do this year after those two. We have a great opportunity to get back (competing) for a championship.”
Before Drake steps onto the Tuscaloosa campus however he will be working hard on leading Hillgrove to a state title while also improving his own game. “I want to get in the weight room, especially if I want to play running back.” Drake also says he must become a better vocal leader in addition to just being a leader on the field. Once a member of the Tide, Drake says he wouldn’t mind if the coaches red-shirted him but if called upon, he’ll be ready in 2012. “If they want to play me, I can show my skills.”
Drake is versatile, whether it is running the ball, making blocks or catching swing passes, so expect Saban to use the back in some way to great success. He does after all have a track record of churning out top quality backs.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Top Ten GA seniors entering the GHSA BBall playoffs
Big B of Score Atlanta fame provided another top ten list for Score Atlanta's The Official Visit. Follow The Official Visit on Twitter @OfficialVisit or just listen Monday nights 7-9pm
10) Nick Marshall: 6-2, 185-pound SG out of Wilcox County (2B-A). Committed to Georgia. His 21-2 Patriots will be at home against 9-14 Brookstone;
9) †K.K. Simmons: 6-3, 190-pound SG out of Wheeler (5-AAAAA). Committed to North Carolina Wilmington. 19-5 Wheeler is at home against 18-9 North Gwinnett on Saturday;
8) Devon Provost: 6-3, 175-pound SF out of Miller Grove (6B-AAAA). No offers yet. 27-1, losing to Southwest DeKalb, 56-61, last Saturday. As a result, Miller Grove gets 19-8 Cedar Shoals at home on Friday;
7) Kevin Ware: 6-4, 167-pound SG out of Rockdale County (8B-AAAA). Committed to Tennessee. 22-5, riding a 10-game win streak. At home against 16-11 Chamblee, who just lost by 21 to Tucker;
6) Malcolm Brogdon: 6-5, 200-pound SG out of GAC (6A-AA). Committed to UVA. GAC, 23-5, rolled through the 6A-AA Region Tournament, defeating South Atlanta by 14 on Saturday. On a 10-game win streak, get a 12-14 Elbert County team;
5) Shannon Scott: 6-2, 175-pound PG out of Milton (6-AAAAA). Committed to Ohio State. 25-2 Milton gets 16-9 Central Gwinnett team at home;
4) Nick Jacobs: 6-8, 250-pound center out of South Atlanta (6B-AA). Committed to Alabama. 26-2 and was riding a 22-game win streak before losing 54-68 to GAC last Saturday. They get 20-8 Hart County on Saturday;
3) Dai-Jon Parker: 6-3, 170-pound SG out of Milton (6-AAAAA). Committed to Vanderbilt. 25-2, riding an 18-game win streak, Milton gets 16-9 Central Gwinnett team at home;
2) Julian Royal: 6-8, 225-pound PF out of Milton (6-AAAAA). Committed to GTech. 25-2, riding an 18-game win streak, Milton gets 16-9 Central Gwinnett team at home;
1) Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: 6-6, 185-pound SG out of Greenville (4B-A). 24-3, 19-game win streak, and will face 10-16 Bacon County at home in Round 1.
10) Nick Marshall: 6-2, 185-pound SG out of Wilcox County (2B-A). Committed to Georgia. His 21-2 Patriots will be at home against 9-14 Brookstone;
9) †K.K. Simmons: 6-3, 190-pound SG out of Wheeler (5-AAAAA). Committed to North Carolina Wilmington. 19-5 Wheeler is at home against 18-9 North Gwinnett on Saturday;
8) Devon Provost: 6-3, 175-pound SF out of Miller Grove (6B-AAAA). No offers yet. 27-1, losing to Southwest DeKalb, 56-61, last Saturday. As a result, Miller Grove gets 19-8 Cedar Shoals at home on Friday;
7) Kevin Ware: 6-4, 167-pound SG out of Rockdale County (8B-AAAA). Committed to Tennessee. 22-5, riding a 10-game win streak. At home against 16-11 Chamblee, who just lost by 21 to Tucker;
6) Malcolm Brogdon: 6-5, 200-pound SG out of GAC (6A-AA). Committed to UVA. GAC, 23-5, rolled through the 6A-AA Region Tournament, defeating South Atlanta by 14 on Saturday. On a 10-game win streak, get a 12-14 Elbert County team;
5) Shannon Scott: 6-2, 175-pound PG out of Milton (6-AAAAA). Committed to Ohio State. 25-2 Milton gets 16-9 Central Gwinnett team at home;
4) Nick Jacobs: 6-8, 250-pound center out of South Atlanta (6B-AA). Committed to Alabama. 26-2 and was riding a 22-game win streak before losing 54-68 to GAC last Saturday. They get 20-8 Hart County on Saturday;
3) Dai-Jon Parker: 6-3, 170-pound SG out of Milton (6-AAAAA). Committed to Vanderbilt. 25-2, riding an 18-game win streak, Milton gets 16-9 Central Gwinnett team at home;
2) Julian Royal: 6-8, 225-pound PF out of Milton (6-AAAAA). Committed to GTech. 25-2, riding an 18-game win streak, Milton gets 16-9 Central Gwinnett team at home;
1) Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: 6-6, 185-pound SG out of Greenville (4B-A). 24-3, 19-game win streak, and will face 10-16 Bacon County at home in Round 1.
What to do with some many tight ends (hey now!)
College football fans across the country are constantly looking at their team's depth chart and fretting over playing time at certain positions, be it running back or wide receiver or even quarterback in some cases. Rarely do fans ever fret over the tight end position but that is exactly what Georgia fans are doing as winter drills will soon become spring practice. The Georgia Bulldogs already boast a boatload of talent at the TE spot with Orson Charles entering his junior season and returning standout Aron White returns for his final go in Athens. However the Bulldogs also list Arthur Lynch, a redshirt sophomore and Jay Rome on the depth chart and honestly, there are not enough balls to go around, especially to the tight end even in Mark Richt's offense that utilizes the position moreso than at other programs. White has shown that he can make the tough catches in traffic and Charles is truly a special player and a mismatch nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators. Georgia fans may not remember much about Lynch from 2009, but he appeared in eleven games and snagged a pair of passes early in the season but mostly blocked during his in-game experience. He redshirted last season but comes ready to play once again at 6-5, 256. While he was mostly a blocker his first season between the hedges, Lynch showed in high school that he was plenty capable of hauling in the big catch and it shouldn't surprise fans to see him catching, turning and running for big yardage this season.
Now Jay Rome will be thrown into the mix, one would think. Rome was a big-time get for Mark Richt and his Dream Team recruiting class and while it might make sense for him to redshirt because there may not be the ideal amount of playing time available, he didn't come to Athens to sit on the bench. Having seen Rome play several times last season, it is clear to see that he is READY to be a tight end in the SEC right now. So many "tight ends" in high school are just slow wide receivers or tall offensive linemen, but Rome is the perfect blend of size and speed that he knows how to get open down the field and make some moves once he has the ball, but he can also block the way a tight end is supposed to block and does it correctly without holding or being out-shifted by athletic defensive ends. Rome is certainly capable of earning immediate playing time as he is a ready-made tight end.
So what does Mark Richt do? He might make Orson Charles a full-time H-Back as his current crop of fullbacks aren't exactly JT Wall or Shaun Chapas. If Richt wanted to drop into a bit of a shotgun with Isaiah Crowell and Charles split around Aaron Murray with Lynch blocking and Rome or White running patterns that certainly could fly. Or he could constantly use a two-tight end set as his wide receivers get their feet wet and try to replace AJ Green. One tight end could be Rome opposite Lynch or White opposite Charles while one blocks and the other goes out in a route. Richt has plenty of options and might we actually see a three-tight end set this year when PASS is the playcall?
Green has moved on to the NFL and no receiver on the roster seems capable of duplicating his production from last season. Maybe that is OK as there are four ready and willing tight ends ready to move the sticks for Mark Richt and company. As good as AJ Green was, he never took Georgia to great heights. Maybe these four tight ends can bring the glory back to Georgia. Some programs would kill for one of these tight ends. Georgia has four All-SEC caliber players at the TE position and it is a nice problem to have.
Now Jay Rome will be thrown into the mix, one would think. Rome was a big-time get for Mark Richt and his Dream Team recruiting class and while it might make sense for him to redshirt because there may not be the ideal amount of playing time available, he didn't come to Athens to sit on the bench. Having seen Rome play several times last season, it is clear to see that he is READY to be a tight end in the SEC right now. So many "tight ends" in high school are just slow wide receivers or tall offensive linemen, but Rome is the perfect blend of size and speed that he knows how to get open down the field and make some moves once he has the ball, but he can also block the way a tight end is supposed to block and does it correctly without holding or being out-shifted by athletic defensive ends. Rome is certainly capable of earning immediate playing time as he is a ready-made tight end.
So what does Mark Richt do? He might make Orson Charles a full-time H-Back as his current crop of fullbacks aren't exactly JT Wall or Shaun Chapas. If Richt wanted to drop into a bit of a shotgun with Isaiah Crowell and Charles split around Aaron Murray with Lynch blocking and Rome or White running patterns that certainly could fly. Or he could constantly use a two-tight end set as his wide receivers get their feet wet and try to replace AJ Green. One tight end could be Rome opposite Lynch or White opposite Charles while one blocks and the other goes out in a route. Richt has plenty of options and might we actually see a three-tight end set this year when PASS is the playcall?
Green has moved on to the NFL and no receiver on the roster seems capable of duplicating his production from last season. Maybe that is OK as there are four ready and willing tight ends ready to move the sticks for Mark Richt and company. As good as AJ Green was, he never took Georgia to great heights. Maybe these four tight ends can bring the glory back to Georgia. Some programs would kill for one of these tight ends. Georgia has four All-SEC caliber players at the TE position and it is a nice problem to have.
Friday, February 18, 2011
You guys were a bit premature
Before we get into anything negative, I want to say that I love Georgia basketball and the program and have ever since I donned my first Harrick's Hounds shirt (which I still wear once a week, much to the delight of my wife who has tried to throw the shirt away about 4 times). I followed the Dawgs through the high years of Harrick then through the lean years of Felton. I got excited in 2008 during the SEC tourney and didn't change my socks for four straight days. Too bad that just delayed Felton's firing for about 6 months.
Then I got excited again when Mark Fox really seemed to turn things around last year. They competed hard and showed how talented tehy could be with a legit coach. Thompkins and Leslie were actually living up to their potential. Price played well and Zac Swansey and Daniel Miller look like dopes. 2010-11 was supposed to be magical.
And it still might be.
But let's be real. Ealier this year in the AJC, a dope that will remain unnamed said this was the best Georgia team in 25 years (I am guess that he is trying to calculate how long it was since the Final Four team. GET AN ABACUS!) Then this last Wednesday night a fellow Georgia grad texted me to say what a shame it was that the best team in 20 years would likely go to the NIT.
Are you people SERIOUS? As much as I love Mark Fox (I hope he stays because he can build a winner here) and while I Love watching Leslie's highlight dunks, this team couldn't hold the jock of the 2002-03 squad that was pulled out of the SEC and NCAA tourney despite a top ten ranking because Jeremy Schaap tried to live up to his father's shadow by pretending to be an investigative journalist and killed the Georgia season. (Well Tony Cole helped too)
That squad had Jarvis Hayes as the superstar wing with Rashad Wright running point, Ezra Williams bombing threes, Chris Daniels at the 4 (able to bring the ball up to beat the press) and Steve Thomas in the post. Oh, you want to go to the bench? Jonas Hayes was your big with Damien Wilkins coming in for either Williams or Hayes or even Wright. Wehunt was the "sharpshooter" off the bench and Peavy was the token white guy big off the bench. Wayne Arnold and Tony Cole also got some reps before Cole became a douche. I think that team was No.6 in the country when Michael Adams pulled them out of the Dance. Oh, that's only a No.2 seed. Thanks. The team was a No.3 seed the season prior and that was without Wilkins.
This team is good but Dustin Ware is no Rashad Wright. Ezra Williams wasn't as athletic as Gerald Robinson Jr, but he was a much better shooter from 3 and the FT line. Leslie is VERY good, a future first round pick; Jarvis was a lottery pick. Thompkins is going to be in the lottery but he pouts too much when things don't go his way. Chris Daniels wasn't flashy but he tried hard every time down. While Jeremy Price might be my favorite current player, I've got a feeling that Steve Thomas would more than take him out of the game, draw fouls and get Barnes into the game.
As for the bench, Brantley is supposed to be the sharpshooter off the bench but I haven't been that impressed this season. I'm not saying Wehunt is Steve Kerr but I'd say they are about a wash.
The top back-ups would have to be Thornton and Williams for this squad and Hayes and Wilkins for the 03 squad. While I think Thornton and Williams will grow INTO huge contributors and eventual starters for Mark Fox, Wilkins in the NBA and Hayes was so great around the basket and Williams just isn't there yet. Thornton could have gotten some big time reps on that 03 squad, but I don't think Williams would have been ready.
With all due respect to the current team, the '03 team would beat them four games to one in a best-of-seven series. Perhaps Trey Thompkins would get hot for one game, but Hayes and company would easily cruise to a series win. The current Bulldogs just don't seem ready for primetime for whatever reason. I keep wanting them to step up and claim an NCAA spot but they nearly blew a 23-point lead to South Carolina, nearly lost to Auburn and then blew the 14-point second half lead to Vandy by not scoring a field goal over the last 8 minutes of the game Wednesday....at home. The '03 squad wouldn't have had that happen. They weren't as defensively sound as this Georgia team is but the 03 squad could fill it up.
I hope I am wrong and this Georgia team goes on a deep run in the SEC and makes a run to the Sweet 16 in the Big Dance. But at this point, unless Georgia finds a way to beat either bama, florida or tennessee (I am give the Dawgs LSU and South Carolina) they'll finish with an 8-8 record and it might take two wins in the SEC tourney to make the NCAA. You finish 8-8 and you are the SECEast 5, facing FLorida in the second round (I believe that's how it would be seeded. Don't quote me on that)
That is a tall task. I hope I'm wrong. I hope Trey stops pouting and Price stays out of foul trouble and Ware keeps knocking down threes and Robinson can find what he had to start the year. But I am a little disappointed.
I'll still root my butt off tomorrow though at Tennessee. Come on Fox. Let's go Baby!
Then I got excited again when Mark Fox really seemed to turn things around last year. They competed hard and showed how talented tehy could be with a legit coach. Thompkins and Leslie were actually living up to their potential. Price played well and Zac Swansey and Daniel Miller look like dopes. 2010-11 was supposed to be magical.
And it still might be.
But let's be real. Ealier this year in the AJC, a dope that will remain unnamed said this was the best Georgia team in 25 years (I am guess that he is trying to calculate how long it was since the Final Four team. GET AN ABACUS!) Then this last Wednesday night a fellow Georgia grad texted me to say what a shame it was that the best team in 20 years would likely go to the NIT.
Are you people SERIOUS? As much as I love Mark Fox (I hope he stays because he can build a winner here) and while I Love watching Leslie's highlight dunks, this team couldn't hold the jock of the 2002-03 squad that was pulled out of the SEC and NCAA tourney despite a top ten ranking because Jeremy Schaap tried to live up to his father's shadow by pretending to be an investigative journalist and killed the Georgia season. (Well Tony Cole helped too)
That squad had Jarvis Hayes as the superstar wing with Rashad Wright running point, Ezra Williams bombing threes, Chris Daniels at the 4 (able to bring the ball up to beat the press) and Steve Thomas in the post. Oh, you want to go to the bench? Jonas Hayes was your big with Damien Wilkins coming in for either Williams or Hayes or even Wright. Wehunt was the "sharpshooter" off the bench and Peavy was the token white guy big off the bench. Wayne Arnold and Tony Cole also got some reps before Cole became a douche. I think that team was No.6 in the country when Michael Adams pulled them out of the Dance. Oh, that's only a No.2 seed. Thanks. The team was a No.3 seed the season prior and that was without Wilkins.
This team is good but Dustin Ware is no Rashad Wright. Ezra Williams wasn't as athletic as Gerald Robinson Jr, but he was a much better shooter from 3 and the FT line. Leslie is VERY good, a future first round pick; Jarvis was a lottery pick. Thompkins is going to be in the lottery but he pouts too much when things don't go his way. Chris Daniels wasn't flashy but he tried hard every time down. While Jeremy Price might be my favorite current player, I've got a feeling that Steve Thomas would more than take him out of the game, draw fouls and get Barnes into the game.
As for the bench, Brantley is supposed to be the sharpshooter off the bench but I haven't been that impressed this season. I'm not saying Wehunt is Steve Kerr but I'd say they are about a wash.
The top back-ups would have to be Thornton and Williams for this squad and Hayes and Wilkins for the 03 squad. While I think Thornton and Williams will grow INTO huge contributors and eventual starters for Mark Fox, Wilkins in the NBA and Hayes was so great around the basket and Williams just isn't there yet. Thornton could have gotten some big time reps on that 03 squad, but I don't think Williams would have been ready.
With all due respect to the current team, the '03 team would beat them four games to one in a best-of-seven series. Perhaps Trey Thompkins would get hot for one game, but Hayes and company would easily cruise to a series win. The current Bulldogs just don't seem ready for primetime for whatever reason. I keep wanting them to step up and claim an NCAA spot but they nearly blew a 23-point lead to South Carolina, nearly lost to Auburn and then blew the 14-point second half lead to Vandy by not scoring a field goal over the last 8 minutes of the game Wednesday....at home. The '03 squad wouldn't have had that happen. They weren't as defensively sound as this Georgia team is but the 03 squad could fill it up.
I hope I am wrong and this Georgia team goes on a deep run in the SEC and makes a run to the Sweet 16 in the Big Dance. But at this point, unless Georgia finds a way to beat either bama, florida or tennessee (I am give the Dawgs LSU and South Carolina) they'll finish with an 8-8 record and it might take two wins in the SEC tourney to make the NCAA. You finish 8-8 and you are the SECEast 5, facing FLorida in the second round (I believe that's how it would be seeded. Don't quote me on that)
That is a tall task. I hope I'm wrong. I hope Trey stops pouting and Price stays out of foul trouble and Ware keeps knocking down threes and Robinson can find what he had to start the year. But I am a little disappointed.
I'll still root my butt off tomorrow though at Tennessee. Come on Fox. Let's go Baby!
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