SB Nation User Blog: DavetheDawg

Thursday morning optimism.

DavetheDawg — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:16:52 -0000

I don't know why I feel so hap, hap, happy this morning. Is it because my 401(k) has actually earned $25 over the last 2 weeks? Is it because the Propecia I've been taking is actually showing results? Is it because every single day Lane Kiffin gives us all a reason to live? All of these things are truly reasons to celebrate, but this morning after my third cup o' Joe and 7 pushups, I think I know why:

Our Offensive and Defensive lines. Where games are won or lost.

On the D-Line, there is tremendous talent. Most importantly, it is tremendous senior talent. Jeff Owens, Geno Atkins and Kade Weston who are not only going to dominate their position, but teach by example. DeAngelo Tyson will continue to develop under the tutelage of some future NFL'ers. Our rush ends, certainly a question mark, will undoubtedly benefit from our ability to take away the middle of the line. Having Jeff Owens back will make the rush ends more effective, I promise you.

Perhaps no position on the team has me more excited than our offensive line. You read correctly: The O-line. As exciting as an underwater earthquake, the power to destroy. If you are into plate tectonics, then indeed you're jacked right about now. It's a force, my friends. To quote Phil Steele (God bless his 3 point type and color layout that could only be designed by Mr. Magoo):

"This year not only do all 5 starters return, but they get back (Vince) Vance and Sturdivant. Eight players have starting experience and their 99 career starts are 10th (tied) most in the FBS."

Do we have questions in our running game? Of course. Personally, I believe we are going to rotate the hell out of fresh backs until the right mix is found; perhaps a running game by committee...or perhaps one guy steps up and becomes the feature guy, or until the other team cries "uncle." We are in the best shape on O-line since, well, forever. Ben Jones, Chris Davis, Cordy Glenn, Trinton Sturdivant, Vince Vance, Clint Boling with a ton of capable youth waiting in the wings. These guys are going to be around for a while. If that doesn't get you excited, you don't have a pulse.

The 2009 Dawgs are primed to surprise alot of folks. I think they might just amaze.

I'm getting hairy just thinkin' about it.

Bama spring game: Kinda creepy, actually...

DavetheDawg — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 13:15:30 -0000

I've been cooped up the last few days because of knee surgery...so naturally I proceeded to nothing differently this Saturday as I reclined on my couch and watched some Diamond Dawg baseball with the occasional flip to see if Cleveland would score 30 on the Yankees..and finally the Alabama Spring game.

Last week, Georgia drew about 42,00 fans to Sanford Stadium. Some folks felt this number reflected poorly on a game that was on national tv. I'd call this "healthy." In comparison, Alabama very nearly sold out Bryant-Denny stadium with the threat of tornadoes, large hail, urban flooding and halitosis. 42,000 at a scrimmage is healthy. 85,000 is fanatical. Having your head coach miked up and running around the field whilst shouting instructions in an ill-fitting suit that looks like a recent purchase from the Boy's Collection at Sears was, well for me anyway, a bit creepy. It came off as incredibly vain, at least to yours truly. "Hey...look at me! I have time for this shit." What a tool.

Is this a great conference or what?

So long, Matt and Knowshon

DavetheDawg — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 01:21:51 -0000

Today has been a bummer. Actually, the entire week has. I'm sure a lot of you have had a hard time "getting back into the swing" of the 8-5 grind after the long holiday period. Now comes word that we will no longer have football 24/7. That's a pun, sort of.

Our rivals are rejoicing. The pundits are punding. The naysayers are naying. We're doomed. Joe Cox? Who is he. Caleb King? He only played a few games and was displaced by Richard Samuel...who is he? Soon to be linebacker?

Georgia Football, 2009. Flying Under The Radar. That's exactly where I want us to be.

Go Dawgs. Good luck, 24,7.

Saturday morning ramblings...

DavetheDawg — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 13:54:25 -0000

Rich Brooks is a good coach.

Mississippi's victory over the Gators was no fluke. Their loss to South Carolina was.

Bama let a faster team jump them early and often. Utah implemented the correct gameplan. Losing your best o-lineman was catastrophic, but Bama loved themselves a bit too much anyway ...similar to us in the Sugar Bowl of which we do not speak.

LSU will be back next year. MIssissippi will have something to say about the West.

Auburn will go bowling next year. They have a Don Carter's lanes in Opelika, right?

South Carolina is one more 6-6 year away from a coaching change, Spurrier is in jeopardy of ruining his legacy. Their most experienced defensive athletes are going to the NFL. Year 5 of the Spurrier plan will be interesting.

From top to bottom, Georgia's coaches, except Searles, had their collectively worst performance in the Mark Richt era. Getting this fixed weighs bigger than having Stafford and/or Moreno return. There is much work to be done here. It will get fixed. Starting with discipline.

This 10-3 season will look and feel better by the time we get to the "first pitch."

Our incoming recruiting class is shaping up nicely. It seems we will have no issue at quarterback for years to come. And I believe Joe Cox, with possibly our best o-line yet in front of him, will do well if it's his show to run. Logan Gray will be a nice change-of-pace at QB. No worries.

Kick the ball into the end zone. Every damn time.

Go Sooners.

Happy New Year, everyone.

Where is that "Kittens" website?

DavetheDawg — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 13:29:44 -0000

First of all, kudos to Florida. You guys won. Glad we could help.

Now, a few "Why's" this morning:

Why get fancy? We're not a fancy team. Our second drive of the game should have resulted in 7. It HAS to result in 7. We got too cute and our coaching didn't trust the talent on the field. I guess they felt like they needed something fancy. Why? What happened to Knowshon on the corner, with Southerland leading the way. You are 2nd and short inside the 10. Pound the ball.

Why are we still committing key defensive penalties after 9 games? Same ol' momentum killing, game changing crap. Is this because of our coordinator? I've never been a "Fire Martinez" guy, but now I'm beginning to wonder if we can't do better in that area of personnel. However, the referees did affect this game....

Why can't we execute in the red zone? This is an entirely different game if Stafford and Chandler hook up on what was a gimme just before the half. Again, you MUST get 7 right before the half.

Why did we draw Penn Wagers and crew again for the WLOCP? The sight of that guy is tantamount to seeing my ex-wife show up at my birthday party. There is no hope of enjoying yourself. Should'a just rented a movie and stayed home.

I don't know about you, but my expectations for this season took a hit when Jeff Owens went down for the season. That loss was too big to overcome and I really believe it changed our defensive dynamic. We not only lost our best interior lineman, but we lost a vocal, invaluable senior on a team which has a dearth of on-field senior leadership. Youth is a great thing...in moderation. We were probably too young to compete for the MNC anyway. Losing Ellerbe on the 2nd play of the game against 'Bama (no disrespect to Darryl Gamble) was huge, as well. The Strudivant loss was huge, too, but our offensive line is not the problem. It's our defense which was significantly weakened before the season really began. And they continue to shoot themselves in the foot with turnover-reversing-penalties.

Go Dawgs!

Kittens are fluffy.

My homecoming

DavetheDawg — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:13:34 -0000

When I walked out of Sanford Stadium on September 28, 1991 after a very lackluster victory over Cal-State Fullerton, I could not have imagined in a million years that I would not see another home game until last Saturday against Tennessee. That is 6223 sunrises and sunsets. 17 years, 13 days. It hit me when I asked my father, "In what year did they add the upper deck to the upper deck?" I had never seen that before in person. Geez. Now, I've been to a few road games, and a few Cocktail Parties, but have not been back Between the Hedges in almost 20 damn years. Folks, never let a career get in the way of the important things in life. Ever.

I ate at Allen's, pre-game (not quite the same as the original. They need to do something about the onions.) and dropped by the bookstore to purchase a few items you just cannot buy in south Florida. I was in my seat about an hour before kickoff, Faculty side with the geriatric crowd. I thought the music piped in was a bit too loud...until it drowned out "Rocky Top." My father actually remarked, "You have to admit that it's a pretty catchy song." Dad, you're going into the Home sooner than you think. Thank God we didn't give their band much of a reason to play. And much credit to the P/A operator who did a good job of drowning out "Rocky Top" early and often with a song list that could have passed for Doug Gillett's "random 10."

Anyway, the game was interesting to say the least. Yes, we dominated but it certainly wasn't reflected in the final score. I don't believe this team has put together a solid 60 minutes of football yet. They'd better hurry up because I think Tennessee was our last patsy left on the schedule. (Or is it Auburn? I hate Auburn).

This team has yet to play a complete 60 minutes of football. Stacey Searels has his O-line right where he wants 'em. Banged up and flip-flopped. I still think we're gonna make a run.

I will never wait another 17 years, 13 days to come home. In fact, anybody got Tech Tickets?

How 'Bout 'EM!

Ole Miss is my favoritist team in the world for now

DavetheDawg — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 20:36:29 -0000

Let's see. Game on the line. You need 3 points. You have a guy named Percy Harvin that has already traveled the equivalent of 3 trips and back from Epcot. It's 4th down and 1.745 yards. Are you going to run Tebow? Of course. And Ole Miss stuffed it.

I hope we can use this tonight. It's a Dan Mullen gift wrapped choke job and the Gator Nation's tears taste a bit Nutty!

A few thoughts...

DavetheDawg — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 13:44:57 -0000

It was extremely difficult to enjoy yesterday's game after seeing Jeff Owens injury. I watched on television, and it was obvious that it was severe. We have to have a new, vocal leader step up now. I'm sure coach Garner has already expressed this, but losing Owens is big. We've got talent, but our D-Line depth is certainly more tenuous.

Our offense could have scored on every possession if Richt had chosen to do so. We've got more depth at the receiver position than I can ever remember...and that's going back to the mid 70s.

Knowshon is fine, and the red-shirt year has served Caleb King well. He was very impressive. Richard Samuel fumbled just like a true-freshman not named Herschel Walker should do, but he'll learn and will develop sooner than later. Once Southerland returns, it will only improve...not to mention our all of our starting offensive linemen. They, too, played well except for some bonehead procedure penalties which is understandable in game one, but will not be tolerated next week and beyond.

Stafford looked crisp and had nice footwork. I think he just needs to trust his speed on the edges a little more regarding the long ball, which he underthrew twice. The sure touchdown in the corner of the west endzone early in the game was more a function of two receivers being in the same spot at the same time.

AJ Green is special. Wow. Can't wait to see what Tavarres King can do in the open field.

What is the deal with our kickoffs? I saw Blair Walsh in High School down here in Ft. Lauderdale. He could kick the ball to the Bahamas if he wanted to. When we scored, why would we not want to crank it through the endzone? Long kickoff returns, in my opinion, are the single biggest momentum turners in a game (unless you're Clemson. My God, those guys didn't even compete, did they?) Our kick coverage needs work as well. Why run that risk if you don't have to?

I'll be very interested to see how our defense adjusts next week against Central Michigan and "Tim Tebow Light." I'm thinking we'll be more focused and execute much better. By the time we go to Columbia, this team should be ready to roll.

Get well soon, Jeff Owens. Go Dawgs!

More Eavesdropping on the enemy...

DavetheDawg — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 16:11:50 -0000

Not really "eavesdropping," but definately conversing with the other side.

I just got back from a bid-ness trip to Orlando and met one of my new co-workers who graduated from UF in '01. I did not immediately reveal my affinity to all things Red and Black, but could hardly mistake this young man's connection to UF...seeing that his entire workspace cubicle was a virtual shrine to any/all things Gator. When the inevitable question was asked of me, "So, where did you go to school?" I proudly said, "UGA...class of '86." My new co-worker's happy-go-lucky demeanor immediately changed and a serious pall replaced his otherwise youthful, pink and rosy complexion.

"We've got to beat Georgia. If we don't win a game this year, this is the one. But of course, we've got an incredible offense..."

To which I replied, "Yeah, but defense wins championships. I think we've (UGA) got both sides of the ball covered."

By now, my young friend became a bit more uncomfortable with the whole direction of the conversation. But then, the predictable history lesson was summoned: "Well, we pretty much own you guys. 15 of 18 or something like that."

To which I replied, "Yeah, perhaps that era has ended. I think you'll find that a little research will reveal the streaky nature of this rivalry. And it is a rivalry again. But good luck to you, anyway." I still don't think the younger generation understands how important history is in a rivalry at all.

If he is typical of the general Gator consensus out there, the pressure is on. The sort of pressure we heaped upon ourselves as a fan base and team for nearly two decades. It's palpable.

How 'Bout EM!

Eavesdropping on the enemy...the Rivalry is back.

DavetheDawg — Thu, 08 May 2008 20:52:48 -0000

I live in south Florida. Weston, to be exact. As you can imagine, lots of gators (we're literally on the edge of the Everglades). And, lots of Gators. The kind that bow to Gainesville and wear Jorts. In south Florida, like most of the state, it is pro-UF. They're everywhere...kind of like silverfish.

I overheard a couple of guys at my local diner the other day talking about college football. My interest piqued when the subject of the WLOCP came up in their conversation. These guys were about my age: mid-40s. They also were obviously Florida Gators. My attempt at eavesdropping was constantly interrupted by my wife as she was attempting her own conversation with me over such drival as, "When are you going to finish re-screening the pool cage," and "we got another letter from the homeowners association about our sidewalk. It's still dirty." I love you, honey...but please. The enemy speaketh: Know Thy Enemy.

The jist of the conversation seemed to be about how great their Spring game was. How great the offense looked. How great the defense looked...at times. Then, as if a fog of despair had rolled in, the subject quickly changed. "That Knowshon Moreno killed us. Absolutely killed us."

"Yeah, Stafford ain't that great (keep thinking that, buddy), but they've got Herschel, Jr. back there again."

However, they didn't dwell on this subject too long. Of course they brought up the "Dark Ages" (1990-2003) and all was right again in their world.

But these guys are old enough to know. They weren't born during the Reagan administration and only have a 15 year period to reference their entire football heritage. These guys were around when Appleby-to-Washington stung 'em in '75. They remember "4th and Dumb." The 1980s was just as painful to them as the 1990s were to us.

"No way anyone in this rivalry reels off more than 2 or 3 in a row. Parity," says one.

"Oh, I think we'll still own Georgia, but they'll sneak in a win every 2 to 3 years to keep it hot," says the other.

Then, the conversation quickly turned be to their defense and ultimately Knowshon. "We've got to find a way to stop Knowshon."

By now, my wife is ordering her third glass of bad Pinot Grigio.

"Sorry, honey." I say. "I just wanted to hear the thoughts of some of my contemporaries." She'll never understand because she's British.

"Well, did you enjoy their conversation?" she asked.

"Thoroughly." I said.

Folks, it is a rivalry again. Perhaps not in the minds of anyone born after 1980, but definately in the consciousness of a large population of Gators who know. If we can win again in Jacksonville, I think it'll make believers out of every gator.

Go Dawgs!