http://www.ajc.com/sports/vols-coach-tells-players-609750.html

My, my, my.  This opens up a whole new category of jokes for the Volunteers.  Apparently Derek Dooley had to teach the players how to use a washcloth, soap, and basically how to take a shower.  I guess it takes the son of a legendary Dawg to teach the Volunteers cleanliness.  Forget the Wildcat, forget pass patterns, they are busy spending their time on self hygeine.  Embarassing.

"We had, I told them, the worst shower discipline of any team I've ever been around," Dooley said, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel. "So we talked a little bit about application of soap to the rag and making sure you hit all your body."

It seems the son of Georgia Bulldogs coaching legend Vince Dooley wanted to make extra sure his players got a refresher on the rub-a-dub-dub basics.

"You know, you can neglect it trying to cut corners, and it shows in how you practice and elsewhere," Dooley said. "I'm hoping we show some improvement in that."

"The worst personal hygeine of team I've ever been around." - What does that mean?  They were literally and figuratively stinking it up in practice?  Sorry but if I'm a coach, this isn't something I release.  Perhaps Double D is a UGA plant sent in to ensure Tennessee stays near the bottom of the SEC East?  Love it.

Just caught the end of a segment on College Football Live on ESPN 2 where they were doing a "What if" discussion.  This particular one was "What if Boise State hadn't beat Oklahoma".  Won't really discuss it because I didn't catch any of the discussion and it isn't as important as the "What if" for next week..."What if Lindsay Scott hadn't scored against Florida in 1980?"

I don't know how deep these discussions go, and I haven't ever really thought about this "What if" scenario because I don't believe we should question God's will.  I don't have much of an idea on what they'll talk about.  I imagine it has to be more than "They would have lost the game."  It seems they talk about the long-term effects on a program/conference or even the sport itself. 

I'd like to hear any ideas from those of you that were lucky enough to be alive at the time.  Quick idea popped in my head - maybe Herschel stays all four years?

Anyway, I don't get a chance to watch College Football Live that often, but it looks like it comes on at 8 PM Eastern, so it might be worth a watch for yall.  I'll be watching, setting a reminder in my phone.  I'd also like to take this time to apologize for jinxing the UGA/Florida game last year.  I proclaimed on here that we would definitely win.  Sorry yall, I'm a cursed sports fan.  Maybe I'll grow a beard this year.

I always use the offseason to look back on my fondest memories of being a Bulldog fan.  It's is kind of corny, but I think its the best time.  During the season, we are obviously completely focused on the current team.  I'm 24, so the glory days for me are Mark Richt's arrival and our immediate success.  It was truly mindblowing to have that and I'll never forget it.  The older crowd will no doubt have even better stories, and I would love to hear them.  But for now, I thought I'd openly reminisce, and I've love to hear some other memories from the early Mark Richt era.

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http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/2010/02/12/ncaa-moves-to-toughen-already-controversial-excessive-celebration-penalty/

The NCAA is talking about making Excessive Celebration/Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalties even more prevalent.  We all remember the AJ Green flag last year, but it's even bigger than that on a national scale.  It will have a huge impact on the game, which whether right or wrong will create controversy.  It is already an unfair, undefined rule that creates confusion. 

I think it might be logical to look back at our excessive celebration penalty against Florida.  We still remember that, right?  Sure, it led us to a pretty good season, but it didn't look good in the mainstream media, whether or not we liked it.  It was a desperation move and it worked, but it put us on the watch. 

Since then, we've been getting all kinds of penalties against us. 

http://georgia.scout.com/2/906664.html  :

 

But the data suggests the Bulldogs have been feeling the effect of the end zone dance for some time now – particularly in televised contests. Its not that Georgia was not a penalized team before they topped the Gators in 2007 – they were, but not nearly to the degree they have been after. In fact, Georgia was on pace to have one of the lowest numbers of total penalties against the team – 79.3 total penalties in 2007 – and the lowest number of penalty yards against

 In the 15 nationally televised games before the 2007 Florida game Georgia was flagged for 16 personal foul penalties. In the 15 nationally televised games after the 2007 Florida game the Dawgs were called for 29  personal fouls – almost double what was called in the same time before the Florida game.

Of Georgia’s 17 personal foul penalties in 2007, 14 of them came in the Florida game or afterwards – including four of them in their next nationally televised

It's an interesting topic, and I think it is probably somewhat true.  Can you blame them?  Without getting into the debate on The Celebration, it had to raise some eyebrows to the big cheeses.  Oh well, at least we won the game.

Someone sent me this link, apparently AKC.org ranked Texas A&M's "Reveille" above Uga in their Top 125 Dogs in Pop Culture.

My first and only question was "Who is Reveille"?



http://www.akc.org/pdfs/press_center/top_125_dogs_in_pop_culture.pdf

Now I need thirty more words.  I will use them to celebrate the departing of Timothy Tebow and William Martinez.  What a joyous Christmas.

If Tim Tebow cries everytime he loses, he'll be shedding a bunch of tears in the NFL.

One, the run blocking has to be where we're failing.  Our run game has been painfully bad really all season, but I just can't believe that Richard Samuel and Caleb King are that bad that they're gonna get under 10 yards together for an entire half.  I think last week we had 0 rushing yards at halftime.  That's ridiculous.  I will say that seeing WaShaun come in and play well was a good thing, but I think our run blocking is where we're lacking.  Our guys are getting hit in the backfield way too much.  It is weird though because our pass blocking has been pretty darn good all year.

And second, special teams are the weakest part of our team.  Everybody talking about Willie Martinez and Bobo, but they have their days.  Special teams ALWAYS sucks.  My Michigan-fan friend came with me to his first game in Athens today, and I asked him if it was weird that we NEVER return punts.  Never!  I call Logan Gray "Mr. Fair Catch", but really it's anybody back there.  What are we doing wrong?  Are we not blocking the guys coming downfield or what?  It just blows my mind that we don't return punts, we don't make the first man miss on kickoffs, and then the BLEEPING awful play at the end of the game that lost it.  Bobo and Martinez were okay-to-good today, special teams SUCKED, period.

For the hell of it, #3, AJ Green is the man.  He won the game for us today and we fell on our butts.

GO DAWGS

One thing I haven't seen much talk about is the amount of young players we saw on the Dawgs' side of the ball Saturday night in Athens.  Thought I would go down the list and point out the guys I remembered making an impact.  It was hard to tell at the game, and the replay on television was a 2 hour condensed version.  Fortunately for me there were some standouts.  Feel free to point out any I missed.

#1 Branden Smith, True Freshman CB/WR - Started with the fumble after returning the ball from deep in the endzone on a kickoff return.  Made up for it with solid corner play and the Florida Gator-like burst of speed on the reverse.

#7 Orson Charles, True Freshman TE - Yes!  He breaks Gator trophies with his butt and shows athleticism on both his catches Saturday night.  2 catches for 38 yards, but he can stretch the field and he really had to extend on one of those catches.  Not sure how he did on blocking, if he blocked at all, and he seems kinda small compared to some of our previous TE's, but can't argue with results.

#12 Tavarres King, Redshirt Freshman WR - Played decent if not good.  Had one nice run after a catch that was called back due to a holding call (I believe on true soph C Ben Jones).  But still, he had some catches and showed some quickness.  Finished with 3 catches for 29 yards and a long of 15.  Missed a middle screen attempt to him early in the game that didn't really have a chance from the start.  If we would've gotten that off, he did have some open field and some blockers in front of him.  Good to see his name in the stat sheets though!

#69 Ty Frix, Redshirt Freshman Longsnapper - Boo this man!  Apparently it was his first longsnap in a college game and he blasted it over the punter's head.  Not sure how else he did, he'd be better off if I didn't know his name.  But no biggie.

#18 Bacarri Rambo, Redshirt Freshman SS - Yes!  RAMBO laying the WOOD on special teams!  I was excited to actually see him make a play.  And I don't know who I need to talk to, but after each tackle we need to hear "RAMBOOOOOOO" over the loudspeaker.  Not sure if he had more than that one tackle, but he did stick a guy on a kickoff return.

#30 Carlton Thomas, Redshirt Freshman RB - Eh, okay game.  6 rushes, 22 yards, average of 3.7 with a long of 9.  Dude is quick but doesn't break many tackles.  He's no Richard Samuel.  Still I think he's an interesting change of pace guy that can will end up breaking some.

SOPH's

#2 Brandon Boykin, Sophomore CB - Great on special teams all night and I thought he played fantastic on D as well.  Not just the pick, he was always in the right spot.  Easily my player of the game.  Very impressed by him.  If he took Asher's spot, well...don't get me wrong, I liked Asher and he was a good player, but we aren't missing him.  Don't think I ever saw Asher have such an impact on a game.

#38 Marcus Dowtin, Sophomore MLB - I'm sure I saw him make a couple tackles here and there, but I can't recall any specific plays.  And what the heck is up with the inabilty to find any defensive stats listed ANYWHERE.  It's all offense stats everywhere.  Maybe someone can help with defensive stats or just Dowtin's stats for the game.  I just remember seeing him out there, so he did get some snaps.

#71 Cordy Glenn, Sophomore RT - Played well all game as far as I'm concerned.  I can't remember more than one time when I took note of him, so usually that is a good thing when it comes to OL.

#8 AJ Green, Sophomore WR - 6 catches, 86 yards, 1 TD.

#61 Ben Jones, Sophomore C - I thought he played well.  I know he had at least one penalty, maybe two, but I'm still amazed as how he gets downfield.  I remember he pulled on one sweep play from the C position and had a good block.  He's fast and just massive.

#29 Makiri Purgh, Sophomore FS - Recovering from swine flu?

#22 Richard Samuel, Sophomore RB - 15 rushes, 65 yards, average of 4.3 with 1 TD.

#94 DeAngelo Tyson, Sophomore DT - I remember him making some noise.  Was it him that had that first sack in the first quarter?  He put some pressure on Garcia on multiple occasions, not sure of his stat line.

#57 Blair Walsh, Sophomore P/K - Played as well as he was asked to play.

#83 Cornelius Washington, Sophomore DE - Played very, very well.  Believe he also had a sack and I remember him causing some havok in the backfield.

#6 Logan Gray, Sophomore QB - Bad decoy on one play.

#4 Caleb King, Sophomore RB - Saw him on the bus after the game.

#42 Juston Houston, Sophomore DE - From what I remember he played well.  I thought he was right on par with all our DE's, but Garcia just made some good plays with his feet.

I also believe Neland Ball and Justin Anderson played, both true sophs, but cannot recall any particular plays they had a hand in.  This team is YOUNG and I know we'll lose some guys in the next couple years, but Mark Richt's great recruiting classes are already showing through.  I'd say CMR's recruiting is what won us the game Saturday night.  I think we all have plenty to be excited about in years to come.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/ncaa/08/10/oklahoma.state/

Above is a scouting report for SI's #7 Oklahoma State, which talks about their one returning starter from the secondary, their new defensive coordinator, their 109th ranked defense last year (267.7 passing yards and 28.1 points per game allowed), and their 102nd ranked pass rush from last year (15 sacks in 13 games).

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/ncaa/08/11/georgia/

Above is the scouting report for SI's #13 ranked UGA.  It doesn't give a whole lot of statistical analysis, but does have an interesting story I hadn't heard before.  When individually asked who the leader of the team was, 106 Georgia players said it was Joe Cox.  Other than that, it is pretty much the standard Joe Cox stuff - beating Chris Leak's high-school records, leading the comeback against Colorado - but when comparing other facts we know about UGA to the above facts about Oklahoma State, I start to get happy. 

We return a very talented offensive line that, based on last year's stats for OSU, should dominate the game easily against a weak pass rush.  We also return one of the nation's best wide receivers, and a stable of other talented and experienced receivers who, based on last year's stats for OSU, should dominate the game against an unexperienced secondary learning a brand new scheme (which also happens to be the third new defensive scheme in five years under Coach Gundy).  Add in that Joe Cox's best attribute is his accuracy...well, I'm liking it.

Then you add in Coach Richt's road record.  Then you add in Coach Richt's road record against OOC opponents.  Then you add in Coach Richt's opening-day-big-game record.  Then you add in the fact that we'll travel decently (not as great as last year I don't think, but still pretty good considering).

I think it is safe to say we can mark this one as a W right now, barring something crazy happening between now and Sept. 5th.

Not sure how long this has been up on AJC, but I just saw it this morning.

They have a poll going of who the best UGA QB is in the last 10 years, between Shockley, Greene, and Stafford.  I had to choose Greene myself.  Most success = best.  But who knows The Shocker could've done in 4 years.

But the percentages got me.

David Greene - 70.14% | 1997 votes

DJ Shockley - 16.93% | 482 votes

Matthew Stafford - 12.93% | 368 votes

Maybe it's just me, but I expected Stafford to be closer to 50% than 10%.  I don't know, thought it was interesting.

Story from the AJC of Urban Meyer offering one of UGA's recruits.  Kid is a sophomore DE.

http://blogs.ajc.com/georgia-football-recruiting/2009/04/10/floridas-urban-meyer-offers-georgias-no-1-sophomore-prospect/

But I don't really care about that, I was just watching his highlight video, which is also on that page, and wow.  This kid looks darn good.  It's in 4A football I believe.

I'm not the kind of guy that watches a lot of recruiting videos other than QB/RB, so I'm not sure if a soph is supposed to look this good on tape or not.  But after the first minute I was very impressed.

CMR needs to get on it!

"Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin had some stinging last words for Alshon Jeffrey, one of the nation’s top wide receivers, according to ESPN.com.

Jeffrey of St. Matthews, S.C., signed with South Carolina last month after an intense recruiting battle with Southern Cal and Tennessee.

According to ESPN’s Chris Low, “Kiffin told Jeffrey that if he chose the Gamecocks, he would end up pumping gas for the rest of his life like all the other players from that state who had gone to South Carolina.”"

A grown man (well, maybe not) telling a 17/18 year old that.  Pitiful.

I was giving Lane the benefit of the doubt.  I even started thinking this guy might win some games.

But I'm thinking he's gone after next year.

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/shared-blogs/ajc/cfbrecruit/entries/2009/03/10/lane_kiffin_tol.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab

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From the AJC, link :

http://www.ajc.com/uga/content/sports/gatech/stories/2008/12/29/tech_uga_ring.html

Here is the first paragraph :

"Georgia Tech has figured out another way to remember its win over Georgia.

As part of its bowl bounty, Tech is giving each player a ring. Coach Paul Johnson left the design of ring to the team’s seniors. He said the seniors decided to include the score of the Georgia game, 45-42, in the ring’s design. The win snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Bulldogs."

As I've said before, Georgia Tech seems determined to remind everyone that they are, in fact, UGA's little brother. 

Pitiful.

Congratulations to Rodney Garner, he interviewed for the Auburn job.  It'd be interesting to see what he could do over there.  I really like him as part of our staff, but I can't cheer AGAINST a guy getting that kind of chance.   The best of luck to him.

And second, I just saw Reshad Jones was named second team All-SEC.  What does that say about the SEC?

I need five more words.

but wanted to point out how much of a class act (in my opinion) Tommy Tubberville is/was.

Dude was a good coach and I really couldn't ever help but like the guy.  I'm from the generation of Dawg fans that doesn't absolutely hate Auburn like some here, so I never minded the guy.  I have heard he throws his coordinators under the bus, but hell, sometimes I wonder if Mark Richt should do that (like, right now?).

Compared to Phat Phil Phulmer, this guy was a saint.  I hate Tennessee.  And having hardcore Bama fans in my family, I strongly dislike Phil Phulmer.  But TT was a likeable coach.

but, from the defensive side of the ball, we're still damn young.  The class listed for each returning player is what they'll be next year.

DL

Noteworthy Players Leaving : Jeremy Lomax DE, Corvey Irvin DT, Jarius Wynn DT

Noteworthy Players Returning : Roderick Battle DE (SR), Demarcus Dobbs DE (JR), Geno Atkins DT (SR), Kade Weston DT (SR), Neland Ball DE (SO)

Also take into account Jeff Owens.  I'm not 100% but I'd assume he redshirted and will be back next year.  Maybe someone else knows for sure.

LB

Noteworthy Players Leaving : Dannell Ellerbe LB, Marcus Washingon LB

Noteworthy Players Returning : Rennie Curran LB (JR), Akeem Dent LB (JR), Darius Dewberry SR (LB), Darryl Gamble LB (JR), Justin Houston LB (SO), Marcus Dowtin LB (SO)

Again, not sure on Marcus Washington, and for some reason the roster I'm looking at had Justin Houston at LB.  I'll just leave 'em there, but I'm pretty sure he should be listed at DE.

CB

Noteworthy Players Leaving : Ramarcus Brown CB

Noteworthy Players Returning : Asher Allen CB (SR), Bryan Evans CB (SR), Prince Miller CB (SR), Vance Cuff CB (JR)

Safeties

Noteworthy Players Leaving : CJ Bryrd S

Noteworthy Players Returning : Donovon Baldwin S (SR), Reshad Jones S (JR), Quintin Banks S (JR)

That's not taking into account some of the players we have yet to see that have big expectations.  All of these players will either be soph or freshmen next year depending on whether or not they were redshirted this year.  :

AJ Harmon DL  6'5 328

DeAngelo Tyson DL  6'2 300

John Knox S 6'2 200

Bacarri Rambo DB 6'0 195

Sanders Commings DB 6'2 195

Makiri Pugh DB 6'0 190

That's what the AJC and Gainesville Times have been going on about since Saturday.  Honestly I find it hard to imagine, but they've thrown some numbers out there and it seems somewhat convincing..

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20081027/COLUMNISTS/810270924/1044/SPORTS?Title=Biggest_Florida_Georgia_game_ever

http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/uga/entries/2008/10/28/_so_just_how_bi.html

According to the AJC, it's the highest the two teams have been ranked when meeting in the modern era.  But they list the following games as bigger, although these were (unfortunately) before my time :

1980 #2 Vs. #20, 1983 #4 Vs. #9, 1984 #8 Vs. #10

He also mentions '99, where we were #10 going against #5, but as we all know the season didn't work out to prove we were a #10 team in the nation.  This year I can't say there's much doubt both teams are definite top 10 teams and possibly top 5.

Anyway, I'd like to defer to Kyle on this one.  This is a big game no doubt, but it isn't like this is the first time the SEC East is thought to be decided by this game.  I'm thinking it's just the media looking for a big story.  Kyle, you seem to have a much better memory than me, can you name some games that were bigger or in the week leading up to it?

Don't really have to say anything else.  We've been flat out embarrassed against Tennessee the last couple years.  Two years ago I felt bipolar watching the game, one second cheering and the next second yelling.  Ugh, it was completely awful.  Last year wasn't as bad since we were just completely manhandled.  No beef with that, but I hated the bipolarness of the game two years ago (and yes, we got destroyed two years ago, too).

I wanna see about 49-0 and I'll be happy.

UGA fans all know that Mr. Rockwell is the best, but here are stats to prove it :

Currently Knowshon is #14 in the nation in total rushing yards at 227 total rushing yards on 26 rushes (8.7 YPC).  Of the 13 people in front of him, only one has less total rushes, and that is #12 Derek Lawson of Arkansas State.  Lawson is second on his team in total yards, carries, and TD's behind Reggie Arnold.  So either Arkansas State is sporting the best in-state tandem since...well...last year, or Knowshon Rockwell Moreno has clearly outshined them.  I'll take the latter.

Knowshon is #8 in the nation in YPC with an impressive 8.7 YPC on 26 rushes.  Of the 7 people in front of him, only 2 players have more carries.  One is the poor man's Darren McFadden clone, Reggie Arnold, and the other is Shun White from Navy, who has a staggering 14.9 YPC on 32 carries.  Knowshon alone has more TD's than both of these players combined.

Knowshon is currently tied for 2nd with Evan Royster of Penn State in rushing TD's.  Both players have 6 TD's in 2 games.  Evan has one less rushing attempt than Knowshon, but also sports a YPC of 8.2, which is .5 yards less than our very own Rockwell Moreno.  #1 in total rushing TD's is the beastly Javon Ringer, who has 7 total TD's despite rushing the ball more than twice as much as Knowshon or Royster (61 carries).  Ringer's YPC is much less than either men as well, as it stands at 3.5 YPC with a long run of 13 yards (compared to 34 for Royster and 52 for Knowshon Rockwell Moreno).

Noticably absent from the leaders (top 119+) in total carries, total yards, yards per carry, and touchdowns were ANY Florida running backs.  I believe I heard this past Saturday that Florida had "the most balanced offense in the country", as well, and that's a quote from Talking Head #17 (don't remember who said it).  Although, to be fair, Timothy Tebow is tied for 99th in total rushes with 22 (although strangely absent from all other categories - dual threat QB?).

Knowshon Moreno also leads the country in HPG with .5 Hurdles Per Game, demolishing the rest of the country that stands at a pitiful, slightly embarrassing 0 HPG.  Knowshon does, however, fall far behind Timothy Tebow in CPMT.  Timothy Tebow is #1 in the country with an impressive 18 Circumicisions Per Mission Trip.  Knowshon Moreno, probably for the better, is tied for 2nd with the rest of the country with 0 CPMT.