First, let me state that this isn't really to find out what the best solution, it is more to see who receives the bulk of Georgia fans' disdain at this point. Obviously, if Richt is fired, then none of the other coaches would probably keep their jobs and so on. All is not an answer, so you will have to weigh your choices and pick just one.

Time to fill out some pink slips.

I was watching the UGA-Tenn Tech game online and heard Buck Belue make a comment about a lack of senior leadership and talent, especially on the offensive side of the ball. He said that 4-6 years ago, someone really dropped the ball in recruiting.

I had observed the same thing. So tonight I did a little bit of hasty research. Please feel free to correct this if I made any mistakes.

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There is a saying especially with computer programmers (which I am not), that if you put bad data in (garbage) then you will get bad results (more garbage).

Unwillingly, I have come to the opinion that darker days are ahead for the Bulldog Nation. For quite a few years now, I, like other Bulldogs, have been frustrated and dumbfounded by the performance of the team and coaches. However, like some of the more level-headed bloggers and commenters, I have tried to rationalize the mistakes and subpar showings of the Bulldogs. I realize that the offense has put Martinez' squad in bad situations with turnovers and poor play. I know there have been days with Bobo's squad have tallied more than enough points to secure a win, but the defense managed to surrender more points. I (still) think Richt is a great man and a really good coach. However, I have reached my breaking point.

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I never thought I would ever take this side, because the thought of people like Chad Johnson and Terrell Owens makes me sick. I hated "da U" when they were the big show-boaters. I can't stand it when players make a huge fuss over a sack of loud tackle. However, I have decided to make camp with the enemy, because the enemy of my enemy is my friend... or at least for now. Right now, the greater evil is the NCAA Rules Committee and the referees that subjectively interpret the NCAA's rules.

The following is what I found when I search the NCAA rules on celebration:

NCAA Football Rule 9-2, Article 1(a)(1)(d) prohibits "Any delayed, excessive, prolonged or choreographed act by which a player (or players) attempts to focus attention upon himself (or themselves)"; in addition, Rule 9-2, Article 1(a)(2) asserts that "After a score or any other play, the player in possession immediately must return the ball to an official or leave it near the dead-ball spot." [2] Additionally, if a player's actions is considered "unsportsmanlike conduct" the result is dead-ball foul; a "flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct" foul requires player ejection. If a player’s nonfootball-related act (e.g. taunting or cursing) causes an opponent to physically retaliate, it is considered fighting and both players are ejected. [3]

The timing may sound like sour grapes, but I vividly remember about ten years ago when Fred Gibson caught a long TD pass to go up on Tennessee in a pivotal SEC East match up, turning and saying to Kirk Herbstreit, "What is up with the celebration call?! It's a huge game. Let the players play." And he nodded in agreement (I was on the sideline working for a TV station at the time and Herbstreit and the Gameday crew were in town for the game).

Again, today, when UGA scores a late TD to go up on a top 5 team in SEC play, we got hosed again. Now, I didn't see AJ committing the penalty, but a friend and LSU fan working for CNN said on the unedited feed you could see Green later go toward the crowd in the endzone and mouth off, thus getting the flag for celebrating. However, do we really expect a player who just made a potentially game winning catch in a huge game to "immediately must return the ball to an official or leave it near the dead-ball spot" and walk calmly off the field?

Furthermore, I think the celebration penalty called on Charles Scott was complete crap and probably called out of guilt rather than good officiating.

And while The '07 Celebration was fun at the time, it was wrong, just like the V stomp was wrong. I loathe stupid gestures like that, but I am willing to put up with that if it means an end to frivolous calls that strongly influence games.

The subjectivity we face from officials is getting out of hand and we will see more of this garbage affect not only the Dogs, but every team. Therefore, I would like to see the rule changed or done away with. I would propose the following rule:

Excessive celebration penalty of 15 yards will be charged upon any choreographed act including outside objects or unchoreographed act that harms another player or simulates a violent action (such as slashing the throat or shooting a person) by which a player (or players) attempts to focus attention upon himself (or themselves). in addition, if a player’s nonfootball-related act causes an opponent to physically retaliate, it is considered fighting and both players are ejected.

So dance around like an idiot, spike the ball, do your stupid Omega sign, moonwalk, wave your hand to your ear a la Hulk Hogan, dial up the LSU fanbase after scoring a TD, whatever! As long as you don't physically hurt an opponent or ref, pull your cellphone out of your sock or act like your are decapitating someone, you are okay. The rule is clear and enforceable and should prevent gray areas getting the best of teams and allow teams to settle it on the field by their play.

Rivals posted an article that has Rex Robinson talking about what he thinks happened to Blair Walsh this year. Since the 3 easiest ways to get lots of comments are:

1. Post about CWM's job as a defensive coordinator

2. Post something about the BCS vs. Playoffs debate

or

3. Post about UGA's crappy kickoff coverage...

I decided to throw this up on the wall and see what sticks. Rex makes some good points. Enjoy.

I was reading an article about the upcoming draft that listed who is probably staying, leaving or undecided. The article which was on ESPN's site, but now I can't find said they are expecting a record number of underclassmen to enter the draft. It cited two main reasons. The first, is the rookie cap expected in the near future. "The second factor is a marginally talented senior class. Most underclassmen are aware of the competition at their respective positions and have some idea where they stack up in relation." It seems like that statement: "marginally talented senior class" or something like that gets batted around every year. Seriously, I would venture to say that 3 out of 4 senior classes have marginal number of talented or high-profile prospects. But what else should we expect when 25-50 of the top underclassmen bail for the NFL each year?! Of course there are less seniors to choose from because 1/4 - 1/2 of the really good ones left a year or two ago. So stop blaming the seniors and blame their peers who cut and ran... for the money.

16, 2, -2, 2, 3, 8TD, 4, 0, 3, -2, 5, 3TD, 2, 10, 27, 4, 11, 0, 2, -9, 1, 1, 0, 30, 21

Those are the yards for each carry that Moreno had against ASU. A lot of people have been talking about what a great game Moreno had and when you look at 149 yards and 2 TDs, it certainly looks impressive. However, when I was watching the game I felt underwhelmed... not so much by Moreno, but by our running game in general. If you take out the 51 yards at the end which weren't exactly "junk yards", but were after ASU had pretty much conceded, you are looking at a sub-100 yard game with quite a few stuffs.
3 runs for negative yardage
3 runs for no gain
8 runs for 3 or less yards
= 14 runs that were for little or no gain

Yes, he had the spectacular leap into the endzone, which reminds me of the insane body control Moreno has. Yes, he did have flashes of great moves, a few of which that were only ended because of facemasks to bring him down. And yes, Moreno should have had a 3rd TD (against 12 defenders), which the refs blew... But I thought ASU did a pretty good job of slowing down Moreno until the last 5 minutes of the game.

I don't think it was Moreno's fault, I think most of the blame is on the OL. Running up the middle was tough. And 24 had defenders on him before he got to the line of scrimmage several times. I just think that it wasn't as good of a day as it will look on paper 2 weeks from now.

Did anyone else see it that way or just me?

from Josh Kendall, Dawg Post

From Athens Banner Herald:

By Lee Shearer  

Wednesday, June 11, 2008
John Rauch, one of the University of Georgia's greatest football players, has died at the age of 80.

Rauch died unexpectedly in his sleep late Tuesday night at home in Oldsmar, Fla., said Jane Rauch, his wife of nearly 61 years.

When his four-year college football career was over in 1948, quarterback Rauch was the NCAA's career passing leader with 4,044 yards and had led UGA to two Southeastern Conference championships and four consecutive bowl games.

After a brief stint playing professional football, Rauch began a long career in college and professional coaching, including tenures as head coach of the Oakland Raiders and the Buffalo Bills.

In 1967, Rauch was named the American Football League's Coach of the Year after taking the team to the AFL championship and the second Super Bowl. The Raiders lost to Green Bay in Vince Lombardi's last game as the Packers' coach.

He is survived by his wife, a son, a daughter, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

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