Damn Good Dawgs 2012 - Orson Charles

ORSON CHARLES, TE #7

Recruitment:

A 5 star recruit from Plant High School in Tampa, Florida, Charles was one of the most interesting recruiting battles in the 2009 class. He was ranked as the #3 tight end in the country and was highly sought after by Georgia, Florida, and Florida State. During a recruiting visit to Florida, Charles famously knocked over and broke the Gators 2006 National Championship trophy. After waiting a month after national signing day, Charles finally decided to follow his high school teammate Aaron Murray to The University of Georgia.

Career Stats:

• Appeared in 40 games, making 29 starts at tight end
• 94 receptions
• 1370 receiving yards
• 10 touchdowns

Career Highlights:

• Played in every game during his 3 year career at Georgia
• Caught his first career touchdown on a 44 yard pass against Arkansas
• Caught at least one pass in 36 of 40 career games
• Two career games with 100+ yards receiving (UF in ’10, BSU in ’11)
• Caught career high 45 passes in 2011, including 5 touchdowns

Best Game – 2010 Florida

Orson Charles may have been the most talented pass catching tight end to ever come to Georgia. But because he played during a time when the Georgia line was either struggling or the running back situation was unsettled, he was called on to be a blocker just as much as a receiver. He never had more than 6 receptions in a single game, but one of those times was arguably his best game at Georgia. In the 2010 Florida game, Aaron Murray found his high school teammate for a couple of big catches including a touchdown. His best single play was an amazing leaping touchdown catch against Ole Miss last fall.

Honors and Awards

• 2009 Freshman All-American

• 2009 All-SEC Freshman team

• Named John Mackey Tight End of the Week for effort against Florida in 210

• 2010 Second Team All-SEC

• 2011 Mackey Award Finalist

• 2011 First Team All-SEC

• 2011 Offensive Team Captain
  

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Damn Good Dawgs 2012 - Brandon Boykin

(Note: This is the first entry in a series that will look at the career of Georgia players either graduating or moving on this year)

BRANDON BOYKIN, CB #2

Recruitment:
Boykin was a #14 rated cornerback in the country and a 4 star recruit out of Fayette County High School in Fayetteville, GA. Boykin, who also played quarterback, committed to the Dawgs on December 7, 2007 and was amongst a star studded class of 2008 that included AJ Green and Richard Samuel.

Career Stats:

Defense

• 159 Total Tackles (106 solo, 53 assisted)
• 20 Tackles for loss, including 1 sack, 1 safety, and 2 forced fumbles
• 9 interceptions and 27 pass defenses

Offense

• Rushed 7 times for 103 yards (14.7 average) and 1 touchdown
• Caught 5 passes for 71 yards and 2 touchdowns

Special Teams

• Kickoff Returns: 110 returns for 2,663 yards (24.2 average) and 4 touchdowns
• Punt Returns: 14 returns for 180 yards (12.9 average) and 1 touchdown

Career Highlights:

• 38 career starts at corner
• Returned 4 kickoffs for touchdowns, including three during the 2009 season. 3 of the 4 went for 100 yards.
• Georgia's all-time leader in kickoff return yardage (and second all-time in SEC history)
• Had a huge interception in the end zone against LSU in 2009
• During the 2011 season, Boykin began playing offense and scored touchdowns receiving and running the ball.

I don't love the music, but here is a great collection of Boykin's career highlights someone put up online.


Best Game - 2012 Outback Bowl
The Dawgs may have come up short in triple overtime to the Michigan State Spartans, but Boykin did everything he could to make sure that didn't happen. Showing his true versatility, Boykin scored in all three phases of the game. He started the scoring by recording a safety in the first quarter, returned a punt 92 yards for touchdown in the second, and catching a touchdown pass in the fourth. He was named the bowl game MVP despite the Georgia loss.

Honors and Awards

• 2009 All-SEC Second Team as Returner
• 2010 Defensive MVP - AutoZone Liberty Bowl
• 2010 All-SEC as Kick Returner
• 2010 All-SEC Fourth Team
• 2011 Paul Hornung Award Winner - given to the nation's most versatile player
• Invited to play in the 2012 Senior Bowl
• 2011 Second Team All-SEC
• 2011 Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist
• 2011 Defensive Team Captain

Heroes of The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry: Tra Battle

The 2006 matchup between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Auburn Tigers had a similar ring to the game that will take place this Saturday. Georgia was struggling with a freshman quarterback under center, having lost games earlier in the season to Vanderbilt and Kentucky. The record stood at 6-4 and the Dawgs were underdogs to an Auburn team that was in the national title race. The #5 ranked Tigers were 9-1 and were looking to reach the SEC Championship game for the second time in four years. What followed was an absolute destruction of the Auburn Tigers. The final score was 37-15 and the game became known as the Massacre on the Plains.

There were many heroes in game, from defensive lineman Ray Gant to quarterback Matthew Stafford. But if there was an MVP award for this effort, there is little doubt that award would not have gone to senior safety Tra Battle. From Mary Parsons High School in Forsyth, Georgia, Battle earned his spot at Georgia the hard way: as a walk-on. During his junior season, he became a starter and was put on full scholarship. The game against Auburn was Battle’s signature moment at Georgia, intercepting three passes from Auburn quarterback Brandon Cox including one for a touchdown. Here’s a look back at his performance:



Following the 2006 season, in which he totaled 58 tackles, Battle was named to the All-SEC first team. Soon after, he was also named a third-team All-American. Despite these awards, he went undrafted in the 2007 NFL Draft. But just like walking on at Georgia, Tra was determined to continue his playing career at the next level. He eventually signed with the San Diego Chargers and made his NFL debut in 2008. After being cut from the Chargers, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys where he spent the remainder of the 2008 season. In 2009, he practiced with the Detroit Lions and later the Cleveland Browns. For his NFL career, he has totaled 15 tackles.

Once again, Tra refused to give up on his dream of playing football. He signed with the Hartford Colonials of the UFL where he recorded 18 tackles in six games during the 2009 season. While his playing career continues, Battle also focuses much of his attention on charity work. Tra’s Battle for Success Foundation, a division of the Athletes for Education Foundation, focuses on children’s education programs in the San Diego area. For the last two years, Tra has hosted “Camp Battle” in Tijuana, Mexico, which focuses on events for children ages 4-16 with mild to severe autism.

Tra Battle: Damn Good Dawg.

For more information:

Tra’s Battle for Success Foundation

UFL Player Spotlight: Tra Battle

The Countdown 2010: 5 Days To Go, Garrison Hearst

5: Garrison Hearst, TB #5 (1990-1992)

Garrison Hearst is a well noted Georgia Bulldog, but the high achieving level he attained at Georgia is often underappreciated. The Lincolnton, GA native is the #2 career rusher for the bulldogs, was a dominating, powerhouse back in the early 1990’s, and his name is emblazoned all over Georgia’s record books.

Hearst came to Georgia in 1990, and would become a leading force on the field in the SEC. Hearst would only start just over half the games his freshman and sophomore seasons, but would garner respectable numbers during both years. He would be the leading rusher for Georgia all three years he played, and was also the leading scorer on the team for the ’91 and ’92 seasons.

clip of Hearst's 50+ yard TD run in 1992 versus Ole Miss*

His junior season in 1992 was of near epic proportions. Georgia would win 10 games (with 2 close losses), and finish the season ranked #8, topped off by a Citrus Bowl victory over the Doormat of the SEC (commonly referred to as Ohio State).

Highlights of Hearst from the 1993 Citrus Bowl versus Ohio State*

Hearst would gain 1,547 rushing yards that season, and a total of 1,910 all purpose yards (placing him second in school and SEC history), as well as being the only other rusher besides Herschel to gain 1,500 yards in a season. Hearst would also set the SEC record for touchdowns in a season (21), rushing touchdowns in season (19), average gain per rush (6.8), and most points scored in a season (126). His rushing TD and average gain records still remain SEC records today.

Hearst’s national notoriety skyrocketed as he won the Doak Walker Award (given to the nation’s top running back), was voted a consensus All-American, and finished 3rd in the Heisman balloting (finishing behind Gino Torretta and Marshall Faulk).

Hearst would finish his career with 3,232 rushing yards, 3,934 total yards, 16 - 100 yard rushing games, and 35 touchdowns over 3 seasons.

Hearst would go on to be the 3rd overall pick in the 1993 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. While sustaining injuries and health problems that limited his playing, Hearst played for 12 seasons, appeared in 2 Pro Bowls, and twice won NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

* Videos courtesy of the Leather Helmet Blog's Youtube page

The Countdown 2010: 6 Days To Go, Terry Hoage

6: Terry Hoage, DB #14 (1980-1983)

"The best defensive player I've ever coached and maybe the best one I've ever seen," is what Vince Dooley said about Terry Hoage at an Academic All-America Hall of Fame induction. Such is fitting for a superior athlete that dominated on the field, in the class room (graduating with a 3.85 GPA), and helped Georgia dominate college football in the early 1980s.

Hoage came to the Georgia Bulldogs from Huntsville, Texas and as a freshman he was responsible for a blocked field goal in the 1981 Sugar Bowl that secured the 1980 National Championship for the Bulldogs.


Go to the 38 second mark in this video to see Hoage's blocked FG

His next three seasons saw him perform at a legendary level, as he helped guide the Bulldogs (as one of the team’s essential playmakers), in an era of Georgia football that would claim a national championship, three SEC championships, and go 43-4-1. In that time, Hoage would display his talents through such achievements as claiming the SEC record for interceptions in a season with 12 during the 1982 season, and finishing his career 3rd all time at Georgia in career interceptions.

Hoage’s college career was filled with a plethora of honors and accolades: Two time consensus All-American, two time Academic All-American, two time SEC Defensive Player of the Year, 1984 SEC Athlete of the Year Award, and also being awarded the 1984 Top V Award that is given to the country’s top student athletes. Hoage also finished 5th in the balloting for the 1983 Heisman Trophy, gaining more votes than any other defensive back had ever received up to that time.

His post-career honors continue his legend with his inductions into the College Football Hall of Fame, the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, UGA’s Circle of Honor, the Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame, Academic All-American Hall of Fame, and being named to the Walter Camp All Century Team.

Hoage would go on to be drafted in the 3rd round of the 1984 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. Hoage’s professional career would last 13 seasons, where he would play for 6 teams and win a Super Bowl Championship with the 1991 Washington Redskins.

Hoage currently lives in California where he and his wife operate Terry Hoage Vineyards. As is typical with Hoage’s football career, Wine Spectator Magazine named the Hoage’s the Top New California Wine Producers for 2008.

Terry "Superman" Hoage pic courtesy of DawgBone

The Countdown 2010: 7 Days to Go, Champ Bailey

7: Champ Bailey, CB/WR/ST #4 (1996-1998)

Hailing from as far down in South Georgia as is possible, Folkston, GA native Champ Bailey is often regarded as one of the greatest multi-position players ever to play college football.

Bailey came to Georgia as one of the nation’s most sought after recruits, and a member of one of Georgia’s now famous family heritages (with two brothers and a cousin that have played at UGA).

Bailey’s name is not plastered all over the record books at UGA, but that’s because he didn’t play just one position like a normal player, he played on every front: offense, defense, and special teams. Bailey was not dominant in one position; he was dominant in them all.

While only starting two games his freshman year, Bailey amassed 47 tackles (35 of them solo) with 2 interceptions. Starting his sophomore year, Bailey would become the feared triple threat player that turned him into a legend. His junior season was one of infamy, where he would play over 1,000 plays and over 100 in 7 different games.


Bailey would be named a consensus All-American that year by attaining 52 tackles, three interceptions,744 receiving yards, five TDs, 261 kickoff return yards, and 49 punt return yards. Bailey had near identical defensive stats during his sophomore and junior season, but his increased performance on offense and special teams made him a terror to the opposing teams every time he stepped on the field.

Bailey would top his junior season (1998) off by receiving the Bronco Nagurski Award, given to the best defensive player in college football, and helping lead Georgia to a 35-33 victory over Virginia in the Peach Bowl by catching three passes for 73 yards, catching a 14-yard touchdown, and returning five kickoffs for 104 yards.

Bailey would leave Georgia after the 1998 season, and would be taken 7th in the 1st round by the Washington Redskins. Bailey has continued his dominating ways playing cornerback in the NFL playing for both the Redskins and Broncos, where he’s amassed 621 tackles and 46 interceptions, and become a 9 time pro bowl selection in only 11 seasons.

Here’s a clip of an interception and 99 yard return by Bailey against Tom Brady and the Patriots. Ironically enough, fellow Dawg Ben Watson would be the one to tackle Bailey on the 1 yard line, depriving him of a 100 yard TD interception.

The Countdown 2010: 36 Days to Go

36: DJ Shockley, Quarterback #3 (2001-2005)

Often regarded as Mark Richt's first recruit after he became the head coach at Georgia, DJ Shockley was a nationally recognized and all state quarterback coming out of Clayton County, Georgia who would become the unselfish hero of the Bulldawg Nation.

I could regale you the typical biography of stats and accolades that proves his worthiness as one of the greatest to ever don the Red and Black, but that would be too typical for a player that won over the hearts of Dawgs everywhere.

Think back to before the season in 2005. Shockley had never started a game, the man in front of him spent the last 4 seasons becoming the all-time winningest quarterback in NCAA history, he was inserted into games with fans cheering his presence if there was a touchdown, yelling and booing if an interception came about and with his natural talent on display when he did play, the thought of transferring weighed heavily on his mind.

Instead, Shockley decided to stay at Georgia, and face that his entire college career would culminate into starting only one season. Before the 2005 season began, most wondered how things would play out with him starting for the first time.

On that squelching September afternoon in 2005 against up and comer Boise State, the redshirt senior blew away all doubts with a 300+ yard, 6 TD performance (5 passing, 1 rushing) that earned him national player of the week honors.

My fav clips are Leonard Pope's catch at 1:55, and Sean

Bailey's catch at 4:21

For the rest of 2005, Shockley was a machine that seemed unstoppable. Amassing a 7-0 record through some close games and dominating performances, Shockley's name became synonymous with the other two major college football stars of 2005: Reggie Bush and Vince Young.

An injury against Arkansas forced him to miss the following week's game against Florida, a bitter loss that was followed by a last minute 31-30 loss to Auburn where Shockley gave an inspiring performance, and had brought Georgia the lead within the last few minutes.

After leading the Bulldawgs to a 4th quarter victory over Georgia Tech, Shockley entered the Georgia Dome the following week to give an MVP stomping of LSU and bringing a second SEC Championship to the Georgia in the Mark Richt era.After gambling his future by staying at Georgia, Shockley received the ultimate prize of a Championship to cap off his remarkable one year.

While the Bulldawgs and Shockley would face an embarrassing loss in the Sugar Bowl to West Virginia, Shockley put in an amazing performance that was the only reason Georgia remained in the game (minus Shockley, that game could have easily been 38-14).

In his one and only season, Shockley amassed 10 wins, an SEC Championship and MVP, the National Bobby Bowden Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Finalist, and third in the AP's Player of the Year contest (only behind Bush and Young).

Despite his ability, poise, and leadership to bring another championship to the Red and Black faithful, it is the quiet loyalty he showed to Georgia that Bulldawg fans remember the most.

The greatest leap until we saw the likes of Knowshon

DANNELL ELLERBE MAKES A SPLASH FOR RAVENS

As we talked about back in August, former Georgia linebacker was impressing the Ravens staff and linebacker corp, especially since they signed him as a an undrafted free agent (he ended up being the only rookie free agent the Ravens signed).

On Sunday in his third start against the Raiders, Ellerbe got his first career interception just before halftime, and it resulted in a TD by Willis McGahee.

Ellerbe then recovered a fumble in Ravens territory.

Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh said Ellerbe's performance was amazing and the difference in the game.

In a lockeroom interview for Sportscenter on ESPN, Ray Lewis also gave high praise to Ellerbe for his efforts.

This is fantastic for Ellerbe. It's always great to see a Dawg succeed, but it is especially sweet since Ellerbe was overlooked in the draft. Despite his history injuries, I was definitely surprised that he didn't at least get taken in one of the late rounds.

Good luck to Ellerbe and I hope his hard work continues to raise his status in the NFL.

DAMN GOOD DAWG.

Gordon Beckham Wins Another Rookie Of The Year Award

Last week, Gordon Beckham was named American League Rookie of the Year by the Sporting News.

This morning, Gordon Beckham appeared on Mike & Mike In the Morning on ESPN Radio, where they interviewed him about the Major League Baseball Players Associaion members announcing him as the American League Rookie of the Year.

Both of the awards were decided by Major League Baseball players, so hopefully the Baseball Writers Association of America will agree with them at the end of the season.

The Players Association is also going to donate $20,000 to the charities of Beckham's choice. Beckham decided to split it between the National Parkinson Foundation and the Children's Hospital of Illinois.

Go Gordo!

Damn. Good. Dawg.

A Bulldawg Legend Passes On

You may not have known it, but a Bulldawg legend passed away on Friday night, August 28.

How exactly is he a legend? Among all those that call themselves Dawgs, there are a group of legends that have shown constant dedication to everything that defines being a Dawg. There are thousands of these legends currently in the Bulldawg Nation, and even more whose spirits are felt every time we walk across North Campus, every time we see a “G,” and every time we enter Sanford Stadium on a Saturday afternoon.

William David Gibbs is one of these legends.



Mr. Gibbs was a devoted Dawg throughout his life, with only his family and serving the Navy ranking ahead. He often expressed how he knew the Navy was superior to anything else, and how being a Dawg was a blessing from above.

Mr. Gibbs is also the father of one of the best friends I’ve ever had, Alex Gibbs. Alex is also a strong supporter, frequent reader, and commenter on this blog.

The stories his dad, Mr. Gibbs, recounted of the many cocktail parties in Jacksonville, and every major event that took place in Athens during the 1980s, mimicked a documentary film rolling through your head while listening to him.

Red and Black ran through the veins of Mr. Gibbs and he made UGA a part of his family. He named his daughter Georgia and his son David Alexander William Gibbs (with the agreement of Mrs. Gibbs, of course), forever tying his family to the University of Georgia.

Mr. Gibbs was always there waiting in line at picture day, he was the first to chastise a nerd for wearing an ugly yellow shirt, and he was the first to welcome a new Dawg to our large extended family.

In his last week, Mr. Gibbs even got a phone call from Coach Vince Dooley to talk about the upcoming season. They both agreed that it was going to be a great one.

I would be remissed if I did not mention the jovial nature of Mr. Gibbs. No one on this Earth had more of a sense of humor, a positive outlook on life, and a determination to live the life to the fullest. He was always prepared to have a great time, and no matter how obvious and comical of a situation you found yourself in, he would always ask, "What ya'll doin?!"

A former co-worker of Mr. Gibb’s said in his remembrance: “I know David will keep the ice chest cold and full, awaiting each of us to join him one day.”

Mr. Gibbs did more than just define what it meant to be a Dawg, he exemplified how being a Dawg can be a way of living your life. It is a way of life that creates and fosters families and builds bonds of friendships among strangers.

More importantly, Mr. Gibbs lived his life full of passion, loyalty, and honor. He demonstrated these qualities in his defense of our country, his love for his family, and his affection for everything red and black.

On Monday afternoon, a large black “G” stood next to the flag draped casket of Mr. Gibbs. After the preachers had spoken the Gospel, and his fellow sailors had bid adieu, “Glory, Glory” chimed from the organ and rang through the church as the pall bearers came to carry Mr. Gibbs away.

David Gibbs will be there in Sanford Stadium with you, with me, and with all of us in Athens on each Saturday. Along with the thousands of other legends that have dedicated themselves to this family and institution, he will forever stand between the hedges.

Fair winds and following seas.

Damn. Good. Dawg.

Earl and I with the Gibbs family and Mike Woods in Orlando on New Years Eve before the Capital One Bowl.

For more on the life and remembrance of David Gibbs, you can visit the following website:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/williamdavidgibbs

A Class Act

Knowshon...a DAMN GOOD DAWG!

Good luck in the NFL number 24. We'll be cheering you on.

(Knowshon placed this ad in the Sunday edition of the Athens Banner Herald.)