My Thoughts on the National Championship Game

Here are my quick thoughts on the National Championship game:

- Oregon was cursed from the start. As the Ducks were making their way down the tunnel towards the field, Chip Kelly stopped to shake hands with Craig James - CURSE OF DEATH!

- Oregon had a good defensive game plan. they were really able to limit Cam Newton's running. If their offense would have been even half of what it was the rest of the season, the Ducks would have won.

- Auburn's D-line mauled the Ducks. Fairley and company were so much bigger and stronger. Why Chip Kelly ever tried to run the ball near the goal line is beyond me.

- Speaking of Fairley, he was dominant but still as dirty as ever. The other personal foul that was called against Auburn that left a Duck player bloody was even dirtier. Auburn definitely lived up to its reputation as the dirtiest team money can buy.

- LaMichael James seemed off. Oregon used Kenjon Barner a lot more in the first half. Seems odd that the nation's leading rusher was not getting the ball more often.

- Both offenses looked shaky at first. the 35 day lay-off will do that to you.

- Having the game end like it did kind of made me sick. Oregon got the turnover to tie the game, but Auburn ends up kicking a field goal after a running play that everyone stopped on because they thought he was down. COME ON. I was so looking forward to overtime, where these two squads might have kept playing all night and the final would have been something astronomical like 71-70 (and no, I did not do the math, so I do not know if that score is even possible).

All in all, it was a pretty entertaining game. Congratulations to the War Plains Tigers, enjoy it while you can. There is no guarantee that trophy will still be yours in a few months.

To the 2010 college football season, I bid you adieu good sir!

Big Game for the Basketball Team

Kentucky comes to Athens to open the SEC basketball season tomorrow. Georgia is 11-2, with its only losses coming to Temple (who was ranked #20 at the time) and Notre Dame (who is currently 13-2 and has climbed to #14 in the rankings). This is chance for Mark Fox's team to make a statement. Georgia played Kentucky close last season, and who can forget this:



GO DAWGS!!!

They didn't commit to Georgia...

Dickson and Bray decided to take their talents to different schools in the state of Alabama. And the response from the Georgia fans can best be described in this:


It's okay people! Now, if we don't get Crowell, Drew, Rome, Jenkins, or Mitchell...that is a different story.

Dawgs Leaving Early Under Richt – Part 2

From 2005 until 2009, the Georgia Bulldogs have seen 8 players forgo their remaining eligibility and enter the NFL draft. Here is a look at those who left early during the second half of Richt’s first decade in Athens.

2005

Leonard Pope – 3rd Round by Arizona – Pope left Georgia following the SEC Championship season and was drafted by a pass happy Arizona Cardinals team. And while receivers like Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald put up huge numbers catching passes, Pope never really took off. He has played the last 2 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Verdict – Bad Decision – Pope’s size was amazing, but one more year in Athens could have really helped hone his skills. He has not lived up to the success that former Georgia tight ends Randy McMichael and Ben Watson had.

2006

Danny Ware – Undrafted – Ware bounced around before finally finding a home with the New York Giants. Ware has become an important special teams player for the Giants and earned a Super Bowl ring in 2008. Now going by DJ, Ware’s career has lasted longer than the backs he was behind at Georgia.
Verdict – Good Decision – With Thomas Brown, Kregg Lumpkin, and Knowshon Moreno on the roster, Ware would have seen very few carries in 2007. He went undrafted, but has made a nice place for himself on the Giants.

Charles Johnson – 3rd Round by Carolina – Johnson has gradually earned more playing time for the Panthers and this year took over for the departed Julius Peppers at defensive end. His career is on an uptick, even if the Panthers are horrible.
Verdict – Good Decision – Johnson was a beast and after watching teammate Quentin Moses struggle after returning for his senior season, Johnson leaving early was a no-brainer.

2008

Asher Allen – 3rd Round by Minnesota – Allen struggled to see the field much during his rookie season for the Vikings, but continued to improve. He earned a starting role this fall, totaling 57 tackles and 2 interceptions.
Verdict – Bad Decision – Allen could have increased his draft status in 2009 by returning to school. He was good, but not great.

Knowshon Moreno – 1st Round (#12 overall) by Denver – Moreno has struggled with injuries for much of his first two seasons, but has managed to put up 1,100+ yards both years. In 2010, he solidified his role as Denver’s starting tailback and has also become a weapon catching passes.
Verdict – Good Decision – He was the first back taken and has had two relatively successful seasons despite injuries. Coming back for an additional year would have done nothing but add wear and tear to his body.

Matthew Stafford – 1st Round (#1 overall) by Detroit – Going to a horrible Lions team, Stafford expected to get hit. He has been hit so much that he has failed to stay healthy, ending both of his first two seasons on IR. He has shown promise in the 13 games he has played in.
Verdict – Good Decision – There is an argument that going to the NFL to get pummeled and constantly being injured was a bad decision. But Stafford most likely would not have been the #1 pick in 2009, meaning he would not have gotten the $40+ million from Detroit. Plus, he would not have done this:


2009

Rennie Curran – 3rd Round by Tennessee – Curran played sparingly during his rookie season, though his play time increased as the season progressed.
Verdict – Good Decision – As Curran stated when he made his decision, he was not going to get any taller by staying another year in Athens. The only way he would earn a starting role in the NFL is by playing his way up the later. Starting as soon as possible was the right move for him.

Reshad Jones – 5th Round by Miami – Jones appeared in 13 of the Dolphins’ 16 games this fall, recording 21 tackles. His best game of the year came when he recorded both his first career sack and interception on November 20 against Tennessee.
Verdict – Bad Decision – Jones had an amazing combination of both size and talent. He improved each year he was at Georgia and one more season could have improved his draft status significantly.


All told, there have been 16 players that have left Georgia early for the Draft during the Richt era. AJ Green’s decision is a no brainer, but hope players like Justin Houston and Brandon Boykin consider the past experiences of these Georgia pl

Dawgs Leaving Early under Richt - Part 1

In the next few days, AJ Green will make the inevitable decision to forgo his senior season at The University of Georgia for a career in the NFL. While there are a handful of other Georgia players who are also making the same decision this fall, I only think Justin Houston will ultimately join AJ in the draft early. I decided to look back at those players who have left school early during Mark Richt’s tenure as coach in Athens. Not counting Paul Oliver (who originally came back for his senior season before flunking out and entering the supplemental draft), I have come up with a list of those who left early. Here’s a look at those players and whether I think the decision to leave early ended up being the right or the wrong decision (note: I compiled this list by hand. This is part 1, part two will appear on the blog tomorrow) Players are listed by the last year they played at Georgia.

2001

Terreal Bierra – 4th Round by Seattle - Bierra played a backup role for the Seahawks before starting 12 games in 2004. But after Seattle had one of the worst secondaries in the league in ’04, Bierra was controversially cut in 2005 when he left the team to help rescue family members trapped in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. Bierra was charged with murder after killing a man in a drug dispute in fall 2009.
Verdict: Good decision – despite the fact that Bierra is now in prison, Georgia was loaded with talent at the safety position in 2002. Sean Jones and Thomas Davis were both excellent and Bierra would have not improved his draft status.

Charles Grant – 1st Round (25th overall) by New Orleans –Grant was a force on the Saints line for most of the decade before leaving the team after the 2009 season. He has 423 tackles and 47 sacks in his career.
Verdict: Good decision – No question about this one. After going in the first round, he earned a six year extension following a successful rookie season.

2002

Chris Clemons – Undrafted – Clemons was not a starter at Georgia, but left after the 2002 season. After missing the 2003 season with injury, he established himself as a solid NFL back up.

Verdict: Bad decision – I remember Clemons as being good, but not that good. He played linebacker and Georgia lost Boss Bailey and Tony Gilbert to graduation after the ’02 season. He definitely could have improved his draft status instead of getting hurt in the NFL.

Musa Smith – 3rd Round by Baltimore – Smith played a backup role with the Ravens before breaking his leg on a horse collar tackle by Roy Williams (for which the horse collar rule was put in place). He recovered but never found a spot as a starting running back in the NFL.
Verdict: Bad Decision – I know running backs have a short life in the NFL, but Smith had failed to meet expectations until 2002. A successful senior season in 2003 could have increased his draft value and maybe helped him earn a starting job.

2003

Robert Geathers – 4th Round by Cincinnati – Geathers earned a starting spot in 2005 and has remained a start on the Bengals’ line until today. For his career, he has 176 tackles and 23 sacks.
Verdict: Good decision – Geathers became a starter by his second season and has had a successful career. Returning to Georgia may not have lead him to a team (Cincinnati) that was rebuilding its defensive line.

Sean Jones – 2nd Round by Cleveland – Jones injured his knee and missed all of his rookie season in 2004. He played mostly on special teams in 2005, before becoming a starter in 2006. He had a good career with Cleveland before signing as a free agent with Philadelphia in 2009. In 2010, he signed a two year deal with Tampa Bay.
Verdict: Bad Decision - Jones has had a great career, but the knee injury suffered in his rookie season may not have happened at Georgia (wishful thinking).

2004

Thomas Davis – 1st Round (#14 overall) by Carolina – Davis has developed into a great outside linebacker for the Panthers, but unfortunately has ran into a series of knee injuries that have caused him to miss much of the last few seasons.
Verdict: Good Decision – Davis’ ferocious play at safety in college has translated well to linebacker in the NFL.

Odell Thurman – 2nd Round by Cincinnati – Thurman had a great rookie season for the Bengals, but drug and off the field issues landed him in trouble. After repeated violations, he was suspended by the NFL indefinitely in 2008.
Verdict: Bad decision – A successful rookie season turned out to be his only successful season. Another year under Coach Richt may have proved good for him.

We’ll be back with part 2 tomorrow!

2010: The Year Which We Will Not Speak About

What was the best part about New Year's Day? It meant that 2010 was finally over. It was a year for all in the Bulldawg Nation to forget. Too many arrests, suspensions, a crappy season, and a bowl loss. It doesn't get much worse. So, beginning today, there will be no looking back. References 2010 season are inevitable, but there will be no season review, no more analysis of the losses, and questions of what went wrong. Going forward, we will look to the future of the program, that begins with recruiting, continues with spring practice, G-Day, and summer practice, and culminates in the showdown with Boise State at the Georgia Dome.

Bring on 2011, the year wear the dark days end hope returns to the foothills of the Georgia mountains.

Give me a Liberty Bowl Victory or give me death!

(Below is an updated version of the famous "Give me liberty or give me death" speech given by Patrick Henry to the House of Burgesses es on March 23, 1775. When I began looking at the speech, I realized much of the content fit perfectly with the current situation facing the Georgia Bulldogs. Please note the this is almost the entire original speech. The only changes I have made are highlighted in RED.)

No man thinks more highly than I do of the Georgia Bulldogs, as well as the abilities of the very worthy gentlemen who have donned the Red and Black this fall. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do, opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely, and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The question before the Bulldawg Nation is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of respectability; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfil the great responsibility which we hold to the Alumni and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offence, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my team, and of an act of disloyalty toward the majesty of Sanford Stadium, which I revere above all earthly stadiums.

Dawg fans, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be like the NCAA who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation(like Cam Newton’s father soliciting his services for money)? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the success of Mark Richt’s coaching staff for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which Georgia fans have been pleased to solace themselves? Is it the 14 -11 record over the last two seasons with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these war-like preparations which cover our field and darken our campus. Are blowout victories necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which Gators resort. I ask, gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Central Florida any enemy, in this conference, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us; they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to Memphis to bind and rivet upon us those chains which George O’Leary has been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted?

Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done, to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have recruited; we have practiced; we have gameplanned; we have defeated our in-state rival, and have been relegated to the Liberty Bowl by the tyrannical hands of the NCAA and BCS. Our victories have been slighted; our losses have produced additional violence and insult; our talents have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of a New Year’s day bowl. In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be great, if we mean to preserve the national perception and privileges for which we have been so long contending, if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained, we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the Ghost of Erk Russell is all that is left us!

They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a Florida or Auburn fan shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance, by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Bulldawg Nation, armed in the cause of victory, and in such a state as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There are just coaches who preside over the destiny of this team; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in forfeit! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard from the hills of Athens to the beaches of Jacksonville! The war is inevitable and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Glory, Glory, but there is no glory. The war is actually begun! The next game that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is a pro career so dear, or money so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of losses and embarrassment? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me a Liberty Bowl victory or give me death!

Random Thoughts on the Liberty Bowl

In two days, Georgia will wrap up the 2010 season against Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl. To say this season has been a disappointment is an understatement. 6-6 is definitely not the norm and should never be considered acceptable in Athens. I thought about doing a full preview for the game, but to be honest, my heart isn't into it. Here are my quick thoughts about the game.

- Getting to 7 wins is important. Georgia hasn't had a losing record since the mid 90's. Just as 8-5 last year was much better than 7-6, 7-6 this year looks much better than 6-7.

- AJ Green's final appearance? The chance that AJ comes back is basically non-existent. We all know he is gone, so we should enjoy seeing him play in the red and black one last time.

- Freshman quarterback battle. The two best freshman quarterbacks in the country will be on display in this game. UCF's Jeff Godfrey finished #8 in the country in passing efficiency, one spot ahead of Aaron Murray. Both can run as well as pass, so it should be fun to watch each one attack the other team's defense.

- A Familar Face. George O'Leary lost his final game against Georgia as the Georgia Tech coach in 2001 when Billy Bennett hit 6 field goals in the Georgia victory. After losing the Notre Dame job for lying on his resume, O'Leary has done a nice job building the UCF program. It will be nice to see Mark Richt run his record to 2-0 vs. O'Leary.

- Improvement on defense. The Dawgs have had another month to work on the 3-4. With only a few seniors on defense, Georgia should only get better next year (especially if they get a big guy to plug in at DT).

- Georgia 38, UCF 24. The Dawgs should win this game. Central Florida may have a 10-3 record, but they lost the two games (NC State and Kansas State) that they played against BCS conference opponents. Of their 10 wins, only 2 (6-6 East Carolina and 7-6 SMU) came against teams that will be playing in bowl games.

80's Music Video of the Week - Band Aid

Here's the last video for Christmas. Super benefit group Band Aid with, "Do They Know It's Christmas?"

80's Music Video of the Week, X-mas Edition - Hall & Oates

I missed yesterday's, so I'll make it up tomorrow.

However, here is the real Christmas Day gem.

Here's Hall and Oates' video and rendition of "Jingle Bell Rock."

It's absurd like every Hall and Oates video, but just to the next level. I love John Oates green sweater, it'd look good with some leather pants.

Also, here's a clip of Beavis and Butt-Head making fun of the video. Geraldo, hehe.