Friday, September 28, 2012

Dawgs Will Score 40+ Again

I have screwed around and run out of time to write much about tomorrow's game against Tennessee. I am getting on the road in a few minutes to head to Athens for my first trip of the season.

I am expecting Georgia to score more that 40 points again because Tennessee didn't shown the ability to contain the run or pass against the Gators two weeks ago and these Dawgs are excellent at both. Florida's Jeff Driskel had a personal best 195 passer rating against the Vols and the Gators rolled up 336 yards rushing in Knoxville. Frankly, I believe Vanderbilt's defense is tougher than the UT defense but that doesn't necessarily mean I expect us to score 48 points in 3 quarters. But, I am thinking we will score between 40 and 44 points. This Georgia offense has shown so much variety and has talent all over the place. I would like to say that we will establish a power running game and then use that to open up the play-action passing attack. But really, I have no idea what we will see because it is all predicated upon what UT does on defense. I am really just looking forward to seeing the Dawgs take what Tennessee is willing to give them and then keep taking and taking and taking.

On the other side of the ball, Tyler Bray has shown that he can throw the ball down the fild and has two great receivers in Justin Hunter and Cordarelle Patterson. But, they have shown no running game. The Dawgs will have an opportunity to turn this into a one-dimensional attack and when that happens, guys like Jarvis Jones and Cornelius Washington will pin their ears back and GATQB.

A few things that would be nice to see in person...

1. Another 300 yard day passing for Murray.
2. Another 100 yard day rushing for Gurley.
3. A handful of sacks for Jarvis Jones.
4. More Marlon Brown studding out.
5. A fat guy touchdown for John Jenkins or one of his brethren in the trenches.
6. A big play from Jay Rome.
7. Ogletree and Rambo on the field!!!

I'm outta here.

Go DAWGS! GATA!!!

Kiss My Ass, Kick My Ass, Kick Your Ass: Season 3, Volume 3

Kiss My Ass -Andre Ware.

Last week during the broadcast of the Florida - Kentucky game, as the Florida defense made Kentucky QB Morgan Newton look like, well, Morgan Newton, the Kentucky defense was busy making Florida QB Jeff Driskel look a little like Aaron Murray. So much so, that Andre Ware actually declared Driskel the best QB in the SEC. That's quaint Andre, but awfully premature. Through four games this season Murray has 1092 yards, 10 TDs and a rating of 182. Bama's AJ McCarron has 819 yards, 10 TDs and a 188 rating. Sackerlina's Connor Shaw and Dylan Thompson each have a rating of 166 and better stats than Driskel though with less plays due to Shaw's injury. Even Tyler Wilson for the hapless Razorbacks has 982 yards, 8 TDs and a 177 rating. Your boy has 698 yards, 4 TDs and a rating of 158. Maybe, one day, Driskel will be the best QB in the SEC, but right now, that honor belongs to Aaron Murray, A.J McCarron, or Connor Shaw. For making such an asinine comment, Andre Ware can Kiss My Ass.


Kick My Ass - Marlon Brown.

Watching Marlon Brown absorbing all of these passes into his huge mitts this season and seeing how defenders just bounce off of his big frame have caused me to realize that he is a tough customer and not someone I would want to tangle with. He is listed at 6-5 and 215. He doesn't have a big weight advantage on me, but he has the reach, youth and those big hands that definitely make big fists that make me certain that if provoked, Marlon Brown would Kick My Ass.



Kick Your Ass - Tyler Bray.


Tennessee QB Tyler Bray is (or at least was) a cocky little shit who had (and maybe still has) a punkish little habit of celebrating big plays like a total douche bag. It appears like a double throat slit, but I think those are automatic penalties now so maybe it is some other similar gesture. Anyway, for a string bean who hasn't won any big games, I don't get the cockiness. Maybe he has toned that down. He hasn't had much to celebrate against UGA in two tries and hopefully won't have anything to celebrate this Saturday. Tyler, I saw where you and Aaron Murray became friends at the Manning Camp this summer, still, because you are going to be trying to beat our Georgia Bulldogs this weekend, I think it would be a good time to just up and Kick Your Ass.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Straight Out Da Dawg House

Inspired by this Tweet...


And this song...
"Straight Out Da Dawg House"
You are now about to witness the strength of Dawg knowledge

[Verse One: Bacarri Rambo]

Straight out da Dawg House, crazy hard hitter named Rambo
From the gang called Dawgz With Attitudes
When I'm called off, U gettin' sawed off
Blitz the QB, and bodies are hauled off
You too, boy, if ya mess with me
The refs are gonna hafta come and get me
Off yo ass, that's how I'm goin out
For the punk Volunteers that's showin out
Gamecocks start to mumble, they wanna rumble
Mix em and cook em in a pot like gumbo
Goin off on a Florida Gator like that
with a shoulder that's pointed at yo ass
So give it up smooth
Ain't no tellin when I'm down for a jack move
Here's a knock out hit to keep ya cuckoo
with a smash record like my boy Greg Blue
This Number eighteen is the tool
Don't make me smack you like a fool
Me n you can go toe to toe, yeah maybe
I'm knockin playas out tha box, daily
yo weekly, monthly and yearly
until them dumb wide receivers see clearly
that I'm down with the capital S-E-C
Boy you can't play with me
So when I'm in your neighborhood, you better duck
Coz Rambo is crazy as f#@%
As I leave, believe I'm leavin no doubt
but when I come back, boy, I'm comin straight out da Dawg House

[Chorus:]

( This da Dawg House, This da Dawg House)

[Zander] Yo Alec
[Alec] Whassup?
[Zander] Tell em where you from!

[Verse Two: Alec Ogletree]

Straight out da Dawg House, another crazy ass hitta
More punks I smoke, yo, my rep gets bigga
I'm a bad hard hitter and you know this
But the pansy ass Jackets don't show this
But I don't give a crap, I'ma get my snaps
If not from the tackles, from gettin some sacks
Just like burglary, the definition is 'sackin'
And when I'm coming in hot it's called 'crackin'
I'll mash a quarterback in a minute
I find a gap in da line, I go up in it
So if you're at a game in the front row
I'm a give you something you can cheer fo
You'll probably get pumped like you supposed to
But that shows me, Dawg, you're not opposed to
A crazy hard hitter from tha Newnan
Attitude legit cause I'm tearin up shit
Ogletree controls the situation
For any dumb player that starts to say sumptin
I'm the right man cause I'm the man himself
every time I pull my helmet off the shelf
The defense is maximum and that's a law
T-R-E-E spells Tree but I'm raw
See, coz I'm the hard hittin villain
The definition is clear, you're the witness of a killin
that's takin place between the hedges
And once you're on the field, your ass is dealed
Look, you might take it as a lesson
but a hitta like Tree is on a mission
Straight out da Dawg House...

[Chorus:]

(This da Dawg House, This da Dawg House)

[Rambo] Zander is his name and the boy is comin...

[Verse Three: Zander Ogletree]

...straight out da Dawg House
is a brotha to that other named Ogletree
and making blocks so the backs can run free
Dangerous lead blocker makin holes
And if u ever in my way u gettin bold
See, I don't get scared, that's the problem
I see a defensive end, I don't dodge him
But I'm smart, lay low, creep a while
And when I catch a screen pass, I smile
To me it's kinda funny, the attitude showin when u trollin
but don't know where the ball's at when I'm rollin
lookin for the one they call Z Tree
But here's a flash, you'll never seize me
Ruthless! Never seen like a shadow in the dark
except when I unload, then I attack like a bull shark
and hear the scream when you pancaked in the ball park
Give a little gust of wind and I'm jettin
But leave a memory no one'll be forgettin
So what about the punk who got popped? Poser.
You think I give a damn about you? I ain't a loser!
This is the autobiography of the Z, and if you ever mess with me
You'll get taken by a crazy otha brotha who will smother
word to the mother, sucka. Straight out da Dawg House

[Chorus:]

(This da Dawg House, This da Dawg House)

(Damn that suspension was long!)

First Trimester Report: Reality Check

After the first trimester of the season, the Dawgs sit at 4-0 with an average margin of victory of 31 points. Our offense is averaging 530 yards per game. For the first time in school history (120 years of football) the Dawgs have scored over 40 points in four consecutive games.

Our defense has played good overall but great in the second half giving up an average of 4 points per game in the second half. The defense has yielded 343 yards per game, which is not stellar. But, Alec Ogletree and Baccari Rambo have yet to touch the field and Sanders Commings and Chase Vasser missed the first two games.

Georgia started the season ranked #6 in the AP and USA Today Coaches Polls. After one week we were leapfrogged by FSU and dropped to #7. Then USC got Stanforded again and we moved up to 5 and 6. Then Oklahoma got Big Game Bobbed and we solidified #5 in both polls. Now sitting above UGA is Alabama, Oregon, LSU and Florida State.

Georgia fans have much to be excited about and the first four games have gone as good or better than expected especially considering that we have missed so many starters from the defense and since we put Isaiah Crowell on a bus to Alabama State this summer. The young running backs - Todd Gurley, Keith Marshall and Ken Malcome have played exceptionally well and the new, young offensive line is shaping up and opening holes as well as pass protecting.

Now... for the reality check...

The four teams we have beaten are a combined 5 and 10 with exactly one victory against a Division 1A (aka FBS) opponent, which was Missouri's win over Arizona State. However, Vanderbilt led both unbeaten South Carolina and unbeaten Northwestern deep into the fourth quarter before succumbing to both.

Our offensive line has played well enough and appears to be getting better each week which is a tribute to the kids and Coach Will Friend. But, there isn't much experienced depth so staying healthy up front is critical.

Our defense has allowed too many passing yards to mediocre passing attacks and has given up too many big plays to Buffalo, Missouri and FAU. Will the return of Ogletree and Rambo fix that? We will know soon enough. Tennessee's Tyler Bray likes to throw deep and has two bona fide big play receivers in Justin Hunter and Cordarrelle Patterson. The return of Rambo will allow Sanders Commings to move back to corner where he belongs. But now we are hearing that Malcolm Mitchell will play more offense going forward. That remains to be seen, but what would be a welcome addition on offense may be an unwelcome subtraction for the defense.

Special teams play has been better than last year but hasn't been superlative thus far. With the exception of Gurley's 100 yard touchdown on a kickoff return and Mitchell's 22 yard punt return in the first quarter against Vanderbilt, our return game has been uninspiring. Rhett McGowan has actually looked good averaging 21 yards on two punt returns. But, if you remove McGowan's two returns, we are only averaging 7.36 yards per return. On the flip side, we are only surrendering 7.67 yards per return, so that is a positive. And we have blocked one punt. Our kickoffs have been the best in a long time thanks to the new kickoff rules resulting in 15 touchbacks in 33 tries. On the other 18 kicks, the opponent is only averaging 19.83 yards per return. I don't have the precise statistic but I would guess that our opponents average field position after kick offs must be inside the 25 yard line. That is a huge improvement over the old Jon Fabris directional kicking challenge. I have no criticism of our kickoff returns because after Gurley showed what he was capable of in the first game, he has not had many chances with nearly half of our kick returns being handled by up backs Merritt Hall and Kyle Karempelis. Combined, we are averaging 23.92 per return, which includes Gurley's 100 yarder. I would be remiss if I didn't add that Georgia has stopped the one and only fake punt it has seen this season. Let's hope that becomes a trend.

Extra points have been an adventure. That needs to settle down.

At the end of one trimester, Georgia is wholly deserving of its #5 ranking, but it is hard to make a case that we should be ahead of any of the 4 teams in front of us. To be fair, I think Kansas State has a decent argument that they should get some top 5 votes. The others, South Carolina, Notre Dame, Stanford, West Virginia, Texas and Florida will have plenty of opportunity to make their case soon enough. As for Georgia, the upcoming slate of Tennessee, South Carolina, and Florida will make or break their stature as a Top 5 team. For those fans worried about teams ranked ahead of us, you can ignore Alabama and LSU because if we take care of our business we will have a shot at one of them in Atlanta. Oregon is a very good football team and has several testy games remaining. However, FSU has already overcome their most significant challenge of the season until they face off with their bitter rival Florida at the end of the season. Again, if we take care of our business, we may all become big Gator fans on November 24th. I held my nose as I typed that.

All of this conjecture is somewhat meaningless but I am already hearing/seeing some of our Dawg fans complaining about LSU staying above us in the rankings and fretting that if we stay undefeated we could be left out of the MNC if Oregon and FSU remain unbeaten. To all of that, I advise... enjoy each game as they come to us. We have Tennessee coming to Athens Saturday. We are 18-21-2 against the Vols all time. And we are 12-15-1 against them in my lifetime. I can assure you that I have not witnessed enough Georgia wins over Tennessee for it to get old. I savor each and every one. I am hoping and expecting to enjoy another Georgia victory this Saturday between the hedges and that is what I am worried about. After that, I will worry about South Carolina. So, here we are at 4-0, right where we wanted to be and with lots of optimism for what lies ahead. Enjoy the ride, friends. it could get bumpy at times, but the journey is probably more important than the destination. Tune back in after the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party for the Second Trimester Report.

Go Dawgs! GATA!

Favorite Tweets - Vandy Edition

Here are a few of my favorite tweets from the Vandy weekend, somewhat in chronological order... This Tweet is set to the NWA tune "Straight Outta Compton"... Big Game Bob!!!

Monday, September 24, 2012

Vandy Was Vandy But Who Are These Dawgs?

These Dawgs looked damned serious about their business Saturday against the supposedly new look Vanderbilt Commodores. Prior to the game, I opined that we probably would not be treated to an Auburn 2011 thorough annihilation. I was expecting something more along the lines of 34-13. Those who expected Auburn 2011 Redux were spot on as the Dawgs whipped Vanderbilt 48-3 and played as close to mistake-free as we have seen since, well, Auburn 2011.

Here are my top takeaways from the game (in no particular order):

- Aaron Murray started 12 of 12 and finished 18 -24 for 250 yards and 2 touchdowns with no interceptions. This marks two weeks in a row where he started off hot as he hit his first 6 against FAU. We need this trend to continue. From what I can recall of his 6 incompletions Saturday night, one was a drop, one was a throw away, two were batted at the LOS and one was just over the outstretched arms of Rantavious Wooten who had 2 steps on his man and would have had a long TD if the ball had been thrown 18 inches shorter. My point? Murray was extremely sharp. I would like to see him avoid the balls batted down at the LOS but that also requires some OL help.

- Our running game was explosive and dominant. This was a combination of excellent run blocking and hard, determined running by Todd Gurley, Keith Marshall and Ken Malcome. I continue to be impressed with Gurley's balance. He has power and vision and a quick burst into open space but he also knows how to control his body into and out of contact to maintain his balance and either continue downfield on his feet or at worst, go down falling forward for another yard or three. His 34 yard touchdown run included 4 broken tackles with the last one being a grown-ass-man stiff arm to the turf of the Vandy safety. Of the previous UGA greats, I think he reminds me of Rodney Hampton more than the others. Oh, and I haven't seen him tap his helmet like some of our previous "feature" backs were fond of doing after a couple of carries. What do you think?

- This...


- Jarvis Jones continues to be a beast. He plays with the most desire I have seen in silver britches since Rennie Curran. The thing that astounds me about Jarvis’s play is when the ball is run to the side opposite him and how often he ends up in the pile. Often, I watch him off the LOS penetrating a few yards deep but then I see the ball going the other way so I take my eyes off Jarvis to watch the ball then a few seconds later after a gang tackle, I see Jarvis getting up from the bottom and I think, “How the hell did he get there?” It’s like he is one of those vampires in the stupid True Blood series that run so fast they are nearly invisible. But then, if you see the replay or a highlight reel with Jarvis circled, you see him recognize the play and just haul ass like his hair is on fire and take the perfect angle to get there. His motor makes the great David Pollack look like a slacker. Every HS and middle school football player could learn reams of football knowledge just by watching Jarvis GATA and never quit on a play.

- Marlon Brown's hands are like catchers mitts made of memory foam. He is sucking every ball into those strong paws like the 5 Star stud we have been waiting on. He has had consecutive monster games against Vandy, combining for 9 catches 235 yards and 3 TDs. That is 26 yards per catch. He makes for a great target opposite the deep threat of Tavarres King and the sure-handed Michael Bennett. Now, how dangerous will this group be with Malcom Mitchell getting more reps on offense... assuming that happens.

- The Grantham-Franklin Flap... is now officially a dead horse as Grantham sent his charges out there to thoroughly dismantle the Vanderbilt offense. Keeping them out of the end zone was an excellent feat even if we did catch a break when Rodgers lost the handle on the ball creating a touchback.

- I hope Coach Richt has about 10 more games this season of a "personal" nature. We seem to respond well when the games are "personal." GATA.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Dawgs Ready to Sink Anchor Down... Anchor Way Down

What the hell is Anchor Down supposed to mean? I spent 9 years in the Navy and that is a term wholly unassociated with seamanship. In fact, if the anchor is down, then the ship doesn't go anywhere. At Navy, we sang Anchors Aweigh, which means the anchor is up. That is how you sail down the field. So right off the quay, Vanderbilt starts with a Davy Jones Locker load of FAIL.

 Before the Missouri game, I thought the game had an Arkansas 2009 feel to it. And for three quarters, that was not far off the mark. But in the 4th quarter, that game morphed into Tennessee 2003, a 41-14 Dawg victory in which Georgia exploded for 21 points in a short period of time in the third quarter to put the game out of reach. Now, I am trying to figure out what kind of feel this game with Vandy has. Some want to say it will be like Auburn 2011 in which Georgia flattened Auburn 45 - 7. The apparent motivation for that total annihilation was the many cheap shots from the punk Nick Fairley in 2010. Which brings us to the cheap shots from Vanderbilt in 2011 that may be avenged in 2012. But, this Vanderbilt team is significantly better than 2011 Auburn so I don't think that is what we will see. I have a feeling this will be more like South Carolina 2003. Remember in 2002, we narrowly escaped Columbia with a 13-7 win thanks to a huge game by David Pollack. South Carolina was so unhappy and felt that we were lucky to win. They came to Athens in 2003 expecting big things. Georgia was ranked #8 and SC was ranked #25. Georgia plodded to a 17 - 0 halftime lead behind a bend-don't-break defense and workmanlike offense. The second half was more of the same as Georgia moved to 24-0 before SC found the end zone. Then Damien Gary returned the ensuing kickoff as Georgia closed it out 31-7. This is what I see in the crystal ball.

I expect Georgia's defense to play focused and to fly around and gang tackle. I know that they will give up a few plays just because we still don't have everyone back and some young guys are still learning. The key is whether the missed assignments yield touchdowns. Regardless, I don't see Vanderbilt's offense scoring more than 14 points.

Meanwhile, Aaron Murray and crew will continue spreading the wealth around from multiple formations and a relentless combination of power running, vertical passing, play-action runs as well as some bubble screens and maybe a nice Fullback 344. If/when this offense executes, it is a lethally efficient and well-balanced machine. I expect the Dawgs to methodically add scores like they did against SC in 2003... 7 or 10 in the first quarter, another 7 in the second. Then another 7 in the third and winding it up with another 10 in the fourth resulting in a 34-14 win. It will be workmanlike. Explosive at times, but more often very controlled lengthy drives. I truly hope that the offense can find a way to reach 40 points to make it 4 consecutive games with greater than 40 points. Either way, we will cruise to a comfortable win.

The Hunker Down Beer Challenge will be in full effect. I have picked up a six pack of Sweetwater IPA. I hope I will exhaust that and have to dig into some of my other, higher ABV beers.

Go DAWGS! GATA!!!

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Kiss My Ass, Kick My Ass, Kick Your Ass: Season 3, Volume 2

Kiss My Ass - Lane Kiffin.  

Why? Why not! For being a brat... for being whiny... for being a jackass... for being promoted beyond your talent... for marrying a hottie (just kidding... that is actually pretty awesome)... for being a much less talented but equally annoying younger version of Steve Spurrier... just Kiss My Ass.



Kick My Ass - Trent Murphy.


 

 If you watched the end of the Stanford-USC game, you saw Stanford OLB Trent Murphy dominate the USC offensive line and blow up several plays including a sack and a tackle for a loss. Recently named to the Butkus Award Watch List, at 6-6 and 261 pounds, this is one ginger who knows how to GATA. Seeing how he bulled his way through the USC resistance like a hot knife through butter, I am pretty sure Trent Murphy would Kick My Ass.    



Kick Your Ass - James Franklin. 


Tell me you didn't see this one coming. But this is not my fight. This is Todd Grantham's deal. The well-documented flare-up at the end of the Georgia-Vanderbilt game last year was rooted in many grievances. From Grantham's perspective, it was Franklin's tacit (or explicit) approval of at least one dirty play by Center Logan Stewart with a clear intent to injure Georgia's Kwame Geathers. 
In addition, Grantham took exception to Franklin yelling at one of his players, Shawn Williams, after the game. While there was indeed plenty of fire in the immediate moments after the game, a time in which there is no doubt Todd Grantham would have kicked Franklin's ass up one side and down the other, I expect that both coaching staffs have used this for motivation for the rematch in Athens Saturday. I certainly hope it is a clean game with no cheap shots. I also hope that it is sufficient motivation for us to see our defense play like their hair is on fire for all 60 minutes. And finally, I would love to see a charity cage match between Grantham and Franklin because if that ever happened, Mr. Franklin... Todd Grantham would Kick Your Ass.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Week 3 One-Liners

Please allow myself to introduce my... one-liners about the other teams...

Alabama: The Tide look like a very good professional football team right now without any discernible weakness.

LSU: Look like a team capable of beating everyone but Bama.

Florida State: Juggernaut against the Sisters of the Poor but we find out where they stack up in the lowly ACC this Saturday against Clemson.

Notre Dame: The Domers have their best team in at least 10 years and the shiniest helmets ever seen that weren't in a Sci Fi movie.

Florida: Defense is for real and the offense is improving but what will they do with LSU in a couple of weeks?

Big Televen: Looks like Northwestern will carry the torch... which says a lot.

USC: Kiffin is a tool and apparently his team is soft.

Oregon: Speed kills, but Bama and LSU defenses kill more worser.

Oklahoma: I'm not buying.

South Carolina: Connor Shaw is playing with a "hairline" fracture in his shoulder because he is waiting for Jarvis Jones to rip his arm completely off.

Auburn: LOLburn.




Monday, September 17, 2012

Blame Bobo Week 3



I have been a Georgia fan since around 1970. Technically, I have been a fan since birth in 1966, but I will grant that I probably have no memories of being at a UGA game before 1970. Some of you have been fans for much longer. No matter how long you have been a Georgia fan, you have never seen the Dawgs score more than 40 points in 3 consecutive games until this season. In fact, the Dawgs are averaging 47 points per game. Surely Vanderbilt intends to prevent Georgia from making it 4 games in a row with more than 40 points. I think Vandy will fail in that effort, but it will take Aaron Murray being sharp again from the opening possession and our defense getting Vandy's offense off the field efficiently.

Speaking of Murray and blaming Bobo... the Senator has just posted this indicating that against FAU Aaron Murray averaged 18 yards per pass attempt - a mark that no FBS QB has attained since November 2006.

One other Blame Bobo factoid from Saturday night: Georgia set a school record with 713 yards of total offense and 624 of those yards came in the first 3 quarters before the reserves came in for mop up duty.

Tune in next week for more blamethrowing at Mike Bobo.

Best Tweets of the Weekend - Week 3

I surely missed some good tweets while watching my daughter's swim meet early Saturday afternoon and then my son's football game Saturday night. But here are a few that I favorited...


Sunday, September 16, 2012

Yummy Cupcakes: 55-20

After playing a little loose on defense in the first half and allowing 14 points and 252 yards of offense, Georgia locked it down in the second half and held FAU to 66 yards and only 3 first downs. The Dawgs were still without Ogletree and Rambo and Jarvis Jones rested his strained groin. It will be interesting to see how this defense will perform when it is at full strength.

The offense started hot and stayed hot. Georgia rolled up a school record 713 yards and most of that was before the fourth quarter began. Two turnovers killed scoring opportunities and we punted 3 times. Every other possession turned into points. It was great to see the freshmen duo of Gurley and Marshall each rush for over 100 yards on 10 carries apiece and each scoring a TD. Michael Bennett returned to his reliable self and scored a long TD while going over 100 yards on 4 catches. Maybe the best thing I saw was a long TD grab by TE Arthur Lynch who stiff armed a defender in the face for the final ten yards of the play. Artie had 3 catches for 73 yards. Go Big Artie, that was wicked awesome!!!

It was also great to see Aaron Murray connect on his first 7 pass attempts.

It appears that we escaped without any serious injuries, which makes this cupcake more delicious. But, you know what tastes even better than cupcakes, SEC main course entrees and we have a much-anticipated "personal" date with Vandy Between the Hedges next Saturday. I will have more to say about that later in the week.

Have a great Sunday Funday!

Go Dawgs. GATA!

Saturday, September 15, 2012

GEORGIA - FAU: Cupcake Party

I think the goal today is to be sharp from the opening kickoff and stay sharp so long as the starters are on the field. Then get the back ups plenty of reps for game experience. And hopefully finish the day with no serious injuries. Vegas says Georgia will win by 41 points. How much we win by is not the important matter. Being sharp is what I want to see. Specifically, here are the things I hope to see:

1. Aaron Murray being accurate from the opening possession and not overthrowing the first few throws.

2. Aaron Murray connecting on a 344 Fullback pass.

3. Richard Samuel catching the 344 Fullback pass with lots of green space in front of him.

4. Dominant downhill running from all three tailbacks.

5. Michael Bennett getting back to being sure-handed.

6. More throws to tight ends including Arthur Lynch's first reception of the year.

7. Stifling run defense.

8. Swarming defense, flying around and creating turnovers. Lots of gang tackling. No walking around.

9. Continued improvement on special teams including non-shaky extra points.

10. RUSS!!! UGA IX. GATA

I will be at my son's Pop Warner football game from 7:00 to 9:00 an hour from home. I will have to keep up via the Twitters and watch on DVR replay. Accordingly, I will not be participating in a Hunker Down Beer Challenge. If you choose to carry out an HDBC, be careful and don't drive... this one could get ugly. If I had to predict a final, I will say 55 - 10.

Go DAWGS! GATA!

Friday, September 14, 2012

Kiss My Ass, Kick My Ass, Kick Your Ass: Season 3, Volume 1

Kiss My Ass - Steve Spurrier. I have decided to lead off this and all future seasons of KMA, KMA, KYA with Steve Spurrier.

He has been featured each of the first two seasons and let's face it, there can't be any offseason in which SOS doesn't say some whiny, smart allecky shit to irritate Dawg fans. This time around, it is his incessant whining about Georgia's schedule not being as hard as his South Carolina schedule because LSU and Arkansas don't appear. Wait Coach... the same Arkansas team that lost their coach a few weeks back and who just lost to Louisiana Monroe. Yeah... I see your point. By the way, we had the pleasure of playing LSU in 2008 and 2009. Enjoy Baton Rouge Stevie. Last time we were there we won by two touchdowns. For all of your whining and snarking, which is nothing new, I would like to offer you another opportunity to KISS MY ASS (again).





Kick My Ass - Jarvis Jones.
















That Jarvis Jones is an exceptionally talented football player is no surprise. But the way in which he elevated his game from mere mortal to superhuman last Saturday night is all the evidence I need to be fully assured that Jarvis would not even break a sweat if he wanted to KICK MY ASS.

Kick Your Ass - Paul Finebaum. There is an old joke that goes like this: "Is that your head or did your neck blow a bubble?" Now look at this photo:


"Hey Finebaum, that beautiful creature on your left is known as a female of the human species. Do not be afraid, while they are difficult to understand, they are generally wonderful companions.Try it if you ever have a chance." If you don't know, and you would be easily excused for not knowing, this clown has a Birmingham based, Bama-centric sports radio show that is now broadcast nationally by Sirius/XM so the entire country can discover what a bunch of morons sound like on live radio. His show is the sports radio equivalent of TV's "Toddlers and Tiaras" or "Honey Boo Boo." In other words, you get dumber every time you listen to it. Obviously, this no-talent Bama homer couldn't beat his way out of a wet paper sack, so it would be embarrassing to kick his ass. But, he has been talking shit and denigrating Coach Mark Richt steadily for the past 5 or 6 seasons. To be sure, he is a Saban sycophant, but he never misses a chance to belittle Mark Richt and his accomplishments. I suppose he is unaware that Richt has a respectable record of 3-3 against his personal idol. Pawwwwllll, because you are  such a smarmy little worm, it would actually be a lot of fun to KICK YOUR ASS.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Best Tweets of the Weekend

Best Tweets of the Weekend


I saw many good tweets on Saturday/Sunday but it did not occur to me to favorite them at the time. Next weekend, I will be sure to do that so I will be able to find them quickly for this roundup. Anyway... here are some of the comments I recall that resonated with me:



Regarding Marlon Brown:




Please feel free to point to any good ones I missed or failed to mention. Go DAWGS. GATA

Monday, September 10, 2012

10 Impressions - Mizzou Edition

10 Impressions - Mizzou Edition

In no particular order...

1. JARVIS JONES is a grown ass man. The key to his game is obviously his motor but also the fact that he gets to the ball with speed and control and is able to attack the football like Lawrence Taylor  did for so many years. He will create many more turnovers this year. His pick six (I thought the nose of the ball crossed the leading edge of the goal line) was an incredible surprise and none were more surprised than James Franklin, who whiffed on the tackle attempt.

2. I am giving JON THEUS a pass this week. I remember what it was like to play with a bad ankle taped up like a mummy. He was severely limited in his footwork - or at least his ability to move his feet as quickly as he can with a healthy ankle. This led to the first sack on Murray when his man got past him with a spin move. After that, he tried to compensate by being quick off the ball... which led to the two procedure penalties. He's a true freshman starting in his first SEC game on the road with a bad wheel. Under the circumstances, he did a passable job and he will learn from the mistakes and get better.

3. RICHARD SAMUEL is a player that is easy to love. I would give him a job any time in the future if he wants to live and work in Fernandina Beach. I already know all I need to know about his character and concept of duty. It warms my heart to see him make any plays and he made a huge one Saturday night on the fake punt when he shed two blockers and slammed the punter to the turf well short of the first down. As we all know all to well, when Georgia stops a fake punt, it is cause for celebration and Mark Richt's reaction and bear hug of Samuel after the play was beautiful.

4.  OFFENSE. We obviously struggled in the first half, but we cost ourselves 3 first downs in the early going with penalties and dropped passes. It was frustrating to watch because it really seemed that we didn't know what we really wanted to do on offense. At one point I thought we had made a commitment to the run, which seemed to be working and then we went away from it for a couple of plays and had to punt. Then with little time left in the half we went into a 2 minute drill where throwing on every down was working and got us into the end zone. The real frustrating thing was that in several instances, a seemingly out of synch play call would have worked but for a dropped pass or penalty. So I couldn't really blame Bobo. For example, when we had a seven-play drive going in the first half and faced a 2nd and 2 at the Mizzou 35 yard line. Bennett dropped what would have been an easy first down. On 3rd and 2 we ran Gurley for 5 yards but it was negated by a Bennett false start. Then on 3rd and 7 we threw to Gurley behind the line for a loss of 5 and ended up punting. Clearly the play on 2nd and 2 should have worked but for the dropped pass. But, I felt strongly that we just need to pound it there. We had their defense on skates, needed the first down and had a very good chance of getting it by pounding the ball on 2nd, 3rd or even 4th if necessary to get the 2 yards. Instead, we got a little cute and never made that first down. Look, I understand that in many cases, 2nd and short is a prime opportunity to open the playbook... but in that game in the first half, we needed to sustain a drive and force our will. This situation arose again at the end the third quarter when we trailed by 3 points. We drove down and had a first and goal from the 2 and we passed, passed, passed and finally were able to connect with Marlon Brown for the TD. Again, with 3 or 4 plays to go 2 yards, I am running Gurley or Malcome or Samuel behind the power blocking of Merritt Hall. It worked out for us that time, but we made it more difficult that it had to be... in my opinion. Still, in the end, I felt our offense found its rhythm and really started executing in the second half. So I guess my main criticism is to pound the ball when you have 2 or more plays to make 2 or less yards. That will keep me from pulling my hair out. Oh, by the way... this offense is averaging 43 points per game.

5.  JOHN JENKINS was destroying the interior line in the second half and at least twice he grabbed Franklin from behind for a minimal gain when it looked impossible for him to cover the necessary ground to make the play. That big man is deceivingly quick. If teams decide to double-team him, will they also double-team Jarvis? If so, there will be only 6 players to block our other 9. This is known as a matchup headache and I hope it gets even worse for opposing offenses when Ogletree is back.

6. HORSE COLLAR and PASS INTERFERENCE. Either the referees last night were of the "let them play" mentality or I don't understand what constitutes the requisite action to draw either of those penalties. Without question, on Gurley's longest run he was tackled by a hand grabbing his jersey in the collar in the back of his neck (i.e. horse collar) and he was jerked backwards in the motion that often can lead to injury, which was the impetus for the rule in the first place. I have no idea how the referees missed that one.

7. I have no problem with SHELDON RICHARDSON having confidence in his team and saying a lot of what he said. And, I am glad he said it because it created a fun mantra for our side. But, come on man... finish the game if you are going to talk smack. His butt was so worn out in the 4th quarter that he couldn't breath and dropped to a knee on his sideline while his defense was on the field. In the end, he was the one who looked like an old man. Still, I hope the Missouri Tigers will rebound well and go on to win a lot of football games this season.

8. We have a lot of RECEIVERS who will contribute this season. On Friday, I predicted that we would have eight different players with catches. As it turns out, there were 7 but number 8 would have been a big gainer had Murray hit Merritt Hall in the numbers on the fullback flare route (more on this in #9). Marlon Brown had a breakout game with 8 catches for 106 yards and 2 TDs. This was a tremendously welcome development. Michael Bennett had 8 catches as well but had 3 uncharacteristic drops. I am confident he will lock that down and get back to being the sure-handed receiver we have come to expect but a couple of those drops were drive-stoppers. We rediscovered the Tight End with a crucial 15 yard completion to Jay Rome in the second half. But, we have still not seen any action from our most fleet-footed receiver Justin Scott-Wesley. I was impressed with him in the Spring Game and will be looking for him to get a couple of balls this week against Florida Atlantic. His speed is eye-opening.

9. 344 FULLBACK is a play that has worked brilliantly over the years for Georgia under Coach Richt. It is a simple fullback flare route into the flats. It is deployed so infrequently and at just the right time that it almost always catches the defense ignoring the fullback who has slipped out into the flat and can usually cover 10 to 15 yards before first contact - and since it is a fullback, first contact doesn't usually mean a tackle. Naturally, Verron Haynes was the most effective fullback we have had for this play over the years and many others have run it well. But there is one mind-numbingly frustrating obstacle to executing this play and that is the giant shoulder pads worn by fullbacks and a ball thrown one foot directly over their heads, especially when the ball is thrown like a laser. These guys cannot physically get their arms over their head and bring their hands close enough together to catch a football thrown directly over their head. This has been a problem since David Greene and JT Wall. The plays calls for a ball lobbed, with touch, into the fullbacks numbers on the front side of his jersey. We have seen plenty of backside throws proving that fullbacks aren't normally the best at performing pirouettes and still getting downfield fast. Aaron Murray has missed both opportunities on this play this season. One to Samuel and one to Hall. Both balls were whistled high. If Murray can settle down and start making this throw, it will be good for at least one long first down per game and if Samuel is the recipient, it could go to the house.

10. HUNKER DOWN BEER CHALLENGE. For the first time in the three year history of the HDBC, I had to tap out when Jarvis Jones caused two TDs in about a 2 minute span. We were already up 27-20 and since we were fruitless throughout the first 24 minutes of the game, those 5 scores (thus 5 beers) came in about a 90 minute span. I had just poured my 5th Bell's Two Hearted Ale when Jarvis intercepted Franklin with 8 minutes to play. Then seconds later Jarvis struck again. I was two beers in the hole and it was after 11:00 pm. Normally, I would have fulfilled my HBDC obligations, but I was still operating on Greenwich Mean Time, having just returned from Ireland and England, so it felt like 4:00 am to me and I had to be awake and functional early Sunday morning. For what it's worth, I consumed the two obligatory beers on Sunday while watching the surf contest at Fernandina Beach with actual, real surfing waves courtesy of Tropical Storm Leslie.

GO DAWGS. GATA

Sunday, September 09, 2012

Jarvis SacMan Jones... A Legend is Born

Jarvis SacMan Jones... A Legend is Born


If Lawrence Taylor and Grendel had a baby, and that humble, determined baby had all of their combined strength and skill but wasn't a cocaine addled raging murderer... that baby would be Jarvis Jones.




Grendel in Action


Lawrence Taylor in Action


Jarvis Jones in Action


Jarvis Jones was reigning down plague, pestilence, drought, and famine among other natural disasters upon the Missouri offense all night. But it was his 4th Quarter 40 second maelstrom of destruction that sealed the game for Georgia. With about 8 minutes remaining in the game and Georgia leading 27-20, Jarvis intercepted a pass at the Missouri 22 yard line and returned it to within a nanometer of the goal line. One Todd Gurley rush later the Dawgs were up 34-20. Then on Missouri's next possession and approximately 40 clock ticks later, Jarvis sacked QB James Franklin forcing a fumble at the Missouri 20 yard line which was recovered by an alert Jordan Jenkins at the Missouri 5 yard line. Three Ken Malcome rushes later it was Old Man Football 41 - Misery 20. Instead of a maelstrom, maybe I should call this a microburst because it was fast, furious and devastating and there was no way to stop it.
Those 40 seconds elevated this Georgia team to victory while also elevating Jarvis Jones from Butkus and Bednarik Candidate to Heisman Candidate. Utterly unbelievable superhuman performance to save the team.

Friday, September 07, 2012

HDBC is Back!

Hunker Down Beer Challenge

Since I had my own version of a Guinness every half hour challenge last Saturday in Ireland, I didn't have a true HDBC going on. But, tomorrow night when the Dawgs take on the Missouri Tigers in Columbia, the HDBC is in effect.

I will spend most of the afternoon at my son's football game in Jacksonville. But, we will be back by 6:30 or so and I will be fully prepared for another Hunker Down Beer Challenge. For those who don't know, the challenge is simply that you must have a beer for every UGA score whether it is a TD, field goal or safety. Good luck and here is to hoping we have to tap out by the third quarter.

Go DAWGS. GATA!!!

Big Time SEC Road Opener

Dawgs Going to the Show Me State


What will the Dawgs show? Before I address that question, I would like to report that the trip to Dublin Ireland last weekend was incredible despite the fact that Navy got steamrolled by Notre Dame.We stayed in the little town of Malahide 20 minutes outside of Dublin and the fine folks at Gibney's Pub took great care of us and treated us like family for 3 consecutive days. And I can definitively report that the Guinness does indeed taste better in Ireland.

Now, how 'bout them Dawgs?I am not one that shits the bed just because we didn't devour a cupcake by 60 points. I have just finished watching the Buffalo game on DVR. There was plenty of good and some bad. But there was nothing from that game that would cause me to shit the bed about our SEC road opener at Missouri. As I write this, I am assuming that we will be without Ogletree and Rambo. I am also worried about the health of Theus, Burnette and Malcome. But I am still confident that the Dawgs will treat the Missouri Tigers to a rude welcome to the SEC.

Where do I start? I think I will start with #3 Todd Gurley. 100 yards on 8 carries, 2 TDs and a 100 yard kick off return. He got off to a great start and in the process he showed speed, vision and determination. Isaiah Crowell will not be missed. In addition to the success of Gurley, Ken Malcome and Keith Marshall also looked good running the ball. This backfield is much better than any backfield we have had in a number of years. Granted, they are running behind a young and now, patchwork offensive line. But, we will see improvement in the running game this year based upon the skill of these players. And improvement in the running game will open up things in the passing game for Aaron Murray and his collection of talented receivers.

Aaron Murray started a little over-amped but once he settled in he was accurate and delivered some nice long balls. In addition to the vertical passing game, we made nice plays on the wide receiver screens behind some stout blocking by Michael Bennett. We missed on the one shot at the fullback on the flare but when Samuel makes that catch there is a huge potential gain to be had.

So, looking at the balance of this offense, it creates headaches for an opposing DC. If you load the box to stop the run, Murray can throw over the top. If you give the receivers a big cushion to defend the deep ball, Murray can throw the receiver screen. If you press the receivers at the line, Murray can go back over the top. The key to all of this is offensive line play, proper reads by Murray and execution when the players are put in position to make plays. Even with only average o-line play, there are enough skill players on this team to make big things happen on offense. I am really excited about the possibilities with the multitude of weapons Murray has to work with this season. When the offense has this many options, I look for our scoring average to go up this season. And last year was nothing to sneeze at with 32 points per game.

On defense, we have to start with the beast known as Jarvis Sacman Jones. He is a one-man wrecking crew. And against Missouri's mobile quarterback James Franklin, the high revving motor of Jarvis Jones will be much needed. Missouri's interior offensive line consists of inexperienced backups and a walk on. If John Jenkins and Kwame Geathers don't occupy the Tigers backfield the entire night, they will need their double-wide asses kicked all the way back to Athens. If they do, then Franklin will have to move right or left, so half of the time (or more) he will be heading directly into the path of Mr. Jones. The question is, will our edge rushers from the other side also be in position to make big plays?

The middle of the field is a liability with Ogletree and Rambo missing but the other guys will have to step up. The best thing that can happen for the Dawgs defense is to create major disruption at the point of attack by exploiting the holes in their interior o-line. This means, in addition to having our nose tackle blowing up their backfield, we can have an ILB flying in on a blitz every so often. I have confidence in Coach Grantham and the troops he will have on hand to play fast and to play hard and to slow down this Missouri offense enough to allow the Dawgs offense to outscore and outlast.

I could go into special teams but I don't know much about either yet so I will assume this area will be a push at worst.

To me, this game has the feel of the road game at Arkansas in 2009 or the LSU trip in 2008. At least, I hope the outcome will be the same for us. 

Some of what I specifically expect to see tomorrow night is the following:
1. Gurley getting 14/15 carries for over 100 yards.
2. Murray connecting on a pair of deep balls for scores.
3. Marshall getting 10/12 carries for 50-60 yards.
4. Jarvis Jones with 2 sacks and 10 tackles.
5. Abry Jones with a pair of sacks.
6. Arthur Lynch with his first catch of the season for a TD.
7. King leading all receivers with 7 catches but with at least 8 different players catching passes.
8. Dawgs scoring 31 points.
9. Missouri scoring 21 points.

Go Dawgs. GATA!!!