Hope it’ll be a Dog day afternoon for LSU
I’ll be off as usual on Tuesday, and the Blawg will return on Wednesday.
In the meantime, the news announced today that Georgia’s Oct. 3 home game against LSU has been set for 3:30 p.m. by CBS means the Dogs will play their first afternoon game of the season in Athens and first daylight game since the opener in Stillwater.
Frankly, that suits me. Night games are a nice change of pace, particularly during the heat of September, but even if you tailgate, that makes for an awful lot of time to kill before you go to the stadium. I’m glad to get back to afternoon football.
This will be Georgia’s first appearance of the season on CBS. The network’s usual team of Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson and Tracy Wolfson will provide coverage. They’re not bad, but Lundquist has slipped some in recent years, often missing developments or misidentifying players, and I think the CBS coverage was stronger when it had Todd Blackledge as analyst instead of Danielson.
I thought the ESPN crew covering the Georgia-Arkansas game did a good job. Brad Nessler is a definite improvement over Mike Patrick and I like Blackledge’s insights into the game. He and Nessler were pretty evenhanded Saturday night; they obviously were wowed early on by Ryan Mallett but ended up giving Joe Cox his due.
And sideline reporter Erin Andrews’ “hot librarian” look worked for me.
But ESPN’s game day wrap-up continues to suffer from the increasingly ridiculous Lou Holtz. Saturday night, he was babbling on about Notre Dame in the middle of the recap of the Georgia-Arkansas game until Rece Davis reminded him what game they were on. It’s long past time for ESPN to put Lou out to pasture.
On the radio, I thought the new ISP-era Georgia broadcast sounded slickly packaged. A bit too much so.
I used to get as aggravated as anyone with Loran Smith’s postgame locker room rambling, but I don’t find Chuck Dowdle’s puffball questions to Mark Richt any more illuminating. And now that they’ve quit airing the player and assistant coach interviews live, dropping taped snippets of them into the call-in show instead, it all sounds a bit too canned. I liked the live chaos of the old locker room show. I also miss the days when the network aired at least parts of Richt’s postgame press conference.
As for the UGA radio network’s “Dog Talk” call-in show originating from the Hotel Indigo in downtown Athens (as they incessantly tell listeners), it’s pretty much a snooze. David Greene is very personable but comes off kind of bland in his assessments of the game. And Jeff Dantzler just talks too much. They don’t take enough calls, either.
Athens’ WNGC (which I can pick up in DeKalb County) cuts away from the network to do its longtime “Fifth Quarter Show” opposite “Dog Talk,” and while the “Fifth Quarter” misses Kevin Butler a lot this season, it’s still more entertaining and more informative than the official show.
Host David Johnston isn’t afraid to express an opinion that might run counter to thinking at Butts-Mehrer. And while Butler’s replacements, former players Kelin Johnson and A.J. Bryant, start off sounding like they’re still on the team and have been indoctrinated with coachspeak, they usually loosen up once the calls begin. Also, because they were on the team not that long ago, they have some unique insights into the current lineup.
Plus, it’s just not Saturday night without hearing a call from “Macho Man.”
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180 comments Add your comment
Cuz
September 21st, 2009
11:07 pm
Satilla, me and Brian Burke of the Flyers are very close friends. Davis Causey, Dave Blackmon and Greg “Rocking Johnny” Veal are great friends. I used to sing with them when they came to Augusta, well just a couple of songs. I have not seen Mike Chronic in twenty five years or more though.
I used to tailgate with Brian and his wife Fran at Myers before the games. GO DAWGS, GO FLYERS!!!!!
Chris
September 21st, 2009
11:10 pm
Good point on Bill’s blog Dawg nation but as far as Newnan dawg’s opinion that good play by play is what sounds good to each individual is not really on point. It is to a degree and it’s much harder than people think….just try doing it in your living room sometime.
And quality analysis without the benefit of replay is even harder. There is a huge difference in someone like a Brian Baldinger after a sack saying something like ‘pass protection will be important tonight’ (when is it not?) to a Blackledge or Danielson immediately pointing out the TD throw was successful because the qb looked off the primary receiver..which froze the safety and left the secondary receiver wide open or with single coverage in the end zone.
Cuz
September 21st, 2009
11:10 pm
45, take Arkansas. My upset of the week. Ar-kansas may not win, but they will beat the point spread. If ever there was a game for Bama to get a loss, this would be it. Okay and Auburn later.
Cuz
September 21st, 2009
11:12 pm
I agree Chis. I really have come to appreciate these ex QB types as commentators. Zeir almost has me understanding a cover two defense, almost.
45ACP
September 21st, 2009
11:12 pm
Buck Belue anyone? He is on the radio 6 days a week.
SatillaDawg
September 21st, 2009
11:14 pm
Good stuff, Cuz. And I’d be totally remiss if I didn’t mention another great Athens talent (and native) who’s still knockin’ ‘em dead, and touring the country…the inimitable King Grand himself….Randall Bramblett! All of his 70’s stuff has been re-released on CD and comes highly recommended.
Cuz
September 21st, 2009
11:20 pm
Where can I get it Satilla? Some of the best concerts I ever saw were Sea Level playing several nights at the Mad Hatter. I have a Sea Level greatest hits that does not come close to putting enough material on one CD.
And it is an agonizing reappraisal. Except Dusty Rhoades and he is the American Dream.
Davis Causey played with Sea Level and the Normaltown Flyers.
SatillaDawg
September 21st, 2009
11:23 pm
I agree with what Chris and Cuz are saying about former QB’s on the radio, TV, etc. I used to frickin’ hate Blackledge just because of what he did to our Dawgs, but over the years, I’ve come to appreciate his analysis and insights. I don’t know if he has any play-by-play potential, but he’s pretty darn good at what he does. And Buck and Zier aren’t too shabby either.
45ACP
September 21st, 2009
11:29 pm
I believe that Buck is doing analysis for Comcast (CSS) on the Dawg games with Matt Stewart.
SatillaDawg
September 21st, 2009
11:31 pm
Cuz…Bramblett carries them around in a suitcase with him when he gigs, which lately, has been quite frequent. He’s got just about everything he’s ever released, I think. He was in Watkinsville a month or two ago. He’s also got a website, which has his tour schedule. Check it out:
http://www.randallbramblett.com/index.php
I’ve got that Sea Level greatest hits CD, too, but the original vinyl’s better and I’ve got everyone of their albums. Same with the Dixie Dregs. Seeing the Dregs live at the Georgia Theatre in the 1980’s….Priceless!
Buck Strickland
September 21st, 2009
11:34 pm
First off Bill, ASU. Geez… Tony B. wrote last week about a “trap” game in arkansas. This is our trap game…
I’ll bet that Bama’s defense harasses Mallett all day and makes him miserable. When he sets himself to throw, he’s dangerous. We’ll see how he does against bama’s defense. My prediction… pain.
Erin Andrews was dressed like a school marm saturday night. Probably to ward off the pig farmers. They don’t take a likin’ to librarians.
Cuz
September 21st, 2009
11:40 pm
I got another one Satilla and you will swear I am lying.
Before the Dixie Dregs it was the Dixie Grits. Most of the same members. Andy West’s parents had a house on Hereford Farm Road in Evans GA that backed up to my family’s property. Me and my cousins, hence my nickname, would sit on the dock fishing rocking to the Dregs practicing in West’s backyard. I heard them making Cruise Control. Of course the bustards did jump the fence and steal our mushrooms, probably where they got their sound.
Cuz
September 21st, 2009
11:41 pm
Now Buck, that is just doggone funny. Thanks for the chuckle.
45ACP
September 21st, 2009
11:50 pm
Stealing mushrooms, have they no shame.
Well they are better than the brown or black acid.
What about Window Pane?
SatillaDawg
September 21st, 2009
11:51 pm
Great story, Cuz. Never knew about the Dixie Grits, but I don’t doubt the veracity of what you’re saying. I’ll share your story with some of the swampers down here. We all love the Dregs. And Sea Level, too. Take care. GO DAWGS! ASU is toast.
Cuz
September 21st, 2009
11:52 pm
Satilla, I was at that concert at the Georgia Theatre. You did not have to bring your own pot. Just breathing was like taking a bong hit.
Cuz
September 21st, 2009
11:55 pm
45, why buy acid when you can go organic and save a tree. Go green baby. Take a trip and never leave the farm.
45ACP
September 22nd, 2009
12:01 am
I hear you Cuz!
It all seems so long ago and far away.
I was around the Atlanta area back then. Concerts at Chastain Park on Sundays.
Kudzu, Mylon Lefevre, Wet Willie, Eric Quincy Tate and so on.
Cuz
September 22nd, 2009
12:05 am
Cause I’m a honky tonk man. And I can’t seem to stop.
45, are you up for a deer hunt weekend at my hunting lodge in November? It is right off I-20.
Cuz
September 22nd, 2009
12:08 am
The conductor has got my ticket,
the fireman is shoveling coal.
Woooo, Woooo!!!!!
Wooooo, Wooooooooo!!!!!!
Eric Quincy Tate
No Rolling Boogie
Denver Dog
September 22nd, 2009
12:11 am
If we had a schedule like everyone else, this would be a breather game for us, instead, we are going to be into a real game, and maybe overlooking to the LSU game. This is another team that has had all spring and summer to practice for UGA. The only thing that we have going for us is that they have to travel, and that we are at home. Maybe it will rain. Hopefully the dogs are ready for this challenge too!
buck
September 22nd, 2009
12:13 am
Better take care of ASU first…..
45ACP
September 22nd, 2009
12:14 am
Yes I am. It’s been a few years but my bike does have a PTO.
Cuz
September 22nd, 2009
12:16 am
45, I am listening to EQT’s greatest hits right now.
Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cuz
September 22nd, 2009
12:18 am
I think we blow up ASU then get complacent and win or lose in a close one against LessU.
45ACP
September 22nd, 2009
12:21 am
I love to give the girls a whirl to the music of an old juke box!
Cuz
September 22nd, 2009
12:22 am
Chattahoochie Coochie Man.
You want a copy if I can get it to burn?
Cuz
September 22nd, 2009
12:25 am
I gotta find me a whiskey woman……..
45ACP
September 22nd, 2009
12:26 am
Absolutely
Cuz
September 22nd, 2009
12:29 am
E-mail me at emrbg@aol.com . I will then send a response e-mail from my main e-mail address. It ferrets out ferrets.
45ACP
September 22nd, 2009
12:48 am
Cuz, it’s in the wire.
Cuz
September 22nd, 2009
1:17 am
Got it, the long winded response is in your mailbox.
Cuz
September 22nd, 2009
1:27 am
EQT is burning now. God I love modern technology.
Big Dawg 'N VA
September 22nd, 2009
7:29 am
Note to ESPN……………..
Big Dawg 'N VA
September 22nd, 2009
7:30 am
REUNITE THE BROADCASTING TEAM OF RON FRANKLIN AND THE COACH MIKE GOTTFRIED!!
WinderDawg
September 22nd, 2009
7:57 am
ESPN coverage of the GAvsArk game good? or you kidding me!
1) ESPN always spends more time promoting another game or some off the wall fact that they actually think is more interesting than the gsme.
2)60% of the time we are never allowed to see the teams lining up before the snap they are showing the crowd or some bozo in the booth or the sideline reporter.
3)We actually missed two plays and the official verdict on the Samuel fumble.
4)ESPN needs to watch a NFL broadcast or CBS broadcast to see that the game is the focus not EPSN or the broadcast team.
5)I understand that if the game is blowout that some of this stuff is needed to retain viewers but do not use this non-game stuff if the game is selling it’s self!!
PMC
September 22nd, 2009
9:14 am
Wait… “David Greene comes off as bland..”
Wow… who saw that coming?
Too Easy
September 22nd, 2009
9:15 am
Bill: Deborah Norville and I thank you for taking up for all of us J-schoolers.
Larry Munson
September 22nd, 2009
9:19 am
Chuck Doodle is a joke. Watched the coaches show this past Sunday and Richt looks at Doodle and seems to be thinking to himself “this guy is an idiot”.
UGASlobberknocker
September 22nd, 2009
9:55 am
RE; Georgia broadcast
I totally agree about the post game show taking a huge step backwards. Loran was awful, but as you say, Dowdle is just as bad in a different way. Just once I wish he would ask something like “Coach, what are you going to do to improve the defense?” or “Are you satisfied with the defensive game plan /performance today and if not, what are you going to do about it?”. I wonder if Dowdle is on a leash or is just afraid to ask?.
Then after a quick round of bad questions to Richt, they immediately go to a second rate call in show. Doing that takes away what I considered a good hour post game show in the past..player interviews, press conference, etc..The end result is that many fans now turn away from WSB (or other network station) post game..Im pretty sure that was not what WSB intended. If I have to listen to a call in show after the game, It wont be Dantzler and Greene. Dantzler is in over his head, doesnt know when to shut up, and Greene is just plain boring. ESPN radio, 680 the Fan, even 790 the SnoozeZone is more entertaining than “live from the Indigo”. Also, way to many whiners call in after the game..in the past, the bitching and moaning had to wait til later after the game or til Sunday morning to call in..that was better because we could all ignore them and Ray Goff at the same time.
Re; Erin Andrews..she can be my librarian any time.
Jeff
September 22nd, 2009
10:02 am
Enter your comments here
Steve Dallas
September 22nd, 2009
10:04 am
How dare you people talk about Jeff Dantzler this way? Don’t you know he’s close personal friends with Larry Munson, Dan McGill and John Isner? Just ask him!
Muck Fike Adams
September 22nd, 2009
10:17 am
By the way, most of the people that trash north campus during games are current and recently graduated students, not the much maligned “tailgate alumni.” In my experience the “tailgate alumni” are some of the most respectful tailgaters on campus, it’s usually immature students or jerkface Frat alums that feel they own UGA and do whatever the damn well want. Believe it or not, even though it’s a state university, there are still some jerks who attend who feel they are entiteld to everything, jsut because they are priviledged. All you have to do to end the madness is to simply have cops start writing tickets to people who are found littering on campus during game days, as well as add more garbage cans in high traffic areas.
coach smith
September 22nd, 2009
10:22 am
First of all…THERE IS NO “TRAP” GAME FOR THIS TEAM….it is hard to have a trap game when you have already lost and had to come from behind in the other two…
Trap games usually occur when a HIGHLY ranked team plays a nobody in between two big teams and is expecting to roll their helmets out there and win…I assure you, nobody at Georgia thinks they are going to just show up and win this year…they know they can win every game BUT they have to WORK for it
Now, I like DAVID JOHNSTON alot on that 5th Quarter show. He tends to tell it like it is and see what the fans see instead of just toeing the line
I would love to have Buck Belue as the color guy rather than Eric Zeier who seems to be YELLING every word he says
LOU HOLTZ has to go…he and Mark May clearly have some issues with Georgia.
The only person at that network that has anything positive to say about UGA is Reece Davis
Kendawg
September 22nd, 2009
10:44 am
If ESPN put Lou Holtz out to pasture, what would we have to laugh about? His picks are hilarious, as he usually picks UGA to lose. On a more serious note, shouldn’t we be talking about Arizona State this week? With our defense, or lack of it, no game is a sure win for the Dawgs. I can’t picture CMR making a change during the season, but if the trnd of high-scoring games continues, I would be surprised if he doesn’t make a change after the season.
banjeaux
September 22nd, 2009
10:52 am
“These other homers, Reece Davis Ohio St. Herbsteit Ohio State, Holtz, andybody playing UGA, May Pitt, Palmer Housing Florida, Erin Florida, there is not much help for us dog people.”
Hmm. Denver Dog, Reece Davis is our Crimson Tide homer. We’d gladly trade him for Erin.
RxDawg
September 22nd, 2009
11:00 am
“What you need to know: Arizona State ranks No. 1 in the nation in turnover margin, while Georgia ranks No. 116. The Sun Devils have lost no turnovers and gained eight; Georgia has lost nine and gained two. ”
That is all I have to say.
Well, May and Holtz do suck. Holtz is just a bumbling old man but I do like him a little. May…. I’ve been watching ESPN game day stuff for a long time. I rember when Trev Alberts and Mark May used to argue back and forth all the time. May has never, eh hum NEVER, had anything nice to say about the dawgs. He is biased and it shows. Even when UGA won a big game or something and it was a scenario where May really couldn’t trash us he was just quiet. That 1980 championship thing might actualy explain a lot because I’ve never uderstood the disrespect and animosity he has toward us.
Bill King
September 22nd, 2009
11:47 am
Interesting discussion.
Cuz, thanks for the musical memories. Most of the bands you name were active during the time I was covering music (and Capricorn Records in Macon). Love Sea Level. And the Normaltown Flyers rule!
I also thought it was inexcusable that ESPN missed a play, but that’s really on the booth. What I was talking about was Nessler and Blackledge, and I think they did a good job.
As for ASU, folks, look at the schedule. EVERY game with the exception of Tennessee Tech is either a potential “trap” game (if we’re favored) or a major challenge (if we’re not).
I’m certainly not overlooking ASU. We’ll talk about them as the week goes on.
Now I’m off to Eat Lunch With Your Child Day at school.
JMc12203
September 22nd, 2009
12:20 pm
I would imagine that LSU will put be able to put out any “Fire” That u think the little puppie dogs can start. Remember your QB has not faced a team that has any idea of how to play Defense, and since the puppie dogs do not even know how to spell defense, much less play it, it could be an UGALY day for the pups. I have also read that the pups are on a short LSU hit list because of last season and the gift win that Jarrett Lee gave them.
shards1967
September 22nd, 2009
12:39 pm
Here are the historical facts on Lou Holz and his seeming animosity towards UGA. No, it is not SC coach based. It is not Mark Richt based. It is a NC State whuppin based opinion.
IN 1973 or 74, he coached at NC State and they came to Athens a HUGE, HUGE pick to slaughter the Dawgs. I remember it like yesterday. I was about 22 in those days. Anyway, the Dogs pistol whipped the Wolfpack to the tune of like 42-17. It was devastating to him and he never got over it. Prior to that game he ran his mouth about ACC this and ACC that.
They came to town and expected to handle the dogs who only won about 6 games that year. We were one of the worst SEC teams that year and we simply BLEW OUT the ACC’s NC State. Wolves they were not. Blown away and Holz was tongue tied………imagine that. I have never, ever thought that he was a great coach.
You heard it here first !!
UGA class of 73