New Dogs will find fan buzz can be awfully fickle
The heat got to big John Jenkins at the first practice. (Brant Sanderlin, / AJC)
It’s been amazing to watch the fluctuations in the fan buzz for the two most anticipated members of Georgia’s Dream Team.
For much of the early summer we had the nervous nellies prematurely declaring Isaiah Crowell a “bust” on the basis of rumors he wasn’t giving his all in summer workouts.
But since camp started and the coaches and veteran players have been talking about how hard he practices, how quick he is and how he’s doing a good job of picking up the playbook, the buzz-o-meter has flipped and the excitement is building again.
The opposite seems to be the case with big John Jenkins, who had some heat-related issues the first practice and currently is running second on the depth chart to Kwame Geathers, with coach Rodney Garner saying that Jenkins is “a very talented big man, just very inconsistent. … He’s going to have to improve his fundamentals to play at this level.”
Suddenly you’ve got fans questioning whether Jenkins is really going to be another “Mount” Cody.
Here’s an idea: How about we wait and see what they actually do on the field in a real game before declaring either player a legend-in-the-making or a bust?
They’re both new to the lineup and no doubt will be eased in, sharing time with the more experienced players. That’s why Richard Samuel was moved back to tailback, which so far seems to be working out to the coaches’ satisfaction. And Geathers appears to have picked up where he left off in the spring, so it’s only right that Garner is letting Jenkins know he’s going to have to earn his playing time.
It’s way too early to be passing judgment on either Crowell or Jenkins.
Meanwhile, I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to seeing more of the good old toss sweep this season with big Bruce Figgins (6-foot-4, 274 pounds) leading the way at fullback. Put 240-pound Samuel behind him and, like Figgins said, “I think people will be a little intimidated by it. That’s 500 pounds moving right there. And Richard’s not slow at all. I have to speed up just to get going ahead of him because he’ll run up your back if you don’t. I think we’ll be able to move some people out of the way.”
Here’s hoping Mike Bobo uses that weapon wisely.
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247 comments Add your comment
Rogeriter
August 9th, 2011
1:15 pm
SSiGator, why are you not on any Gator blogs? You just like to criticize Ga fans and coaches. Why not go on to Gator blogs and talk about them, if that is your team?
Pete
August 9th, 2011
1:17 pm
Not to mention the fickle so called experts that write blogs for the AJC.
Boise in ATL
August 9th, 2011
1:19 pm
UGA got Tebowed – man – you really enjoy stirring it up! Fun to read – however, try to stay credible because you look like an idiot – and have ZERO credibility when you stray from facts to support your opinion.
Z Mett getting his revenge when LSU plays UGA?
What revenge does Z Mett have? He was the one that got drunk – got arrested – misbehaved grabbing women – then LIED to CMR.
HE had a chance to stay at UGA – but he LIED to his HC – on top of everything else. CMR could not keep him. The only school that would have kept him was South Carolina – only if his name was GARCIA!!!
UGADawg83
August 9th, 2011
1:21 pm
Three good columns in a row Bill……..I’d call that a trend.
JB
August 9th, 2011
1:22 pm
My thoughts are that this Georgia team comes out of the tunnel this year with a better attitude and desire to win. I think they come out in better shape and stronger. I still say we have some new faces that need to prove themselves. Some old ones who need to prove themselves. I think this team will be a little faster. I think this team will be thin at spots. They will have a chip on their shoulder. They heard and read all the same things we have. All that said, the schedule sets up nice, even coming out of the gate 0-2. All the heavy lifting will be done by then. They could go 10-2 or even 9-3 . That would bring Richt back. Let’s just see.
Joey
August 9th, 2011
1:24 pm
NCBF, I just can’t help but explain something to you. Yes, SC won the East last season, and likely will again. Congrats. Seriously.
But to sit and daydream that SEC teams “fear” SC is ludicrous. SC lost 5 games last season. And got the crap kicked out of it in its last two games.
Just saying . . .
JB
August 9th, 2011
1:26 pm
Joey….you are correct….That game last year was not a beat down. At their field. We have no AJ and a Freshman QB and a new DC and a new system without the personnel to play it. SC is in for a surprise.
5 - 7
August 9th, 2011
1:31 pm
Boy the opposing teams are gonna have fun with the new “Get on the Bus” slogan. When will Mark Richt ever learn? oh well wont matter anyway with this being his last season at UGA.
Gomer
August 9th, 2011
1:37 pm
Well Sergeant Carter “Finish the Drill” is gone and “Get on the Bus” is here. Stupid Stupid Stupid…..
Nothing Could Be Finer
August 9th, 2011
1:38 pm
SC is in for a surprise.
————————————
Not really.
Everyone knows that the Ga vs SC game is usually close every year.
I’ll take Lattimore any day in a close game.
Nate the Great
August 9th, 2011
1:41 pm
Bill you sir are a moron!!!!!! A toss sweep with 500lbs pain train????? You run a toss sweep with CT while Samuels and Figgins hit the defense in the mouth between the tackles.
You need to write about fairy’s in a far off land not football. You should just watch the game and make anonomous blog comments because you are a mental midget when it comes to strategy. A train doesn’t move laterally, it moves straight forward!!!
PS If we didn’t talk about the much heralded incoming class, what kind of a job would you have from Jan – Sept.? Its because of our interest and love of the dogs (even labeling players that have yet to put on pads) you get a paycheck. And based on the worthless info you post, regardless of the amount the check you are getting paid waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay tooooooo much!!
DoddDAMDogs
August 9th, 2011
1:44 pm
Boo did not fumble in the g game, that was the walkon
Still@theBAR
August 9th, 2011
1:47 pm
Boo didn’t fumble. Boo Got Shot. LOL
Good Dawg
August 9th, 2011
1:48 pm
Mr. King, a little irritated today?
I agree about wait and see attitude and YOU might want to do that with Mr. Figgins.
A lot of questions will be answered by around the 3rd or 4th game. 1st two games are not always good barometer.
And what’s up with #6 for a nose tackle? Is that football legal?
Nate the Great
August 9th, 2011
1:50 pm
One other thing you mental midget (aka Bill King). What do you call recruiting services? Didn’t they pass judgement on these guys? Its never too early to start talking about UGA players, especially after the last few seasons. We are looking to the future to try and forget the recent past; these kids happen to be the future of the program, so all their moves/mistakes they make are under the microscope. We will criticize or hype everything. Nothing is in proportion because we are fanatical (hence being labeled a fan) This is the SEC and we are RABID about our football.
Good Dawg
August 9th, 2011
1:51 pm
Malcolme needs to keep it in his pants during season if he wants a groin injury to heal that’s been hurting since Spring?!!
Rest it boy.
Good Dawg
August 9th, 2011
1:53 pm
Although, I guess Jenkins in a #6 jersey isn’t gonna be mistaken for a cornerback!
Swami Sez
August 9th, 2011
1:55 pm
Mike Bobo is an energy vampire!
Good Dawg
August 9th, 2011
1:55 pm
Hey Mr. King, you know what stops fan fickleness? WINNING
Mrs. Boo Boo
August 9th, 2011
1:55 pm
I agree with swami
Brucerugby79
August 9th, 2011
1:57 pm
Bill you seem to really attract the trolls ! I was gonna ask you to stay positive but your story was differant than headline-and if you occupy the trolls it ok by me -they will all be quiet shortly
Still@theBAR
August 9th, 2011
2:00 pm
I heard McGarity has been in talks with a new coach just in case he has to fire Richt. He said the possible coach has a lot of balls and is used to winning championships.
The name is Suzanne Yoculan. Hell Leeburn will back her all the way. LOL
AltamahaDawg
August 9th, 2011
2:03 pm
What Mett really needs to get revenge for is having to go through all the trouble of getting to stay in spring camp, and having a scripted showcase for him in the G-day game, all for the benefit of letting him advance his college career AFTER it was already known he wasn’t going to be able to stay at Georgia. And somehow he needs to get back at Georgia for the forcing his mother to stay at her job, despite the embarrassment he caused her by his stupid actions.
Still@theBAR
August 9th, 2011
2:04 pm
Brucerugby79
is that a game they play at the Eagle in Downtown Atlanta? Bruce Rugby 79? Do you wear leather chaps as your uniform?
Just poking fun. Wait maybe that was the wrong phrase to use with somebody named BruceRugby.
Joey
August 9th, 2011
2:07 pm
Usually folks that call others, “morons”, and “mental midgets,” especially when through the computer instead of face to face, got shorted somewhere, somehow.
Either mentally or physically, they just didn’t develop fully, and are perpetually irritated and insult others.
WDE
August 9th, 2011
2:09 pm
Well you can tell things are going pretty good for UGA at the moment the trolls have little rant about as far as players go for now. So they have started up on the old stand by of picking on Coach Bobo. Welll and Bill King too of course…remember something trolls the louder you complain,whine and cry the better we know UGA is doing….so troll little fellas troll on. Oh and Nate the no-so Great if Bill blog bothers you troll somewhere else…
georgedawg
August 9th, 2011
2:10 pm
It all starts with you journalists that like to stir up trouble to make yourself interesting. A big disadvantage for the Georgia program is overcoming all the negativity coming from the AJC. TO HELL WITH THE ELITE LIBERAL PRESS and cancel your AJC subscribtions. They are the worst “Cynthia Tucker” and “Our worn out sports journalist”. The MDJ is much better written.
@nothing could be finer
August 9th, 2011
2:14 pm
South Carolina goes back / or should I say continues to be South Carolina this year another 5-6 loss season, a lot a smack from a football program that has never finished ranked in top 10, never even appeared in a major bowl game, only won 4 bowl games in its history, has 1 acc title in 69. Is 14-42-2 vs Georgia all time.
Still@theBAR
August 9th, 2011
2:28 pm
It must be a little bad in Athens when all the talk is about Players that have not played a college football game. The Best player the Dawgs talk about is a QB with a losing record, but he is the Beat in the SEC? HAHAHA right.
WDE
August 9th, 2011
2:32 pm
@Still@theBAR have another shot of the troll bile it seems to calm the inner troll … and you seem to be getting a tad nervous….and as for Murray’s ranking that’s not the Bull Dog Nations view alone seems all the coaches and “experts” agree..make that a double for ya?
DodDAMdogs
August 9th, 2011
2:33 pm
Let’s see: Garcia is a no-talent drunken loser, Brantley’s got no skills, the guy at GT (whoever that is)can probably run, but has a popcorn arm, the guy at LSU has NO talent but still beats out Mett, don’t know the guys at ALA and AUB, but bet they suck, whoever plays. Murray can outplay the rest of the others, no problem. People who put him down are jealous he’s not on their team. BTW, if I read “kool-aid” one more time, I’m going on a shotting spree!
DodDAMdogs
August 9th, 2011
2:34 pm
shooting spree, that is….
Still@theBAR
August 9th, 2011
2:37 pm
WDE
We created a new drink for the dawg fans. It is called the “Dawg Koolade”. It is Jack Daniel’s, Sprite, Grenadine, with a twist of Lime.
WDE your first 2 are on the house. I might give you a free “Crowell Dawg” It is a Raw Dawg with a lot of Relish, Mustard, and Cheese.
Still@theBAR
August 9th, 2011
2:39 pm
DodDAMdogs
shotting spree!
Come to the BAR and we will give you your first one free too.
mm
August 9th, 2011
2:40 pm
There are a lot of idiots on this blog, and it seems some of them are supposedly UGA fans.
Pathetic.
non dawg fans in here
August 9th, 2011
2:40 pm
are the biggest retards
Enough with negativity Moriarity
August 9th, 2011
2:43 pm
Yeah, these bashers are total retards
Still@theBAR
August 9th, 2011
2:44 pm
Hey non dawg we didn’t say “Get on the Short Bus”. UGA’s new catch phrase. What happened to “Finishing the Drill”? 6-7 means the DRILL hit bedrock I guess.
WDE
August 9th, 2011
2:46 pm
@Still@theBAR why thanks now the Troll Bile is Bacon flavored vodka, bloody mary mix a dash of bitters,and Worcestershire with a celery stick and olive..we would serve that with a McTroll sandwich 2 hamburger patties with 4 slices of American cheese with a half pound of bacon with lettuce,tomato and pickles served between 2 grilled cheese sandwichs ..but Charlie Weiss ate ALL of them..
AceDawg
August 9th, 2011
2:47 pm
If UGA can gain a real sense of confidence and urgency, I see a reason to expect big things out of the offense and defense. I’d rank biggest team concerns as #1) Mike Bobo play calling, #2) O-Line depth, #3) consistent D-Line pressure, and #4) Murray reaching true “clutch” status in the big moments against teams from the state of Florida.
Boise State deserves recognition as a top 25 team, but I STILL think they’ve lived in the BCS limelight by not playing a full big conference schedule. There are a thousand reasons to be pessimistic about UGA after what they’ve shown the last two years, but Murray is a gamer like Boise, and I don’t think Boise will have enough offense to match what UGA will do on offense and special teams.
Still@theBAR
August 9th, 2011
2:51 pm
WDE
How could Weiss get to them faster than Grantham? Weiss may have eaten a few but he had to knock Grantham out of the way.
Forrest Gump
August 9th, 2011
2:54 pm
Stupid is as stupid does. Richt is going to post vampire photos of players viewed as lollygaggers by other players. This can motivate players in the same way that the witchcraft trials motivated the population of Salem. Richt, you never cease to amaze me!
WDE
August 9th, 2011
2:57 pm
@Still@theBAR good question but you see we are in camp so Grantham who works for a HC that has well actually done the HC job doesn’t give Coach Grantham a 6 week lunch break which was part of the enticement package CWM had to give Ol’Charlie to come Gainesville..
no dog
August 9th, 2011
2:58 pm
if that Kool aid is spiked, you can feel the first. If it is really spiked, after the second, anyone can feel it! Fun blog Bill!
Miss Victoria
August 9th, 2011
3:02 pm
Crowell arrested yet?
Athens= God's Country
August 9th, 2011
3:05 pm
Trolls, trolls, everywhere.
Adolescents rule here!
August 9th, 2011
3:07 pm
I would love to know the median age of frequent commenters here
For UGA homers, it’s about twelve. Maybe ten.
WDE
August 9th, 2011
3:08 pm
@Miss Victoria no he hasn’t been thanks for asking.
Still@theBAR
August 9th, 2011
3:09 pm
WDE
nice call. Grantham hasn’t missed many meals either. He just doesn’t eat as much as Weiss. Bobo stays so thin because he can’t eat fast enough to get seconds with all his kids.
Still@theBAR
August 9th, 2011
3:10 pm
AGE? Age? how about education level? If just a Georgia High School Grad that would equate to about 9th grade in most states.