A few reasons for UGA fans to look on the bright side
UGA defensive coordinator Todd Grantham has been named one of the nation's Top 25 recruiters. (University of Georgia)
The gray skies outside have reflected too much of how my winter has gone so far, so it’s time for a few mood brighteners, of the red and black variety.
Some might choose to be focusing on those potential signees that Georgia didn’t manage to flip last week, but the Dogs still will have some pretty impressive fresh blood coming to Athens, and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham reportedly had a big hand in making that happen. Rivals.com has noticed, and named Grantham one of the nation’s 25 best recruiters, which bodes well for replenishing the senior-laden defensive secondary after this season.
Speaking of which, David Ching of ESPN’s DawgNation notes that while Georgia could have depth problems in its defensive secondary in the wake of last week’s dismissals, the returning starting lineup is pretty awesome, with Bacarri Rambo, Shawn Williams, Branden Smith and Sanders Commings.
Ching quotes Williams as saying, “The whole defense, it’s going to be one of our goals to finish as the No. 1 defense in the country this year.” If they’re successful, the Dogs might well be able to kick it up a notch from a 10-win season.
At any rate, I like the way Rambo is thinking in putting off the NFL for another year: “God put it on my heart that I need to stay my senior year so I can get better and improve at the small things that I need to and just be a complete safety. I’m going to do my best this offseason to try to get better, work hard, be a leader and hopefully help my team get to Miami next year.”
Meanwhile, in the wake of signing day, ESPN’s Mark Schlabach has updated his 2012 Way-Too-Early Preseason Top 25 and UGA has moved up a spot to No. 5. Notes Schlabach: “Georgia has to run the ball more effectively and learn how to finish games, but there might not be a more inviting schedule in 2012 than the one the Bulldogs will face. Georgia is expected to bring back 10 starters from a much-improved defense, including All-American linebacker Jarvis Jones and safety Bacarri Rambo. Incoming freshmen Josh Harvey-Clemons, Jonathan Taylor and John Atkins might provide some immediate help. Quarterback Aaron Murray and receiver Malcolm Mitchell are coming back, and UGA signed two highly regarded tailbacks — Keith Marshall (already enrolled at UGA) and Todd Gurley — to push sophomore Isaiah Crowell. Georgia doesn’t play SEC West favorites Alabama, Arkansas and LSU during the regular season and plays four of its first five games at home.”
And let’s top it off with one of my all-time favorite Dawgs, Hines Ward, who recently told 11 Alive he would like one day to return to Athens as a coach. “I tease Coach Richt if he wants to hire me, hire me,” Ward said. “I would love that. That would be my ultimate dream.”
Wouldn’t you just love to see that?
Yeah, I’m definitely feeling better now. How about you?
Got something on your mind concerning UGA athletics or a question for the Junkyard Blawg? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
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264 comments Add your comment
LCDawg
February 8th, 2012
2:46 pm
Hire Hines Ward–NOW
SSIgator
February 8th, 2012
2:47 pm
Hines Ward – “I would love that. That would be my ultimate dream.”
Why? Is he going to be in charge of the DUI programs?
Still@theKool-aidBAR
February 8th, 2012
2:48 pm
Rick James now you know UGa fans talk about ex-Tech players all the time. Do you think that might be the reason. YOU GEE A fans are just getting what you give.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
February 8th, 2012
2:51 pm
many NFL players have said over the years that Hines Ward is a Dirty Player. I guess he would be great for UGa with Grantham.
old dog
February 8th, 2012
2:55 pm
@kool-aid,
Ward wasn’t dirty, he just was not afraid to go downfield and take out some of the cheap-shot db’s whose only claim to fame was hitting a defenseless receiver after a catch. He was a GREAT DOWNFIELD BLOCKER, and the cheap shooters got a taste of their own medicine………
WDE
February 8th, 2012
3:00 pm
@Snoop Dawg your no Dog fan, sure you posture as one but that is all smoke mirrors and BS. You’ve never said a positive thing about the program. And you think folks you back the program are “the problem” please take your Bug self some where else..my son has a word for folks like you its “moron”
WDE
February 8th, 2012
3:01 pm
@Still@theKool-aidBAR that rich someone from Cut Block U calling Hines “dirty”
GTBob
February 8th, 2012
3:03 pm
Ward wasn’t dirty
He was voted the dirtiest player in the NFL by the other players. It’s pretty safe to say he was dirty.
you can't spell doubleWiDE
February 8th, 2012
3:10 pm
Without WDE.
UGA FRIEND
February 8th, 2012
3:12 pm
GTBob: Now that you have publicly admitted your serious problems, I am in sympathy for you. You need help but trashing UGA is not the answer. Please get some counseling from a professional. The UGA fans need a break from you. Good Luck.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
February 8th, 2012
3:14 pm
WDE stop crying about LEGAL Cut Blocks or get the rules changed you cry baby.
GTBob
February 8th, 2012
3:15 pm
GTBob: Now that you have publicly admitted your serious problems
What serious problems did I admit to?
WDE
February 8th, 2012
3:32 pm
@you can’t spell doubleWiDE WOW that was great what are you going to do for an encore ? Call me poopy pants…hmmm troll boy.
WDE
February 8th, 2012
3:33 pm
@Still@theKool-aidBAR sure the minute you stop crying about legal down field blocking…see how that works..
you can't spell doubleWiDE
February 8th, 2012
3:35 pm
Get that duct tape and cardboard on those windows—going to get cold.
Flo-Ri-Duh
February 8th, 2012
3:37 pm
Don’t underestimate Missouri on UGA’s schedule. They should be very good on offense. Sanders Commings will probably be suspended for at least the 1st two games leaving a big hole at CB. Damien Swann was supposed to be the nickle but will have to move to Commings spot – nickle will be a question mark as long ass Commings is out. UGA lost two big time CBs with Marshall and Sanders. Finding 6′1″ CBs isn’t easy. Priority this year in recruiting will be CB, S, OL and WR.
Flo-Ri-Duh
February 8th, 2012
3:41 pm
Tech will be looking for a new head coach after this upcoming disaster of a season. I see three, maybe four possible wins. It’s going to get ugly. Round man can’t recruit and that spells doom.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
February 8th, 2012
3:44 pm
WDE…I guess the NFL players are just cry babies and are scared of Hines Ward cause he is just clean and mean.
TDF
February 8th, 2012
3:47 pm
Still@theKool-aidBAR
February 8th, 2012
1:55 pm
Actually moron GtBob mentioned teams UGA played against. Learn to read before you jump in clown
TDF
February 8th, 2012
3:48 pm
GTBob
February 8th, 2012
1:55 pm
Auburn blew out UVA and you lost to them. Draw up your own conclusion on it clown.
TDF
February 8th, 2012
3:49 pm
GTBob
February 8th, 2012
1:57 pm
Did I say I did, or just happy you finally came out of the closet??
Still@theKool-aidBAR
February 8th, 2012
3:50 pm
WDE just for you.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/801296-12-dirtiest-players-in-the-nfl-today/page/4
#4
Hines Ward, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Not many wide receivers are considered dirty players. Hines Ward is an exception.
One of the best blockers at his position in league history, Ward has become notorious for his cheap shots. In 2008, he broke the jaw of Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers with a block. The NFL changed its rules the next year, banning such hits.
TDF
February 8th, 2012
3:51 pm
b-ham dawg
February 8th, 2012
1:58 pm
Throw in MM on that list bc he will see time at corner which would give us 6. Some of the safeties can also play corner as well. might be patched work if someone goes down, but we have so much talent in our secondary its almost unfair.
TDF
February 8th, 2012
3:52 pm
Still@theKool-aidBAR
February 8th, 2012
1:59 pm
We all can see that you cant read thats for sure!
TDF
February 8th, 2012
3:53 pm
Sauced
February 8th, 2012
2:21 pm
Keep acting like it doesnt happen at any other school you clown.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
February 8th, 2012
3:54 pm
FTD flower delivery boy. Bob only mentioned SEC schools UGA played.
Just because just because 1 team beat another doesn’t mean the same team will beat another. The last 2 times Tech beat Auburn we didn’t beat UGA but Auburn beat UGA one of those same years.
TDF
February 8th, 2012
3:54 pm
SSIgator
February 8th, 2012
2:24 pm
ahahhaha funny coming from a belly slider that wont even sniff the dome for many years
Ga/Fl.Stillman dog
February 8th, 2012
3:56 pm
Yes hire Ward Fire CMR. That is great. I dont like your blogs Junk Yard Dog cause alllllll YOU do is REPEAT what others say and very seldom have your own Natural Words. But yea nice article this time. Lets go Ward, bring some man hood to the offence.
TDF
February 8th, 2012
3:57 pm
Snoop Dawg
February 8th, 2012
2:25 pm
Wahh wahh wahh wahh wahh run along whinny baby. Take your fire richt crap somewhere else, bc true fans know Richt is the right coach and will get it done.
Please tell me one coach you would get that has experience to replace him since you think I know nothing and you know all??? Better yet ask your little kid since he seems to be a genius too.
come talk to me at the end of the season next year and tell me how that crow tastes you f’in clown
TDF
February 8th, 2012
3:59 pm
Still@theKool-aidBAR
February 8th, 2012
2:25 pm
Well seeing as how we have one of the toughest policies for suspensions and the fact that we CANT choose when he has to sit (AND NEVER HAVE BEEN ABLE TOO) he will miss the buffalo and mizzou games
TDF
February 8th, 2012
4:00 pm
GTBob
February 8th, 2012
2:42 pm
Wrong. No one would tradee CTG for groh moron.
TDF
February 8th, 2012
4:02 pm
SSIgator
February 8th, 2012
2:47 pm
blast a guy for one mistake huh?? hate away on him bc all he is doing is smiling and laughing at you.
TDF
February 8th, 2012
4:03 pm
Still@theKool-aidBAR
February 8th, 2012
2:51 pm
Call him dirty all you want, but in reality he just plays to the whistle and goes 110% every play. Yup that makes him dirty. I dont care about how he blocks, pick your head up and look or he will flatten you end of story.
TDF
February 8th, 2012
4:05 pm
GTBob
February 8th, 2012
3:03 pm
Yea listen to a bunch of over paid whinny babies. Of course they think he is dirty bc they have to try and shed his blocks.
In reality he is just the best blocking WR in the game. Get over your jealousy
5 star thug squad
February 8th, 2012
4:06 pm
“ahahhaha funny coming from a belly slider that wont even sniff the dome for many years”
Kinda like ga “sniffin” a National Championship. Not even close in 31 years. In the meantime, FLA has 3.
TDF
February 8th, 2012
4:06 pm
Still@theKool-aidBAR
February 8th, 2012
3:14 pm
They can be legal all day, but fact is they get players hurt. So if you think Ward is dirty for his legal blocks, then that makes GT scum of the earth.
TDF
February 8th, 2012
4:09 pm
Still@theKool-aidBAR
February 8th, 2012
3:54 pm
Really did he??? Maybe you should learn to read and follow the whole convo before jumping in and making a fool of yourself. We were clearly talking about UGA opponents and he felt that he should just leave off the best 3 defenses we played all year.
GTBob
February 8th, 2012
4:10 pm
Wrong. No one would tradee CTG for groh moron.
Al Groh turned down the Dolphins Defensive Coordinator position when he came to GT. Why wasn’t Grantham offered that position or even interviewed for it?
GTBob
February 8th, 2012
4:11 pm
Did I say I did, or just happy you finally came out of the closet??
When was I ever in the closet?
TDF
February 8th, 2012
4:12 pm
Still@theKool-aidBAR
February 8th, 2012
3:54 pm
Once again read the whole convo before jumping in about AU and tech. We were clearly talking about SEC defenses and he brought up the UVA GT, UVA AU comparison. Mocking me trying to say that if I thought AU had a good def (Which I didnt, only said AU would hold MOST ACC teams under 3 scores). My response was clearly just pointing out that AU would rip GT to shreds.
But yes the law of transitive properties doesnt apply to football im glad you finally realized that.
TDF
February 8th, 2012
4:12 pm
Ga/Fl.Stillman dog
February 8th, 2012
3:56 pm
hopefully you are joking bc that would be dumb
Toad Grantham
February 8th, 2012
4:14 pm
Ya know I was fired by the Cleveland Browns…I mean the BROWNS! And remember those 42 2nd half points with LSU? and the 33 with MI State? Great adjustments, huh?
TDF
February 8th, 2012
4:14 pm
5 star thug squad
February 8th, 2012
4:06 pm
Not even close??? So what about the years we won the SEC, that isnt close to making it to the title game when at the time you had to win your conf to make it there??? what about 07 when we got hosed much like OKie state did this year???
You are an idiot.
TDF
February 8th, 2012
4:15 pm
GTBob
February 8th, 2012
4:10 pm
ahhahahahahahaha good for him, and look at him now. You basically just showed what an idiot al groh is hahahahahahhaha. passing up NFL for GT??????? what a clown.
Who cares why he wasnt interviewed, he is at UGA and will be stomping GT for many years to come.
THE REAL PHIL
February 8th, 2012
4:16 pm
Bill, so sorry to hear about your dad. Hope your family is doing well.
TDF
February 8th, 2012
4:17 pm
Toad Grantham
February 8th, 2012
4:14 pm
Man you really are an awful troll.
How many coaches have found any success with the browns since they came back??????
Better go back and check your math on those point totals for the second half of those games. You seem to be well…… just plain wrong and dumb.
Thanks for playing
TDF, no doubt
February 8th, 2012
4:19 pm
And we quote “You are an idiot.”
TDF
February 8th, 2012
4:19 pm
5 star thug squad
February 8th, 2012
4:06 pm
funny handel for a florida fan seeing as you guys had just as much if not more trouble with players than we did these past 5 years.
I mean I certainly dont remember any UGA players getting in trouble for threatening to kill some girl???
TDF
February 8th, 2012
4:20 pm
TDF, no doubt
February 8th, 2012
4:19 pm
Hahahahah funny bc im one of the few on here that actually know what they are talking about. you on the other hand are a coward changing handels left and right.
Enjoy being one of the retards on here, and I ll enjoy telling you that you are one of them.
GTBob
February 8th, 2012
4:22 pm
Who cares why he wasnt interviewed, he is at UGA and will be stomping GT for many years to come.
He wasn’t interviewed because they didn’t want him. My original argument was that there were people who wanted Al Groh more then Todd Grantham and I actually proved it.