Chattin’ with Bradley: UGA, Braves, Shockley & NASCAR!
The view from my perch. The stage awaits Diamond Rio, I believe. (Photo by M. Bradley)
Hello there. I’m at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where a goodly crowd has already gathered in preparation for tonight’s Pep Boys 500, which will be a significant gasoline-driven event in local annals. It is, as you’re aware, the first night Cup race in track history, and hopes, as they say, are high.
But because this is NASCAR and we car-racing veterans know to get to the track early lest ye sit in traffic worse than the seventh circle of Hades, I’m here with time to burn. And I’d like to spend it with you, dear readers. I’d like to give you my impressions of a fairly eventful weekend in Atlanta sports doings, and I’d be greatly interested in hearing your feelings. So here goes:
Georgia: I wasn’t shocked the Bulldogs lost. I was shocked they lost the way they did: Rather routinely after having jumped out to the necessary on-the-road start. Oklahoma State seemed determined to choke on that game, but the Cowboys were let off the proverbial hook.
I’ve already folks say Georgia is now destined to start 0-3, which it won’t. I think Georgia will be OK — not great, but OK. Just because Joe Cox didn’t overwhelm in his second career start doesn’t mean he’s in over his head. He’ll get better. But the annual loss of Trinton Sturdivant is again a major debit, and I still wonder about Willie Martinez’s defense. (No takeaways, no sacks.)
It’s difficult to extrapolate overmuch from any one game, especially a road loss to a top 10 opponent, but I saw nothing Saturday to contradict my belief that the Bulldogs have lost an edge. This is not the program of five years ago.
Braves: A week ago I was saying they had a good shot. They’re about down to a last shot, and it’s a 45-footer off the wrong foot. (Basketball metaphor.) They’ve lost ground at a time when you can’t reasonably expect to regain anything. As has been the story of the season, they lost ground because they can’t hit.
They’re tied with Cincinnati in the seventh as I write, and one more loss to the Redlegs might just do it. Never thought I’d be saying this the day before Labor Day, but that’s what four consecutive losses will do.
D.J. Shockley: Not to sound smart, but you could see this coming. He hadn’t yet played in a regular-season game, and he was drafted in 2006. He had worked under three coaching staffs and two general managers, and nobody seemed to regard him as a viable NFL starter. He was hugely popular among his mates — he and Matt Ryan are big buddies — but Shockley didn’t get enough chances and didn’t show enough when he did.
Give the Falcons some credit. The easier and more popular course would have been to keep Shockley and cut John Parker Wilson. But the folks in Flowery Branch aren’t running a UGA alumni chapter; they’re trying to put together the best roster they can. They like Wilson more than they like Shockley, and they acted professionally.
NASCAR: I’m not very good at estimating crowds, but I’m thinking there will be a good one on hand here tonight. Far better than at the spring race, and probably good enough to justify Ed Clark’s gamble. The track president traded a spot in the Chase for a shot at a night race on Labor Day weekend in the hopes that this could become a destination-type event. I’m guessing he’ll be pleased with the inital results.
OK, enough of me. I’ll be here for a couple of hours or so — I’ve got nowhere to go until I start working on a bit of Pep Boys writing for tomorrow’s AJC — and I’d be happy to discuss any and everything with you. Otherwise I’ll have to do something drastic. Like read a book. Or take a nap.
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287 comments Add your comment
FALCONS SORRY
September 6th, 2009
5:27 pm
OK
Michael
September 6th, 2009
5:29 pm
the defense was good yesterday. maybe if the offense could have moved the ball they would not have had to play so much.
we dropped a few picks, and the pass rush still needs to improve, but they were solid.
this was oklahoma state we were playing against. they got 10 of their 24 points off mistakes from ugas offense and special teams.
Georgia should rebound and be good. I’m still saying 9-3. Anyone who is going to want willie martinez out after that game is delerious
its the offense we need to worry about.
Tech Grad 94
September 6th, 2009
5:29 pm
You just got PWNED falcons sorry.
GT For You and Me
September 6th, 2009
5:30 pm
Go Jackets! TOHWG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A Little GT For You and Me!!!!!!!!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2S9AZ5LPdQ
I need (cheap) tix
September 6th, 2009
5:30 pm
Do any of you bandwagon cowards want to sell your tickets for cheap? I would be more than happy to buy some
Bad News
September 6th, 2009
5:30 pm
Thomas Dimitroff is making Rich McKay look like a wizzard. Think about it. Name one single player that he has cut, is on a losing organization:
Foxworth…………… Ravens
Boley…………… Giants
Brooking………… Cowboys
Vick……………. Eagles
Milloy………….. Seahawks
That just goes to show that he doesn’t know what he is doing. If you cut a player, they should be useless assets, but according to the “REAL” GMs, they are signed to make a contribution on WINNING organizations.
Signing Tony Gonzalez looks good on paper, but any arm chair qb could have made that move, based on Tony’s past success, but it was at the wrong time.
You don’t sign an aging veteran on a team that has a horrible defense that is being restructured. This defense is clearly 2-3 years at best, from becoming a decent one. Tony is 2-3 years away from retirement, so they will be in the same situation, once the defense becomes respectible.
A “REAL” GM would have save that number 2 draft pick and selected a tight end in the draft that can grow with the organization and spend the money that will be paid to Tony on some quality defensive players.
I keep hearing you people in “denial” & “delusional” talking about you can win with offensive shoot outs. That’s a big fairy tale, I think Dan Fouts and the Chargers already tried that and they forgot one thing – the offense can’t win without defense and even if it was true the Falcons are far from competing with the likes of New England offense.
The difference between the other high powered offenses in the NFL is that they actually have good defenses, which equates to them scoring and containing your offense.
Wishful thinking guys, but it’s not going to work. If Turner, White or Abraham gets hurt – this team is TOAST.
2007 Will repeat it’s self and there won’t be Vick or DJ to blame this time around
KJ
September 6th, 2009
5:30 pm
“UGAs D choked again.”
Wow, you might be the biggest idiot troll on this blog, and that’s saying something. Many things caused UGA to lose that game, the defense “choking” definitely was not one of them.
FIRE BOOOBY BOOGER PICKER
September 6th, 2009
5:31 pm
Swept by the Reds in September? C’mon already.
If this isn’t proof that Cox has lost his players, I don’t know what is.
Our Braves have quit. Period, and it’s due to the incompetence of the manager.
Mark Bradley
September 6th, 2009
5:34 pm
Yeah, that Thomas Dimitroff. A real moron.
Mark Bradley
September 6th, 2009
5:35 pm
About to be seven back for the wild card. To which I think we can say: Over and done with.
And maybe also this: Welcome to Turner Field, Mr. Heyward.
Sarah Palin
September 6th, 2009
5:35 pm
That Georgia game looked alot like the Maverick campaign last November. WOW …You guys really stink ! If you want a REAL coach I’m available. All you need is someone with a killer instinct to coach up those losers ! Like I tried to do the old fart I was running with. See ya in 2012. You betcha.
sit boy
September 6th, 2009
5:36 pm
Wow, FALCONS SORRY, got put in your place real quick, now didn’t you?
Ah, the power of the ban hammer.
4th and long ... IF you know what I mean
September 6th, 2009
5:38 pm
Now if you’re trying to sell all those empty seats on North Avenue, that vixen Sarah Palin might do the trick.
Hell, I’ll buy some tickets, and it won’t even cost you 4 hotdogs and 4 cokes!!
Mark Bradley
September 6th, 2009
5:38 pm
That’s the first — and, I hope, the last — time I’ve admonished anyone on here. And let’s be clear: You’re allowed to make little jokes about me. (Within reason.) But just leave my colleagues out of it. They’re not here to defend themselves.
Except for DOB. I get the feeling he sometimes lurks.
Bad News
September 6th, 2009
5:40 pm
MARK
We finally agree on something – there’s hope for you afterall
SickandTired
September 6th, 2009
5:40 pm
For all the people commenting that Cox was closer to Stafford than Joe T. or something like that…..tell me again please, what did UGA ever win WITH Stafford? It’s not like he’s the measuring stick of Georgia QB’s….if you wanna mention David Greene or DJ ok….but Stafford used you and dumped you and could care less about you fans or the Georgia program. In fact as a college QB, he was pedestrian compared to the other two mentioned.
in that case:
September 6th, 2009
5:40 pm
DOB SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FIRE BOOOBY BOOGER PICKER
September 6th, 2009
5:43 pm
Read it and weep Braves fan faithful, and then agree with the following:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/atl/report
Mark Bradley
September 6th, 2009
5:43 pm
Speaking of Tech and Sarah Palin … GT booster Taz Anderson had his photo taken with the then-governor last November, the day after Tech beat Georgia. A big weekend for Tazman. (Who reports she seemed very nice.)
raw dawg
September 6th, 2009
5:43 pm
I’m sure we’ll beat South Carolina, but if we don’t…
Phew, I’d hate to see the blogs next week!!
Patrick S
September 6th, 2009
5:43 pm
Answer the question, Mark!!!! Do you still have the Dogs losing to SC? Please answer the question!!!
Russian Embassy
September 6th, 2009
5:44 pm
Sarah Palin
Stop watching us from your house!!!!!!!!!
Twitter Trackbacks for Chattin' with Bradley: UGA, Braves, Shockley and NASCAR! | Mark Bradley [ajc.com] on Topsy.com
September 6th, 2009
5:45 pm
[...] Chattin’ with Bradley: UGA, Braves, Shockley and NASCAR! | Mark Bradley blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2009/09/06/chattin-with-bradley-uga-braves-shockley-nascar/ – view page – cached Mark Bradley chats live with readers on a variety of Atlanta-related sports subjects. — From the page [...]
scuttlebutt
September 6th, 2009
5:45 pm
Did Taz cop a feel, or are my Internet sources unreliable?
Word is that she has a soft can. Any confirmation on this?
Mark Bradley
September 6th, 2009
5:46 pm
I’ve never had South Carolina beating Georgia, Patrick. I had Georgia losing to Oklahoma State, LSU, Florida and Georgia Tech.
Summit Dawg..
September 6th, 2009
5:46 pm
Florida Mike has it right, there were three blown calls that stopped the Dawgs momentom. The so-called block in the back on the punt return, the pass interference call on a great hit and the stupid spot on the fourth and goal. He was clearly stopped behing the line of scrimmage. I guess T. Boone has enough cash and influence to pay the refs!!!!!!!!!!!
FALCONS SORRY
September 6th, 2009
5:47 pm
BACK THAT BS UP !! I AINT BEEN PUT NOWHERE !! SO YOU SIT , BOY WHILE I KEEP TELLING THE TRUTH NO MATTER HOW MUCH IT HURTS. MATTY HOPELESS WILL WIN THE TOILET BOWL WHILE MICHAEL VICK WIN THE SUPPER BOWL !!! SO SIT ON THAT, BOY !!
sit boy
September 6th, 2009
5:50 pm
I noticed that FALCONS SORRY:
1) is addressing me rather than Mark Bradley, and
2) still hasn’t said anything about any of Mark Bradley’s coworkers.
Looks like he’s still in his place, right where Mark Bradley put him.
Mark Bradley
September 6th, 2009
5:51 pm
Taz Anderson is a gentleman. And on his behalf I resemble the implication.
Kelly Johnson Fan Club
September 6th, 2009
5:51 pm
And maybe also this: Welcome to Turner Field, Mr. Heyward.
Why would you start his service time clock to get a few meaningless bats in September? Let him play the International League playoffs, tear up the AFL, and evaluate from there.
Horrible week for Braves
September 6th, 2009
5:51 pm
It is time that Bobby Cox is let go. People who say that he had earned the right to leave when he wants are mistaken. If Torre and Shannahan (both multiple champhionship winners) can be let go, then Cox is can. I think this week was bad enough when we were targeting a 6-1 type of record to put us back in contention. However I point to two specific points duing the season that show Cox is not making sound decisions.
1) When Brooks Conrad came up he his over .300 and looked really good. But when they had to make a roster move he was sent down and Norton was kept. How on earth can anyone justify Greg Norton at this point being on the team, let alone being one of the top options when a pinch hitter is needed.
2) In the last Phillies series in Atlanta, game one was won when Howard hit a home run off of Soriano in the 9th. Besides his recent troubles with gopher balls in key situations, Gonzalez is LH (as is Howard) and he had just worked an easy 1-2-3 8th. Why not leave him in to at least pitch to Howard?? And he did not bat for the Braves so he was not pinch hit for. Cox made the move straight up to start the 9th.
Time to GO!!!!!!!
Mark Bradley
September 6th, 2009
5:52 pm
Do I misread the box score or was the mighty Norton inserted today not for his offense but to play first base?
The Refs
September 6th, 2009
5:53 pm
We admit it!! It was all our fault!!
Not just the Georgia game, but EVERY GAME EVER!!!
Sorry, sports fans. If it weren’t for us, no team would lose, EVER, even if that IS impossible.
curious
September 6th, 2009
5:53 pm
To all the dawg fans hating on CMR, who do you suppose replaces him?
Mark Bradley
September 6th, 2009
5:53 pm
And you’re probably right, KJFC. But it’s just that September is going to be awfully boring if Heyward doesn’t play anywhere but in Gwinnett.
virgilshouse
September 6th, 2009
5:53 pm
mark you cut me off in the parking lot at atl fulton county stadium one night in 94 and just drove on.you never ackowledge me ,or waved …………..thanks alot……..virgil
mudcat
September 6th, 2009
5:54 pm
Mark, hope you are well and enjoy the race! Frank Wren will cure the Braves offense over the winter. Heyward is in! Freeman, another year or so away. My Dawgs are going to have a rough year. Falcons and Hawks are coming! What a life! I still think falconsorry is just a lonely, misguided Gator.
Greg Norton
September 6th, 2009
5:54 pm
Yes, Mark, I am also a savior on defense.
That huntin’ invitation is still open, but not for long. Jamal Anderson said his schedule may be freeing up soon.
scuttlebutt
September 6th, 2009
5:56 pm
A gentleman? Oh, I read you loud and clear, Mark.
*wink wink*
Steve Brown
September 6th, 2009
5:57 pm
Oh my g-d Chipper sat out today with two more injuries. He is running out of new injuries so here are ab few illnesses and injuries he can use over the next few games: turf toe for kicking Smoltz to the curb in the past, blurred vision for his career low second half average, lime disease from all his huntin,’ sleep apnea for ruining a lot of my sleep this season and plain dementia for naming his kid Shea..
Sonny Clusters
September 6th, 2009
5:58 pm
You mean they really is some Pep Boys? Back when we was playing ball together Coach used to call me and Jeff, Pep Boys. We was always peppy. We was not aware they was some other Pep Boys that do racing. Mark is right about the Braves losing ground and where was Chipper today? We was wondering if he hurt something again? Deer hunting starts pretty soon and we all hope he’ll be better by then.
Kelly Johnson Fan Club
September 6th, 2009
5:58 pm
September is going to be awfully boring if Heyward doesn’t play anywhere but in Gwinnett.
True. Although all won’t be lost and it could be interesting to see some of the less talented kids play. I’m hoping Brandon Jones will get some reps with the big club. He’s out of options next year so he’s most likely either with Atlanta or in another organization. I want to see what he can do one last time.
Mark Bradley
September 6th, 2009
6:00 pm
Re Chipper: He has just set an MLB record — most different body parts injured in a career.
Bobby Cox Fan Club
September 6th, 2009
6:01 pm
PLEASE FIRE THIS BUFFOON!!
Mark Bradley
September 6th, 2009
6:02 pm
I might have gotten it wrong, Sonny. (Good to have you back, by the way.) It might be the Pet Shop Boys 500. I always loved their version of “Always On My Mind.” And “Go West.”
Although a band is performing as I type, and I’m reasonably sure it isn’t the Pet Shop Boys.
Biff Pocoroba
September 6th, 2009
6:04 pm
Mark, who do you think will last longer: Bobby Cox or Bobby Bowden?
brewdawg
September 6th, 2009
6:06 pm
a five game losing streak will put a team out of it quickly. And still there is a part of me that says, “You know, if the bravos could just put together an 8 game winning streak, we’d be right there!” I hate that part of me.
Personally, the LSU game was never really a “definitely going to lose” game for me. And with the way LSU struggled last night, my mind hasn’t changed (even with our struggles yesterday).
Mark Bradley
September 6th, 2009
6:06 pm
I’d say Bowden, Biff. Of course, you have to remember: Cox hasn’t been going quite as long as we think. He has been ejected from nearly a season’s worth of big-league games.
Steve Brown
September 6th, 2009
6:06 pm
Career record for most injured body parts made me laugh, that should have been my line.
snellville jacket
September 6th, 2009
6:07 pm
I am sorry to see Mr. Sturdivant is unable to play this year. He is the type of player every college should be proud of. He worked through his injury last year to try to play this year. Sorry to se ehim probably finished with his career in sports. Hopefully another door has not opened up for him.
Good luck