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.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
287 comments Add your comment
Mark Bradley
September 6th, 2009
7:30 pm
John Wooden coached without a lot of passion. He won 10 NCAA titles.
I understand what you’re saying, Michael, and there’s a part of me that agrees. But there’s also a part of me that believes a team doesn’t benefit from having someone going nuts on the sideline. Did Tony Dungy jump up and down? Does Phil Jackson?
Denver Dog
September 6th, 2009
7:31 pm
I am sure the Tech fans are financing the Fire sites and the dump stickers. I doubt there are any UGA fans doing that. Having said that, they did hang Vince Dooley in efigy after the 79 season. Go figure????
Give me a break
September 6th, 2009
7:32 pm
Right, I am SURE it was started by a UGA alum….you got us going there big guy….we really believe…no seriously, we do…we are SO on board
Fire CMR and Co.
September 6th, 2009
7:33 pm
Mark, I just got it. That’s hilarious! You’re correct. They lost a lot of fire, especially after firing Zook!
Mark Bradley
September 6th, 2009
7:34 pm
FYI, Dean Smith was once hung in effigy.
Denver Dog
September 6th, 2009
7:36 pm
Michael, there is a big difference between passion and emotion. Are you saying that Bear Bryant lacked passion? Bud Wilkiinson lacked passion? Joe Pa and Bobby B lacked passion? If you don’t think that there is a fire in the gut of CMR, then you are sadly mistaken. A man doesn’t do what he does personally and professionally and not have passion. His players know it, and you can bet the coaches know it. I really don’t remember any football coaches being overly emotional on the sideline, and then being overly successful. ??????? How can you question this man and his passion.
Atticus
September 6th, 2009
7:37 pm
Here’s the deal Mark. Neither the offensive nor the defensive coordinators have been offered a head coaching job at any school….to my knowledge. There is a reason for that. The defense played better but not good enough. You had a senior FS just getting beat deep on a simple route. Except for a few early blitzes, no pressure, can’t take advantage of turnovers. And the same BS on the KO team.
I agree exactly, this program has lost it’s edge and it starts with Richt. Good guy, I think he knows football well, but he is only as good as his assistants and in the SEC they can’t just be good, they have to be exceptional. Bobo’s offense is terrible, it completely depends upon a great QB and RB and we have neither. But we shouls score more than 10 points. Bama staretd a new QB and a less experienced offensive line but socred 34 on a very good team. Different expectations.
Fire CMR and Co.
September 6th, 2009
7:37 pm
Give Me A Break, let me reiterate: http://www.firemarkricht.net is for people who refuse to drink the Kool-Aid. UGA and non-UGA alum alike. No offense intended.
Vincecomeback
September 6th, 2009
7:40 pm
richt is toast. we should pay GT whatever to get CPJ. what do you think Mark? we have the purses to do it…….
Fire CMR and Co.
September 6th, 2009
7:40 pm
Re: Dean Smith:
That was probably before the internet!
P Snyder
September 6th, 2009
7:41 pm
As an Ohio State fan (I know, we can’t be the SEC, PAC 10, Big 12, just about anyone) reading all these comments about firing Mark Richt after one loss, TO A TOP 10 TEAM, to start the season is comedic. If UGA were (and it may not be likely, but is possible) to run the table, upset Florida, and who knows, maybe earn a spot in the BCS championship game; UGA fans would praise him as if he was the second coming jesus. It’s only ONE GAME, we barely beat Navy and I’m not writing a letter to unseat Tressel as head coach. Steve Sarkisian losses a (somewhat) close game to LSU, this after Washington was WINLESS last season and they haven’t handed him his pink slip yet. Settle down bulldog nation, it’s only one game.
Denver Dog
September 6th, 2009
7:42 pm
If you’ve read Woodens’ books, and heard his players talk, he had plenty of passion, He just didn’t display emotion on the court. Dungy, Smith, Lombardi, Madden, all had passion, they just didn’t show alot of emotion. As far as your web site there bud, where did you graduate? What year? What kind of degree?
Mark Bradley
September 6th, 2009
7:43 pm
Dean Smith was hung in effigy in 1965 after losing to Wake Forest. I don’t believe Mr. Gore had yet created the Internet.
Mark Bradley
September 6th, 2009
7:45 pm
Cars on the track here. About to go green, as we veteran gearheads say.
GR82BAG8R
September 6th, 2009
7:47 pm
Ok Mr. Bradley, I have a theory that Georgia’s woes with the refs calls started with the excessive endzone celebration against my Gators. Since then, refs have been quick to throw the flag. Has anyone checked the stats to compare the pre-endzone celebration games and those afterwards. The calls yesterday seemed a bit too much in OSU’s favor. I am not saying that Georgia would have won otherwise, but it does seem like they often get flagged on plays that wouldn’t seem to warrant it.
Denver Dog
September 6th, 2009
7:48 pm
By the way, Ole Miss scored 21 points in the last 4 minutes, 2 by pass , 1 by run. Go figure that one too!
Fire CMR and Co.
September 6th, 2009
7:50 pm
‘65? Those UNC bball fans are crazier than UGA fball fans! Enjoy the race Mark, and thanks for the always-enjoyable articles!
Denver Dog
September 6th, 2009
7:52 pm
Great Gator, you may be right, but that doesn’t excuse the players making bad plays on those penalties, especially when they seem to be playing so well otherwise. I saw CMR on the sideline saying to the offense Poise, Poise, Poise………… and moving his hands in what I would consider a calm down type of geture. I think that you might be right about the penalty count, as we weren’t the big leader in penalties until that year before and after the endzone deal.
Denver Dog
September 6th, 2009
7:54 pm
Fire man, that answers it all, not UGA, and prob not a graduate anywhere.
Skeezix
September 6th, 2009
7:55 pm
Mark: You hit the nail on the head with the Braves—-they can’t hit. The problem was there before the season started and, except for an occasional outburst from Diaz, Prado, McCann, or LaRoche, they would be a sub 500 team right now (& may yet end up below 500). This season has been the most incredible waste of excellent starting pitching I think I’ve ever seen.
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 6th, 2009
7:55 pm
Mark, there’s a Kystal’s just north of the track on 19-41. It’ll probably be calling your name when you finally leave track property about 3a.m.
Please leave your car keys in the ignition when you safely arrive at home.
Mark Bradley
September 6th, 2009
7:56 pm
Thanks for the advice, Chef, culinary and key-wise.
AUG24
September 6th, 2009
8:02 pm
Georgia hasn’t been the same since Van Gorder left. There seems to be a lack of passion from the sideline. Van Gorder did a great job with the Falcons defense, last year. Martinez just isn’t the same coach.
Strider
September 6th, 2009
8:05 pm
Dean Smith being hung in efffigy says about all you need to know about tarheel fans.
Trinton Sturdivant
September 6th, 2009
8:08 pm
[...] of 2007 and Stephone Anthony will be an All-American in 2011. Anthony is a 6-foot-3, … Chattin' with Bradley: UGA, Braves, Shockley & NASCAR!But the annual loss of Trinton Sturdivant is again a major debit, and I still wonder about Willie [...]
Sonny Clusters
September 6th, 2009
8:11 pm
Mark, are you in a booth with some good food? We was always in the cheap seats and had to stand in line to buy anything. We was told they bring you free food up in the booth. Is that right? Do they have a cheese tray?
BIGBOY
September 6th, 2009
8:15 pm
I don’t get the Mark Richt has slipped Bradley.Tell it like it truly is Fla with Tebow has been dominate 2 out of these last two years..nobody has beat them in the SEC championship game or NC game.The SEC west is so/so Ala has done well but Saban has never 10 games back to back his entire career.LSU seems to be shaky again,Ole Miss who knows?UGA is still a top flight SEC program…who has passed us by?LSU-they have not beat us on the field and I still say UGA in 07 was just as good as LSU..ALA-we split the last two games.FLA-a win in JAX and it’s 2-2 against Tebow 3-3 the last 6.What program has supposedly passed us?Mark Richt has played freshman before at QB and if he has to he will again this year.TO or not this Defense is ready to play..watch the SC game.
dawg-in-exile
September 6th, 2009
8:19 pm
I hope the players and coaches learned a lot from this game. (hint: get the ball to AJ!!)
BIGBOY
September 6th, 2009
8:20 pm
2 out of 3
NotADog
September 6th, 2009
8:24 pm
Georgia has not been the same since the loss of Neil Callaway as offensive line coach and offensive coordiantorand Brian Van Gorder as Defensive Coordinator/ Both of those guys brought fire to to coaching staff. Callaway played for Bear Bryant and learned an awful lot from Pat Dye and even if you don’t like Dye, all he was was a winner
George
September 6th, 2009
8:29 pm
“The seventh circle of Hades!’ That’s I-285 each weekday morning and afternoon. From where do those words come, Mark? Who says sports writers aren’t concerned about an afterlife!? Yours will be a better place than those broadcast journalists who are condemned to an eternity of double subjects and run-on sentences.
Mark Bradley
September 6th, 2009
8:32 pm
I believe Mr. Dante did the circles of Hades in his “Inferno,” George.
And I’m in the press box, Sonny, and I passed on the entree for seven bites of a salad.
Barry Jay
September 6th, 2009
8:56 pm
I agree with MB…this program has lost an edge. We struggle to win the games we should and we are getting embarrased in bigger games. When we go up against the better SEC teams, I have lost faith we will compete. Watching Alabama and VT playing last night, that was two evenly matched teams standing toe to toe..making big play after big play. There was an intensity, urgency, fire that just didn’t seem to be in our game with OSU. I haven’t seen it since 2007. Maybe that is a player issue. I think it is a coordinator issue and a discipline issue.
I won’t be down on UGA if we lose like VT did last night. If we come out sloppy for a big game and look like we can’t beat Georgia Southern, then I am going to be upset. I think the OSU game was two evenly matched teams that played like they didn’t belong in the top 20. I’m tired of UGA looking that way. They did far too often last year…even in the games they won. Don’t talk about all the points scored. We did it in a sloppy, undisciplined way. No one can argue with that. Penalties is one indication of it.
Sonny Clusters
September 6th, 2009
9:00 pm
We never eat beanie weenies either, Mark. Have you seen any wrecks?
Mark Bradley
September 6th, 2009
9:01 pm
No wrecks. Many cautions.
TheTodd
September 6th, 2009
9:04 pm
Mark: When do you think we bench Cox and go to Gray or Murray? I am thinking half-time of the Arkansas game after we are on our way to a 3rd straight loss? How many losses will it take, iyo?
P Snyder
September 6th, 2009
9:09 pm
Its understandable why UGA fans are so quick to jump on the new coaching staff bandwagon, here’s some numbers for you; Since 1998, the Bulldogs have either shared or won the SEC East only 4 times. The SEC, has belonged to them outright only twice. Since the SEC was split into 2 seperate divisions, as to create a championship game, the Bulldogs have only appeared 3 times, going 2-1. The Gators, they’re 7-2. The SEC has heraled national champions in 5 out of the last 11 BCS championship games, non of which belong to the Bulldogs. All of which have come from the SEC East.
Sonny Clusters
September 6th, 2009
9:11 pm
A good asphalt man told us the asphalt is worn out at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Is that right? He said there was some spots where the cars drag the ground. Do you have accommodations in the infield or will you be driving home after the race? They do some good tailgating in that infield.
Mark Bradley
September 6th, 2009
9:11 pm
I don’t think Joe Cox is going to be benched soon.
La Jolla Dawg
September 6th, 2009
9:13 pm
Mark, why would DJ Shockley want to be on the Falcons’ practice squad? By taking a spot there isn’t he basically acknowledging that he doesn’t have a future as a starter (or back up) in the NFL? Can’t be for the money.
joe taxpayer
September 6th, 2009
9:15 pm
Ever since BVG left we have been slowly going down hill.
Mark Bradley
September 6th, 2009
9:16 pm
It could be for the money, La Jolla.
Remember, the Arena League just folded.
joe taxpayer
September 6th, 2009
9:18 pm
BVG was to CMR what Cutcliff was o Phil Fulmar.
Dawg Max
September 6th, 2009
9:18 pm
Richt and his coaches aren’t getting it done. Another medicore season coming up, with 3-4 losses. Richt needs some major coaching changes next season (bobo and martinez can’t coach at this level). If not, he can hit the road too. Georgia should be as good as Alabama and Florida, not stuck in the middle of the SEC.
joe taxpayer
September 6th, 2009
9:19 pm
BVG was to CMR what Cutcliff was to Phil Fulmar
TheTodd
September 6th, 2009
9:19 pm
Well, then guess when and under what circumstances. Richt is definitely a loyal fellow, but if he sticks with Cox to the detriment of a winning record, he’ll be forced to fire some people on his coaching staff at the end of the year. We can’t win if our QB can’t complete a pass that travels more than 10yds in the air. COx is a nice story, but he doesn’t have the arm strength or accuracy to make teams get out of the box. I am afraid that It’s going to get ugly starting on Saturday.
Constantine
September 6th, 2009
9:23 pm
“Weird.” Huh, huh. “Weird.” Huh, huh, huh.
Give Bradley a Pulitzer, y’all! The GA game was “Weird!”
I’ll tell ya what was weird: Joe Cox getting hammered at the sideline and landing upside down under his own bench. Had to take a TO after that, and had nothing in the game thereafter. Could put Grey in for a series, but that would be aggressively coaching the game and seizing an opportunity. Very, very weird.
gcs
September 6th, 2009
9:28 pm
Isn’t JPW a cheaper third QB solution than Shockley?
Releasing Keith Booking and Alge Crumpler was a clear indication that they are not afraid of losing popular players if it means improving the team. I am all for that.
Mark Richt cannot put a full season together. He is always going to have 2 or 3 slip-ups per season. If UGA fans are happy with 9 or 10 wins a season and any bowl game, Richt is your man. He is never going to win a Championship in Athens.
The Braves problem from the beginning of the season is playing poorly against bad teams. I think you have to blame this on management. Cox cannot inspire his players. The recent two home losses to the Padres coincided nicely with the beginning of football season. I’m done with baseball for 09. Thank you for your many years, Bobby, but it is time to quietly retire.
.
45ACP
September 6th, 2009
9:29 pm
I’m curious as to why the current Tech blogs have 30 comments on one and 4 comments on the other. One would think that they would converse on their blog about their win or the Dawgs loss.
I get why they are on Marks blog. And the other guys too Jeff and Tony. Open forum. I’m glad we all have a place to speak about the Atlanta sports scene. Not just the Dawgs or Jackets.
But a Junkyard Dawg blog (Bill King)? There are more Tech fans on the Junkyard Dawg blog than on any of the Tech blogs. By FAR. Not even close. I mean hundreds more.
As I said, just curious.
southgadawg88
September 6th, 2009
9:34 pm
SC is a big game for Cox.. he is a 5th year senior.. honestly we gain nothing sticking with Cox if he continues to struggle and we lose games.Next year’s starter should be groomed now.If he don’t play well against the Gamecocks one of the backup QB’s will be getting a long hard look by the ARK game.