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
joe taxpayer
September 6th, 2009
9:35 pm
Its nice to see that Mark Bradley does not live in a glass house. He can take the rocks thrown at him .
ghost dawg
September 6th, 2009
9:40 pm
I for one am totally digusted with yesterdays performance. I ve supported the coaching staff all last season even when things were at their worst but yesterday makes me sick. The dawgs at one time had an we will kick you in the face attitude but now its seems like its more like I hope we don’t get kicked in the face. No one fears or respects Ga. any more. No wonder tech keeps running their mouths, the only way to shut them up is to total smack them down and the dogs don’t have the confidence to do it. What is sad is I believe that Ga. was the better team by far but they didn’t show it, and that comes from good tough coaching. Wooten or Brown didn’t play which concerns me since they could have made thingd easier on AJ. Then again there was no one to get the ball to him anyway. As for our running game, well I’ve been following recruiting avidly the last few years and it seems to me we have been getting most of the best backs in the state of Ga. and I always assumed that Ga. backs were as good or better the most of the other states so what happened. I think our starters now worry no one in the least. Always thought D. Jackson would be the man but he seems to have faded away. As for the “wild dog” is that the best you can come up with? Everyones getting it and it supprises no one. WE need the “we’re going knock you down and stomp on you like the neighbors flowers dawg” and walk into the end zoneI don’t know if they can even beat the cocks next week. I think Murray is our best shot to instill fight back into the dogs or just settle on being a so so team that no 5 star recruit will ever want to play for.The sooner he starts the better.
FIRE THEM ALL
September 6th, 2009
9:42 pm
CMR AND HIS CRONIES HAVE TO GO. I AGREE MARK THE FIRE IS NO LONGER THERE. MARK IT DOWN CMR RESIGNS BEFORE THIS YEAR IS OVER.
FIRE THEM ALL
September 6th, 2009
9:49 pm
LOOK AT SABAN AND MEYER. ITS AMAZING WHAT A GOOD COACH CAN DO IN A SHORT TIME.
OUR TEAM IS TOO SOFT.
Cuz
September 6th, 2009
9:53 pm
CMR resigns before the year is over. Dude, quit hogging the bong and pass it.
MtnDawg
September 6th, 2009
9:53 pm
I support CMR. He is the man. Period.
UGA Class of ‘06
Cuz
September 6th, 2009
9:56 pm
Hey I am not happy with the Dawgs performance yesterday either, but I am staying away from the brown acid, it is bad.
45ACP
September 6th, 2009
9:57 pm
Joe Cox will not be benched. It’s his first year as the starting QB.
Coach Mark Richt is loyal (reference CWM).
This young man has waited patiently for 4 years. This being his fifth.
Coach Richt will do everything he can to help Joe Cox excel.
If a change needs to be made he will do it.
Be patient Dawg fans.
Our program is in good hands.
Barry Jay
September 6th, 2009
10:00 pm
45ACP:
The techies have self-esteem issues. They try to build themselves up by baiting Dawgs.
I wish UGA fans would ignore them. It’s the best way to hurt baiters.
southgadawg88
September 6th, 2009
10:04 pm
Ghost dawg what game were you watching?Who quit?when did that happen?And what is with the non sense about recruiting?He just sent two first round picks to the NFL.OSU is lot better than NCSU or SC.Over the last two seasons UGA has beaten every single one of these so called superior SEC teams guys like you try to talk about.
Sanford Drive
September 6th, 2009
10:09 pm
Joe Cox was awful. The play calling was awful. The pass rush was awful. Dropped passes. AJ Green barely touched the ball. I feel sorry for him. He’s literally wasting his talent at UGA. Stafford may have been a fat drunk but at least he could complete a decent pass.
P Snyder
September 6th, 2009
10:09 pm
It’s amazing reading all the comments saying that Richt would rather help these young men excel instead of creating a team that is “feared” Remind me again, isn’t college about earning an education? Personally, I’d rather field a team thats above average and has players that go on to bigger and better things, than have a team full of acedemically ineligble blue chips and future ex-cons.
Sanford Drive
September 6th, 2009
10:11 pm
P Snyder, you don’t have to be an ex con to win football games. See Tim Tebow for details.
Mark Bradley
September 6th, 2009
10:18 pm
Presenting the column about the race , if you’re interested.
Rabun Dawg
September 6th, 2009
10:18 pm
I do not see the passion, intensity, etc. of the Dogs as I did watching the Bama/ Va Tech players last night. Every play was a “war”, and Alabama’s line, backs, played with intensity that I do not see in our guys. Are they better athletes, I do not know, but they seemed to possess more speed, passion, than the UGA players. Is this a reflection of their respective coaches, again, I do not know. It appears that both of these teams play with a sense of urgency, and I don’t see that in our players. The Bama running backs ran as if their lives were at stake, and as good as Samuel looked at times, he seemed to go down pretty easy when hit. Hate to sound negative, but we looked like a team in slow motion as compared to Alabama. Unless CMR fires this bunch up soon, looks as though we are in for a long season. And, hasn’t cox been around for a lot longer than McElroy of Bama? Difference in talent?
Cuz
September 6th, 2009
10:23 pm
Hey Mark, take a break from your grueling schedule at the Two Idiots Marketing Group and write a column that we may be able to capitalize on with some sponsors. Ms. DiPesto says she needs a raise and a manicure at Kim Chee’s Nail Salon. How about in the spirit of Dragon Con and Tech’s first victory in their National Championship run, write a column from an alternate Universe perspective of who would you hire, who would take the job, if Mark Richt resigns or is fired. Saint Nick, no. Pope Urban, yeah right. You see where I am heading. Well since you have the high profile job and title at Two Idiots and I have to clean the toilets cause we don’t have enough coin to hire a janitor service, you write the column. I am working on a new campaign for Coleman Tents and Mark Bobo. The tag line will be, “The only thing that folds better than my offense is the new line of Coleman Tents”. I thing we have a winner there. Oh and I am getting the basketball goal off e-bay from Michael and Elliot’s Ad group. Don’t tell Ms. DiPesto.
Mark Bradley
September 6th, 2009
10:25 pm
That’s a splendid idea, Cuz. Really. Seriously.
Cuz
September 6th, 2009
10:33 pm
Use it. That is why I gave it to you.
Tube Steak Shapiro
September 6th, 2009
10:34 pm
Things I LLLLEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDD
1) The Braves are done, stick a fork in them Cha-Cha.
2) Joe Cox is not the second coming of D. J. Shockley
3) The Varsity has greasy food
4) Brandon Adams makes stupid comments on his shows.
5) I worship at the altar of the great Mark Richt
6) AK47’s fiance is an idiot for scheduling their wedding this weekend
7) I am on this blog to educate the great unwashed
Bad News
September 6th, 2009
10:41 pm
Oh great – the Falcons just signed some more leftovers. Dimitroff is becoming the Salvation Army of the NFL
If a team cuts a guy because he refused to accept a “pay cut” that should be a red light. Dimitroff——-HELLO…..Anybody home?
Cleopheus
September 6th, 2009
10:44 pm
I…..I…..I…..I like da Cub!
Cuz
September 6th, 2009
10:44 pm
Steak, I looked for one of your points I could argue with and I just failed. How do you feel about chili cheese fries? I like fries, I like chili, I like cheese. Just not together. This could make another good blog topic.
Smart Jay
September 6th, 2009
11:40 pm
A few weeks ago I posted about Richt’s record against elite SEC coaches and all the Dawgs went nuts at reality and how Richt was the greatest thing evah.
Now, he loses one game and so many Dawgs want his head.
Jeez, the guy lost one game to a team better than his. Give him a break.
As for the Braves, Mark, I was there today and it sucks that they lost this, because I, too felt that a sweep by the Reds meant the end for the Braves for the wild card. They are done after this.
But, it does help me, and I hope Wren, make a decision about Gonzalez/Soriano. Soriano has capability to be a dominant closer, and I think the Braves should lock him up to a long-term deal. Gonzalez, unless he’s willing to take moderate set-up guy money, can be let go. The Braves seem to always find a couple of lefties to fill out that portion of the bullpen, so if Gonzo wants to chase closer money in FA, let him. The guy who also needs to stay for a couple years is Moylan. His ERA is now under 3, and his specialization in ground balls is something not everyone has.
Micah Owings getting hit was scary, but, this guy probably needs to do the Ankiel thing anyway and come back as an outfielder.
45ACP
September 6th, 2009
11:43 pm
Congrats to the #9 Dodge. Kasey Kahne.
Cuz
September 6th, 2009
11:50 pm
45, have you ever met Casey’s sister Kandy? She will make you swear off Nutrasweet.
Gen Neyland
September 7th, 2009
12:01 am
Kandy..? I’ll stick to the Budweiser. BTW, get your limit..?
Cuz
September 7th, 2009
12:08 am
No, just a sore shoulder. Ten birds about sixty or seventy shells. May go Monday morning just to see how they are flying.
If you saw Kandy Kahne in her red and white striped bikini, well when you said Bud you said it all.
rufues
September 7th, 2009
12:16 am
Another year of the Atlanta Braves Baseball season, and another joke on the Braves fans, Bobby couldn’t have done a better job duplicating last year to this one, like a reflection on a mirror with this organization, they can change all the players they want, until Mr. Cox goes, it won’t matter. This manage, keeps duplicates the same mistakes over and over again, this type of repetition needs to be eliminated, beginning with the players, who play like they’re constipated, or taking pitches down the middle and swing at pitches outside, and show a non-caring, give me my pay check, I want’ a go home, look. I have no idea why the Braves problem, are so contaminated, or infection, one can’t hit, the rest follow, they need to spray the club house with the “Yes, we want to win, we are big leaguers and should play like one” instead of repeating the same bad mistakes, that will not get you in the playoffs, or anywhere else except in the loser column. Please come up with a better saying than “there always next year.”
Gen Neyland
September 7th, 2009
12:22 am
I kinda like Kandy’s uncle, Uncle Citizen. Ran a real newspaper, you know. Not a rag like this one…
Cuz
September 7th, 2009
1:05 am
One man’s rag is another man’s tag, line.
Watch out for their half brother Ko.
Douglas
September 7th, 2009
1:06 am
I’m a UGA alumni. Why do you UGA fans give Bradley so much grief? He is speaking the truth. That was exactly what I thought after this game: UGA has lost its edge. Van Gorder with his defense causing turnovers — getting the team and fans pumped up — gave UGA an edge. I just hope we keep the defensive players committed and then fire Willie and hire Kirby Smart. I like Bobo but when is he just going to keep things simple: block up front — run the ball to setup the pass.
Steve Spurrier says he is worried about his offense...
September 7th, 2009
1:11 am
because he damn sure doesn’t have to worry about ours!
GR82BAG8R
September 7th, 2009
7:32 am
45ACP: Did it occur to you that the reason more Tech fans are on the UGA blogs is perhaps more Tech fans read newspapers (both in print and online) than Georgia fans? The only reason they would be watching NASCAR is envisioning what they could do to the engines/bodies/suspension to make them perform better, not able to simply enjoy the race.
25-Year Braves Fan
September 7th, 2009
10:20 am
Braves have plenty of off-season decisions. Wren did what he could this season, switching out the center and right fielders, first and second base after Opening Day. It still didn’t work. Lots of current Braves are likely in their last month of Turner Field Employment: Johnson, Anderson, some middle and late relief pitchers should be gone. ; Chipper cannot be counted for two more quality seasons; the big contract was a mistake and his body is breaking down. Chipper would be better off as DH for the Yankees or Red Sox. McCann, Escobar, Prado, Ross and Infante should be 2010 Braves, along with Hudson, Lowe, Jurrgens, Vazquez and Hanson. All others could be traded. This team needs two more wins to reach the 2008 level; 2009 was better than 2008 but it also served to expose how far away this team is from contending. It’s not close.
Barry Jay
September 7th, 2009
5:28 pm
BLOGGERS:
When you say things like, “all you fans went nuts” and “last week you fans though Richt was God now you want him fired”……you are speaking like an idiot. Not all fans feel the way you say. It is possible there are a few new fans blogging here today that weren’t here last week.
If you want to talk about some one blogger who changed his mind…NAME THAT BLOGGER and provide a quote. Otherwise, your words are meaningless, blow hard drivel.
Ralph
September 8th, 2009
5:22 pm
DJ was never given a chance!
NASCAR » Blog Archive » Chattin’ with Bradley: Uga, Braves, Shockley and Nascar! | Mark …
September 15th, 2009
11:49 pm
[...] losing stinks….I’m done pouting..we have to re-group and beat SC…what else can we do..?? replay the OK State game..?? NOT… Braves need a 5-1 road trip…I think being on the road will actually help them..Go Mark Martin tonite… …More [...]