UGA wins in Nashville; can it possibly win in Jacksonville?
Was what we saw Saturday a circling of the wagons? (Photo by Frederick Breedon IV)
Nashville – I’m going to say something, and you’re going to laugh. You’re going to laugh so hard you’ll make like Chipper Jones and pull an oblique muscle. And that’s OK. I’ll feel you’re laughing with me, not at me. (Sort of.) So here goes:
Georgia has the mighty Gators where they want them.
I know, I know. It sounds like the dumbest line I’ve ever written, which would make it the dumbest line in the history of lines. But the Bulldogs will play in Jacksonville on Halloween with nobody expecting them to do anything but lose by six touchdowns, and that’s not a bad way to approach such an opponent.
“We having nothing to lose,” A.J. Green said Saturday. “We know we have a chance [against Florida]. We’re going to go down there and play hard and play fast and play physical.”
I know, I know. You’re saying: What evidence exists to suggest Georgia is capable of doing any of the above, let alone all of it? Saturday’s game? Hey, that was against Vandy. And I hear that, too. The Bulldogs led by just seven points after 40 minutes and outgained the SEC’s worst offense by only 103 yards. But it was, I submit, better than losing.
And let’s be honest: After what happened last week in this state, we weren’t sure Georgia would win again this season. But they won 34-10 Saturday and got incrementally better. Said quarterback Joe Cox: “All three phases [offense, defense and special teams] played well. We really needed a game where we all played well.”
Georgia ran the ball harder and better, at least in the second half. The defense didn’t allow Vandy quarterback Larry Smith to turn into Joe Montana, or even Jonathan Crompton. The great Green made another great play, turning a sideline hitch into a 65-yard touchdown. It wasn’t the greatest performance in the history of football, but it was the best Georgia has looked in 2009.
Loading ...I know, I know. It was still just Vandy, and this Vanderbilt team is a shadow of the past few. But with all the negativity swirling around Georgia, it was a heartening first step.
Said linebacker Rennie Curran: “Coach kept telling us we have to represent the guys who’ve worn the jersey before, the guys who had the ‘G’ on their helmet and who might not have appreciated the way we’ve been playing. Now the weight’s been lifted. We know we’ve still got an opportunity to do great things this season.”
Like give regal Florida a royal run? “Yeah, why not?” said freshman Orson Charles, a Florida native. “We had an edge today. We’d heard our coaches were going to get fired, but we listened to them. We had a team meeting [Tuesday] and just talked. We broke everything down and said we had to put it in the past.”
Said Mike Bobo, the offensive coordinator who worked from the sideline this day: “A lot of people don’t give this team a lot of credit, and I’m talking about Vanderbilt. But they’re a tough team, and to get something going gave us some confidence. I hope that can carry over against Florida.”
I know, I know. It sounds silly. But it sounded pretty silly two years ago to think that a Georgia team that had been blown out in Knoxville and needed a late Vandy fumble to survive here would go to Jacksonville after a bye week and unhorse the reigning national champ. And remind me again: How’d that one turn out?
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512 comments Add your comment
Drunkdawg
October 17th, 2009
5:35 pm
First!!
Drunkdawg
October 17th, 2009
5:36 pm
At Last.
Mark Bradley
October 17th, 2009
5:38 pm
Kudos, DrunkDawg.
D. Ellis
October 17th, 2009
5:40 pm
Yikes……that’s a bold statement MB. But hey why not right?
GOOOOOOO DAWGS!!!!
Ron Roberts
October 17th, 2009
5:41 pm
At least we can say we hung points on the board that Vandy’s not given up but once in the last 2 1/2 years. That’s saying SOMETHING, isn’t it?
The way Florida’s playing (so far) today, why can’t this team play ‘em tough? I could see a low-scoring affair happening – ’cause Florida can’t stretch the field with a passing game, and that’s where teams ARE able to beat us.
"Chef" Tim Dix
October 17th, 2009
5:42 pm
Pigs hanging tough into the 3rd…why not?
T.O.S.S.
October 17th, 2009
5:43 pm
I just wish someone would stop by Nu-Way and bring me some dogs on their way to St. Simons.
D. Ellis
October 17th, 2009
5:43 pm
Arkansas is playing very very tough right now. UF will probably pull it out…..but the hogs are hangin in there
And istill didn’t see Bryan Evans make a play today. R. Jones made one though….
RT @MarkBradleyAJC: UGA wins in … « twitter
October 17th, 2009
5:47 pm
[...] RT @MarkBradleyAJC: UGA wins in Nashville; can it possibly win in Jacksonville? (Go ahead. Laugh.) http://bit.ly/2fdMrp [...]
RT @MarkBradleyAJC: UGA wins in … « twitter
October 17th, 2009
5:47 pm
[...] @MarkBradleyAJC: UGA wins in Nashville; can it possibly win in Jacksonville? (Go ahead. Laugh.) http://bit.ly/2fdMrp RR: Do not [...]
Super Dog
October 17th, 2009
5:47 pm
Ive have hope again
way to go Mark Bradley I believe
“do you believe in miracles yes”
Oh no I just had a thought
Willie still coaches the D
And offensive play calling is more conservative than the Puritans
Gosh now all my hopes are dashed
Pissed off Bulldawg(2 years running)
October 17th, 2009
5:50 pm
Please, you are dreaming.
No chance. None.
Bye Bye Willie
This article is obvious in its intentions, Mark.
You are above this, my friend.
Get Real
Pissed off Bulldawg(2 years running)
October 17th, 2009
5:52 pm
At least “I thought” you were above this.
I’ll give you an extra hit though, because I just pissed myself from laughing so hard.
I Would rather have an oblique strain…
Mark Bradley
October 17th, 2009
5:53 pm
You’ll find I’m not above anything.
SLP
October 17th, 2009
5:54 pm
I thought they stopped allowing whiskey in the press box, Mark, after Grizzard up and died.
Cuz
October 17th, 2009
5:55 pm
Do you believe in Magic?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVH7NB8eMRc
Why not? Beat them Lizards.
Super Dog
October 17th, 2009
5:56 pm
Willie
WIlllie
WIllie he’s our man if can’t beat FL no one can!!!!!!!
GOOOOOOOOOOO WILLIE
Cuz
October 17th, 2009
5:56 pm
No whiskey in the press box. What a travesty.
patrocket
October 17th, 2009
5:57 pm
crack is wack
Cuz
October 17th, 2009
5:57 pm
Halloween and Florida is going to get a case of the Willie’s.
Pissed off Bulldawg(2 years running)
October 17th, 2009
5:59 pm
Whiskey?
Hell, he’s doing something more than ‘double malt’
Man, I wish you wouldn’t have wrote this article.
There is a better chance of South Cackalackey beating Alabama by a final score of 65 to 3 tonight than there is of CWM Defense AND CMB offense beating the Gators.
It is just so disheartening for me to admit that, but after last years debacle, and now this year, I just have no more faith in that kind of thing with this poorly coached team.
They have NO FIRE. NO DESIRE. NO WILL TO WIN.
It really sucks.
Super Dog
October 17th, 2009
6:00 pm
CUZ
Glad you joined us
Great to have a cool aid drinker on this blog
Lets see win against Vandy now the season is turned around
Captain Nemo is righting the ship
FL your going down in 2 weeks YES!!!!!!!!!!!
Correct CUZen
Cuz
October 17th, 2009
6:02 pm
You got that right Supes, nice cape.
Cuz
October 17th, 2009
6:04 pm
Looks like the Gators are tired of losing. Florida scores.
BIGBOY
October 17th, 2009
6:04 pm
Bradley is there a different interpretation of excessive celebration when comes to Offensive vs Defensive players?
Pissed off Bulldawg(2 years running)
October 17th, 2009
6:05 pm
Mark,
If UGA beats Florida in 2 weeks, I will get in front of the AJC building down town, call a press conference for everyone to see, and in front of all the TV cameras and your colleagues(sp.?) KISS YOUR BARE AS* !
And I mean BARE, for at least 3 seconds.
Call Me if you want to take up the bet, and I’ll tell you what I want you to do if UGA loses…
Cuz
October 17th, 2009
6:05 pm
There is a difference if your name is Tebow.
Mark Bradley
October 17th, 2009
6:06 pm
I have no idea what the definition of excessive celebration is, BigBoy. Nor, after the Vandy penalty today, do I know what the definition of “leaping” is.
Dawgs
October 17th, 2009
6:07 pm
Wow after watching the UF vs Arkansas game I think we can win! The coaching staff at UGA looked more focused today but hey I am blogging on AJC!! So I guess all the good things UGA did will get over looked!
MtnDawg
October 17th, 2009
6:08 pm
I want to be straight up with everyone. Yes, if UF loses tonight, we could technically win the SEC yet. I hope that happens. Look at how our stats stack up nationally though. I don’t think we can pull it off.
Our offense: 97th nationally
Our defense: 75th nationally
I’m pulling for the Dawgs. We have a lot of talent. Now–if we can just get our coaches to get it together. It was encouraging to see Bobo down on the field with the team. Now, if he will just stop calling Toss Sweeps. Never again do I want to see a Toss Sweep.
Steve
October 17th, 2009
6:09 pm
I’m not laughing with you, or at you. If you think Georgia has Florida right where they want them, then I pity you.
Pissed off Bulldawg(2 years running)
October 17th, 2009
6:09 pm
Mark,
If UGA beats Florida in 2 weeks, I will get in front of the AJC building down town, call a press conference for everyone to see, and in front of all the TV cameras and your colleagues(sp.?) KISS YOUR BARE AS* !
And I mean BARE, for at least 3 seconds.
Call Me if you want to take up the bet, and I’ll tell you what I want you to do if UGA loses…
Remember, you did post “You’ll find I’m not above anything”
Bring it, Mark. Let’s see that journalistic FIRE!
MtnDawg
October 17th, 2009
6:10 pm
I want to be straight up with everyone. Yes, if UF loses tonight, we could technically win the SEC yet. I hope that happens. Look at how our stats stack up nationally though. I don’t think we can pull it off.
Our offense: 97th nationally
Our defense: 75th nationally
I’m pulling for the Dawgs. We have a lot of talent. Now–if we can just get our coaches to get it together. It was encouraging to see Bobo down on the field with the team. Now, if he will just stop calling Toss Sweeps. Never again do I want to see a Toss Sweep. Florida will destroy it.
jamesr1991
October 17th, 2009
6:10 pm
I’m really worried about next year. Will UGA take a chance on a former Gator now in a JUCO, Cameron Newton? http://tinyurl.com/yhccbpa He’s burning up the JUCO ranks. Will UGA take a chance consider we don’t have a QB for the future.
BTW we have a chance. Arkansas is giving them fits.
BIGBOY
October 17th, 2009
6:12 pm
On the Vandy play it is still a penalty for leaping if you land on an opposing player as I understand it.But all college Defenses seem to be able to celebrate as much as they like.It doesn’t matter what conference or team.
Mark Bradley
October 17th, 2009
6:12 pm
Arkansas ties the game.
jamesr1991
October 17th, 2009
6:13 pm
I think having Bobo on the sideline may be the best move of the year for Richt. Now he can get into Cox’s grill the way coaches do it.
Dawgs
October 17th, 2009
6:14 pm
So how many points did all the experts have the gators winning by today? The lowest was 28 points!! But does anyone in the DawgNation think we have them right where we want them? heck no but they have shown weakness!
Super Dog
October 17th, 2009
6:14 pm
Attention Fans
I just drunk the cool aid
I know we will beat FL you wanna now why
Cause Willie
WIllie is a smarter coach than Meyer
Didn’t you see that today, he made adjustments
THe defense looks better than ever
GA 57 FL 3
That cool aid is goooooooood anyone up for some
BRADLEY BRADLEY BRADLEY
Frank
October 17th, 2009
6:14 pm
we’re always good after by weeks!
Pissed off Bulldawg(2 years running)
October 17th, 2009
6:17 pm
Oh YEAH, FRANK!!!!!!!
We were really good last year in the BY WEEK before we played Georgia Tech, huh?!?!?!
jamesr1991
October 17th, 2009
6:17 pm
Tebow sacked for the sixth time today
Mark Bradley
October 17th, 2009
6:17 pm
UGA is always good against SEC opponents after bye weeks.
La Jolla Dawg
October 17th, 2009
6:20 pm
The same Arkansas defense that looked atrocious against our own atrocious defense looks fantastic right now, could it happen for us? Perhaps… It’s fun to think about anyway. I am really glad that UGA has a week off to study film from the UF/UA game.
Dawgs
October 17th, 2009
6:21 pm
Who thinks that Coach Richt and the other coaches got the message? I saw more in your face coaching today then I had all year!
olddawg
October 17th, 2009
6:21 pm
Mark, Our running game was not any better today until we got ahead late. In fact it was worse. The best runner I saw all day was Dontavius Jackson. He ran hard. How can we beat Fla when we refuse to throw to AJ Green more than we do. What did we throw toward him i the second half. 2 or 3 times. Our defense played hard but Vandy had no playmakers. Fla will be different.
Nothing makes me happier than seeing gator fans cry
October 17th, 2009
6:23 pm
anything can happen….Jean Shorts look real bad today!!!! Please God, Please!!!! Go Hogs!!!
Mark Bradley
October 17th, 2009
6:24 pm
Florida is having a rough ride today.
bigdawg01
October 17th, 2009
6:24 pm
Joe Haden is the best DB in the country…period.
Mark Bradley
October 17th, 2009
6:25 pm
Arkansas leads.
BIGBOY
October 17th, 2009
6:25 pm
Gators look great!
jamesr1991
October 17th, 2009
6:26 pm
Touchdown!! Forget the review he recovered the fumble.
BIGBOY
October 17th, 2009
6:27 pm
commentators don’t have a clue!Is a fumble Verne?
SOUTHGADAWG88
October 17th, 2009
6:30 pm
So my prediction of the Gators having a loss by the time we play is looking good!
Mark Bradley
October 17th, 2009
6:30 pm
This isn’t Florida’s day, I’m saying. If the ball skitters another two feet, it’s a touchback. Instead it’s a touchdown.
BIGBOY
October 17th, 2009
6:31 pm
It’s the coaching!
D. Ellis
October 17th, 2009
6:34 pm
Did anyone else hear the announcer….Danielson I think say aftre the WR fumbled after running with the ball for 70 yards….” WEll would that be an incomplete pass then”?
Someone from CBS please tell Lundquists sidekick that if a player catches a ball….runs for 70 yards….fumbles……it is not an incomplete pass.
BIGBOY
October 17th, 2009
6:35 pm
bad call
jamesr1991
October 17th, 2009
6:36 pm
officials helping Florida
Dawgs
October 17th, 2009
6:36 pm
that was a bull crap call
BIGBOY
October 17th, 2009
6:37 pm
terrible call!!
Dawgs
October 17th, 2009
6:37 pm
The SEC is helping the gators out
D. Ellis
October 17th, 2009
6:37 pm
Mean while on my other television the 2 Techies are scorless
Mark Bradley
October 17th, 2009
6:38 pm
Two penalties. First was tough. Second was stupid by the Hogs.
Dawgs
October 17th, 2009
6:38 pm
I would love to see an sec team win the NC but dont help a team win like that
jamesr1991
October 17th, 2009
6:38 pm
Did you catch the official jog by that bad call?
Super Dog
October 17th, 2009
6:39 pm
Notre Dame
Has been neutered
their days of being a power house football program are officially over
Glad to see NBC stuck with that long term contract with a loosing program
Maybe if they weren’t so arrogant and join a conference like every other team their luck might turn around
GaCFB
October 17th, 2009
6:40 pm
Georgia needs to petition hard not to have any SEC refs near the Georgia/Florida game
these guys are getting more pathetic each week with their stupid calls
Dawgs
October 17th, 2009
6:40 pm
Mark that was not a foul the guy was trying to block him! was he suppose to stand there and take the hit?
jamesr1991
October 17th, 2009
6:40 pm
Mark roll back the Tivo the tackle went after him and he was trying to not get crushed and defended himself. HELL and official was two steps away and jogged on without making a call.
Mark Bradley
October 17th, 2009
6:40 pm
Who should call it then? The ACC refs? They’re worse.
D. Ellis
October 17th, 2009
6:41 pm
The Jimmy Clausen for Heisman train has officially left the station. Tough break for him losing Floyd at WR
Mark Bradley
October 17th, 2009
6:41 pm
OK. Maybe I’m not seeing things well. I’m craning my neck to look at a non-widescreen with a blurry picture.
Drunkdawg
October 17th, 2009
6:41 pm
Well it looks like Florida has tied it back up. I bet they are glad they are not playing that powerhouse UGA played today.
jamesr1991
October 17th, 2009
6:42 pm
You and Shultz hell bring Bisher out of retirement
LOL
willie martinez
October 17th, 2009
6:43 pm
Bradley, i’m still lookin for those quotes from richt.
BIGBOY
October 17th, 2009
6:44 pm
Looks like Willie’s Defense
GaCFB
October 17th, 2009
6:45 pm
i uh … don’t think the acc is the only other conference in college football
willie martinez
October 17th, 2009
6:45 pm
sorry bradley, i accidentally told schultz you told me he was the worst writer at the paper.
Mark Bradley
October 17th, 2009
6:45 pm
Florida’s losing today. I’m calling it.
willie martinez
October 17th, 2009
6:45 pm
what’d you mean by that crack bigboy?
willie martinez
October 17th, 2009
6:46 pm
by what score?? i need to call my bookie!!
D. Ellis
October 17th, 2009
6:47 pm
UF will squeez this out by a FG.
Mark Bradley
October 17th, 2009
6:47 pm
It doesn’t matter the score. You’ve already won if you had the Hogs.
jamesr1991
October 17th, 2009
6:47 pm
USC wins Florida loses. USC #1, Texas #2, UF #3, Boise #4 any bets?
Mark Bradley
October 17th, 2009
6:47 pm
Nice!!!
BIGBOY
October 17th, 2009
6:47 pm
choked
Mark Bradley
October 17th, 2009
6:47 pm
Two missed field goals in the second half by Petrino’s pupils!!!!!!!
willie martinez
October 17th, 2009
6:47 pm
who is easier to hate? urban or petrino?
Mark Bradley
October 17th, 2009
6:48 pm
I’ve met both. I like Petrino more.
willie martinez
October 17th, 2009
6:48 pm
i want to know the over/under.
jamesr1991
October 17th, 2009
6:48 pm
Bama will get screwed. Sports writers love jocking an average SC team. LSU should not have dropped below USC. SC lost to a three lose maybe four lose team. Go figure
willie martinez
October 17th, 2009
6:49 pm
i know that was unfair. like asking someone who is a better kisser, your mother or sister.
Mark Bradley
October 17th, 2009
6:50 pm
Don’t have a sister.
Super Dog
October 17th, 2009
6:50 pm
Willie still depending on you all my savings is ridin on you come through for me
I need you in the FL game baby yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Clausen would have been better off going to an SEC school instead of the Irish has beens
jamesr1991
October 17th, 2009
6:50 pm
North Avenue Trade School will take care of the guys from Va Tech.
Dawgs
October 17th, 2009
6:51 pm
If they get close enough to kick a field goal! let tebow do it!
willie martinez
October 17th, 2009
6:51 pm
you dont want to get into a joke contest with me.
Gator Hater
October 17th, 2009
6:51 pm
Mark Bradley go cover the tech terds on north avenue. You have bashed the dawgs all year. So dont try to write something positive now.
Logo sTomping Dawg
October 17th, 2009
6:51 pm
Wishful thinking here I see….. It was Vandy folks!