Heat Check: Braves’ pitching gets cold; pennant fever on hold
Brandon Beachy after yielding a homer. (AP photo)
Who’s hot? Who’s not? Glad you asked, or else there’d be no reason for our Monday Heat Check. Which begins now.
The Braves’ pitching: Don’t look now — hey, I told you not to look – but the team that had the lowest ERA in baseball no longer has the lowest ERA in baseball. Fact is, the Braves aren’t in the top five. The team ERA, which hovered near 3.00 for the longest time, has risen to 3.36, sixth-best in the majors. The starters’ ERA is now the eighth-best overall; the relievers’ ERA is the fifth-best. Meaning: It’s not all Scott Proctor’s fault, though he has done his bit. Heat Index: Is that an autumn chill in the air?
The Braves’ hitting: It’s still terrible. Only three teams — Washington, San Diego and Seattle — have hit for a lower average. Only five — the aforementioned three plus Oakland and Minnesota — have a lower on-base percentage. If MLB had an award for the year’s best hitting coach, Larry Parrish would not be your leader in the clubhouse. Heat Index: Can’t hit for average, can’t reach base. Talk about a wintry mix.
The Braves’ trade outlook: They need to make one, preferably a good one. Heat Index: Frank Wren has burned through two cell-phone batteries in the past 36 hours.
Georgia Tech’s appeal of its NCAA sanctions: The Jackets apparently plan to file one, which means we get to hear them whine some more. Heat Index: Not sure about the wisdom of that blowtorch strategy — “First we’ll all line up to rip the NCAA, and then we’ll beg them to go easy on us.”
Mark Richt’s seat: A disconnect was witnessed at the SEC Media Days in Hoover, Ala. People who live outside Georgia were wondering who will be the Bulldogs’ next head coach. People who live in Georgia were wondering if Richt might be the 2011 SEC coach of the year. Heat Index: Richt’s job is not yet in question and won’t be until he loses another game.
Zaza Pachulia: The Z-man used his Twitter feed to announce he and the Turkish team Besiktas couldn’t agree on terms. So Zaza’s staying here to play for the Hawks. Who are locked out and therefore not playing. Good career move. Heat Index: Here’s a sizzling notion — trade Josh Smith to Bestiktas for Deron Williams. Would that be legal?
The NFL: The league is about to become unlocked-out. Everyone seems happy about this. Heat Index: Everyone will be less happy when training camp commences and it’s 98 degrees. Couldn’t the players’ association have held out another month?
The Atlanta Spirit: Having sold the Thrashers, that august body is in negotiations to sell the Hawks and Philips Arena. Heat Index: A cold chill just went down the spine of this correspondent as he realized he might not have these owners to kick around anymore.
By Mark Bradley
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96 comments Add your comment
ROLL TIDE!
July 25th, 2011
9:47 am
FIRST !!!!
Suck It, UGA Haters !!!
ROLL TIDE!
July 25th, 2011
9:49 am
The Braves need to ship Derek Lowe’s “Lowe-Down” drunken behind somewhere else.
We can get Little Leaguers to server up batting practice against NL Central teams.
HEIL SABAN!!!!
NCAA
July 25th, 2011
9:52 am
Want to know everything that’s wrong with college football? Just look at Alabama and Auburn.
ROLL TIDE!
July 25th, 2011
9:52 am
SERVE up, BP!
Whatever…
Even when I wear my Braves gear around town, I still get a “ROLLLLLL TIDE!” from intelligent sports fans who know winners when they see them.
The Phillies can KNEEL BEFORE SABAN, too! (Just like Richt)
Mark Bradley
July 25th, 2011
9:53 am
Kudos to ROLL TIDE! Although I wish he’d be a tad more magnanimous.
PreyDawg
July 25th, 2011
9:55 am
Mark, I am glad you mentioned hitting coaches. Why did it take so long for Uggula to make whatever adjustments he has made? Why suddenly can Heyward not hit anything but dribblers to second base for double plays? As consistently as he is hitting grounders to the infield, isn’t there some adjustment that should be made? As strong as this kid is, how can he not occasionally get air under the ball? Where the heck is the power? I am baffled.
And yet these slumps dont go on for a handful of games. They grind on and on and on. At bat after at bat. It’s like groundhog day. Does the Braves pitching coach even try?
ROLL TIDE!
July 25th, 2011
10:00 am
Sorry for not being more magnanimous today, Mark.
After all the undeserved bashing of COACH SABAN by the AJC (particularly a certain Kentucky-centric AJC sports writer) over the past week, in addition to watching the Braves give away games to the Reds, the need was there to stand up to the haters this morning.
Bulldog Fans, just like Phillies & Mets fans, belong in kennels.
HEIL SABAN!
FEAR SABAN! (Just like Mark Bradley & Mark Richt do)
Eddie
July 25th, 2011
10:02 am
Mark … thought for sure you’d work in Fred “Fire Dog” McGriff to heat up the Braves. Didn’t the press box catch on fire when they acquired him? Need some of that!
Mark Bradley
July 25th, 2011
10:03 am
It did indeed, Eddie.
fork
July 25th, 2011
10:03 am
Stick me in the Atlanta Braves.
TechLiesCheats
July 25th, 2011
10:04 am
Couldn’t say it better Mark, I am already SO sick of hearing techies, D-Rad and Coach Johnson whine about the NCAA punishing the GT cover-up.
Tech Lies, Tech Cheats
ROLL TIDE!
July 25th, 2011
10:05 am
Great idea about “catching fire” for a postseason run!
If the Braves decide to set fire to the press box this year, can we at least make sure the doors to said press box are locked while the ATLANTA SPIRIT GROUP members are watching the game from there.
Bruce Levenson
July 25th, 2011
10:09 am
Shut your hole, ROLL TIDE!, before I punch you in your stupid face!
Herschel Talker
July 25th, 2011
10:10 am
MB:
How about swapping out Proctor for Kawakami?
HT
ROLL TIDE!
July 25th, 2011
10:11 am
Bruce Levenson went to UGA ???
Hmmm…
Actually, THAT explains quite a bit.
Jerry Blooger
July 25th, 2011
10:12 am
Mark – good column which means I agree with about 75% of it. LOL We all should realize the hitting coach is the most overated position on any major league team. Most players have Dads , brothers minor league coaches and whoever that they run to for help. It seems most players have short terms of stupidity that puts them in slumps and and like most of us it takes a down turn to get pride out the way and listen to anyone.
DawginLex
July 25th, 2011
10:16 am
I watched the Media Days and noticed some things:
1.) How can you not like Derek Dooley? Good lord that man has got class and seems to be really level headed. UT is fortunate to have him
2.) Saban made some good points about several things especially fans acting like idiots.
3.) Richt really impressed me as being a coach who is disgusted being where he is yet he looks like he has something really good coming and he knows it.
4.) Houston Nutt=Used car salesman
5.) Joker Phillips is a class act and can also recruit.
Captain Alabama: The First NCAA Violator
July 25th, 2011
10:16 am
Steroids in Baseball ain’t got nothing on me!
DawginLex
July 25th, 2011
10:17 am
roll tide
That’s a lot of spewing for a 4th place SEC west team.
Enjoy watching Arkansas light you up
Go for 2
July 25th, 2011
10:17 am
Mark:
the fact that you wrote UGa being picked for 2 in the SEC as a POSITIVE just shows how mediocre the prgram really is. So, why didn’t you mention that, if true, the SEC media is saying UGa’s AD will be in a tough position as to whether he let’s Richt go. I am sure that’s why you predict Dawgs to win SEC East because you don’t want to have to deal with the Richt issue and get in bad with UGa (have to cater to your base, understand).
submariner
July 25th, 2011
10:20 am
What happened to the Carlos Quinton rumors?
Go for 2
July 25th, 2011
10:21 am
Hey, Mark: Just to show how thoughtless your pieces are…how long ago was it when you asserted the Braves were the 2nd best team in baseball? That was just another example of an MB throw away, make the local team happy, article that has no factual basis.
Coach Joe
July 25th, 2011
10:22 am
Braves may limp into the Play-offs , but any other team with three left handers is gonna blow us away..
WE can;t hit, but we really can’t hit left handers…(Dontrell Willis-please!!!!).
BulldogBen
July 25th, 2011
10:22 am
It seems the talk of the Braves having a pitching staff on par with the Phillies was a little premature.
As good as we are on paper, I still just think we’re where we were last year; a good, not great team that still struggles when we play the elite teams of baseball. I feel like we’re being set up for a giant let down.
Only way this team will compete for a title is if Lowe finds some late season magic (which has been his M.O.), Chipper comes back and puts up good numbers, and we pick up a bat.
Heyward is now taking the mantle Uggla has carried most of the season of “Giant Hole In Lineup”.
Russ the spotted bulldog
July 25th, 2011
10:24 am
After Georgia drops games to Boise State and SC, fans, who have apparently repressed the 6-7 season and the whipping by UCF, will be howling for Richt’s head. These people have the delusions of Cubs’ fans without the class.
Kerryb
July 25th, 2011
10:24 am
It’s not all of the Braves pitchers that have gone cold. It’s Derrick “5 inning” Lowe and the middle relievers. I agree with what Linebrink said about that pitch in the 9th last night. He threw a good down and away fastball and the guy hit a pitch he wasn’t suppose to be able to. Tip your hat to the guy. Sometimes hitters hit good pitches.
jumbo dumbo gumbo
July 25th, 2011
10:24 am
blowtorch? your an idiot who demonizes GT, bitter gray hair old man
Kerryb
July 25th, 2011
10:25 am
What I want to ask is, are all of you Georgia haters going to be prepared to eat crow at the end of the season?
BulldogBen
July 25th, 2011
10:25 am
Cubs fans classy? WOW. Talk about delusional.
Kerryb
July 25th, 2011
10:26 am
Not all of the pitchers for the Braves have gone cold. It’s mainly Derrick “5 inning” Lowe and the middle relievers.
captguitarman
July 25th, 2011
10:27 am
I think it’s just a technicality for you to say that CMR is not in danger now, but he will be right after the first game.
Even though it is instinctively difficult to pick a team to win with such pathetic hitting, I still think that good pitching still wins over a strong offense (see Colorado Rockies). Sometimes it really hurts your eyes, though. I recall one game in the Colorado series where the Braves had runners on second and third with no one out, and did not score, and they lost. My little league coach would have had a hemmorage if our little league team didn’t always score at least one run in innings like that. It is amazing to watch sometimes. But, what the heck happened to all of the Braves’ pitchers since the All-Star break? Are they just getting tired of carrying the load? If they are and don’t bounce back, it’s all over. The Wild Card, once thought to be in the bag, is not such a sure bet now. Time to start keeping the lights on for some post game batting practice – like unhappy little league, high school, and college coaches do.
Fish Bisch
July 25th, 2011
10:28 am
Braves will miss entire playoffs. Pitchinig is already starting to unravel.
Kerryb
July 25th, 2011
10:28 am
So, what will all of you haters be saying when UGA beats Boise State 35-14.
Fish Bisch
July 25th, 2011
10:28 am
Braves will miss playoffs. Pitching has unraveled.
Sonny Clusters
July 25th, 2011
10:36 am
We always believed in playing hard every game. Running hard to first base could mean the infielder will hurry up and make a mistake. There are some Braves apparently too cool to run hard to the base. Jason Heyward isn’t just hitting ground balls he is hitting 10-hoppers to second. Yes, there is an adjustment. Ask Larry Parrish. We was disappointed in the way the team has been playing lately. Getting runners over and in is still a big part of winning. The Braves are waiting for the 3-run homerun and when they don’t get it they lose. If we was Fredi we would have a slingshot in the dugout and we would shoot at a runner that didn’t hustle to the bag. Bad habit. Do it twice and it’s a habit.
Scott L.
July 25th, 2011
10:37 am
Hey McDowell! What was my pitch count in that game last night?
techfan
July 25th, 2011
10:39 am
I never realized how much Mark Bradley hates GT until this whole NCAA debacle. If anything positive came out of the situation, its that we get so see a lot of people’s true colors.
BulldogBen
July 25th, 2011
10:41 am
Mitchell, I hear ya but the hitting coach always gets most of the blame when the team isn’t hitting and NONE of the credit when they are. I’d argue our base running is just as atrocious. I’ve seen some TERRIBLE bone headed base running. Of course, we don’t really have anyone that can really run out there so it’s not that often.
Still, I’m with you on Parrish on one thing; we’re one of the worst bunting teams in the league.
We seem to have lots of mental errors on the little things. For me, that starts with Fredi.
dawg day afternoon
July 25th, 2011
10:44 am
techfan: looks like Bradley was right about the whining at teck.
DawgDad
July 25th, 2011
10:46 am
No time to panic, but yes, this team needs to make some moves. They do need extra help in the bullpen, and they desperately need at least one right handed outfielder who can hit and play defense.
I’m tired of hearing “we’ll get Chipper back and that’s like adding a player”. Really? Just how much are they counting on out of Chipper at this point? Anything positive the Braves get is a bonus; what Wren needs to “count on” in his planning is Chipper going down for the count.
Ted M
July 25th, 2011
10:53 am
Sonny – Freeman should have had a triple last night and scored on sac fly on ther next batter but sadly he didn’t run hard out of the box…that would have won the game for us.
Alex Gonzalez never runs hard.
Ted M
July 25th, 2011
10:55 am
Mark – save my disappearing post – Thx Ted
Herschel Talker
July 25th, 2011
11:02 am
Kerryb:
Please give me some of the drugs you’re having. You are delusional, my friend. We will not recover as a program until Richt has been sent permanently packing. He is one hell of a great man and one hell of a terrible coach.
HT
DawgDad
July 25th, 2011
11:02 am
“Jason Heyward isn’t just hitting ground balls he is hitting 10-hoppers to second.” Looked to me like he was hitting bullets at Phillips. Problem is, that’s Phillips out there.
gobraves
July 25th, 2011
11:05 am
Why not use Teheran or Minor in bullpen?
Ted M
July 25th, 2011
11:19 am
Saved – Thx
dap01
July 25th, 2011
11:28 am
Tehran and Visc should be used as soon as possible in the bullpen. Our bullpen stinks outside the big three. And by the way, we have too few people in our lineup that can hit.
Joey
July 25th, 2011
11:28 am
Actually, ROLL TIDE! (wow, all caps and an exclamation mark), Richt has had more trouble with 3 different UF coaches than Saban.
And as far as kneeling before him, he probably can’t take a leak without soaking you . . .
Michael in Dunwoody
July 25th, 2011
11:31 am
Mark, I’m willing to give our pitchers the benefit of the doubt, having just played in Coors and the Great American Small Park, where fly balls that wouldn’t reach the warning track at Turner are home runs (see: Brandon Phillips). Let’s wait and see how they do versus the Pirates and the Marlins; I think they’ll get back on track.
dogtarded
July 25th, 2011
11:35 am
ha ha….georgia fans make me laugh
Walker, Texas Ranger
July 25th, 2011
11:35 am
Zaza still with Hawks? I did not know that
Beast from the East
July 25th, 2011
11:45 am
“Actually, ROLL TIDE! (wow, all caps and an exclamation mark), Richt has had more trouble with 3 different UF coaches than Saban.
And as far as kneeling before him, he probably can’t take a leak without soaking you . . .”
Joey,
That’s a riot!
Dr. Don
July 25th, 2011
11:46 am
Kerryb, unfortunately, we lead the majors in having to “tip our hats” to the other guy.
1991 braves
July 25th, 2011
11:49 am
Wouldn’t print wildcard playoff tickets yet for Braves!! The one constant the braves could count on before the break was their pitching, now even that is becoming very inconsistent. The starters E.R.A. since the break is over 6, and the 2 guys in starting rotation that were getting the job done every outing, J.J. and Hanson, are now getting rocked. Neither one has a quality start since the bteak, they are both giving up more than 4 runs per start since the break. And if you only have 3 reliable arms in your bullpen, you are in trouble, becasue they will be worn out by Sept. Proctor, Linebrink, Sherrill, are the worst 3 middle relievers in the N.L. as a group. And if the starters don’t go past 6 innings, the braves have no shot at getting the game into the 7th for O’flarity to take over. As for the hitting, Heyward is killing this team, yet Fredi Cox continues to allow him to hit 2nd where he kills every rally by hitting into a double play. This guy is a head case and should be sent to Gwinnett before it’s too late. And when you have the worst manager in th N.L, things don’t look so bright for the Braves down the stretch. This clown of a manager has never heard of bunting the runners into scoring positon with no outs and runners on 1st&2nd. Twice this weekend he had Gonzo at the plate with no outs and 2 men on, and he had him hit. Once he hit into double play, the second time he popped up to the infield. For this sorry excuse of a mamager to say he was playing for a 3 run homer, says it all. The guy is braindead, yet everyone says what a great job he is doing. If the pitching doesn’t hold up over the next 30 to 45 days, you will see what a wonderful manager he truely is. Because it will take more than a 3 run homer to win if the pitching keeps going south, and then what will this guy do> If J.J and Hanson don’t turn things around, then the braves will have no starter that they can truely count on down the stretch, Lowe and Hudson are so inconsistent, that you don’t know what you will get from inning to inning, much less an entire game.My prediction is Wren will sit on his ass and do nothing, and Fredi Cox will blow this wildcard lead, and braves will be sitting at home this fall.
ClemsonBrad
July 25th, 2011
12:04 pm
I feel like the hitting has atleast been ALOT better in the last 30 games.
Georgia | MrSEC.com
July 25th, 2011
12:08 pm
[...] Steelers — “could go our way ’cause they’ll be overlooking us!” Well, here’s Bradley’s take on how hopes are rising in Georgia:“A disconnect was witnessed at the SEC Media Days in Hoover, Ala. People who live outside [...]
Dirty Dawg
July 25th, 2011
12:12 pm
I’m not a Bobby Valentine fan, and just last week I thought that Jayson Heyward was showing signs of starting to hit the ball square, but he, Valentine, made an observation last night about Heyward that was so matter-of-fact that it seems that any ‘hitting coach’ worth his salt would be aware of. Namely, that he, BV, couldn’t believe that Heyward hadn’t made adjustments in his swing…something about him trying to keep his shoulders ’square’ which I assume, was bad thing. Obviously I’m no expert but if something’s so obvious to Valentine – don’t like him but he knows his baseball – then why don’t we hear more about it from our local writers and announcers? Oh yeah, they’re afraid of Saban ‘and’ Frank Wren.
Michael
July 25th, 2011
12:14 pm
Mark, I seem to recall that this past weekend, our problem on offense against the Reds was not so much getting men on base as it was driving them in. Same song, 127th verse.
heartofdarkness
July 25th, 2011
12:19 pm
Looks like the Braves have been assessing the quality of their bullpen, beyond Venters and Kimbrel, to find out if there is any consistency to be had in the sixth and seventh inning as we enter the dog days and stretch run phases of the season. This would be in line with making a decision on trading minor league pitching for a bat, since one option would be to replace a weakness in the bullpen with a minor league pitcher who could get you through three or four crucial innings down the stretch.
In my mind, the club will define itself by the right-handed bat it picks up to play in the outfield for the last two months of the season. Too often this year, we have seen opposing pitchers cruise through the Braves lineup, pitching McCann tough, try to stay inside on Freeman, and watching the rest of the order flail at something that bends. While last night’s game ended on a home run in the ninth, there were many missed opportunities to move runners and to deliver a key hit.
Most analysts assert the Braves have the best to offer in a trade among the many competing for a number of viable outfielder’s. They should be able to land one of the top two performers, come October, and, if that be the case, they will be in the playoffs, absent catastrophic injury. As it stands now, this lineup is too leaden for the pitching to carry it in the playoffs.
sidslid
July 25th, 2011
12:21 pm
Marion Campbell Award: Rays say they may trade Farnsworth. Go get him, Frankie and you get lifetime achievement mention
JASon
July 25th, 2011
12:22 pm
The braves can hold a lead better than any team in baseball. We have a pitcher for the 7th inning. We have another pitcher for the 8th inning. Then another pitcher for the 9th inning.
Brogens Hero
July 25th, 2011
12:24 pm
Roll Tide Alabama and Auburn are were Georgia high school students go when they can’t get in UGA.
So Roll Tide War Eagle, second tier schools with second tier students! Suck on that Roll Tide!
Appalachia Brave
July 25th, 2011
12:35 pm
The Braves look and play like the same ‘ol Bobby Cox teams of the past….Time for change…..They’ll be lucky to hold on to the wild card spot! Then get crushed in the playoffs! Its hard to be a Braves fan….
What's Going On?
July 25th, 2011
12:38 pm
Guys, hate to say this, but the Braves are just not ready for prime-time. They’re trying, but will not make it. We’ve go to be realistic and appreciate their efforts, but there are too many missing pieces and expectations are unrealistic. They are loosing games that they should be winning and will fade by the time the playoffs arrive. There’s not clutch hitting, no manufactured runs, can’t steal bases, pitching is on or off, no solid consistency on a daily basis and no respect from Philly. I am a Braves fan, but a pragmatic one. I’d love to see a return of the glory days, but they are gone for forever. Have a good day.
bvillebaron
July 25th, 2011
12:47 pm
1991 Braves and What’s Going On? You both don’t answer to “Chicken Little” do you?
Jingle Dingle
July 25th, 2011
1:01 pm
So, just to confirm, you are saying that old Marky Richt will be on the hot seat on or after Sept. 3?
what of it?
July 25th, 2011
1:03 pm
Don’t look now but Escobar is only hitting .305 with a .384 OBP and .829 OPS 46 BB w/ 48 K’s. Who could have guessed he would return to his all-star averages. Nothing like selling low and buying Gonzo high (for comparison .230 .263 .604 16 BB 88 K’s). At least everybody is friends though.
just the truth
July 25th, 2011
1:08 pm
Bradley, just means we’ll have to hear you “whine” again about reporting it.
Joey
July 25th, 2011
1:16 pm
Blame Bobby for Escobar getting shipped out.
Stinger2
July 25th, 2011
1:25 pm
Bradley: Your Heat Index is sitting on zero degrees:
1. CMR is not going anywhere even if UGA goes 5-6 again. He will be there as long as he wants to be.
2. The Braves are not in as bad shape a you say. They will not win the division and should not be expected to since the Phils are ob viously the best team in the NL.
They still have a chance for the wild card provided Wren makes some good moves quickly.
what of it?
July 25th, 2011
1:26 pm
Sorry Joey,
I blame Wren for that one. If he was going to trade, he could have at least gotten comparable value, but he loves to overpay for trades that don’t need to be made.
Wait for him to hamstring the payroll with Beltran, so we’re unable to improve our bullpen and have zero insurance if a starter goes down
AFDawg
July 25th, 2011
1:39 pm
The truth be told — the NCAA is just getting started on handing out tough penalties to cheaters. If UGA wants to keep a clean program — thye need to keep CMR. The only worrisome thing about last season was the lack of fight displayed by the Dawgs once they fell behind last year. Also, the lack of motivation once they lost for the third time. The determining factor for CMR shouldn’t be the win-loss record. If the Dawgs show improvement, show courage, play with heart until the final whistle blows — that is all that should matter. I’m a military man — we want to see charisma out of CMR. We want him to lead his troops into battle full of pride and a with a willingness to leave it all on the playing field every game The American fighting man has also been the most feared around the world in any conflict. Enemies quake in their boots when they hear the Americans are coming. The reason for that is because of a fearless attitude that no matter what happens — we’re going to give you the fight of your life. It is all about attitude when accomplishing the objective. I just want to see this year’s team have the right attitude. If you make a mistake, don’t hang your head — make the next play. Never criticize your team mate — pick him up and rebuild his confidence. Play as a team — swarm to the ball. Never, ever give up even if your 4 touchdowns down. Remember how appreciative the fans were when the Dawgs came back against Bama when they were so far down at half time. They didn’t win the game — but they won everyone over because they showed fight and pride right up to the very end. If this team jells, and plays without fear — they could become a real juggernaut as the season progresses.
Go for 2
July 25th, 2011
1:45 pm
AFDawg:
So, as I suspected, Dawg Nation has moved away from the SEC Title hopes to looking for a “strong” finish. Perfect example of how, while still clinging to a title won 30 years ago, really the majority of Georgia’s fans accept the ftball team’s mediocrity…with pride. LSU, Bama, Auburn, Florida….and sadly Miss St, S Car, and Tenn soon to follow.
JB
July 25th, 2011
1:53 pm
Mark could win the first two and have clear sailing to Jacksonville while building some depth. He loses the first two, the howling will begin, but the schedule favors turning it around, although not impressing many loyalist whipping up on lesser talent. Will that be enough to get the bad taste out. That’ll come down to Florida,Auburn and Tech. Sweep them, he’s fine. Lose 2 of those three with the early two losses, he’s done. Let’s just tee it up and see what happens.
What a bunch of idiots!
July 25th, 2011
2:06 pm
Alabama thinks the teflon redneck (B.B.) is still coaching them. How did those last 3 games go for ya’ll?
A Yellow Jacket Turk
July 25th, 2011
2:22 pm
It’s Besiktas, check your spelling. (or phonetically Beshiktash or with turkish letters Beşiktaş)
Mark Bradley
July 25th, 2011
2:25 pm
Besiktas, Besitkas. I’m still trying to figure out Istanbul (not Constantinople).
jerry
July 25th, 2011
2:28 pm
It would seem that if it were possible for hitting coaches to figure out just what was wrong with most any player, the league would be averaging .300 or better. But obviously they don’t so it must not be so easy to do, but if someone did have the know how, he would be in greater demand by every struggling player than the Delphi Oracle was by the Greeks. In all the history of baseball, I haven’t heard of one ever existing. So let’s put this myth to bed that if your team could just hire the right hitting coach, your team would all of a sudden become Murderers Row.
A Yellow Jacket Turk
July 25th, 2011
2:41 pm
Constantinople wouldn’t be that wrong
Interestingly (as a yellow jacket), Beşiktaş won the soccer federation cup in Turkey last year and this summer police started investigations into their games. They decided to hand over the trophy while the investigation is continuing, because they didn’t want to keep it under allegation circumstances.
AFDawg
July 25th, 2011
2:48 pm
Go for 2 — the point of my post is that the team needs to play with the right attitude. If they do that, everything else falls into place. The challenge for CMR is to get the team into the right frame of mind. Everyone knows the breaks have to fall just the right way to play for a championship. If all the breaks don’t go your way, but it is abudantly clear the team is playing their hearts out — that is no reason to fire the coach. Some things a coach has no control over — a kid not staying on course academically or getting injured for instance. No matter how many tutoring sessions you set up — ultimately it is the players responsibility to sit down and pass the test. It is the win at all cost mentality like yours that is ruining the college game and influencing coaches, recruiters, and boosters to break the rules. I’m sure you’ll say — if everyone else is doing it, I’m going to do it too. By the way, which school do you pull for?
mcdaviddawg
July 25th, 2011
2:49 pm
I’d like to believe those who think good things are coming for Georgia, but we have the same uninterested coach, the same problems with the offensive line (can the quarterback no matter how good overcome that) and losing players right and left. I don’t see anything good coming.
JB
July 25th, 2011
3:10 pm
It does not surprise me that EVERYBODY but Georgia folks talking about who the next Georgia coach will be. Looking at the last two years, from a distance, this program is a train wreck. Now, we know it’s not….But from a distance and that bowl game year, most “drive by’s” looking at our program would think the end is near for Richt.
don bozeman
July 25th, 2011
3:10 pm
Mr. Bradley, do you honestly think it’s whining when you compare the ncaa penalties levied on Georgia Tech for jaywalking when compared to the egregious actions of Auburn, Mississippi State, LSU, Tennessee, Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon, et. al. Come on!!! Give me a break. Can you even compare the ethics and integrity of Tech when matched against those schools. Just because an officious ncaa official got his nose out of joint doesn’t make it right. Ask John Swofford.
skeptomania
July 25th, 2011
3:47 pm
Instead of giving away our future stars as we did in the Teixeira trade for two months of service why not get creative and bring up some of our best arms to replace Proctor etc. Our best talent on this team are the young players. Most of the overpaid vets aren’t pulling their weight. Even Bobby Valentine mentioned Heywards faulty swing last night. He is never going to be productive until he learns some adjustments.
me
July 25th, 2011
4:34 pm
Mark Richt is clueless when it comes to motivation. Naming Richard Samuel the starting RB before fall camp is typical Richt. He needs to go back and take notes of Nick Saban being asked who his oline was going to be. Richt is too loyal and loyalty in this business gets you fired. Get it right or get him gone.
bitter dawgs fan
July 25th, 2011
4:59 pm
All dawg hatters== sux as= richt rules tree killers, pay foo play
Columbus
July 25th, 2011
5:29 pm
Richt is on a track that few coaches have tred on and only the ALL-TIME GREATS HAVE.
Richt is not going anywhere and UGA has more intelligence to fire him if he only wins 7 games this year. He won 10 games 6 times in 10 years and had a better overall record in their 1st 10 years than just about anybody EVER while coaching in the toughest conference in America.
Bryant, Bowden, Saban, Dooley all WISHED their first 10 years was as good as Richt’s. Paterno’s was and well we all see how his career went.
The last 2 years were expected to be down, not only 6 wins last year but that can happen to anyone, especially when you have no lost your OLINE, no running backs who want to lead, a FRESHMAN QB, A NEW DC, suspensions, bad calls by refs, ill-timed turnovers and penalties and bad calls by OC. Add it all up and you can see how it happened. If not then Uga would have likley went 10-2 or 11-1. SC barely beat us on THEIR field without Aj and US turning over the winning TD at the goal line. UF, well UGA had 4 turnovers, 3 in regulation by the QB, still could have won in regulation. UGA could have EASILY won every game except AU and maybe Miss ST. EASILY. Richt had the team in POSITION but the players choked and/or Bobo did. NOT RICHT.
How many coaching records in HISTORY do you foolish people need to put besides Richt’s to see that he is better than most ALL in HISTORY in the 1st 10 years as being a head coach. Paterno was as good but not Bryant, he was MUCH WORSE, Saban was close but still behind significantly, especially in 10 win season. Not Bowden, Not Dooley, both were FAR behind. Richt is now entering into the time that these guys first won their 1st NC. Although Dooley and Bryant took over 15-20 years! If not for Walker well we all know Dooley would not have even won the SEC most likely but 2 times. I can put stats up here ALL DAY that should shut all the Richt haters up if they were OPEN and FAIR-MINDED. You show your football i.q. and give writers something to write about that should not be a story after ONE losing season. How many 1st time head coaches did NOT have a losing season in their 1st 10 years? You would be surprised at how many great coaches only won 6 games or less several times in their first 10-15 years and WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE SEC that has become by far the toughest in the nation and it was not like this until the last 10-15.
Richt is on a track that few coaches have tred on and only the ALL-TIME GREATS HAVE. Writers will not spend much time on stories like that because that would defeat them having all the Richt in trouble stories. Talk about not being fair to a coach? You would think their football I.Q’s were pretty low, they were unfair and.or root for other schools. Definite bias.
Rowland Office
July 25th, 2011
5:58 pm
Only 2 NL teams have struck out more than the Braves and only two have a worse OBP. Last year, under that awful Terry Pendleton, the Bravos ranked 1st in OBP and only four NL teams struck out less.
More frustrating: Don Baylor, whom Chipper credited when he won the NL MVP in ‘99, was available. He was hired by the Diamondbacks. Not coincidentally, Justin Upton is having his best seasons.
Wonder if/when Wren will admit his blunder. Don’t hold your breath.
http://rowlandsoffice.wordpress.com/2011/07/24/fws-biggest-offseason-blunder/
Skeezix
July 25th, 2011
6:28 pm
Red Flag Alert: The Braves offense last night was pathetic once again. The need for bullpen help was made clear once again. And, if the Braves are relaxed, thinking that the wild card is a lock—they may end up with a big surprise.
Right now the Phillies are definitely the better team.
71 Dawg
July 25th, 2011
6:32 pm
Maybe Larry can do something about this – Braves are 27th out of 30 ML teams in # of strikeouts per game – did you see Brooks Conrad in the top of the 9th last night?
Hit-less in Atlanta
July 26th, 2011
12:49 am
The braves other catcher David Ross said yesterday that the braves can win with this offense. I say….starting when? Let’s face it, the braves have been winning with pitching. And now, that is coming apart! I guess the pitchers are tired of trying to keep their collective ERA lower than the position players collective batting average! Now they have no offense and sketchy pitching! Hence, the 4 game losing streak.
j
July 26th, 2011
1:50 am
Fire Larry Parrish. Fire Larry Parrish? Fire Larry Parrish. 14 Ks vs the Pirates? Come on. Fire Larry Parrish. How can there not be exposes on how bad the batting has been? Fire Larry Parrish.
DawginLex
July 26th, 2011
9:11 am
me
You idiot moron. Richt didn’t name Samuel the starter for the first game.
You have a depth chart going into fall camp.
Samuel is #1 on the depth chart heading into camp but the job is up for grabs based on performance in fall camp.
Just leave the football to the men and go back to your crayons.
DawginLex
July 26th, 2011
9:12 am
Enter your comments here
OldFan
July 26th, 2011
1:27 pm
The Braves may stumble into the wildcard spot, but only if no other contender has a long hot streak. They’re clearly well below the Phillies, Yankees, and Bosox despite their 4th place standing. Beyond a few young stars, a couple relievers, and a group of soon-to-be-exhausted starters, the Braves are a mediocre team at best. If any of these falter over a 10 game stretch, the Braves will likely not recover.
MustangSalley
July 29th, 2011
2:43 pm
The Braves are VERY CLOSE to being the BEST team in baseball. All they have to do is overtake the Phillies, which would catapult them into the best record in all of baseball. I think the Braves will win the world series if they get 5 things to fall into place. #1:acquire Carlos Beltran before the trading deadline; #2:get great starting pitching the rest of the way and throughout the playoffs; #3:get four of their sluggers to come alive when they are all healthy again; Heyward, Jones, Prado and McCann; #4:move Kensheen Kawakami into the bullpen where he can give some contributions to the team; and #5:play small ball the rest of the way and manufacture runs. This should be the recipe for pure dominance.