Heat Check: UGA’s torrid even with Crowell in cold storage
"Excuse me, young man, but have you seen my offense?" (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
Our Heat Check begins with the hottest team around — the still-unbeaten-heading-into-December Atlanta Hawks! OK, I’m joshing. (Not to be confused with still-a-Hawk-Josh Smith.)
Georgia Bulldogs: Their basketball team lost by two points at Colorado on Monday, which is actually a good sign. Their football team lost by two points at Colorado last season, and look at it now! Ten wins running, an SEC East title, a comprehensive victory over Georgia Tech, no more hot-seat talk about the coach. Heat Index: Warm, with the chance — should the Bulldogs unhorse LSU — of a truly toasty holiday season.
Isaiah Crowell: The heralded freshman didn’t play a down against Tech due to injury, and it mattered not — except maybe to Crowell’s case for being indispensable. He was, as we know, supposed to be the Missing Man. Now Mark Richt is telling running-back recruits that a great opportunity can be found in Athens. Heat Index: “Keith Marshall of Raleigh, N.C., come on down! You’re the next contestant on ‘Who’s the New Herschel?’ ”
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: The Jackets had nine offensive touchdowns in 60 minutes against Kansas; they managed eight offensive touchdowns in the 240 minutes of their four losses. Heat Index: In other news, Kansas just fired its coach.
Atlanta Braves: Frank Wren the GM is doing his speed-dialing exercises this week. Baseball’s winter meetings convene in Dallas on Monday. Heat Index: Red-hot Wren action coming right up!
Alex Gonzalez: The Braves declined to offer him arbitration, which mean Wren is looking for a shortstop. I’m guessing he doesn’t call Toronto to inquire about the availability of Yunel Escobar. Heat Index: Remember when Rafael Furcal spurned the Braves and John Schuerholz threw a presidential fit? He might have to grant a presidential pardon.
Atlanta Hawks: The NBA lockout is over. The Hawks will restart after Christmas. Might the Atlanta Spirit talk you into buying four dozen season tickets to serve as stocking stuffers? Heat Index: See next item.
Jamal Crawford: The Hawks’ fourth-best player is a free agent. He won’t be coming back. But Kirk Hinrich, who arrived at heavy cost in trade, will. Heat Index: Let the record reflect that the Hawks took top-seeded Chicago to six games in the Eastern Conference semis without Hinrich playing a minute.
Atlanta Falcons: They’re 7-4. Given that Houston might have to deploy Dan Pastorini at quarterback Sunday, they’ve got a real shot at being 8-4. Given that the two games after that are against Carolina and Jacksonville, they’ve got a real shot at being 10-4 when they play the Saints on Dec. 26. Heat Index: A month from now, we could be calling this the hottest team going.
Matt Ryan: He didn’t complete a long ball against the Vikings — Julio Jones dropped one and Roddy White stumbled reaching for another — but he did complete just about everything else. And his team did win. Heat Index: The Iceman warmeth.
By Mark Bradley
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
301 comments Add your comment
old dog
November 29th, 2011
10:22 am
Joycee,
Football is a big-boy game! Harton is 5-5 1/2 on a good day and HE got smashed by the same 300 lb. folks and went back for more. Our little backs have taken worse hits than Crowell, and yes, they HAVE been on the bottom of the pile some, too! Those of us who played any kind of football, high-school and on, realized quickly in a game who could not take a lick! LSU will chase I.C out so quickly that his ‘dreads will be at the hash-mark when he crosses the sidelines! By the way, if you get under the pads and run downhill, injuries do not happen nearly as often as when one is “tip-toeing” around!!!!!! As previously stated, our passing game better be on, ‘coz the little backs are gonna have to tote it once again………….
Spurrier
November 29th, 2011
10:25 am
Bill Stanfill, I shiver every time I see your name.
Bill Stanfill
November 29th, 2011
10:27 am
As you should, Lil’ Stevie, as you should . . . .
Mike L
November 29th, 2011
10:30 am
Crowell has better stats than Garrison Hearst as a freshman. I think this whole “disinterested” thing is just his natural expression. I don’t see him dogging it when he’s out there. Let the kid play it out. I think he’ll be great. Get the other kid from North Carolina too because you need two.
buster brave
November 29th, 2011
10:30 am
the 5th best team in SEC vs #1 in nation, crowell,the next herschel? injury prone,head case thug,next!! georgia’s luck runs out this weekend. good luck in the “whatever bowl” word!!
Doodaddy
November 29th, 2011
10:34 am
“I think Coach Richt might have a light hand shake, looks like Coach Johnson is squeezing the heck out of his hand!”
At least CMR didn’t tongue Turkey Neck out like he did the Watergirl. Be thankfull for that.
Dawglasville
November 29th, 2011
10:37 am
buster brave – what is your team?
Doodaddy – Thanks for bringing class to the party.
Remarkable
November 29th, 2011
10:43 am
Mark, Don’t you agree that we need a play-off system of some sort but not some 16 team tourney. We need something like a 6 team tourney with #1 and #2 getting a pass. There is no way to schedule a long tourney and it’s not fair to the players to force them to play that many more games. Even with a 6 team play-off you are adding 3 more games to the end of a grueling schedule (Not to mention that you have to decide which Bowl games must change their dates). Football isn’t like basketball or baseball. Few players are injured for life in those sports. We have to think about what we are asking for. A four team playoff would be better but look at who would be left out this year.
old dog
November 29th, 2011
10:44 am
Mike L.,
You may be right about the stats, but there is more to it than stats. Getting yards at garbage time is different than toughing out when your team needs you! Look at the games and times I.C. got his yards; some (not all) but some are padded stats. If he’ll toughen up and take one for the team, he’ll get the respect. Until then, when we have little backs smaller than 8-man private-school backs taking SEC licks and staying in, I.C will continue to catch a little grief. He has all the God-Given talent in the world…..just no toughness!
Doodaddy
November 29th, 2011
10:44 am
Dawglasville: thanks for paying attention.
I Believe
November 29th, 2011
10:44 am
I believe that we are incredibly fortunate to have this opportunity to play in the SECCG. Expecting to actually win the game is going beyond credibility. This ain’t Coastal Carolina we’re playing in the Dome. Get real people! I hope we win. Expecting to win is simply delusional. LSU’s football program is light-years ahead of ours. Nothing could be more obvious to an unbiased observer.
bamaguy
November 29th, 2011
10:45 am
We will find out how good Georgia is on Saturday. I have a feeling they are better than most non-Georgia fans think they are. Same thing can be said about Oklahoma State, lets see how they do against OK.
old coach
November 29th, 2011
10:51 am
@ I Believe
All you can ask for as a player or a coach is to have the opportunity to play for a championship. I know in my heart that the coaches and players expect to win the game! Lets just play the game, and be proud of the Dogs!!
Reality Man
November 29th, 2011
10:55 am
i’m so tired of old farts questioning crowells toughness. His ankle and knees have been hurt. And his thumb/writst fractured. What is he, faking injuries? Everyone loves Lattimore, and he’s admiral, but steve spurrier ran him into the ground. And cost him a lot of money with the mileage. And how helpful is lattimore now?
I Believe
November 29th, 2011
10:55 am
I agree. Let’s just play the game. Then we’ll actually know where we stand.
Honky Talkin
November 29th, 2011
11:02 am
Dawg fans are so delusional. Georgia is 2-2 against teams with a current winning record. LSU 42 – UGA 10.
murfdawg
November 29th, 2011
11:05 am
Mark,
Is Richt getting any consideration for Coach of the Year in the SEC? This is basically the same schedule that made us 6-7 last year. I think he has done a great job with a young team.
What do you think?
Mike L
November 29th, 2011
11:06 am
I’m sure Murray would be thrilled to have a RB slowed by a bad ankle or kneee standing back there in pass protection. It’s hard enough for a freshman to know the blocking assignments let alone doing it while hampered with an injury from an earlier play. He’s a speed back with decent power that will improve in the weight room as time goes by. Right now, he needs the speed. Without it, bring in fresh legs.
request
November 29th, 2011
11:07 am
Hey Mark,
Since DOB won’t do it, can you get to the bottom of where the McLouth-Kawakami money is being spent in 2012?
Alabama Jack
November 29th, 2011
11:07 am
Dawgs are hot, their mediocre fans leave us cold.
Nelson Dawg
November 29th, 2011
11:10 am
Bama Jack,
How does it feel to be off this weekend? Ha ha…burned.
Mike L
November 29th, 2011
11:11 am
I’d call it reasonable fans with better priorities.
PapaDawg
November 29th, 2011
11:11 am
What do Bama fans have to say about it? Ya’ll are staying at home while LSU and the DAWGS play for a Championship. SEC Championship is as good as a National one
Honky Talkin
November 29th, 2011
11:11 am
@murfdawg: UGA is 2-2 against ranked teams. You beat Florida…so did everyone else. Get real dikkhead.
old dog
November 29th, 2011
11:13 am
Reality man and I Believe,
I am a fan, been one for years! It ain’t about the injuries totally, its about takin’ yourself out all the time! Lattimore got hurt running hard. The type injury he has can happen even w/o contact! Crowell will learn to quit tip-toeing, and (amazingly) the little “dings” will stop!
I Believe
November 29th, 2011
11:14 am
I believe that Mark Richt should win Coach of the Year in the SEC East. Georgia is better than evreyone but South Carolina in the East – and we shoulda been better than them.
jerry
November 29th, 2011
11:16 am
Since LSU does not have to win Saturday to become NC, who knows what will happen. UGA could win and become even more overrated. Dawgs +13 is a winner.
PapaDawg
November 29th, 2011
11:17 am
Two top teams playing for the Elite SEC Title, Everybody else stay home. Bama you had your chance at LSU and LOST
I Believe
November 29th, 2011
11:20 am
@PapaDawg
I’m just glad that the top 2 teams in the SEC aren’t playing in the Dome this weekend. If they were, then Georgia wouldn’t be there.
dan
November 29th, 2011
11:25 am
All I saw of Crowell on Saturday was him laughing on the bench, he won’t last long at Georgia.
Dawg48
November 29th, 2011
11:30 am
Les miles has a winning record against every team in the SEC…..but 1……uga
As far as how this team comes you can’t bash uga if they get beat we should not win this game.
I do think our D will keep it close my fears are in depth of O – line and running backs.
LSU likes to rip off 28 point runs fast ( auburn game ) if we can not let that happen the game will go into the 4th.
Hard Truth Black Soldier
November 29th, 2011
11:33 am
IC & KM will be like MI &TR was to Alabama the last two years. That’s next year though, less talk about Saturday when Georgia supposedly ain’t suppose to have a chance. Funny isn’t it? Your Georgia, your at home, your the East Champions where 2 of the five last national titles have come from, you play againt top talent in the SEC, produce the second most NFL TALENT in the conference, and your Coach has taken you to a bowl every year and nobody gives you a chance outside of Georgia.I think l’d be hotter than hot and this would be one party the CATS WOULD KNOW A DAWG CAME WITH BAD INTENTIONS.
Go Noles!
November 29th, 2011
11:33 am
Georgia has a puncher’s chance but that’s it. I could care less what others think. UGA has played NOBODY except South Carolina and Boise State and both of the teams whipped UGA.
Tigers eat dogs. It won’t even be close.
gdawginkalamazoo
November 29th, 2011
11:34 am
After the lousy start all we could ask the Coach and team to do was win out. They did that. They can’t help who our opponents were or what their records are. To win the game all it takes is one point more than the other team. They go the job done. Can’t win an SEC championship if you aren’t playing for it. They won the East and get the chance. It will be tough but this is the SEC where anything can happen. Good luck to Richt and the Dawgs this weekend. Congrats on turning a dismal start into a great opportunity.
Dawg48
November 29th, 2011
11:37 am
Richt can out coach miles!
gdawginkalamazoo
November 29th, 2011
11:39 am
Go Noles! Congrats on a great season. Good luck in the ACC Championship game!
reality Gator
November 29th, 2011
11:40 am
wow, 8 straight games against 500 below teams all eight combine are 12-48 in the SEC boy, UGA is really hot””’
Everyone knows SC are the really East champions they beat the puppies”’
LSU by 30 opening bid;;;
Blackberry Cobbler
November 29th, 2011
11:40 am
UGA Beat GT
SC Beat Clemson
Vandy Beat Wake Forest
But, FSU did beat Florida
So the SEC took 3 out of 4 from the ACC
Coach Paul Johnson said the strength of the SEC compared to the ACC “was all about perception” and said these 4 games would be the test. What’s your perception now CPJ?
Your “Wanna Bees” were overmatched from start to finish. So, maybe now you and all the Techies can just STFU.
Dawg48
November 29th, 2011
11:44 am
Les miles was on the hotseat coming into this year as well.
Hard Truth Black Soldier
November 29th, 2011
11:46 am
Bama Jack, Alabama was at home, given every chance to win, and didn’t. Do you see UGA fans blogging about Boise, or USC? Nope, took our lose like men, now sit down shut up, and I hope you got a”50 inch with HD so you can se the butt whippin LSU take Saturday Real good.
Paul "Man Boobs" Johnson
November 29th, 2011
11:51 am
I like to freeze kickers.
Hard Truth Black Soldier
November 29th, 2011
11:53 am
Reality Gator wasn’t ya’ll one of those 12 teams? With your five star talent every where. Go cry in Columbus, because your words are worthless in Georgia.
Doug
November 29th, 2011
11:53 am
You repeatedly misspell Isaiah’s last name. It is CRY-WELL.
STFU
November 29th, 2011
11:54 am
We’ll see how “torrid” they are after they play lsu.
45-14
Brainiac(Dawg for life)(CMR fan for life)
November 29th, 2011
11:55 am
Mark: There seems to be an abundance of BRILLIANT bloggers who still can’t just admit that CMR is a damn good coach. They continue to tell the world how CMR should recruit( As per Roll Tide), coach and every other detail,no matter how small. It isn’t enough that CMR has won 10 straight games, 10 out of 11 against GT, is in the top 10 active coaches in Div. 1A as to win/loss percentage, won the SEC East(This without a real RB in most of the games), doesn’t sign every O lineman in the state of Georgia EVERY year(As per Roll Tide), is constantly reminded that he should try to follow in the footsteps of Saban/Bama, Miles/LSU, Chizik/Auburn and even Petrino/Arkansas although no coach alive except the new Ohio State head coach(who was also included in those of whom CMR should model his program after until Fla started floundering in the POST-TEBOW era). Since these BRILLIANT minds apparently don’t have a job, you could become their agent as you are contemplating changing professions.
Two things to keep in mind if you hope to succeed in your new profession;
1) Roll Tide is by far the most BRILLIANT of CMR critics. According to RT all you have to do to be a winner at UGA is recruit and sign ALL OL in the state(He hasn’t explained how this can be done but I’m certain it is covered in Saban’s Book) I believe Saban and Miles are ranked in the top 20 or at least the Top 50 in win/loss by active coaches so CMR needs to pay attention although none of the above(except new Ohio State headcoach) has a winning record against CMR.
2) Always get CMR to pull those strings to get UGA the softest schedule possible. Ignore those who say that the SEC East is the weakest Division in the history of college football or that Florida and Tennessee dominated the SEC for years.
If I can be of further assistance in these matters please don’t hesitate to call.
I got Roll Tide on speed dial.
Good Kuck in your future endeavors.
Tryone Young
November 29th, 2011
11:56 am
Reality Gator: The reality is that your Florida program is fast becoming an absolute joke. You went 6-6 (with wins over UAB, Furman, and Florida International [or was it Fla Atlantic]). You were just manhandled by FSU (who itself isn’t good), and your coach is a whiney a-hole who can do nothing but scream at officials. Sadly, you may not beat UGA again for several years. How you can get on this board and gloat is beyond comprehension. Might be wise to STFU. But, USC are “the really east champions”. Nice logic.
Bama Mike
November 29th, 2011
11:57 am
LSU is just too deep. What is impressive is that their corners are so physical. They hold up receivers at line at least for a second which impacts their routes and timing. Couple that with the pressure they receive from their front and you have a very solid defensive scheme. In my opinion Orson Charles must be utilized in order to back the corners off the receivers for underneath help.
I would rather have a healthy Samuel who is also a very good blocker than Crowell who appears soft and still has problem picking up zone blitzes. But hey if Georgia can control the clock anything is possible just get it to the 4th quarter with a 5 point margin. Remember LSU played extremely cautious against Bama in 4th and we just could not take advantage of the opportunity given to us.
Brainiac(Dawg for life)(CMR fan for life)
November 29th, 2011
12:00 pm
……Good luck…….in the last sentence above.
dean
November 29th, 2011
12:01 pm
Can the Jaguars go ahead and just forfeit their game in ATL. They just fired their coach. I kind of feel sorry for their running back, Jones.
Go Dawgs. Show up and try your best.
ARdawg
November 29th, 2011
12:03 pm
Mark Bradley,
While you are handy, would you fix the situation so my posts will post? Okay, so the remark about the GT cheerleaders having hairy legs and being crack ho’s was a little over the top but it wasn’t obscene. C’mon