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
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301 comments Add your comment
dean
November 29th, 2011
12:55 pm
Dammit. The Jaguars were also sold today (according to the present owner). I’m not upset at them being sold but supposedly the new owner is saying no movement (to L.A.). I’m not 100% sure about that, though. I just want them gone so we down here on The Golden Isles can be put back where we belong: In ATL’s home TV market. Screw the jaguars.
JB
November 29th, 2011
12:56 pm
The secret to not getting embarrassed Saturday IS to make some first downs and move the ball and eat some clock. We expose our D to 40 minutes our there, it will get ugly.
dean
November 29th, 2011
12:58 pm
WDE @ 1237…
When the Dawgs beat Auburn the national heads were talking about how bad Auburn was. When alabama beat Auburn it was all about how good alabama is.
GA COCK
November 29th, 2011
12:59 pm
Go Cocks, where is Ga ranked? Behind Carolina!!!
Rationale
November 29th, 2011
12:59 pm
MB, I like the caption under the photo. Humorous.
None of us know how much heat McGarity put on Coach Richt, but I am sure it was quite a bit of quiet, behind the scenes, chewing, along with encouraging him with the opportunity to regain his stature at UGA that he once had. McGarity did not come to UGA to get beat by FL, or anyone else every year. I think he came here to help build UGA into the total quality college/university system that it deserves. It was a profoundly great sports oriented University under Vince Dooley. UGA should be on the same level as Alabama and LSU from now on.
As a Christian, my opinion is Coach Richt got caught up in trying to make sure he did everything he could with some of these players, to help them become better adults, that last year, they completely took advantage of his kindness and ran over him, and totally embarrassed him, and in the process, they and he hurt his individual persona and public image, in the eyes of all people. There has been a lot of anti-Christian bias on these posts this year, and I think that part of the disgruntled passion for UGA, was over done. He has shown this year the kind of coach that he really is, a great one. I think he has also built a fire under Bobo. I am not a Bobo fan, but, he has improved as an OC.
I think it was Jarvis Jones that said at the end of the second loss to SC he called a team meeting and said that it was time for the players to stop playing for themselves and to start playing as a team for Coach Richt or he was not going to be here. Jarvis Jones is an exceptional person, and appears to be a great locker room leader, and I am so glad he came back to Georgia to play for UGA.
Buckeye
November 29th, 2011
1:02 pm
LSU = Men
dogs = boys
LSU by 20.
Brainiac(Dawg for life)(CMR fan for life)
November 29th, 2011
1:03 pm
@Hoops dawg: If I remember correctly Herschel Walker, Garrison Herst and Washaun Ealey were Single A HS players. I believe Robert Edwards was either A or 2A but he played only defense until his junior year but no 2 people are exactly the same. Maybe IC will adjust mentally and prepare himself better for next year. IC was awesome in the 2nd half of the Auburn game so he can cut it at times.
Brainiac(Dawg for life)(CMR fan for life)
November 29th, 2011
1:06 pm
Lattimore is good but he is no Earl Campbell and certainly not a Herschel Walker. In my recollection only Tony Dorsett and Bo Jackson closely rivals Herschel.
dean
November 29th, 2011
1:07 pm
If LSU wins, we’ll hear every excuse why the game really didn’t matter that much to them. We’ll hear it from them and the enablers at the alphabet.
Terry
November 29th, 2011
1:11 pm
Buckeye, This isn’t Ohio State playing LSU, its the Bulldogs, they’ll come to play, unlike your Buckeyes did.
Ellijay Chief
November 29th, 2011
1:12 pm
Mark,
I think your last couple week’s articles have been as good as they come. The article on Munson was outstanding. It is rare to read an article that truly gets to you, but you achieved that. Keep up the good work.
WDE
November 29th, 2011
1:15 pm
@dean roger that when LSU played Auburn they were a “decent” team…
Reality
November 29th, 2011
1:16 pm
Snooze….Lsu wins by 4 dozen.
WDE
November 29th, 2011
1:17 pm
@Reality you’ve saying that since the season began…..with everyone we’ve played.
joe
November 29th, 2011
1:19 pm
I have 2 SEC Champ tickets I’m selling for $250 each in the Mezzanine section 239 (East team side). If interested, post your email in a reply and I’ll get back to you…
Tater Tot
November 29th, 2011
1:20 pm
Rationale
November 29th, 2011
12:59 pm
…………………………………
Great post earlier.
Reality
November 29th, 2011
1:20 pm
OK WDE…UGA wins goes to the BCS NC game and is preseason NC for the next 20 years. You are just delusional. UGA has a good team, but they will not be able stay on the field with LSU.
WDE
November 29th, 2011
1:27 pm
@Reality but gee we are going to show up in spite of that…hope your team enjoys their time off.
Brainiac(Dawg for life)(CMR fan for life)
November 29th, 2011
1:27 pm
@Bob: “You lost to the two best teams on your schedule”. WOW…. Man I believe you may be on to something. It is a matter of record that if you lose 2 games in a 10-2 season a huge percentage of the time the 2 losses were to the 2 best teams on the schedule. By the way. How did your team do this season?(Actually CMR is getting a HUGE contract extension because he can pull strings and get a “soft” UGA schedule) Life is good in Dawg Nation.
J
November 29th, 2011
1:31 pm
Let Crawford walk … he might have been the 4th highest scorer and our bench player, but he basically played starte minutes all season long. Objective fan was right, the guy can’t defend. Excited to see Teague get some playing time this year and for the NBA season to be back soon!
J
November 29th, 2011
1:32 pm
Reality … you the same bum who posted on the Hawks blog? If so, you’re an idiot … just my two cents and everyone else’s.
reality Gator
November 29th, 2011
1:38 pm
Brainiac(Dawg for life)(CMR fan for life)
Lets see Myers 2 NAT in 7 years ball coach 1 NAT in 5 years, Mark Saint Richt 11 years at UGA 0 championships.
I think our recruits have been better dont you think?
UGA plays for East Championships and SEC titiles been a long time since 1980, cable tv was fairly new,.
Opening bid LSU by 30”’
WDE
November 29th, 2011
1:43 pm
@reality Gator hope Will and Charlie are enjoying their time off this week. By the By Urban is now the coach at OSU talk about living in the past….
Terry
November 29th, 2011
1:56 pm
Mark Bradley, Stop with the next Herschel, there will never be another college RB like Herschel. Its not fair to compare anyone esle to Herschel. It’s pretty common these days to refer to football players as “athletic freaks”, but Herschel Walker was someone who truly deserved the designation. At 6-foot-two, 222 pounds, Walker possessed a devastating combination of pure speed and raw power. Even Ron Dayne, who is ranked #1 all time in rushing yards leader, was not as good as Herschel, the only reason Herschel is not #1, he left after his third year.
Ron Dayne, Wisconsin (1996-99) 6,397, 1599.25 average per year
Herschel Walker, Georgia (1980-82) 5,259, 1,753 average per year
The top 15 all-time leading rushers in college football history are listed here.
Ron Dayne, Wisconsin (1996-99) 6,397 career rushing yards
Ricky Williams, Texas (1995-98) 6,279
Tony Dorsett, Pittsburgh (1973-76) 6,082
DeAngelo Williams, Memphis (2002-05) 6,026
Charles White, USC (1976-79) 5,598
Travis Prentice, Miami (Ohio) (1996-99) 5,596
Cedric Benson, Texas (2001-04) 5,540
Ladainian Tomlinson, TCU (1997-00) 5,263
Herschel Walker, Georgia (1980-82) 5,259
Archie Griffin, Ohio State (1972-75) 5,177
Avon Cobourne, West Virginia (1999-02) 5,164
Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois (2004-06) 5,164
Mike Hart, Michigan (2004-07) 5,040
Darren Lewis, Texas A&M (1987-90) 5,012
Darren Sproles, Kansas State (2001-04) 4,979
Thuga
November 29th, 2011
2:06 pm
Crowell seems to always be munching on something. Guess weed will do that……. Geux Tigers!
Truth
November 29th, 2011
2:08 pm
UGA is going to get CRUSHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My Take
November 29th, 2011
2:09 pm
Dawgs : Haven’t played a good defensive team since losing to South Carolina. Will probably get beat 27-10 by LSU. Crowell can’t be counted on.
Falcons : Can’t beat the Saints & Packers. So why bother making the playoffs ? No pass rush period. Brees & Rodgers will pick the feathers out of the Falcons db’s…
Braves : Liberty Media’s penny-pinching ways prevent team from getting a much needed shortstop & power hitting left fielder. Will oft-injured Chipper play 10,20,50,100 games ? The not-so great Jason Heyward keeps right field position without earning it.
Hawks : Who really cares about the NBA ? Greedy players. Joe Johnson’s salary has hamstrung the team for 5 years. He gets paid like Kobe & LeBron but plays like Mugsy Bogues…
ToccoaDawg
November 29th, 2011
2:09 pm
I am Surprised Mark didn’t mention his Kentucky wildcats are #1 this week in mens basketball. Just saying.
Just saying
November 29th, 2011
2:10 pm
Will our Bulldawgs beat LSU this Saturday? Let’s say it is POSSIBLE, but not PROBABLE. But, let’s cheer and hope their POSSIBILITY will become the reality! Anything can happen…that’s why the game is played. We’re glad the Dawgs have the opportunity to play in the SEC Championship game. Go Dawgs!!! Just saying…
My Take
November 29th, 2011
2:12 pm
Dawgs : Haven’t played a good defensive team since losing to South Carolina. Will probably get beat 27-10 by LSU. Crowell can’t be counted on.
Falcons : Can’t beat the Saints & Packers. So why bother making the playoffs ? No pass rush period. Brees & Rodgers will pick the feathers out of the Falcons db’s…
Braves : Liberty Media’s penny-pinching ways prevent team from getting a much needed shortstop & power hitting left fielder. Will oft-injured Chipper play 10,20,50,100 games ? The not-so great Jason Heyward keeps right field position without earning it.
Hawks : Who really cares about the NBA ? Greedy players. Joe Johnson’s salary has hamstrung the team for 5 years. He gets paid like Kobe & LeBron but plays like Mugsy Bogues
HamptonDawg
November 29th, 2011
2:16 pm
Ha! Dan Pastorini….good one!
gdawginkalamazoo
November 29th, 2011
2:20 pm
Good to know that we still have a long line of haters that just can’t wait to get on here and tell us how bad we are. Amazing that we are that irrelevant and yet, garner that much attention. It is so hilarious that you hate us more than you like your own team.
Buckeye
November 29th, 2011
2:29 pm
TIME OUT
TIME OUT
TIME OUT
the old coach
November 29th, 2011
2:29 pm
Mark you are beginning to write your articles more and more like Gene Asher the sports editor and writer I grew up reading that is a plus for you. I have enjoyed your articles lately hope you will continue to address the BCS and be as critical as you can be as a writer. I cant say what I think BCS stands for.
prime time (redshirt me?)
November 29th, 2011
2:34 pm
143rd!! Just like that Tech D…..HAHAHAHAHAHA!
Murphy
November 29th, 2011
2:38 pm
Interesting info I ran across on ESPN page:
In five seasons when Mark Richt played a quarterback starting for the first time, Georgia went 41-23 (.640), with one 10-win season. That would have been senior D.J. Shockley, who played regularly in previous years behind David Greene, leading the Dawgs to a 10-3 record and the SEC title. In the six seasons in which Richt has had a returning starter at quarterback, the Dawgs are 65-13 (.833) with one SEC title and four SEC East championships.
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2011
2:42 pm
Thanks, the old coach. I know Mr. Asher and take that as a great compliment.
Bob
November 29th, 2011
2:46 pm
@ WDE and whoever else is in denial. The point is UGA played a weak schedule. If they had to play LSU, Bama, and ARK like most of the rest of conference did, they also would be a 5 loss team like everyone else in the league. Your record is not a great representation of what is going on at UGA. Murray is just now what 15-9 as a starter, after 9 wins in a row? Next year when UGA faces tougher competition UGA fans will be back in here rehashing the Richt debate faster than you can say overrated.
CPJ's fupa...
November 29th, 2011
2:47 pm
Greatest photo caption ever…Good work Bradley…
Matthews Dawg
November 29th, 2011
2:47 pm
Mark, I just found this on ESPN website and thought it interesting…what do you think?
Thanks to reader Matt Heyes for this note: in five seasons when Mark Richt played a quarterback starting for the first time, Georgia went 41-23 (.640), with one 10-win season. That would have been senior D.J. Shockley, who played regularly in previous years behind David Greene, leading the Dawgs to a 10-3 record and the SEC title. In the six seasons in which Richt has had a returning starter at quarterback, the Dawgs are 65-13 (.833) with one SEC title and four SEC East championships.
Let us know!! Go Dawgs!!
Delbert D.
November 29th, 2011
2:47 pm
Eric Dickerson said regarding Herschel Walker, “Every time I see him, I say,”You know you’ve got my Heisman.” He believes that Walker should have won the Heisman in his freshman year.
Matthews Dawg
November 29th, 2011
2:48 pm
Well, Murphy beat me to it, but I would still like to know your thoughts and does this change anyone’s mind about CMR?
UGA 89
November 29th, 2011
2:51 pm
Dean…
The Jags might not be winning this year but don’t be so sure that the Falcons will roll over them. Alltime record Jags 3 wins, Falcons only 1.
Murphy
November 29th, 2011
2:54 pm
@ UGA89
Thats funny.The Jags going to beat Atlanta? Im see the JAG organization everyday and Tech could beat the Jags!!!
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2011
2:58 pm
Shows the importance of a particular position player, I’d say, Matthews Dawg.
Rolo
November 29th, 2011
3:01 pm
Isaiah Crowell could have played vs Tech. But he was bloated and cramping,..and he just felt like he wanted to cry all day. So until you’ve walked in his shoes give him a break
Najeh Davenpoop
November 29th, 2011
3:02 pm
Dominique Wilkins loves these Heat Check columns.
Texas Dawg
November 29th, 2011
3:02 pm
The comparison of Lattimore freshman season to Crowells is not even close!
Crowell never came close to putting the game on his back and securing a win for GA…….
Lattimore beat us his freshman year…ran all over us……..Lattimore dominated teams……
with Crowell I’m just holding my breath when he gets hit cause he is coming out the game
I’m a die hard UGA fan and Crowell is the best back we have, great cutting ability, speed thru the hole…..but the comparison is not even close….
.imagine if Lattimore had come to UGA???????
Texas Dawg
November 29th, 2011
3:03 pm
Enter your comments here
prime time (redshirt me?)
November 29th, 2011
3:07 pm
I am still not sure CMR can win it all. 2002,2005,2007 and this year he was very close to the NC game.Just not sure he can get over the hump. I still think he needs a O Cord that will really open things up.