Heat Check: Falcons and seedings, Hawks and retreads
The Hawks' Jeff Teague amuses himself and others at Media Day. (Photo by David Tulis)
Our weekly Heat Check returns after, er, a week off. (Why the week off? Because I’ve again reached the point when I realize I have more vacation days remaining than there are workdays left in the calendar year.) So we’re playing catch-up hotness, as it were.
The Atlanta Falcons: They staged a huge rally in Charlotte to get to 8-5. On Thursday they play a Jacksonville team that has already dumped its coach. If the playoffs began tomorrow, they’d be the NFC’s No. 5 seed, which would mean they’d miss having to play in New Orleans twice in a 14-day span. Instead they’d get the winner of the NFC East in Round 1, and that winner will be the Giants or the Cowboys or maybe even the Eagles. Heat Index: No. 5 would suit this team just fine.
The Atlanta Hawks: They’re back at work. They’ve added Tracy McGrady, Jerry Stackhouse and Vladimir Radmanovic, none of whom is as good as he used to be but two of whom should be of use. Jamal Crawford still hasn’t found a job. Josh Smith still hasn’t gotten traded. And I believe you’re up to date. Heat Index: The buzz on this team isn’t exactly overwhelming; truth to tell, it isn’t even whelming.
The Atlanta Braves: They went to the Winter Meetings and came home without making a trade. The only thing I can think is that some impostor must have gone in Frank Wren’s stead. Heat Index: Is the Tyler Pastornicky Era indeed upon us?
The Georgia Bulldogs: Mark Richt is negotiating a new contract, presumably including a new Ford truck. A year ago, this wouldn’t have been seen as good news in most precincts. Today it has to be viewed as a just reward for a turnaround season. Heat Index: Is the Keith Marshall Era indeed upon us, and if so, what will we recall about the Isaiah Crowell Era?
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (different sport): Pretty significant win for Brian Gregory, who went to Athens and did in his first try what Paul Hewitt couldn’t manage in five trips — winning at Georgia. Add the November signing of Shiloh High big man Robert Carter, whom Georgia wanted very much, and it’s possible to wonder if the new Tech man hasn’t already begun to erode the in-state gains made by Mark Fox. Heat Index: On the other hand, the ACC schedule hasn’t yet commenced. If Tech finishes above .500, Gregory should get one of those Hewitt lifetime contracts. (Kidding! I’m kidding!)
Chris Paul: Both Los Angeles teams want this guy. Don’t know why. If he was so good, wouldn’t Billy Knight have drafted him? Heat Index: “I’m telling you — Marvin Williams is going to have a breakout season.” Heard that before?
Ryan Braun: The National League MVP has tested positive for a banned substance. Braun insists he did nothing untoward, and why shouldn’t we believe him? Because Bud Selig, who lives in Milwaukee, keeps telling us that baseball has weaned itself of steroids under his eagle-eyed aegis. Heat Index: In other news, Braun plays for the Milwaukee Brewers, the team Commissioner Selig used to own.
Charlie Weis: Just became the head coach at Kansas after a fine year’s work at Florida. Who else but a mastermind could have taken Urban Meyer’s leftovers and crafted the nation’s 102nd-most-productive offense? Heat Index: I can’t imagine many Gators will shed tears over Mr. Schematic Advantage’s departure. But maybe Georgia fans should.
By Mark Bradley
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134 comments Add your comment
ss
December 13th, 2011
8:13 am
cool
GDawg
December 13th, 2011
8:13 am
First
ss
December 13th, 2011
8:13 am
whwew is my comment
Reality Man
December 13th, 2011
8:14 am
weis is a pig. that is all
ARdawg
December 13th, 2011
8:21 am
Mighty weak for a column Bradley. You follow up your classic Munson with this?
Energy Vampire
December 13th, 2011
8:24 am
Tell Crowell to cut his nappy hair and get off the weed.
funny...
December 13th, 2011
8:25 am
To be honest, Georgia basketball is where it is because of Travis Leslie and Trey Thompkins.
Both of those idiots should have stayed in school.
Ed Pilcher
December 13th, 2011
8:26 am
I can’t believe another D-1 school actually hired Charlie Weiss as a head coach. He’s been a flop at every college position he’s had. Just unbelieveable.
Energy Vampire
December 13th, 2011
8:27 am
The Floundering Foxhounds are akin to the Xavier Thugs.
Same ole Same ole
December 13th, 2011
8:30 am
Too bad Richt is still gonna be around. More mediocrity to follow with a Boo Boo too.
Brian Gregory
December 13th, 2011
8:31 am
I own UGA!
Vince
December 13th, 2011
8:31 am
You’re back !!
Vince
December 13th, 2011
8:32 am
We missed you.
BK
December 13th, 2011
8:33 am
Mark, why no article about Auburn’s running back being suspended? If this were UGA you guys would have written multiple articles speculating the reason and referring to lack of control at the school.
JackDennis
December 13th, 2011
8:34 am
I could have used Weis’s agent.
Dyer Does weed
December 13th, 2011
8:34 am
Wheres Carlton and IC?
Jamaaliver
December 13th, 2011
8:35 am
Good to have you back, MB.
Am I foolish to think that Marvin Williams really IS due to have a breakout year?
And that CP3 leaving NO for the Clippers is a HUUUUUGE downgrade?
Charlie Weis
December 13th, 2011
8:36 am
Feed me!
Ford Tough
December 13th, 2011
8:46 am
Just like the Georgia Bulldogs: F ix O r R epair D aily.
GT Dude
December 13th, 2011
8:48 am
Bark Madley, When it comes TECH please never ever kid about a Blewit Hewitt contract, it still hurts too much!!!
GT Dude
December 13th, 2011
8:50 am
Bark Madly,
When it comes to TECH and a Blewit Hewitt contract, please never ever kid with us, it still hurts too much!!!
Energy Van Helsing
December 13th, 2011
8:51 am
@ energy vampire,
Why are you posting negative things about a black athelete and a prodominately black school? Did your wife leave you for a black man? Did you get fired becuase a black man or woman was more qualified? C’mon dude. Chill.
steverino
December 13th, 2011
8:53 am
What is it with Kansas and lard-butts?
Instead of Ford trucks, do they offer free Ryan’s buffets?
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
December 13th, 2011
8:54 am
Coach wants a truck that’s not red. Everything in this town is red or black. No red running backs, though. I have an idea for the bowl broadcast . . . and I got it watching the NFL. When they put the UGA players’ pictures up on the screen they can say, “hit and run”, “armed robbery”, “burglary”, or whatever their felony may be. I think it will help with recruiting running backs. I realize I am a bit scarred and may not make permanent mascot with this attitude but nobody gives a little dog credit for the turnaround.
Chris
December 13th, 2011
8:55 am
BK, that’s because this is a GEORGIA newspaper. It is there job to write and investigate things that happen in GEORGIA. As it is the Alabama papers’ to do so about Auburn.
cattledawg
December 13th, 2011
8:55 am
The Bulldogs an Falcons both became soft teams when their coaches started driving Fords.
Paul in NH
December 13th, 2011
8:55 am
Mark – Nice column but you missed an obvious one for your heat index. David Stern – an Emperor whose clothes are starting to fall apart.
DC
December 13th, 2011
8:57 am
Weis sounded so stupid saying rock chalk jayhawk this past weekend at the basketball game…
Chris
December 13th, 2011
8:58 am
Good one Paul… David Stern does feel like a dictator at the moment doesn’t he? At some point (hopefully soon) a team’s president or owner is going to get fed up and do something about it. Hopefully they would push for a vote of “No Confidence” and get his sorry behind replaced.
Hankie Aron
December 13th, 2011
8:59 am
Ford Tough- The record shows Ford did not take any of the gov’t “get on our bus” bailout money. That speaks highly in and of itself
Hankie Aron
December 13th, 2011
9:02 am
In other news, Is there any less buzz ever for a forthcoming Hawks season. Really, does anybody care? Count me in the no crowd
DC
December 13th, 2011
9:02 am
I saw somewhere where they compared David Stern to Vince McMahon…they have a point..
Charlie Weis
December 13th, 2011
9:06 am
Im a weeble and I Wobble but I dont fall down.
Major Well Factor
December 13th, 2011
9:07 am
Charlie has a long cane……. Expedia Guy
juvenal
December 13th, 2011
9:11 am
got to admit, was a BiG win in athens, really helped our morale………
Ted M
December 13th, 2011
9:15 am
Mark – You were joking when you said Marvin Williams is gonna have a breakout year, right?
southpaw
December 13th, 2011
9:18 am
Brian Gregory runs this state!
Next
December 13th, 2011
9:18 am
Marshall will regret going to uga where he will be benched.
In da Know
December 13th, 2011
9:21 am
Who did UGA beat this year? The man knows…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2oZWpqtNi4
Bogart Man
December 13th, 2011
9:21 am
David Stern is the shortest commissioner yet he rules the tallest sport.
PaulieOldSchool
December 13th, 2011
9:22 am
For both the Hawks and the Braves–you get what you don’t pay for, in this case, recycled crap. The very definition of insanity is to do the same thing (e.g., have the same lineup) and expect different results. For the Falcons, if they can play a consistent 3 games, they will go deep. If not, an early offseason. Please can MM. For UGA, I know these words fall on deaf ears, but just like an athlete in a “contract year”, RIcht pulled a rabbit out of the hat. Please don’t extend his contract, we need to go in a different direction. Again, change OC. THAT is all.
falc fan
December 13th, 2011
9:24 am
I am thinking that the 6th seed would be best for the Falcons – second round opponent for 5th seed (if they get that far) would be Green Bay in the Tundra, not an attractive prospect in January (but then again, better for the players perspective than watching it at home on TV while on a 6 month vacation)
Pistol Pete
December 13th, 2011
9:24 am
Falcons 1 & done in playoffs, Hawks still have no center & added some retreads, not going anywhere, & Braves better wake up cause Marlins are passing you by!
JSS
December 13th, 2011
9:30 am
Paul in NH
December 13th, 2011
8:55 am
“Mark – Nice column but you missed an obvious one for your heat index. David Stern – an Emperor whose clothes are starting to fall apart.”
That dude is butt naked and running down the street in board daylight! And that ain’t pretty!!!
JSS
December 13th, 2011
9:31 am
^^^^^^^^^
“broad”
falc fan
December 13th, 2011
9:31 am
ON THE OTHER HAND (Ethereal music playing eerily in the background here)—
2010 – wild card Green Bay came into 1st seed ATL’s home dome after losing to them in the regular season. The stadium is packed with Packers fans wearing foam cheese. That was the start of something special.
2011 – wild card Atlanta goes to top seed Green Bay’s frozen fortress of tuntratude after losing to them in the regular season. The stadium is packed with falcons fans wearing foam peaches.
In could happen, couldn’t it???
Anybody remember the NFC Championship Minnesota, the last (only) time the Falcons went to the superbowl??
dolla dolla bill
December 13th, 2011
9:32 am
wanna toughen up crowell…put him in the FAMU band for a year or two….
falc fan
December 13th, 2011
9:33 am
Regarding the Hawks, you mean they aren’t still on strike/lockout/apathetic coma?
If not, why not?
prime time (redshirt me?)
December 13th, 2011
9:33 am
ATL sports = watching paint dry at times.
dolla dolla bill
December 13th, 2011
9:35 am
look at all the tats on teague…love the ballas in the nba…it’s fantastic!!!…not…wish the nba had folded…
Bling and Blang
December 13th, 2011
9:38 am
Teague needin sum Ear Bling with dem tats.
Lee
December 13th, 2011
9:40 am
doesnt matter whether the Falcons finish as the 5 or 6 seed. they still open on the road. they’re toast. one and done. on the Bradley snark o meter–how’d that deal for Julio Jones work out? Super Bowl, eh? last piece to the puzzle, right?
Energy Vampire
December 13th, 2011
9:40 am
UGA has Clowns!
JSS
December 13th, 2011
9:42 am
falc fan
December 13th, 2011
9:33 am
“Regarding the Hawks, you mean they aren’t still on strike/lockout/apathetic coma? If not, why not?”
The same reason you’re deluded enough not to see the talent difference between 1998 team and your lose to 1-5 teams with records above .500 team…
Major Well Factor
December 13th, 2011
9:42 am
Falcons play in a Dome…..I like Domes… Expedia Guy
Bravesfan79
December 13th, 2011
9:44 am
Actually the Hawks did good by picking up TMcgrady and R… Mcgrady is still a good overall player who used to go on hot streaks unlike anyone current but Kobe. He would be great at the 6th man, or starting in place of Marvin Williams at SF. Hes a great passer, and good shooter.
Rodmonavitch is a 40% 3 pt shooter, which is a hell of alot better than Josh Smith jacking 3’s. He will be great for the 2nd unit. Not sure what Stackhouse has left.
Falkor
December 13th, 2011
9:46 am
That was a pretty funny bit of journalism MB
Ron Hunter
December 13th, 2011
9:46 am
How about some love for GSU basketball? 7 straight wins by an average of 20 points and currently #5 in ESPN’s mid-major ranks.
http://insider.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/7344511/mid-major-power-rankings-tulane-takes-early-top-spot-creighton-close-behind
Drinking the water from a toilet.
December 13th, 2011
9:47 am
Enter your comments here
Double Zero Eight
December 13th, 2011
9:48 am
@ falc fan
I remember well. The nation was stunned.
The Super Bowl was a debacle.
Eugene Robinson played poorly after his
escapade, and the Falcons were not able
to focus on the task at hand as a result
in the Super Bowl.
I even remember the pass in 1980 that Roland Lawrence
failed to “bat down” from Danny White that probably
cost them a trip to the Super Bowl.
Ron Hunter
December 13th, 2011
9:49 am
Who’s hotter than Georgia State basketball? 7 straight wins by an average of 20+ and #5 in ESPN’s mid-major ranking.
JoeFann
December 13th, 2011
9:52 am
The only way Marvin Williams has a breakout year, is if it’s the last year of his contract. Besides that, who cares? (Or should?) The NBA is so 37 seconds ago. Wake me when the playoff start. Or better yet, don’t.
Go Dawgs!
Double Zero Eight
December 13th, 2011
9:55 am
The only goal for ASG and Sund is for the
Hawks to win in the second round of the
playoffs. They recognize even this will
be a stretch for the Hawks with this roster.
HE MY BABY DADDY
December 13th, 2011
9:59 am
BRADLEY YOU “HUCKLEBERRY”!! YOU CALL THIS AN ARTICLE??! YOU WROTE THAT CRAP OF A ARTICLE ABOUT SABAN AND ALABAMA,THEN TAKE A WEEK OFF TO GO INTO HIDING THEN YOU SLING THIS CRAP OUT IN THE GUISE OF A STORY??!! YOU NEED TO GO BACK INTO HIDING YOU “HUCKLEBERRY”!!!
Tha Real Fan
December 13th, 2011
10:00 am
Hey, what about the Thrashers, er, Jets?
falc fan
December 13th, 2011
10:02 am
JSS – I wasn’t implying that any of the players on the 1998 team are still hanging around. Even a dummy line me knows that (even though I was overseas at the time, and got most of my info over the internet from the AJC site). There was more news over there on the horndog CB than the team as a whole. Sad.
My apparently too subtle point on the Falcons was that they DO occasionally thrive historically in the role of the underdog (less so in the “Goliath” role, see 1978 or so against Dallas, last year against the Pack as the #1 seed).
The comment in question was regarding the hawks, agreeing with Mark’s hawk heat index observation. I was agreeing, also too subtly, apparently.
falc fan
December 13th, 2011
10:05 am
Double Zero Eight -yes, I remember it well, I had just gotten out of Iran and was watching it on a small black and white TV in SE Asia, waiting to come Home.
Good memory, Double Zero Eight.
Fortunately, a year or two later the Dogs beat ND if I recall correctly to win the National Championship. Hershel time (in Saudi for that one).
cdog
December 13th, 2011
10:06 am
the hawks still after 5 years still need a center. does it take these amount of years to correct a problem?.and fans were caslling for mike woodson’s head when it should have been rick sund who should have been the one out the door. the hawks will pay dearly for this not happening
Only 3500 at Munson Memorial
December 13th, 2011
10:09 am
I heard half of those paying their respects were fans of rival schools. It’s sad, really, the way UGA fans discard their heroes.
Sad Day
December 13th, 2011
10:11 am
Only 3500 were at the Munson Memorial. Someone told me close to half the people paying their respects were fans of rival schools. It is really sad the way UGA fans discard their heroes.
Old Dawg
December 13th, 2011
10:26 am
Coaching football at Kansas is like getting an early pass to hell. Guess Charlie Weiss has some sins we don’t know about!
dolla dolla bill
December 13th, 2011
10:33 am
just 3500 showing for the Munson memorial was pathetic…yeah, what a tradition rich program uga is…you all should be embarrassed by this, but you won’t be…wal-mart is about to put out the bowl game shirts against mich state…hope they come in camo too…what a bunch of redneck idiots…
another comment
December 13th, 2011
10:40 am
I lived accross the street from Marvin Williams. 1st Marvin is a great guy! He played from last December through the playoffs with pain, numbness and tingling from his lumbar back injury. He told me this himself. I have had multiple back surgeries. I do not know how he played through this, but he did. He had back surgery days after the season ended. He has youth on his side. He told me that he has none of the symptoms remaining. He kept up his reconditioning program the entire off season coming back from the surgery. Riding his bike for miles, running, throwing the football. He worked hard during the off season. He had the surgery, was focused on the rehab. and conditioned the whole off season. I know I saw it.
He playedd very hurt, so yes he is due to a break out season. Plus he is a good guy. He is not a thug player.
Laughing out Loud
December 13th, 2011
10:44 am
@Same old same old…better you leave than Coach Richt…Bulldawgs are in fine shape with him…Just keep on winning and coaching character.
Laughing out Loud
December 13th, 2011
10:48 am
@Sad Day and Only 3500, I presume you and all others bemoaning the attendance at the Munson memorial were present for the service.
John
December 13th, 2011
10:50 am
I think Marvin and Joe bounce back this year since Jamal is gone. He took minutes and quality shots from them. Both Marvin and Joe were better in the seasons leading to Jamal’s arrival. That is nothing against Jamal other than he dominates the ball in order to score.
typical dawg fan
December 13th, 2011
10:57 am
wish i couda ben at tha munsen deal. i had to trash picken up cause of my dui. did meet me a sweety from sylvania thow. her name is joey an shes from up aroun clayton. we goin out friday an do sum drinkin im my camaro wile we lisen to sum 38 speshel.
reality
December 13th, 2011
10:58 am
This is a very sad report on the state of Atlanta sports. The “best” news here seems to be Richts contract extension. And even this is bogus. The man still has 2 years on his current deal. Is it too much to ask for him to actually beat ONE team the dawgs are not expected to beat BEFORE he’s given a reward? He is the luckiest coach in D1 football – early losses to good teams, cream puff schedule, weakest SEC east in years = extensions and raises!
jeffrey d
December 13th, 2011
11:00 am
Only 3500 were at the Munson Memorial. Someone told me close to half the people paying their respects were fans of rival schools
How would there be any way to measure that? Was there a survey taped to each seat? Most of the fans were wearing black.
ask some real questions
December 13th, 2011
11:03 am
WHERE IS THE DAMN KAWAKAMI-MCLOUTH MONEY GOING?
I’m sick of the local media giving the Braves a free pass on this.
dolla dolla bill
December 13th, 2011
11:05 am
jeffrey d…
why attack those who showed up…the place holds 87000 +/-…3500 is not a lot of love for a guy who was so “loved” by uga fans…
Tha Real Fan
December 13th, 2011
11:05 am
Jeta are HOT!!
jeffrey d
December 13th, 2011
11:08 am
WHERE IS THE DAMN KAWAKAMI-MCLOUTH MONEY GOING?
Mostly pay raises McCann, Prado, and Jurrjens. Wren’s still got some extra money to sign/trade for either a LF or SS
BFD
December 13th, 2011
11:08 am
Right on, Marky B. Wish we could have kept the Thrashers and lost the Hawks.
GStateBen
December 13th, 2011
11:08 am
Wow. No mention of the team playing the best basketball in the state. That would be the Georgia State Panthers who’ve won 7 games in a row. The margin of victory in those games? 24.2 points per game.
Time to pay attention Mark. The best basketball in the state is being played in the Georgia State Sports Arena.
crackbaby
December 13th, 2011
11:18 am
Hawks are irrelevant. Signing Joe Johnson to max money was the kiss of death to the franchise.
TMac, and Stackhouse? Give me a break. The glaring holes in the lineup are a true center and point guard. Teague is so iffy.
If they could get D Howard in his home city, the place would light up. Only way to do that is for JJ to give Dwight his money…… not gonna happen with lame duck ownership.
Fans should stay away. Starve the franchise. Push down the value/price of the franchise and let a great new owner buy the team at foreclosure prices and build a great product.
Don’t give your money to lame duck owners.
ijonathan
December 13th, 2011
11:24 am
I think someone at Kansas, with memories of former coach Mark Mangino still in their heads, looked at Charlie Weis and said, “dang, that’s one svelte, healthy looking gentleman. He must lead a very disciplined life. Let’s hire him.”
Mark Bradley
December 13th, 2011
11:28 am
I pay attention. I like Ron Hunter and think he’ll do a good job. But let the record show that, of Georgia State’s seven consecutive victories, none has come against a team that holds a winning record.
TheEagleWay
December 13th, 2011
11:33 am
Hey Mark, I know its FCS, but Georgia Southern is in the Semi-finals this Saturday.
Ron Hunter
December 13th, 2011
11:33 am
Winning record or not, GSU is still blowing teams out. The last two wins have both been by 32 points. They schedule will get tougher soon enough when CAA play starts, but for now they are as hot as anyone.
Mark Bradley
December 13th, 2011
11:48 am
Don’t get me wrong. I’ll go see the Panthers in the New Year. I have high hopes for this coach.
Only 3500 at Munson Memorial
December 13th, 2011
11:50 am
I bet more people lined up to ring the bell for that commercial than attended the memorial for a beloved announcer.
RiffRaff
December 13th, 2011
12:00 pm
Charlie Weis: Just became the head coach at Kansas after a fine year’s work at Florida. Who else but a mastermind could have taken Urban Meyer’s leftovers and crafted the nation’s 102nd-most-productive offense?
Mark, funny stuff. Not sure what Kansas sees in Weis.
Abnerish
December 13th, 2011
12:22 pm
The bar is not raised real high to play SS for the Braves. Remember, this is the team that won championships and pennants with Jeff Blauser and Rafael Belliard and lived through the agony of the likes of Rafael Ramirez and Andres Thomas. If Pastornicky can field his position and bat over .220 he will be deemed a success. Anything above that is gravy.
Lakeoconeedawg
December 13th, 2011
12:23 pm
Why would the AJC sport writers not write a article about the Auburn running back being suspended for the bowl game. Mark are you the sport writer or do you just write negative articles about the University of Georgia! Yes, Mark I guess you just “forgot” about little Auburn. So you could save up the ink to write all your negative things about the DAWGS. Mark leave the AJC and come down to Lake Country and write in our weekly paper. That way I would only have to hear you weekly not daily. Bye
Hollywould
December 13th, 2011
12:30 pm
Lake, yall still have a paper in that bankrupt county? Buy an AJC and read about Dyer.
JSS
December 13th, 2011
12:32 pm
@ Mark Bradley…
I mean seriously, the more I listen to SEC fans whine about each other; the closer I feel that we are getting to being like the old Southwest Conference… There is only a matter of time before they to go all nuclear around and destroy each other programs? it is just getting silly…
egeagle
December 13th, 2011
12:49 pm
Pound for pound, the best footbal playedl in this state is by Georgia Southern. FCS has fewer schollies, but it does have the advantage of settling championships ON THE FIELD.
We do have a question for GStateBen, itsmeagain, and the rest of the State goobers. Since we are in the area of 10-5 alltime against the CAA, mostly at the championship level, and we have dispatched ODU and Maine, your conference champ, can we claim the CAA title as well as the SoCon title? GATA!!!!! Striving for #7
TheAntiMe
December 13th, 2011
12:58 pm
Heat Index: In other news, Braun plays for the Milwaukee Brewers, the team Commissioner Selig used to own.
You forgot to add the wink, wink to the end of that statement, Mark.
Bama Mike
December 13th, 2011
1:15 pm
Boy was that a ” The glass is half full article ” I cant decide which is worse ASG or Liberty. Either way welcome to the minor leagues Hawks and Bravos.
dawg tired
December 13th, 2011
1:26 pm
Jeff Teague needs another tattoo. I see a square inch behind his left ear looking bare.
Nativebird
December 13th, 2011
1:31 pm
Good riddance Mr. left over Notre Dame couldnt get it done Charlie Weiss. The Gator-Nation, luckily, hardly knew ya.
PreyDawg
December 13th, 2011
2:04 pm
Mark,
How about a heat check on the current Bulldog basketball team. I know they have been horrible inside, but sometimes (in the first half) I see some glimpses. Any thoughts?
SawThat1nce
December 13th, 2011
3:08 pm
I hated to see Weis’s departure from Gatorland.
Herschel Talker
December 13th, 2011
3:12 pm
MB:
UGA will come to regret giving Richt a long term deal. Richt showed in the LSU game what happens when they play a good team. All the weak minded fans got so giddy after a run of wins against unranked teams. They still just squeezed by Vandy and Kentucky.
I see a bowl loss ahead. Sorry kool aid drinking fans. Another 10 years of mediocrity with a long term deal.
FIRE MARK RICHT!
HT
Dontavius Supremo
December 13th, 2011
3:23 pm
The klast time I checked, no one gave a flip about the NBA.
UGA Insider
December 13th, 2011
3:46 pm
Driving up to Atlanta tomorrow to see the Falcons and looking forward to it. It’s gonna be electric in the GA Dome.
Buckeye
December 13th, 2011
3:50 pm
Ah, a new Built Ford Tough for Win With’s football Saturdays. Can’t wait. I predict total baldness in the next three years. Shave or go w/ the dreads, I say. That’s what the dog homey’s want.
Buckeye
December 13th, 2011
3:51 pm
OMG, another athlete with tatts?? I thought we had a corner on that market!
Farnsworthy
December 13th, 2011
3:52 pm
Sports are a bust for the entire state of Georgia. The Braves had an embarrassing and historic choke, the Falcons are poised to disappoint, the Hawks fizzled, the Dogs got stomped by a bunch of Cajuns, and Tech both broke NCAA rules and fell short on the field.
It is so bad, the ice hockey team split to Canada.
Skeezix
December 13th, 2011
3:56 pm
Mark: If the charges against Braun hold up, will he be stripped of his MVP title? If gulity as charged, I think he should lose it.
Skeezix
December 13th, 2011
4:06 pm
I guess it’s my age, but I just don’t get why someone would want to have tatoos all over their body–especially in visible places. What happened to one or two small ones on the upper arm where no one sees them 99% of the time? I grew up in a Marine Corps family and a lot of young Marines would have USMC on their upper arms. I’m okay with something like that. However, I really hate to look at a bunch of stupid tatoos in exactly the same way I hate to look at paisley shirts or pants.
Kings of Mediocrity
December 13th, 2011
4:12 pm
The approach so far by the Braves management is hard to believe. They don’t seem to feel any urgency whatsoever to improve the team after it’s epic collapse.
Maybe it’s just that they can’t advertise the fact that their owners will not allow them to spend money.
But if they really believe that having the fouth best record at the end of August is explanation enough for not making big changes to find an offense, then get ready for several lousy years in the division.
LawDawg
December 13th, 2011
4:53 pm
Charlie Weis: The most overrated coach in history not named Norv.
Buckeye
December 13th, 2011
4:56 pm
Urban sends his Holiday regards from Columbus:
TIME OUT
TIME OUT
TIME OUT
All I remember is
December 13th, 2011
5:46 pm
Philips Arena is a dump.
Ben
December 13th, 2011
5:48 pm
Disagree that Richt had a really good year and can command a substantial contract extension. He lost to all 3 of the good teams he faced, did not play ‘Bama or Arkansas, and if he loses to Michigan State, which is a legitimate concern if they come in fired up, then he will be 0-4 against good teams. Maybe there is hope with so many starters returning and next year’s weak schedule excepting the trip to ‘Bama.
dawg4u
December 13th, 2011
6:15 pm
Mark Richt won the SEC CG in twice in his first five seasons and now has gone six seasons without winning it. The fact that we were ahead at halftime and then lost by 32 points just does not warrant a contract extension yet. We lost to the three best teams we played so please let’s just wait before giving him a contract extension and see what happens next year. The first five years were pretty good but the last six have produced not much of anything to write home about outside of the second half of the 2007 season.
Time
December 13th, 2011
7:06 pm
It’s a good thing Vince Dooley didn’t have to be judged in this type of environment. People like “Hershel Talker” here would have ran him out long before he won the mythical NC. It’s a mythical championship to begin with. Most smart football people know UGA had the best team in the country a couple years in Richt’s tenure, just hasn’t played out for us. YET. Grantham was a great hire, and his sticking with Bobo may actually be starting to pay off. This year was the first in quite some time where I didn’t have complaints about playcalling. Was very good for the most part. Give it some time and be patient and the NC will come. And all those who want him gone should probably look south to Tallahassee. They ain’t been so hot since Richt left. People ought to think about that.
Silly Bloggers
December 13th, 2011
7:24 pm
First off, UGA must either give Richt a contract extension or fire him. Why? Because no recruit of any substance is going to commit to a school where the coach is very likely gone in one or two years. Every competing coach would say, “Look at UGA…they didn’t extend Richt’s contract. He is on the way out. Don’t go to UGA”.
Second, who are you going to replace Richt with? Granted, they got killed by LSU, but who didn’t outside of Bama. And you can’t blame the coaches for King and Mitchell dropping balls. Chances are LSU would have won anyway, but 21 – 0 could have changed the entire dynamic. USCe should have been won, but it wasn’t. Do you truly not think UGA would have beat USCe later in the year? Personally, I am pleased with the overall coaching job. The play calling was iffy at times, but Bobo didn’t have a lot to work with as far as a running game. The defense was lights out most of the year. Even against LSU, they weren’t bad in the second half if you consider poor special teams play and turning the ball over. The 1st half speaks for itself. Seriously, outside of LSU and Bama, what SEC team would you want to switch positions with?
dawg4u
December 13th, 2011
7:51 pm
Mark Richt’s contract runs through the 2013 season. If you use the argument that you have to either extend his contract or fire him then that would be good if he had won anything in the past six years. He has not. A recruit in many instances will sign with the school where he feels he has the best chance to get significant playing time. Let’s not forget that the last three years before this season we regressed under Richt. We are currently at 10-3 pending the outcome of the bowl game with Michigan State. The fact is that we still lost to the three best teams we played. A recruiting tactic that I would have if I were at UGA would be to let the player know how valuable he is to the program and that we can really get better if he signs with us. The prospective recruit knows that this coach has won nothing in the past six years. I say that if you extend Richt’s contract then only do it for a couple of years or so. You have to evaluate the coaches based on performance not on whether or not not extending a contract will damage the recruiting process!
MitchC
December 13th, 2011
8:52 pm
Mark, of the things you mentioned.
Unless Wren gets his head out of his.. you know.. the Braves could realistically be looking at a third place finish, and a non contending team in 2012.
The Phillies are the Phillies, and the Marlins improved with Reyes, even though they didnt get Albert. The Braves will still have the hangover from The Collapse. Please tell me how this team contends for a wild card, even though Schultz thinks they will.
I think Wren has to do something, psychologically. If the Braves dont make the playoffs in 2012, it will be time for Wren to go, and probably to take Fredi G along with him.
Nativebird
December 13th, 2011
9:24 pm
Ha, yeah. and I got my Falcon’s “Playoff” tickets Invoice in the mail today from Arthur Blank. Are you kidding me? The Birds have as much chance at a home playoff game as a they do at stopping a Aaron Rogers slant pass over the middle turning into a 70 yard touchdown strike…..zippo. The attempt at banking (gouging) your season ticket holders cash for worthless playoff tickets comes off particularly distasteful when it’s clear you run a franchise simply to be “relevent” versus win championships. The Lip-service is wearing thin Arthur!
Bird
December 14th, 2011
12:02 am
LSU 42 GEORGIA 10
real
December 14th, 2011
1:30 am
Please just get rid of Marvin Williams…give him away for free…just get him out of our uniform
pj
December 14th, 2011
2:14 am
Mark – welcome back. Idle time is the devil’s playground. Dawgs are scorching. Chip’s depth chart article got me all giggly. Best WR group we have ever had in – well ever. And Tim Tebow is the heat master right now, so shake off the rust and get your “Timmaaay!!” On.
Column: Harrison’s response to suspension, ‘LOL!’ – Atlanta Journal Constitution | NowNews
December 14th, 2011
5:20 am
[...] Heat Check: Falcons and seedings, Hawks and retreads [...]
News: Column: Harrison’s response to suspension, ‘LOL!’ – Atlanta Journal Constitution | News 25/7! Delivering news in real time
December 14th, 2011
6:37 am
[...] Heat Check: Falcons and seedings, Hawks and retreads [...]
ZinoDawg
December 14th, 2011
6:59 am
Kansas loves FAT coaches!
Terrell
December 14th, 2011
5:16 pm
PaulieOldSchool
Insanity can’t be used when you describe the Hawks. They have made changes. It may not be the ones you want but there are changes. Also isn’t it insane to gut up your team to get one All Star player? We’ve seen teams do it in the past and it has kicked them in the the butt more times than none. Suppose we just get rid of everybody and start over then nobody’s going to want to play for the Hawks. We can’t get an All Star player because it requires giving up All Star talent. Since we don’t have that we have to give up really good talent to get one person and then we’re back at where we were when we gutted the team a few years back. Now that’s insanity.
falc fan
If the Falcons were the 6th seed they would play Green Bay regardless because the #1 seed always plays the lowest seeded team in the 2nd round. At least as a 5th seed there’s a chance that the 6th seed wins their game and if we win ours we will play either the 49ers or the Saints (whoever gets that 2nd seed).
William Casey
December 16th, 2011
1:07 am
I’m a GT fan of fifty years but just don’t get some UGA “fans’” critical of Coach Richt. The Dawgs played for the SEC title in spite of chaos at tailback in a tailback oriented system. It’s not out of the question for UGA to compete for the National Championship but Herschel Walker was a once in a lifetime impact player. Delusions of grandeur. Maybe don’t extend the contract until after next year but give the man some credit for bringing the Dawgs back from the dead this year. LSU simply had WAY more talent. Coach Richt’s game plan had UGA in the game for a half.
Jack P
December 18th, 2011
11:33 am
With Crawford gone, unless Joe Johnson wakes up from that deep sleep he was in during last season, the Hawks are destined to be among the “also rans” this season. Looks to me like that $123 million contract Johnson received last season was one of the dumbest decisions the Hawks have made in quite sometime. However, here’s hoping that Joe is going to be the player he can be and join the ranks among the NBA’s best.
Wren's Retreads
December 18th, 2011
4:02 pm
Well I guess the off season is going to pass on by and we will be left with reading pitiful stories about Wren’s Losing Retreads………
JGralton
December 18th, 2011
10:07 pm
ATL Insight Blog: Atlanta’s Top 20 Athletes – http://bit.ly/atlblog