
"Our team is red hot! (Clap, clap.) Our team is red hot!" (AP photo by David Tulis)
Today we offer the (long-deferred if not necessarily long-awaited) return of the Monday Heat Check, in which we take the figurative temperature of our local sporting entities. And, in keeping with climatic conditions, I must note that every team is HOT!HOT!HOT!
BRAVES: They haven’t lost in a week, and the week ahead looks most inviting. They’re home for four games against the Marlins, who have given up, and three against the Astros, who snapped a 12-game losing slide Sunday and are the worst team in baseball by some distance.
And there’s every chance the Braves will make a trade by 4 p.m. Tuesday. Zack Greinke is gone to Anaheim, and the Braves claim to have moved on from their pursuit of reluctant Ryan Dempster, but I’m not convinced that ship has sailed. There’s no reason for the Cubs to keep Dempster — they’re not going to re-sign him — and the Dodgers’ offer hasn’t been convincing. (If it had, he’d be gone by now.) And if his preferred destination isn’t an option, mightn’t Dempster be tempted to say, “I could live out of a hotel in Buckhead for three months if it means pitching in the World Series”?
As noted earlier, the Braves can and should qualify for the playoffs as is. If they get Dempster — who’s the only starting pitcher good enough to make a difference who’s apt to be available at a non-Teixeira price — they’d be good enough to win a postseason series. Heat Index: Hot, with a real opportunity to get hotter still.
FALCONS: They haven’t lost since Jan. 8. They’re in training camp with new coordinators and a new O-line coach, and they’re making all the happy noises teams in training camp, be it with or without new coordinators, make.
The big news so far has been that Lofa Tatupu, imported as insurance at middle linebacker, got hurt and got cut without playing a down. Some have taken this development as cause for hand-wringing. Please. The Falcons’ Plan A was always to give young Akeem Dent every chance to seize the job, and that hasn’t changed. Save your real concern for something that really matters, like left tackle. Heat Index: The belief here is that Hotlanta’s NFL franchise is primed to have its hottest season since 1998.
HAWKS: They haven’t lost since May 10. They’ve excised two of the Core Four. They’re starting anew under general manager Danny Ferry, which isn’t to stay they’re starting over. You can make a little something of a roster that includes Josh Smith, Al Horford, Jeff Teague, Lou Williams, DeShawn Stevenson, Kyle Korver, Devin Harris and John Jenkins. (You mightn’t be able to make the playoffs, but you shouldn’t stink on ice.)
Unless they trade for Dwight Howard, whatever the Hawks do over the next 11 months won’t much matter. Come July 2013, they’ll have money to spend and free agency to explore/exploit. Heat Index: The season ahead mightn’t be warm and fuzzy, but the future of this franchise looks rather toasty.
GEORGIA TECH: The Jackets haven’t lost since Dec. 31. They’re picked to finish second in the ACC Coastal Division. They play Virginia Tech, which is picked to finish first, on Labor Day night. If they win that game, they should take the Coastal. I like this team’s chances. Heat Index: Well, how hot would a division title be?
GEORGIA: The Bulldogs haven’t lost since Jan. 2. They’re picked to win the SEC East. They’ve lost Isaiah Crowell, but they should be able to fill out a backfield this season. Crowell or no Crowell, I like this team’s chances. Heat Index: Well, how hot would a BCS title game berth against the Men of Kiffin be?
By Mark Bradley
183 comments Add your comment
ChopAttack
July 30th, 2012
8:52 am
Just say no to Dempster. He’s overvalued and not worth burning prospects.
matt
July 30th, 2012
8:54 am
kudos?
Huh?
July 30th, 2012
8:54 am
UGA in the Championship Game? I’d like some of what your smokin’, Mark.
matt
July 30th, 2012
8:55 am
Rats. “Missed it by this much!”
tjhook
July 30th, 2012
8:59 am
The Hawks are not hot – they are lukewarm with a chance for hot. If Josh Smith goes down, the team will struggle to put points on the board and we know the new people can’t play defense. The upside is higher because of what’s possible now that Joe Johnson is gone, but make no mistake: We lost a top 25 player in the league. That is not an immediate upgrade.
The Mighty Quinn
July 30th, 2012
9:00 am
Welcome back, Mark!
Remarkable
July 30th, 2012
9:02 am
It’s about time for a Heat Check. Just not sure that you are right about the Hawks and Falcon’s yet. Time will tell. I think the Hawks are going in the right direction, but it’s a long trip to make the needed improvements.
Mark Bradley
July 30th, 2012
9:03 am
Kudos to everybody today.
Richard
July 30th, 2012
9:04 am
Optimism! I like it!
Vel Crow
July 30th, 2012
9:05 am
Heat Check, Its Monday and the Braves dont like Mondays.
Deacon Blues
July 30th, 2012
9:15 am
Tough for the dawgs to play USC if they go 9-3 unless it’s in the Holiday Bowl
DC
July 30th, 2012
9:18 am
They should outlaw 1-1:35 start times in atl in the summer…that was brutal!
jonthan
July 30th, 2012
9:23 am
Mark, do you see the Braves adding some bench help?
GStateBen
July 30th, 2012
9:25 am
Mark… Why no Georgia State? The THIRD FBS team in this State.
Taylor Wooten
July 30th, 2012
9:25 am
No way UGA wins with the current QB.
Saw him up close and personal at the Braves game this Sat. The dude aint very big at all. Doesnt even look like a decent HS QB. Was underwhelmed by him, his presence. No way he can see over the OL and DL of his own team and opponents. It will bite him yet again in big games. Go ahead and prepare urself Dawg fans.
GStateBen
July 30th, 2012
9:25 am
#STATEOFSHOCK
GoVawls
July 30th, 2012
9:28 am
Dawgs need a couple more good recruiting classes. Bwahahahaha
Joey
July 30th, 2012
9:29 am
Welcome back MB.
Batteries recharged?
Grantland Rice
July 30th, 2012
9:30 am
Good write-up MB, it’s always sweet sweeping the Phillies. Special shout out to Ben Sheets, really love the guy. Persevered, worked hard & never gave up. Really proud that he’s a Brave!
Saint Dawg>>>
July 30th, 2012
9:33 am
Braves break the monday blues…Today is the day we win our first monday game..GO BRAVES
UGADawg83
July 30th, 2012
9:34 am
@Taylor-Glad to know you are such an evaluator of talent after seeing Murray at the Braves game. I suppose next you will evaluate Matt Ryan’s ability to throw the deep ball after seeing him in the men’s room at Waffle House.
D man
July 30th, 2012
9:36 am
Bring on the football season…
Jamaaliver
July 30th, 2012
9:50 am
AH! At long last…another Heat Check.
Welcome back and keep ‘em coming.
SSIgator
July 30th, 2012
9:51 am
“The Bulldogs haven’t lost since Jan. 2″
That is why this year, as well as all other years, they are always Pre-Season National Champions. Does Richt have those UGA fans trained or what?
lowcountrylem
July 30th, 2012
9:56 am
Ironic the Braves best starting pitcher of late has been one they picked for the change between sofa cushions…..Ben Sheets is a marvel and we’re extremely lucky to have gotten him. BTW, whether or not Dempster winds up in a Braves uniform, still should have sent Delgado to the Cubs…..they’re used to that sort of misery.
DawginLex
July 30th, 2012
10:04 am
Welcome back Mark!
Nothing much has changed on these blogs.
The haters/TROLLS still post their usual stuff to bash UGA
I’m here every now and then to put them in their place.
Like Taylor Wooten who knows more by looking at Aaron Murray at a Braves game than Peyton and Eli Manning do at their QB camp where they raved about Murray.
steve brown
July 30th, 2012
10:05 am
I’ve been negative towards Chipper the past few years based on his salary versus games played. However, he has become the best part time player ever. I say we start a movement that says bring him back at half his salary for 82 games!
HUH?????????????
July 30th, 2012
10:05 am
“Well, how hot would a BCS title game berth against the Men of Kiffin be?”
UGA will not play in a BCS game. USC will not play for the BCS title.
HUH?????????????
July 30th, 2012
10:07 am
UGA plays one ranked team this year. One.
ONE.
UGA, IF they make it to teh SEC title game, will get smashed again by either LSU, Bama or Arky.
USC plays a cupcake schedule as well and will get smashed by whomever they play in a bowl game.
Bobo, Bobo, a Pirate's Life for Me
July 30th, 2012
10:08 am
@ Taylor Wooten,
Thanks for clearing that up for me bro! I wish I had as keen an eye as you, Lord what I’d give to have Taylor’s scouting abilities!
Murray is shorter than the average QB, but that doesn’t doom him to mediocrity, or as you put it complete and utter failure. Ever heard of a man named Drew Brees? He’s not to tall either…
Murray steps up to the plate this year and shatters the TD record at UGA and takes UGA to another SEC championship game, and hopefully leaves with a W.
gbal
July 30th, 2012
10:08 am
As much as I want to see it happen, press is asking WAY to much of our dawgs this year, especially this early. Gotta see two games before any talk of SEC or National Championship. This talk is rediculous at this point.
1) Nothing that would tell me our OL is going to be stronger than last year and I would say less experienced.
2) We dont have what I would consider a proven runniing back. Same as last year.
3) We go to Mossouri with 2-3…???? 4???? DB’s out.
4) I just am not a fan of Murray in a big tight game… and I am not a fan of how Richt and Bobo are handling that situation. …Like he is the man and entitiled as opposed to competing like every other position on the field. I think the team see’s this as well.
5) We dont have a kicker that we can say will come thru in the clutch.
6) Our receiver group… I think has potential, but I wouldnt say at this point it is a top SEC group.
7) USC, AU, FLA, MO, UT, maybe Vandy….. with all the issues above, these are good teams folks and to win out is going to be dam near impossible.
IF we can get my Mo. and have 3 more wins to develop… I might be able to start thinking about championships. But too many questions at this point. Id call it a big suprise at this point if UGA makes it to the SECCG.
Bobo, Bobo, a Pirate's Life for Me
July 30th, 2012
10:10 am
too*
Still@theKool-aidBAR
July 30th, 2012
10:10 am
UGa isn’t going to make the BCS CG.
Dawgsfan1990
July 30th, 2012
10:12 am
Welcome back Mark! Missed ya!
Sonny Clusters
July 30th, 2012
10:13 am
Welcome back, Mark! We was longing for some prose on here and you got back just in time. “I could live out of a hotel in Buckhead for three months if it means pitching in the World Series” Well, that’s just beautiful sentiment and we was hoping maybe Dempster could take the light hitting Dan Uggla to Buckhead with him and see if it would make any difference changing his surroundings some. At least he did raise his average yesterday from .209 to .210. Did you see where Frenchy has been benched because he is in a similar (but not so terrible) slump?
gbal
July 30th, 2012
10:14 am
goooo dawgs
Columbus Dawg
July 30th, 2012
10:18 am
Yeah right, Taylor, it does not take long for a moron to show up on a blog does it. I am not going to sit here and say the Dawgs are in Miami, but much improved they will be. It takes luck and opinions from idiots, (pundits), to get to the BCS game, but the Dawgs WILL have a big say in the Southeastern Conference. I read Scout.com’s copied and pasted UGA preview earlier, that read like every article written over the last six months. Oh how lucky Georgia will be to beat Mizzou, blah,blah. The Missouri folks will be so glad to see the Bulldog Nation leave their little stadium it won’t be funny. I don’t care what story or blog post you read from a writer, or a fan from another team, (mostly Bama morons), Georgia does not have a chance. Problem with this is Georgia will not be the same team as last few years. They are basing 2012 results on previous three or four years of play, and they will all be very surprised at the improvements they see in 2012. Georgia will again run the ball with authority, and yes the special teams will be greatly improved. Grantham’s D will be for real, and yes, even Aaron Murray has made great strides and has earned great praise from the likes of Peyton Manning and others this summer. This is the year of the Dawg, whether the Gamecocks, the Tiders, the Gators, or the Tigers,(any of the three UGA plays), like it or not!
Passing TD record at UGA?
July 30th, 2012
10:18 am
For awhile, UGA’s David Green surpassed Peyton Manning as the all time winning QB in our division. THAT is a worthy stat.That is something to alk about over the ages.
Johnny Rauch at TD passing records at UGA when I was in Athens back in the 60s and early 70s but to us it really meant nothing. Murray passing for TDs and setting records BUT not winning anything of merit means not much to the UGA faithful. We want to see another SEC EC AND a SEC CG victory. Fro that point on, let the chips fall where they may.
This year is the year for UGA to win big because next year, our D and most key positions will be terribly depleted.
GO Dogs.
Class of 71 & 73
Mark Bradley
July 30th, 2012
10:18 am
Thanks for the sentiments, y’all. I hate taking time off, but sometimes I need it
gbal
July 30th, 2012
10:19 am
No proven OL.
No proven RB.
3-4 DB’s out for first few games…. Mo. game 2….. and missing ccakes to jell as a unit.
Receiver group…potential…. but not really proven as a top group IMO.
Handling of AM by CMR and Bo… entitled to the spot and not competing like ever other position. I just dont have the confidence in AM in the big tight game with a new OL…
Mo. SC, AU, UT, UF…. on the schedule and winning out with the above questions???? I dont think so.
1eyedJack
July 30th, 2012
10:20 am
The only thing “hot” about Tech is the concrete and asphalt surrounding their campus.
Reebok
July 30th, 2012
10:20 am
I like G-Tech’s chance to beat Va-Tech and go to the ACC Championship. I think UGA will go undefeated in the regular season but lose in the SEC Championship to Bama or LSU. Happy Monday to all!
Mark Bradley
July 30th, 2012
10:20 am
And there’s actually a logistical reason the Heat Check went away, but I won’t trouble you with that.
reckingball
July 30th, 2012
10:21 am
Braves need to scale and gut the Marlins this week.
Hold on a minute………oh yeah, their owner Jeff Loria, has already gutted the Fish.
Nevermind. haha.
gbal
July 30th, 2012
10:21 am
Me says MB anad the media in general is really crawling out on a limb predicting championships for UGA at this point. I’d have to put the chance of winning the SECE at 40% or so.
saing dawg what a nic
July 30th, 2012
10:22 am
kinda like an oximoron.
if you can post on a blog and you a dawg you must be a saint ’cause you aint in jail!
hey dawgs thanks for all the entertainment in what has been a boring summer.
how many dawgs are going to be on the team this year? 68?
Jacket Fan
July 30th, 2012
10:23 am
If Barnes can hold down the middle (6′ 7″, 340 RS Sr. – supposed to be able to), the defense should be division-worthy, and perhaps more. There is talent, depth, and size everywhere else. This also assumes some pass rush develops.
Will Johnson utilize a 2 QB system? With talk of Days at A-back, I assume this means Lee has basically beat him out, and is likely our best passer by far. When you have to pass, you have to pass – might as well use the best passer. Get him ready for next year with J. Thomas. Biggest question here – can the WRs catch? Who knows? Greene and Waller are big targets; might as well try to use them.
GO JACKETS!
Sad Richards
July 30th, 2012
10:24 am
I expect Richt will have his ususal blunder or hiccup game to a Vandy or somebody then get blown out by a top 10 team. 9 – 3 best for UGA.
bricklayer
July 30th, 2012
10:27 am
I firmly believe I could take Duke and go .500 with the UGA schedule.
Big Crimson 75
July 30th, 2012
10:30 am
Enough of the USC in the title Game!!
Kiffen has 1 above average year in an average Conference & everyone crowns them!!
USC will lose to Oregon, ND & either Cal/Stanford this Year.
Might as well get ready for Bama-LSU III & IV.
———————————————————————-
As for the locals :
The Braves, barring another collapse, should be in the Playoffs with this current Team.
The Hawks will make the Playoff, as an 8 seed.
The Falcons should win the South & finally get some Playoff wins.
UGA will be right there with Fla, SC & UT for the East. Ga has the most over-all talent of the 4 Teams.
GT should win the ACC. Beat VT & it’s a clear path to wherever the ACC CG is.
jerry
July 30th, 2012
10:33 am
The 7-8-9 hitters in the current Braves lineup are good from 8-12 outs per game which amounts to 3-4 innings. That is a heavy load to carry.
DawginLex
July 30th, 2012
10:41 am
gbal
Do you ever ask yourself why we never ran a toss sweep last year?
THAT will answer your question as to whether our 2012 line will be better than 2011.
More athletic
16 players on schollie of which 9 or 10 will play
No seniors
Did we ever just plow anyone last year other than Auburn?
With a more athletic line, we will be able to do more stuff offensively on the edges where we do have speed.
Dr. Phil
July 30th, 2012
10:41 am
This Braves team is mismanaged both on the field and in the front office and has a big hole at 2nd base and shortstop and some very flaky pitching, yet they continue to win. I have grown to like them. They can certainly qualify for a wildcard. After that, who knows.
Gene
July 30th, 2012
10:41 am
This Braves team is mismanaged both on the field and in the front office and has a big hole at 2nd base and shortstop and some very flaky pitching, yet they continue to win. I have grown to like them. They can certainly qualify for a wildcard. After that, who knows.
reckingball
July 30th, 2012
10:45 am
How many monikers? haha.
reckingball
July 30th, 2012
10:47 am
Uggla will start a hitting streak, anyday now.
Braves will win their 1st Monday game in 2012, tonight.
GATiger
July 30th, 2012
10:49 am
I’m just going to assume your column was total sarcasm.
reckingball
July 30th, 2012
10:49 am
Anyday now, Uggla will start a hitting streak.
Joey
July 30th, 2012
10:51 am
MB, I have a theory about Uggla’s hitting struggles. Remember how badly Tiger started playing golf when he got busted and had to put a halt to the fratnerizing of all those porn stars?
Maybe Uggla is in the same boat – can’t get to the porn stars right now because of the bad publicity a few months back, and his mojo is suffering as a result.
I wonder what Clusters thinks of this . . .
Paddy
July 30th, 2012
10:56 am
Taylor Wooten is the next “Birddie” Tebbetts. The guy can scout a football player watching a baseball game, amazing ability. You would have made “Birddie” proud!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What is next; seeing Tiger Woods at Jimmy John’s and predicting a major win at the PGA Championship?
reckingball
July 30th, 2012
10:57 am
Looks like the AJC blog machine is malfunctioning. Again.
Eating comments,… and the bad thing is, that the last one I made, was pretty dang profound.
But the machine ate it anyhow.
Sorry everyone missed it.
DesignerJacket
July 30th, 2012
11:02 am
Tech has to ratchet up the run defense and find a passing game that completes >45% of attempts. If they can do that against VPI in the opener and keep it that way all season, then the Jackets can find themselves in Charlotte facing Clemson or FSU for the ACC Championship. I’d like our chances against either of them, since if it’s FSU – they’d only have short notice to retool their D for the option, and if it’s a rematch against Clemson – well, CPJ has a good track record of winning rematches on adjustments and scheme tweaks. Plus, recently – and in the all-time series – Clemson just cannot hold their liquor against Tech. Either way, if Tech can beat VPI and just survive the rest of the Coastal Schedule, a win in Charlotte followed by a trip to Miami isn’t so far-fetched to imagine. But we’ll need run defense and a few good downfield pass completions per game to get there. Special teams improvement would be icing on the otherwise cupcake-laden home schedule.
realitycheck
July 30th, 2012
11:02 am
No paper in this nation would have a more kool aid drenched article about the local teams than this one. This article is an absolute joke outside metro Atlanta. The Braves will win a wild card and probably lose the one game playoff by one run in typical Braves fashion. The Falcons might not even make the playoffs, and if they do they will be gone quickly. The Hawks are no threat to Miami or Boston next season, and UGA and Tech might have decent records, but are no threat to the big boys, and both will lose at least three games. Copy, paste and let me hear all about it……….if i’m wrong!
hey jacket fan
July 30th, 2012
11:06 am
dont forget we have a better coach. take away the recruiting advantage that the state flagship u should have and we never lose to the dawgs.
i still have etched in my mind the flabbergasted look on jerry richt’s face when we let them score to give us a chance to win the game. it took him a few minutes to realize he had been outcoached.
ill take our sabenesque no nonsense coach over a singing hugging kissing swimming kneeling jerry richt any day..
the guy lacks toughness.
priceless.
Let's Go
July 30th, 2012
11:07 am
I hope if the Braves do make a deal for Dempster they tone it down and only give the Cubs a couple of AA prospects. What’s the point now of offering Delgado if the Cubs can’t get anything from the Dodgers. Keep Delgado for a possible off season trade.
Bill
July 30th, 2012
11:09 am
Whatever the reason you were gone ..Welcome back..
Bill
July 30th, 2012
11:10 am
Hell no to Dempster!!!!
Keith
July 30th, 2012
11:11 am
Thanks, Mark, for your work.
Is it possible for you to name 3 possible relievers the Braves are targeting?
Haven’t heard anything other than maybe Bethancourt.
Go BRAVES!
1eyedJack
July 30th, 2012
11:17 am
i still have etched in my mind the flabbergasted look on Coach Fishfry’s face when Josh Nesbitt threw a bunch of incomplete passes at BeyBey which gave you no chance to win the game. He knew instantly he had been outcoached.
Sammy Hagfarter
July 30th, 2012
11:18 am
Hawks are cold. They got a new direction but they are worse than last year. They might be hot in 2013. The Braves are hot. Could be smokin hot if they get a sp. The Falcons are warm but might get hot if Ryan plays well and if the defense plays well. The Dawgs are warm but could be hot if they are undefeated and win SEC. Dont really care about Ga Tech but hope they win ACC so when UGA whips them it will help BCS rankings.
James
July 30th, 2012
11:18 am
The Braves are 4 games back and if the playoffs started today they would be at home. The Hawks have just traded their best player and the Falcons will be third in theor division behind the Saints and the Panthers. Is Cam Newton and Drew Brees better than Matt Ryan? Yeah I think so. Georgia Tech is a team that outside of their loyal fans no one cares about and Georgia is well Georgia. They could easily and I do mean easily lose three to four games this season. They will lose one or two and will be second behind South Carolina. They go will go to the Outback or Capitol One Bowl and it will be another waste of four months.
hey jacket fan
July 30th, 2012
11:22 am
nice try no eye but you fail. cpj didnt tell our guy to drop the ball. meanwhile jerry richt had a play to score.
no wonder ugag cant win anything that matters to save their life. terrible logic for one.
where is genius dawg when you need him lmao. genius dawg. get it?
TuffShhhtuff
July 30th, 2012
11:24 am
This article was good for a couple of “Monday Morning HaHa’s”. First one, “Dempster might be tempted to say,’ I could live in a motel in Buckhead for 3 months, if it means pitching in the World Series.’ ” Really? Seriously? One starting pitcher and this team’s problems are solved and they go to the WS? Boy, somebody named MB is a “real dreamer”. Did you get hit in the head while you were away? Secondly, “the Braves can and should qualify for the playoffs as is”. Folks, I do believe he ran across some new “smokes” while he was gone! MB’s new moniker, “MR. OPTIMISM”! One final question for the fans. How many of you want to see the Braves make the playoffs and be one and done? None? That’s what I thought.
reckingball
July 30th, 2012
11:25 am
Braves don’t need Dempster.
Falcons will win the NFCSouth.
This is the year that the saints go to the bottom of the pile, just like the Phillies have in the NLEast.
UGA will take the SECEast.
Don’t care a thing, about the other two in MB’s writeup.
Robert (chi-town)
July 30th, 2012
11:26 am
Wren needs to be a little more pro-active like Kenny Williams. He gave up next to nothing to get Liriono and Meyers! Braves surely had better prospects that were in a 2nd or 3rd tier level. I’m not talking moving Delgado, Teheran, Monir or Benencourt here. Come on Frank the Braves are playing well, but we could use some help!
chc4
July 30th, 2012
11:30 am
Just read where Kevin Correia requested a trade from the Pirates. Who wants to bet he’ll be a Brave by 4pm tomorrow? He’s our typical deadline acquisition…. cheap, marginally talented and barely an upgrade (if at all) over what we already have. But we’ll get the “change of scenery will really help him” bologna. And DOB will have a blog splicing his #s trying to make it look like a good pickup.
jack
July 30th, 2012
11:37 am
Love your stuff, Mark, but you really need to get over this budawg thing.
Columbus Dawg
July 30th, 2012
11:50 am
Like I said, all of the negative predictions based on last three or four years of Georgia Football out the window this season, and these D.A’s like reality check will be no where to be found when UGA is undefeated headed to Jax.
The Hawks for me are ...................
July 30th, 2012
11:57 am
I quit watching and following the Atlanta Hawks when Walt Hazzard, Lou Hudson and a few others, like Joe Caldwell played here.
Around 1969 or 70, Hawkss drafted # 1 and signed a Ky Wildcat frosh phenom who went straight to state pen for rape ………….never touched the ball.
NBA, NFL are all about unions and so are the Braves, but I do like baseball.
Goooooooooooooooooooooooo SEC and Goooooooooooooo Dogs !!!
This area and this town are all about the SEC and that is about it. ACC is a distant third, behind the pros.
GTanner
July 30th, 2012
11:59 am
That Hawks roster can make the playoffs. Other than Joe, where has there been lost production and that has been pretty much made up with Lou Williams.
HUH?????????????
July 30th, 2012
12:00 pm
“Did we ever just plow anyone last year other than Auburn?
No, but LSU sure did plow over UGA. That was fun to watch.
chris
July 30th, 2012
12:06 pm
Dempster had his chance and made it clear this is not where he wants to be. I am not giving up our future for a 35 year old rental player. Good riddance, let’s see how far we can get with what we have.
Sad Richards
July 30th, 2012
12:14 pm
Columbus dawg is sheeple…stay off the kool aid bud!
gbal
July 30th, 2012
12:36 pm
LEX –
Where do we come up with the idea that we will have a more atheletic OL this year?
I am just having trouble seeing it? I mean we are counting heavily on an incomming freshman making major contributions! I am hoping your right but I just am having trouble finding it and AM just doesnt seem to be able to handle the pressure when Our OL is getting handled.
Stinger 2
July 30th, 2012
12:38 pm
Mark: Good that you are back. Hope you had a nice rest.
Two points: Disagree that we need Dempster. He is not worth
what it will cost to get him and he did not want to be here by choice.
Second point: Can you remember a post by Clusters that did not have something negative to say about a Braves player?
gbal
July 30th, 2012
12:41 pm
LSU did handle us in the end BUT we did hand them the momentum with a couple of dropped passes, two kick returns and a major fumble by AM…. Then a pick…… that game really should have gone our way but our own blunders let them stay in it early and then we handed them them momentum in a 6 minute stretch…. Who coined the phrase… “finish the drill”.
Jay
July 30th, 2012
12:42 pm
The Atlanta Hawks, with their roster currently constructed as is…CAN and WILL make the playoffs! We won’t be a high seed, but we could squeeze into the 7th or 8th slot. Their is definitely enough talent on the roster…tons of shooters, lots of quickness at guard, Smith and Horford are still all-star caliber talents.
BOOK IT!
reckingball
July 30th, 2012
12:55 pm
The Bulldogs plowed over the Chickens from SC, but the cocks won anyway.
Due mainly to good coaching from that anus Spurrier, and bad coaching from CMR.
the truth...
July 30th, 2012
1:01 pm
Dempster is an over rated mediocre journeyman pitcher…..we do NOT need him. His lifetime record is below .500…………good grief….
And agree with half of Atlanta that if Wren does go after him, there is NO WAY we give up any of our top guys………..
…..example….what if we’d thrown Simmons in with the Borne deal last July 31st….?
StingerSplash
July 30th, 2012
1:11 pm
The Braves in the World Series? The Hawks roster not stinking on ice?
Georgia in the BCS title game?
Someone ought to check if they heat got to you, Monsieur Bradley. (Though I think the Falcons have a very strong chance of having a very, very good season, particularly since they have ushered out their previous two very overmatched coordinators).
jeffrey d
July 30th, 2012
1:13 pm
Thanks, Mark. Welcome back!
Mean Ole Dawg
July 30th, 2012
1:15 pm
Let’s Go at 11:07 AM
“I hope if the Braves do make a deal for Dempster they tone it down and only give the Cubs a couple of AA prospects. What’s the point now of offering Delgado if the Cubs can’t get anything from the Dodgers. Keep Delgado for a possible off season trade.”
I agree with you, and I think that’s exactly what Wren will do now. Dempster’s value has diminished, so I think Delgado is off the table. For a true 2 month rental, the Brave’s aren’t going to offer as much now. Before, they had thoughts that they could re-sign him after this season, that appears impossible now given Dempster’s position.
evil empire
July 30th, 2012
1:18 pm
gbal, how dare you question lexi’s analysis…he’s a freakin’ genius…everybody knows that…
NCDawg
July 30th, 2012
1:27 pm
You must have a had a nice vacation. I think UGA has a good shot at winning the SEC East, but it’s not as strong as before all the suspensions and departures. They may be able to fill the holes but not with the potentially stellar talent as before. I ‘m thinking 9-3 and second in the East to USC. Tech is too weak on defense still to be champions. They may be better, but I’m thinking 9-3 would be a good season. Virginia Tech and Clemson will be better.The Braves have proven to be consistently inconsistent. They’ve got a good team but not a great team. Dempster would certainly help – he’s crazy of he doesn’t come to the Braves. (Does he really want to win?) Falcons? Who knows? Hawks? Who cares?
6-18 Against End of Season Ranked Teams Since '05
July 30th, 2012
1:29 pm
UGA…National Championship game???…..what in THE HELL are y’all smoking???
Just look at my blog post name….it says it all
This comes from a UGA alum and fan
Optimism….good, fantasy land…no so much. UGA 9-3, another trip to mid tier bowl.
DIT
July 30th, 2012
1:38 pm
Just for fun:
Braves – Win Wild Card make it to NLCS and lose
Hawks – Don’t make playoffs
Falcons – Don’t make playoffs
UGA – 2nd in east, but only lose 2 games all year
Tech – wins their division, gets beat in the ACC CG.
the truth...
July 30th, 2012
1:45 pm
DOB seems to think highly of Dempster….I cannot agree with him on that one….
the only way I’d take Dempster is for them to take on JJ…
No Rentals Frank….NONE
Mike.Duke
July 30th, 2012
1:47 pm
Sorry, eggsuckin dog. You’re going down in Missouri. Book it.
I’ll be back in Sept with your pulled-crow-shoulder sandwich.
the truth...
July 30th, 2012
1:48 pm
I’m hoping and praying gthat LA takes Dempster AND Soriano in a moment of insanity….Remember they took on Manny a few years ago and he hit 17 HR in August and September….
Go Dodgers….save us from ourselves….
Vandy Coach
July 30th, 2012
1:56 pm
Your wife is UGALY!
Prado Wan Kenobi
July 30th, 2012
2:01 pm
Mark missed your colums while you were away, In the words of Susanna Hoffs “It’s just another manic Monday
I wish it was Sunday
‘Cause that’s my funday
My I don’t have to runday
It’s just another manic Monday “
6-18 Against End of Season Ranked Teams Since '05
July 30th, 2012
2:03 pm
Prado…..that is one GAY song
the truth...
July 30th, 2012
2:03 pm
As per DOB via Twitter:
David O’Brien@ajcbraves
Chipper has played in 24 of past 29 #Braves games and hit .384 with 9 doubles, 5 HR, 17 RBIs, .449 OBP/.663 slugging (1.112 OPS).
Sonny Clusters
July 30th, 2012
2:06 pm
Mark: Two points: Disagree that we need Dempster. Second point: Can you remember a post by Clusters that did not have something negative to say about a Braves player? – Stinger2
Third point: Your pointed head, Stinger2. Why don’t you blog about baseball instead of Clusters? If we was you (and we would never want to be whiny like you) we would go find a hobby or maybe a girlfriend or maybe just read a good book. In any case, Chipper Bobblehead Night is coming up and you can buy ours for $50. We hate to think what you may do with that Bobblehead.
evil empire
July 30th, 2012
2:12 pm
@6-18 Against End of Season Ranked Teams Since ‘05
your name says it all…but these uga-holics will still come on here and talk about winning the natchamp…america’s dumbest fanbase…
Sonny Clusters
July 30th, 2012
2:13 pm
We was filtered . . . but we probably deserved it. The way this page jumps around we never know if we’re going to finish typing and get to post or if somebody’s face is going to popup and tell us we need to buy a car. Anyway, we was just pointing out how tender some of the little fans are on here and how they are a big part of the problem with the team not having to get better. We think the Braves are shooting for the wild card and that is too low.
Elmer Fudd
July 30th, 2012
2:18 pm
CPJ aka ” The new Sheriff ”
2 – 10 vs Va Tech UGA and Bowl Game
Including 0 for the last 6.
Pathetic.
evil empire
July 30th, 2012
2:21 pm
nl playoff teams: washington, cincy, LA, pitt..al playoff teams: yankees, tigers, rangers, angels……no braves…the baseball gods are not happy about the idiot braves fans voting uggla ahead of phillips for nl all-star team..karma is a lex…uga goes 8-4, runs off richt, loses another bowl game…hawks, who cares…LSU defeats Oklahoma in miami for national championship…falcons finish 8-8, smith fired, no playoffs…
Elmer Fudd
July 30th, 2012
2:22 pm
your name says it all…but these uga-holics will still come on here and talk about winning the natchamp…america’s dumbest fanbase…
Why shouldn’t we ? With a 4 team playoff we would have won it in 2002 and 2007. We were the best teams both years.
We have been awfully awfully close under CMR. Its just a matter of time.
Here is a stat for you. UGA is 3 – 1 in its last 4 against Bama. And has an even record against LSU under CMR.
I dont think anyone in Athens is scared of Bama or LSU. Respect yes. Scared no.
Elmer Fudd
July 30th, 2012
2:24 pm
One good thing UGA fans.
If the trolls are here telling us how bad we are we must be doing something right.
Nobody is trolling the Rutgers boards today talking trash.
Number of Trolls = Amount of Success
bulldogbubba
July 30th, 2012
2:26 pm
If we make to September still in the race do we have anybody in gwinnett or mississippi who can pick us up?
evil empire
July 30th, 2012
2:26 pm
Why shouldn’t we ? With a 4 team playoff we would have won it in 2002 and 2007. We were the best teams both years.
___________________________________________
but you didn’t win it in 2002 or 2007, because the people who vote on these things did not consider uga to be worth of a title bid. they saved you from getting rolled on national tv, something uga is good at…
Macon Mike
July 30th, 2012
2:35 pm
Hearing rumors regarding another dawg losing eligibility.
WM
July 30th, 2012
2:38 pm
The University of Georgia will win the SEC and the national championship this year. Really!
It’s the same crazy dream they have had for the past thirty-one years.
COlumbus
July 30th, 2012
2:39 pm
The time off must have done wonders. Come back with a positive column on everybody! Should we expect a totally opposite spin tomorrow or will this last a few days? I hope it does! Welcome back. Since you came back not hatin’
Columbus
July 30th, 2012
2:44 pm
UGA will have great shots at winning it all the next 5 years….more than I can say for most schools in the nation…Go Dawgs! Go Richt! Go Braves too! Go everybody. Except Tech, Auburn, Bama, South Carolina, LSU and Florida…did I forget anybody? Might as well throw Clemson in there too to cover the adjacent state. Not worried about Tenn…
Josh Smith for 3
July 30th, 2012
2:47 pm
UGA being unproven at RB is going to hurt them? Correct me if I’m wrong, but I seem to remember a freshman running back being quite the stud on offense last year whenever he was actually on the field. So suddenly two more highly-touted freshman backs are just going to be non-factors this year?
evil empire
July 30th, 2012
2:50 pm
come on columbus…winning it all???…try beating a ranked team every once in a while…won’t happen with cmr at the helm…his best teams played when everyone else was down…sad but true…
Sage of Bluesland
July 30th, 2012
2:59 pm
What’s the temperature of the Thrashers?
evil empire
July 30th, 2012
3:03 pm
the thrashers would have survived had they played in an arena in the northern suburbs…
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
July 30th, 2012
3:24 pm
Mark, haven’t you AJC guys been saying the same prime noise since 2008?
The question is, what will you say if the Eagles are in the superbowl this season?
Stinger 2
July 30th, 2012
3:50 pm
evil empire: Do you know there will be five teams in the playoffs?
Apparently not. You only named four. The Braves would be in if the season ended today. Wake up.
Stinger 2
July 30th, 2012
3:53 pm
Clusters: Congratulations!! You made a post and forgot to say something negative about a Braves player. There may be some hope left for you.
evil empire
July 30th, 2012
3:57 pm
add the giants and white sox….season doesn’t end today…
Sonny Clusters
July 30th, 2012
3:58 pm
Little Man, we had something just for you but it was caught in the filter. We was thinking you must be the real Braves fan and we are just a pretender. Golly, gee, baseball players, wow!
Sonny Clusters
July 30th, 2012
4:06 pm
We like baseball and we like nuclear physics but we don’t get carried away with either one. If we was trying to split an atom over and over again and we was having a hard time doing it we would try something a little different and see if that would help. If we was Fredi Gonzalez we would also consider some different things. Now, the Braves are on a nice little streak right now and we like it just like everybody else, but the entire body of work must be considered and when we look at that we think maybe Fredi could use some more atom smashers. If we was wanting to smash an atom we’d want somebody with big arms but somebody who could make contact because swinging and missing at an atom could disrupt the universe and make us miss the wild card.
HUH?????????????
July 30th, 2012
4:14 pm
Where’s DawginLex? I want to hear more about how awesome UGA football is.
gbal
July 30th, 2012
4:20 pm
I think UGA and most all SEC schools have a back or two or three that are capable…. IF ….
1) They hold on to the ball.
2) The OL can open some holes.
3) The playcalling is somewhat unpredictable and keeps the defenses off balance and not stacking the box.
Several 3-4-5 **’s that can run…. need the holes and some creativity.
a country boy can survive
July 30th, 2012
4:22 pm
not just lexi. i miss the drama that the kingdaddy/brainiac character brings to the table. along with the worlds smartest man, altamahadawg.
kral
July 30th, 2012
4:23 pm
you are a treat SC..do not always agree..but your use of analogies are funny
LT
July 30th, 2012
4:34 pm
The Falcons won’t make the playoffs. They’re going to miss those offensive linemen they should have instead of Julio Jones.
GTBob
July 30th, 2012
4:38 pm
So suddenly two more highly-touted freshman backs are just going to be non-factors this year?
Neither are as talented as Crowell was coming out of high school and Crowell wasn’t really all that great last year. He probably would have been much better this year if he kept his head together. Its hard to imagine either of the freshman being anything more then a good backup this year.
willieghateslibertymedia
July 30th, 2012
4:44 pm
the braves need to get the smartzga from the cubs hes getting good now , or get price or schields fronm tampa bay and get a left fielder in case chipper goes down and prado can play 3rd., put medlin back in bullpen , let him always come in with ben sheets.
robodawg
July 30th, 2012
4:52 pm
Love the idea of the Dawgs in the championship, but I don’t see it happening. The roster attrition is a major concern — more wear and tear on the players that are left.
Cant wait....
July 30th, 2012
4:58 pm
Would love for this to be Tech’s year!! Bring it on…….we are ready!!
OldFan
July 30th, 2012
5:03 pm
I’m pulling for all these to happen. I have absolutely no reason to believe any of them will happen. An incremental improvement for all these teams in the same year would be astounding in and of itself. I just want UGA to whip a team that ends the year ranked. With a big game mojo-less QB, inexperienced O-line, unseasoned runing backs, revamped special teams, and completely untested kicking game, all we need is for every opponent to roll over, and the NC game is a sure thing.
Stinger 2
July 30th, 2012
5:10 pm
Clusters: Sorry it got caught in the filter. It must have been really bad. But thats o.k. Say what you want. Not saying you are not a fan but just saying you have some kind of a disorder that make you say disparaging or negative comments any time you can about a Braves player or their management. I see you are back to bashing Uggla again.
NCAA FAN
July 30th, 2012
5:12 pm
Mark how about a similar column on each of these teams and what would be considered a disappointment? For instance, how many losses gets the Falcons’ Smith fired? How many losses gets Richt fired? How many losses puts Johnson on the hot seat? Would another Braves disaster like last year get Fredi fired? For the record…The one I can most see under performing is UGA. Very soft schedule SEC wise and they’d better perform this year because next year will be 6-6 or worse since we will be losing so many Juniors on D to NFL, lots of seniors, and likely lose our QB to NFL as well. Better get healthy quick with Bama and LSU reappearing on the schedule in upcoming years.
230gr Full Metal Jacket
July 30th, 2012
5:24 pm
GT has a VERY good shot at defeating VT early. IF they do that, they should win their division, and very likely the conference championship. I think they are going to really shock some folks this season, but please — ya’ll just go right on and underestimate them, lol.
UGA, with their schedule, SHOULD win all of their regular season games. But then comes that nasty little encounter with the Western champion (probably LSU this season). IF they somehow win that one (AND all of their regular season games), then they will have earned the right to play for the national title. The problem is, they will get blown out by the Western division champion (again) and will probably drop one or two (S. Carolina, Florida, Auburn, and Tech are all real possibilities) during the regular season. They’ll still have another very good season — but not a great one. All of that being said though, this UGA team is loaded with talent so if CMR can’t get it done this season, then perhaps it really is time for UGA to start considering other options (Grantham as a head coach???? That’s actually kind of scary if you think about it!).
dawg4u
July 30th, 2012
5:35 pm
Welcome back, Mr. Bradley. Been missing your articles. I was afraid you were on some extended sabbatical or something a la Gary Trudeau!
WhoCares?
July 30th, 2012
5:48 pm
NO, NO, NO to Dempster, please. He is a mediocre pitcher at best (look at his career stats), and we got enuf No. 3 hurlers right now. I will continue to underestimate GT until they do something notable, like beat UGA more than once a decade or win a bowl game.
KJ
July 30th, 2012
6:28 pm
I love positive articles about UGA. Not because I agree with Mark (They’re still a longshot to beat the SEC West champion, imo), but it gets the pathetic no-lifers like SSIGator, evil empire, country boy, et al frothing at the mouth and pounding on their (well, their parents’) keyboards, and displaying their loserdom for our amusement. It’s great entertainment in the offseason, to be sure.
dc74
July 30th, 2012
6:56 pm
Yeah yeah..it’s always great according to Bradley. Perhaps Atlanta can add to it’s already impressive list of championships.
bfred
July 30th, 2012
7:01 pm
The issue is at this point Dempster is a two-month rental, plus (hopefully) post-season. His WAR is 2.2, implying that he’d be good for MAYBE one extra win over the course of those two months. His 2.25 ERA is about half his career average; I see him getting taken apart in the post-season against top talent. Unless we get him for scraps there’s nothing about a trade scenario for the guy that I like. Granted the Cubs might do that just to clear some salary.
realitycheck
July 30th, 2012
7:31 pm
Elmer Fudd………Yes UGA is 3-1 vs Bama in the last four meetings, but lets dissect those games. 1. 2002 game in Tuscaloosa where UGA scored very late and pulled out a close one against Franchione a couple months before his exit to Texas A&M. 2. 2003 game in Athens was an easy Dawg win against an outmanned Mike Shula team playing with a third string QB. UGA should’ve won 56-0. 3. 2007 game in Tuscaloosa went to OT where UGA edged Bama in Saban’s first year playing mostly with Shula’s players. UGA was at least four TD’s better than Bama, yet Saban almost stole the game. 4. 2008 Blackout game in Athens where Saban, in only his second year at Bama, took a 31-0 lead into the half and coasted to a 41-30 win in a game not nearky as close as the final score indicated. UGA had better players and more of them, but was clearky outcoached and outprepared. Today Bama has the better players, more of them and SUPERIOR COACHING. Bama is stacked and the Tide is rolling and UGA hasn’t beaten a top 20 team in two years. These two football programs aren’t even comparable, and if you don’t believe it look at the all time records of the two. Compare NC’s, SEC Championships, Bowl wins, and their head to head all time record, Here’s a hint: They aren’t anywhere close! Yes, UGA won a few battles against subpar Bama teams, but when the stakes are really high, Bama usually always wins. Bama has won 2 NC’s in the last 3 years and 14 total, UGA has won 1 in what 120 years. This just isn’t a fair fight!
Dawg-Hatin' Jacket
July 30th, 2012
8:32 pm
Sorry, Mark, the only “title” thUGA will be in the race for this year is the Fulmer Cup (again).
john
July 30th, 2012
8:47 pm
mb feelin good today. love the optimism and you are still the man
Bugs Bunny
July 30th, 2012
9:10 pm
Elmer does not talk like that…
Mark Bradley
July 30th, 2012
9:26 pm
Thanks, john.
Stumpknocker
July 30th, 2012
9:36 pm
Mark…..You had better be careful riding around Athens/Clark Cnty smokin them tatters . You know how the law is there…………and besides that stuff makes you delusional………BCS championship game ? You gotta be kidding.
Reality checked
July 30th, 2012
10:06 pm
Better check your reality again, Since 1980 Ga-Bama are 5-5 with georgia having won more SEC titles outright. Georgia has also vacated 21 less wins, forfeited less games not had 1 single time of being banned from post season play. Great to have a resurgent Bamaa, but from 2000 -2009 bama was 8th in sec winning %.Congrats on the last 3 years Sabans a great coach, but don;t act all high and mighty the 60-70’s brought bama most of its glory.Bama proved last year its easier to win the National title than win its own division or conference title, Mulligan U.Florida and LSU have been by far the best programs in the sec the past 20 years. louisana monroe in tuscaloosa .
bubba4dawgs
July 30th, 2012
10:29 pm
It would be wishful thinking for the DAWGS to play USC in any game regardless if it is championship or not. The DAWGS last meeting with Kiffin was in Knoxville when the Vols laced the DAWGS pretty good. Kiffin made a prediction in the locker room afterwards that the Vols would NEVER lose to the DAWGS again! Of course, the DAWGS have already proven that statement to be wrong. I’d just like the DAWGS to put Kiffin’s proverbial foot in his mouth!
MARK RICHT CANNOT BEAT THE TOP TEAMS
July 31st, 2012
2:45 am
Who cares you predict 11-1 when it’s a 14-game season and we’ve not beat a single team who made the top 10 after Auburn # 9 in 2006 ? Oh, you look at our schedule of no Alabama, Arkansas even or LSU and predict we will win 11 games. Excuse me, we play 11 opponents who average 4.8 wins and 1 opponent who has beat us 2 years in row, while we finished # 5 of just SEC teams in every single poll.
Mark Richt’s goal as he states all week this week, including yesterday, is that we will return to The SEC Championship Game and play better this time. 10-42.
We haven’t beat an SEC team who made a winning SEC record starting with the Kentucky game in 2007. 2007 was 6 seasons ago now this 2012 season.
We better go 13-1.
MARK RICHT CANNOT BEAT THE TOP TEAMS
July 31st, 2012
3:00 am
Louisiana Monroe at Tuscaloosa ? (1) You brag about us beating Alabama that very same season (2) Louisiana Monroe in Nick Saban’s 1st season at Alabama won a lot of games against far better teams than Vandie did in Mark Richt’s 6th season here when Vandie beat us at our house. Vandie in 2006 beat only 2 teams all season, 0-12 Duke and 1-11 Temple but they beat us.
Did you just brag we beat another Alabama team who ended the season a 4-win team ? Answer yes.
We are on a long-losing streak to the top teams. Oh, we beat Alabama when they won but 4 games all season long. I mean wow. That really addresses the issue.
According to you reality, Okie State who lost to a lousy Iowa State 6-7 team, is a better loss than Alabama’s loss to # 2 consensus LSU 13-1. You make no sense.
BCS National Championship Game, indeed. You and Jeff Schultz, combined write about 1 article every 2 months on UGA football. What do you know about it ? Jeff Schultz apparently only knows about Atlanta Braves, whatever that is about the 15th best baseball team.
__________________________________________________________________
When are we going to beat a team making Top 10 when we don’t play 1 all season
__________________________________________________________________
MARK RICHT CANNOT BEAT THE TOP TEAMS
July 31st, 2012
3:09 am
Well, you will not have anyone around here bragging about Wait Until Next Year when we face Alabama instead and do so without any of our Defense, all of whom are gone after this season. If Mark Richt’s extension had come up after 2013, he would have been doomed. As it is, after his extension, he has put up nothing but bad press. Can’t wait to beat all 11 of these “opponents” especially the home games for my seasons’ tickets who combined all season long have 53 wins to their collective names for 11 “opponents.” Be a lot of chest-thumping around here for that, eh ?
MARK RICHT CANNOT BEAT THE TOP TEAMS
July 31st, 2012
4:50 am
Instead of bragging about 11 wins 2012, why not write an article about the actual facts about our football program ?
MARK RICHT CANNOT BEAT THE TOP TEAMS
July 31st, 2012
4:51 am
Instead of bragging about 11 wins 2012, why not write an article about the actual facts about our football program ?
MARK RICHT CANNOT BEAT THE TOP TEAMS
July 31st, 2012
4:52 am
MARK RICHT CANNOT BEAT THE TOP TEAMS
July 31st, 2012
4:53 am
MARK RICHT CANNOT BEAT THE TOP TEAMS
July 31st, 2012
4:55 am
MARK RICHT CANNOT BEAT THE TOP TEAMS
July 31st, 2012
4:56 am
MARK RICHT CANNOT BEAT THE TOP TEAMS
July 31st, 2012
4:56 am
MARK RICHT CANNOT BEAT THE TOP TEAMS
July 31st, 2012
4:57 am
Keith
July 31st, 2012
10:15 am
HA! we never have any losers in late July…….but WE DO HAVE in October…….December……..January……..April……. Braves flop as usual…..Tech is Tech as usual….Falcons are the pro version of UGA (Champions in the pre-season- losers in the end), Hawks make Tech look good and UGA is likely 9-3 with Murray giving 2 away with pic 6’s (possibly 10-2 if defense can somehow overcome offense/special teams giving points away)
MARK RICHT CANNOT BEAT THE TOP TEAMS
July 31st, 2012
10:19 am
If we could overcome the points given away by UGA’s offense against every top team…
Joe
July 31st, 2012
10:24 am
MARK RICHT CANNOT BEAT THE TOP TEAMS
July 31st, 2012
10:26 am
Keith, the only problem with that on offense or special teams, is that we’ve done nothing different to fix any of it – except recruit Keith Marshall, who like Matthew Stafford will be buried on the Depth Chart 3 deep to guys we’ve already seen fumble the football, or run straight ahead like that works on sprint draws on 2nd down and 12 to go after either a sack or a bomb in-complete on 1st down, instead of trying to move the chains against every team of quality.
Why don’t we pick on Alabama again all day today, like we did yesterday on this blog all day, which somehow explains away them beating 2 teams who made the AP Poll Top 10 and LSU beating 3 teams who made the AP Poll Top 10 just last year, alone, while we’ve not beat any team making the AP Poll Top 10 in 7 seasons, all the way back to # 9 Auburn in 2006.
Mark Richt, sir, Greg McGarity said to ask you and you only why you do not announce all the Suspensions NOW instead of waiting until kick-off to give us all the bad press at kick-off time when we are supposed to be so hyped-up about our home game schedule of not 1 game all season.
MARK RICHT CANNOT BEAT THE TOP TEAMS
July 31st, 2012
10:29 am
Joe, AM ain’t leaving early anywhere. Did you see what the NFL scouts said about him ? Good heavens. He will NEVER get a single snap in the NFL, ever. I am not even convinced he is our best quarterback on our team. And, I absolutely know the OTHER quarterback 11 times was way better than he on the field, head-to-head, to-date.
MARK RICHT CANNOT BEAT THE TOP TEAMS
July 31st, 2012
10:30 am
Joe, and how can the future be bright for Mark Richt with the entire defense gone after this season, us facing Alabama next year ?
Keith
July 31st, 2012
10:35 am
Dawgs at their own 30…1st and 10.
Murray throws a 70 yard pass down the sideline…..incomplete. 2nd down 10
Murray hands off to Samual who runs up the middle- gain of 1 3rd down 9
Murray back to pass ….being chased……….sacked……4th down 24
UGA punts……long….taken at the 16……keystone cops (UGA special teams) back again this year……returns it 84 yards for a TD
Columbus Dawg
July 31st, 2012
10:36 am
Macon Mike, are you waiting for someone to ask who the Dawg is, and where exactly you getting the info?
Joe
July 31st, 2012
10:37 am
I was being sarcastic…….at UGA our future always looks bright….it’s the actual season that’s been our downfall
Joe
July 31st, 2012
10:38 am
I was being sarcastic…..at UGA our future always looks bright. It’s the actual season that has been our downfall
Keith
July 31st, 2012
10:43 am
Dawgs trail 7-0……..starting at their own 25….1st and 10
Murray back…throws a 70 yard pass down the sideline……incomplete 2nd down
Murray hands off to samual…..up the middle for no gain….3rd down
Murray back to pass…being pressured…..throws on the run…INTERCEPTED…….runs untouched into the end zone…….13-0 with point after coming
Joe
July 31st, 2012
10:51 am
Our season depends on two things……Murray and special teams……I dont hold out much hope!
realitycheck
July 31st, 2012
10:51 am
Reality checked………That was a pitifully weak argument. 14 NC’s to 1. You sound like a public defender!
MARK RICHT CANNOT BEAT THE TOP TEAMS
July 31st, 2012
11:04 am
Yes, every off-season, we ignore all the Suspensions, arrests, thefts from teammates, transfers-out, no special teams’ coach again, same old offensive coordinator we stole from Jacksonville state college where he was the quarterbacks’ coach all of 1 year, all the teams who beat all the teams who made the top 10 again while we once again went un-victorious in those battles, and all the signed recruits who flunked-out before they got here and all those who flunked-out after they got here – and, announce
WE HAVE BETTER TALENT THAN EVERY TEAM ON OUR SCHEDULE
Then, go out, as you say, in the actual season watch again 4 more quarterbacks out-perform our own head-to-head on the field, ending the 14-game season # 27 in won/lost record and # 5 in our own conference, even, in every single poll.
Then, it all starts again.
Eric C.
July 31st, 2012
12:24 pm
Mizzou? They haven’t faced a front 7 like UGA’s in a long time…they will be very lucky to score more than 13 pts.
MARK RICHT CANNOT BEAT THE TOP TEAMS
July 31st, 2012
12:33 pm
Mizzou is 8-5, if they are lucky, every year, and lost 13 starters from last season when they had zero special teams (like we do) and # 60 Defense. They are a running team picked to be # 42 this 2012 season. I see no way they improve upon their 8-5 of last year in the Big XII now in The SEC. They easily have 5 losses.
CFBFan
August 2nd, 2012
5:58 pm
ACC football…. It’s entertaining… in a “watching a middle school play that your kid is *not* in” kind of way.
BILL KING
August 3rd, 2012
5:48 pm
JUST WIN BABY !!!!!!!!!!!
jc_dawgs
August 3rd, 2012
10:09 pm
10-2 for the Dawgs this year. That 2nd loss will likely be the end of any BCS championship potential….even if they upset the western champ in the sec champ game. Dawgs must go 11-1 for the bcs champ game to still be possible. Richt is just too prone to blunders here and there.
Thomas Brown
August 4th, 2012
1:59 am
You think ?
Besides 3 wins out of 16 games vs teams who made AP Poll Top 10 all 11 years
Unable to beat the top teams
Mark Richt has put up :
_____________________________________________________
Mark Richt all 11 years to-date – Losses to not Top 25 opponents :
_____________________________________________________
17-24 Loss Auburn 2001 Unranked**
16-20 Loss Boston College 2001 # 21**
13-20 Loss Crocodiles 2002 Unranked**
33-51 Loss vols 2006 # 25**
22-24 Loss Vandie 4-8 in 2006 Unranked**
20-24 Loss Kentucky 2006 Unranked**
12-16 Loss South Carolina 6-6 in 2007 Unranked**
42-45 Loss Georgia tek 2008 # 22**
10-24 Loss Okie State 2009 Unranked**
19-45 Loss vols 7-6 in 2009 Unranked**
27-34 Loss Kentucky 7-6 in 2009 Unranked**
06-17 Loss South Carolina 2010 # 22**
31-34 Loss Crocodiles 2010 Unranked**
27-29 Loss Colorado 5-7 in 2010 Unranked**
06-10 Loss Central Florida 2010 # 21**
______________________________________________________
**without the win over Mark Richt, opponent doesn’t make Top 25
______________________________________________________
Mark Richt all 11 years to-date :
15 Losses in 11 years to teams who aren’t Top 25, even.
10 who even with their win over Mark Richt, did not make the Top 25, even.
5 More Losses to teams who made # 21 to # 25 with their win over Mark Richt all 5 of whom do not make the Top 25 except that they beat Mark Richt.
15 times Mark Richt in 11 years to-date has Lost to Lousy Football Teams, none with any business beating us; none.