A chilly Heat Check: Bad losses, bad behavior, bad times
We offer visual verification that happy days aren't here again. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
We begin our weekly Heat Check by noting that the Falcons are 5-0 for the first time in franchise annals and that the Hawks opened their exhibition season by beating the reigning NBA champs, and then we turn to more dire matters. Which is to say, everything else in local sports.
GEORGIA: Played its biggest game of the season and lost by 28 points, and that only after what even the head coach conceded was a “consolation” touchdown. Linebacker Christian Robinson took to Twitter to report that the house he shares with quarterback Aaron Murray had been “egged and rolled.” Chill Factor: There have been more depressing weekends in the long history of Georgia football, but not many.
BRAVES: Played its biggest game of the postseason and made three errors that generated four unearned runs, thereby ensuring that this would be their only game of the postseason. Also messed up a strange safety squeeze. Also were victims of one of the worst calls in postseason history, prompting a televised outpouring of bottle-flinging. Also said goodbye to the best Atlanta Brave of the past 35 years. Chill Factor: There have been more depressing nights in the long history of Braves baseball, but not many.
GEORGIA TECH: Lost by 16 points after leading in the fourth quarter. One week after yielding 510 yards and 49 points to Middle Tennessee and two weeks after yielding 609 yards and 42 points to Miami, the Jackets yielded 601 yards and 47 points to Clemson. When last the Jackets started a season worse than 2-4, the head coach — the year was 1994 — was gone after eight games. Chill Factor: There have been more depressing half-seasons in the long history of Tech football, but not many.
DREAM: Were eliminated from the WNBA playoffs after squandering a 1-0 lead. Failed to reach the league finals for the first time in three seasons. Fired its coach-since-inception in midseason because she couldn’t get along with the team’s best player, whereupon the new coach suspended (briefly) the team’s best player. Chill Factor: There have been more depressing seasons in the history of Dream basketball, but not many.
GEORGIA STATE: Lost to New Hampshire to fall to 0-6. Has been outscored 226-71 on the season. The closest loss has been 21 points. If the Panthers don’t beat Rhode Island (0-5) on Saturday, they’re staring an 0-fer season in its ugly face. Chill Factor: There have been more depressing seasons in the history of Georgia State football … well, actually there haven’t.
By Mark Bradley
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
259 comments Add your comment
Buddy Landell
October 8th, 2012
10:54 am
Buster Olney said that in the last 3 years, the longest IF called was 175 feet. This one was between 225-228 feet.
Bobby
October 8th, 2012
10:55 am
@Tech Engineer I’ll take CPJ over Chan Gailey anytime. Gailey wasn’t fit to be a head coach on any collegiate football team. And had we had any other AD besides Brainless he would not have coached for us and GT football would undoubtedly be much better.
Mike Geigerman
October 8th, 2012
10:56 am
It’s obvious Georgia id done and needs the Ole ball coach to retire. Tech needs Chan to recruit and coach PJ to coach. Braves need money and Falcons are going to be undefeated this year. GSU needs to give up football and concentrate on basketball. The Dream shouldn’t even be in this column it’s for sports. About normal in Atlanta !
Eric
October 8th, 2012
10:56 am
I had family in town visiting and took them to Friday’s Braves game. They were speechless. Besides not fully understanding why the ball in question wasn’t in play, I don’t understand why security and the police didn’t do a better job of stopping folks from throwing stuff onto the field.
www
October 8th, 2012
10:57 am
this guy is a complete and total moron.
“Weyman C. Wannamaker Jr. (A Great American)
October 8th, 2012
8:33 am
Saturday night’s game was the football equivalent of the Obama-Romney debate.
The left-field ump in the Braves-Cards game was Jim Lehrer.”
Escaped from Email Purgatory
October 8th, 2012
10:58 am
Citing the failures of Tech, our Atlanta Dream and GSU is kinda like bemoaning the splinter you found in your index finger you just cut off with a circular saw.
UGA and the Braves? Those are performances that make you want to slap your mama – or run to her bosom for comfort.
My dear mother passed away some years back Bradley – perhaps others in your flock of admirers share my situation. I guess that makes you our bosom – like it or not. How about some sports comfort dude?
What did we learn from the Dawgs and Braves huge, embarrassing failures this weekend?
juice sourcer
October 8th, 2012
11:00 am
The only thing Tech has going for it is Paul Johnson’s offense. Take that away and Tech is right there with Duke, WF, and Boston College. They will NEVER recruit the talent to consistently compete with UGA, Clemson, FSU and schools like this…never.
Weyman C. Wannamaker Jr. (A Great American)
October 8th, 2012
11:04 am
So… which is worse?
The Braves avoiding an “Epic Collapse” and getting to the post-season and then losing?
The Dawgs getting ranked in the Top 5 and then getting blown out by the #6 team?
Tough call.
Sonny Jackson
October 8th, 2012
11:04 am
Not to pile on, but Cross Keys lost too…
Chuck UGA
October 8th, 2012
11:05 am
Greg McGarity is finding out this morning that the athletic department donors have had enough of the ass-kickings in big games under Richt. He will HAVE to fire some assistants after this season or given the option of resigning. Saturday night will be the date that set UGA football back, way back, in the SEC pecking order. Saban, Miles, Spurrier and probably Muschamp have passed Mark Richt’s program as far as coaching and preparation. Florida will likely be the next ugly loss, and that will be the straw that finally breaks the camel’s back.
Big gator
October 8th, 2012
11:05 am
Loserville, Loserville, watch the Falcons collaps in the playoff, the journalist in Atl do not put pressure on these people.
In Florida the journalist write about you every day for not performing, loserville, loserville
ARdawg
October 8th, 2012
11:06 am
Weyman
Ain’t much tough about the UGA getting beeyotch slapped by SC. That was a given with Richt at the helm. At least the Braves would’ve had a fighting chance
That Guy
October 8th, 2012
11:06 am
@Juice Sourcer:
You are correct sir, regarding GT and their talent. They will never be able to recruit with the likes of uGa, Clems son, and Free Shoes U for many reasons that won’t be rehashed here AGAIN. We Tech fans should just accept that and move on. The occasional win against schools like those mentioned above is the best that can be hoped for.
Jessica
October 8th, 2012
11:08 am
Another exception…….GEORGIA SOUTHERN FOOTBALL. Oh yeah.
TN Jeff
October 8th, 2012
11:08 am
Benjamin 8:41 am
Cleveland is the ONLY city that we could beat in a championship game / series. Unfortunately the Browns won’t be making an appearance in the Super Bowl this year … or anytime soon.
A-Town
October 8th, 2012
11:09 am
GO FALCONS!
Fear the Storm
October 8th, 2012
11:10 am
Still sand in the puppies eyes!
That Guy
October 8th, 2012
11:10 am
What has Atlanta sports sunk to when comparing the WNBA to any of the MAJOR sports? Disgusting.
BuchheadDawg
October 8th, 2012
11:10 am
Buddy Landell: Win or lose, Coach Richt and his players take responsibility for what they do on the field instead of blaming external factors. And they give credit where credit is due. That’s class.
Peter
October 8th, 2012
11:11 am
Buddy Landell .. Frank Wren built the team……. and yes he is responsible……. last year they were terrible fielding, and with pressure they became the team they are.
Baltimore ran him out of town and we need too as well !
reckingball
October 8th, 2012
11:13 am
You’ll have this kind of stuff, from time to time.
GSU
October 8th, 2012
11:13 am
Had a great time watchng Ga Southern whoop W Carolina, we are the bright spot in the state this weekend and best record last year for GA D1A football – even in a down year we are doing well
ED
October 8th, 2012
11:13 am
Ga Southern deserves better than to be mentioned in this depressing blog.
dick whiskey
October 8th, 2012
11:13 am
HUH????ou are an idiot troll,probably an unemployed little wuss sitting in your mama’s basement posting your stupid ideas
Boyd Dowler
October 8th, 2012
11:14 am
Shout out to Tony Gonzalez, 13 receptions! 16 seasons in the NFL and he keeps getting better!
Trey
October 8th, 2012
11:14 am
“DREAM: Were eliminated from the WNBA playoffs after squandering a 1-0 lead. Failed to reach the league finals for the first time in three seasons. Fired its coach-since-inception in midseason because she couldn’t get along with the team’s best player, whereupon the new coach suspended (briefly) the team’s best player. Chill Factor: There have been more depressing seasons in the history of Dream basketball, but not many.”
We still have a WNBA team? They’re already eliminated from the playoffs? Jeez, how many games do they play a year? The real NBA hasn’t even started their season.
Weyman C. Wannamaker Jr. (A Great American)
October 8th, 2012
11:15 am
I feel sorry for Neal “Hondo” Williamson. How is he going to put together a highlight show from Saturday night’s debacle?
1eyedJack
October 8th, 2012
11:18 am
The future ain’t what it used to be.
JB
October 8th, 2012
11:20 am
I’m sure the TV folks are praying Dawgs don’t back in the SECCG this year to face Bama. Don’t know if our brand cane survive many more National TV meltdowns. I’m not sure I’ve absorbed all what happen to us Saturday night yet. I do know that Sprurrier has built a fine program over there in about half the time Richt has, in a state with about 75% less high school talent. It’s obvious what’s wrong in Athens.
itchy fox
October 8th, 2012
11:24 am
Georgia fans make it so easy to hate Georgia teams. See BuchheadDawg posts for examples.
Home of the Braves
October 8th, 2012
11:25 am
I predict that Wren will decline the options on both Hudson and McCann and use the money to sign Bourn and Grienke. David Ross will also get a new contract and will platoon with Mike Napoli. Prado moves to 3B. Fransisco stays on the bench. Cody Ross is signed for LF. Maholm’s option will be picked up. Hanson traded. Annibal Sanchez signed. Beachy doesn’t return until 2014.
So the starting rotation will be Greinke, Medlan, Maholm, Minor, and Sanchez.
And the lineup will include Bourn (CF), Prado (3B), J-Hay (RF), C. Ross (LF), Freeman (1B), Uggly (2B), D. Ross (C), and Simmons (SS).
itchy fox
October 8th, 2012
11:25 am
go dawgs? hahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!
Mark Richt
October 8th, 2012
11:25 am
Our fan base has a “Walmart support mentality” , these idiots go and EGG our QB’s apartment after finding out his dad has cancer and was man enough to play in Columbia when he should have gone home to comfort his father – WOW , you morons I will be resigning my head coaching post in effect this afternoon and will gladly head back to FSU campus to work for Jimbo, screw you LEGHUMPERS !!!!!!
GT will beat us bad this year !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
15 Minutes from 'Dem Hedges
October 8th, 2012
11:27 am
DAWGS never had time to adjust to loss of Big Play Bennett…SC’s DLine was ferocious…I knew UGA would run into a buzz saw because they hadn’t played anybody up to that point, Missouri being the only close exception…DAWGS can now only hope that SC stumbles during Muderers’ Row of games coming up…
I’m currently watching replay of Falcons/Redskins game…Falcons are very vulnerable against the run, which will kill you in playoffs against teams like Giants, Eagles, 49ers, Vikings, etc…Big Ups to Dunta Robinson and JBabineaux for vicious hit on RGIII…big ups to Weatherspoon for legally knocking RGIII out of game…Braves got hosed…Tech is terrrible…my Bills are an embarrassment…fire Chan Gailey…they could have had Leslie Frazier…serves them right…
Ivan
October 8th, 2012
11:30 am
Big Gator:
“In Florida the journalist write about you every day for not performing, loserville, loserville.”
Must not be much to write about in Florida.
itchy fox
October 8th, 2012
11:31 am
Georgia sports fans make hating Georgia sports teams easy.
Go Ducks
October 8th, 2012
11:34 am
Now I see why the Bulldogs paid Oregon $250K to get out of having to play the Ducks. Oregon would score 60 on that Georgia defense.
Buddy Landell
October 8th, 2012
11:35 am
Buchhead- You’ll find fans of UF and USCe that say the same about their team. They will also cite the personal fouls, trash talking, and celebrating tackles made many yards downfield as examples of UGA lacking the same. I’m sure UF will also talk about the year that CMR was smirking as his bench cleared to go dance in the end zone. However, arrests and suspensions may be a wash.
Buddy Landell
October 8th, 2012
11:37 am
So, Peter- Do you fire Wren because his HOF 3rd baseman threw a ball away, because his young phenom SS threw a ball away, or just fire him because Uggla threw a ball away?? Look at Baltimore’s roster. More credit should be given to Showalter than the GM. That is not a playoff caliber roster.
4dabirds
October 8th, 2012
11:39 am
I expected the Braves to collapse. I expected Richt to be out coached yet again. I’ve never even seen the Dream play. So all in all, I’m not upset with anything related to Georgia sports.
GO FALCONS, and down with the Saints.
HUH?????
October 8th, 2012
11:40 am
“ou are an idiot troll,probably an unemployed little wuss sitting in your mama’s basement posting your stupid ideas”
Why would I want to be you, dickless?
Still Hopeful
October 8th, 2012
11:40 am
Spurrier should send Derek Dooley a thank you card for having his team push us much harder than we expected. Our defense was totally gassed and had little time to rest. We started the process of losing to SC when we mishandled the punt and it rolled dead at the one in the UT game. They were just short of being comfortably “put away” when we let them back in. Scoring quickly, while nice for the offense, is really bad for the defense. Chasing wide receivers all over the field and trying and failing to put pressure on a good QB wore us completely down. This is not an excuse but is a cold hard fact. We are a better team than we showed at SC – but this night, they were much better and were ready for a game of magnitude.
AINTS FANS STILL talking blah blah blah
October 8th, 2012
11:42 am
My Dirty Birds did the darn thing! The Saints still suck and I’m glad GA lost. Tech is pretty much a lost cause at this point unfortunately, and while I feel bad for Chipper he had quite the retirement recognition over the past year so it’s not that big of a deal. GSU, my alumna, sad to say but they have a lot of work to do. Replacing Bill Curry is the first step to success, although I do respect him and hope he can get at a least a couple wins in for his last season.
Lee Wells
October 8th, 2012
11:54 am
Read your article Sunday about quarterbacks and your mention of Chip Hilton/Clair Bee books -
I had come to think that I was the only one that ever found them and read them – none of my friends had ever heard of them. Read them back in the late 60’s, early 70’s. Great series. Thanks for the mention.
G
October 8th, 2012
11:56 am
The worst part about the UGA loss is that it has to fester for 2 dag-gum weeks. UGA has a bye this week.
The worst part about the Falcons win, is that it’s overshadowed by UGA’s loss.
The best part about the Braves loss, is that it’s overshadowed by a Falcons win and an UGA loss.
The thing about GaTechs loss, is that it was expected with more to come.
The thing about the Dream’s loss, is that nobody cares.
GSU get’s a pass. We don’t consider them a real team yet.
One and done.
October 8th, 2012
11:56 am
Braves are number #1 CHOKE ARTIST.
Ted M
October 8th, 2012
11:57 am
Home – Nah Wren keeps Hudson but lets go of McCann. I don’t know what they are gonna do with center field. I hope they don’t sign Bourn. He is a strikeout machine and he is gonna get way way more money then he is worth.
Maybe Wren will goes all-in on Hamilton. Cause the Rangers are gonna let him go.
itchy fox
October 8th, 2012
11:58 am
Manny Diaz will be next head coach at UGA.
Ted M
October 8th, 2012
12:00 pm
The Jackets are surprisingly pathetic.
Producer
October 8th, 2012
12:00 pm
First of all, who gives a rat’s *** about the WNBA? If the tickets were not given away for free nobody would ever come to see them play. Second, all of the trash thrown on the field at the braves game was completely justified! We’re tired of the zebra’s f****ing up all sports with their incompetence. Be glad it wasn’t European soccer, the fans would have stormed the field.