Taking the UGA blog ‘to the people’
It’s late February and things are about to really crank up on the Georgia athletics scene.
- The basketball regular season is almost over and postseason play is right around the corner. Lost in all the drama and drudgery surrounding the Bulldogs’ men’s basketball team this season is the fact they will be defending their SEC tournament title down in Tampa. Who knows, a hurricane could strike, right? If so I’ll be there to chronicle it. And I imagine they’ll have to hire a coach sooner or later. We’ll cover that, too. Anyone else wondering if the Lady Dogs will get left out The Dance?
- Baseball season has already cranked up and the Diamond Dawgs are having to rebuild their lineup after last season’s national runner-up finish. They have some arms, though, and some good young talent from what I’ve been able to see. Methinks they may be pretty good again.
- Of course, spring football practice begins in mid-March and we’ll be all over that as always.
- Georgia’s loaded for bear as usual in men’s and women’s tennis and golf. And as we’ve learned recently, the track teams aren’t too shabby either.
I mention all this because I need your help. My aim is to make this blog as interactive and user-friendly as possible. So I need to know what it is you most want to read about here.
Is it football, football, football all the time? Do you want to see mini-features and Q&As on the gridders every day? Or would you prefer a nice balance, touching on baseball and basketball and the non-revenues fairly regularly?
Speaking of football, I’m going to be over at the Butts-Mehre Building Wednesday afternoon where several players will be available for interviews. I’ve already done Q&As with QB Logan Gray and TBs Dontavius Jackson and Carlton Thomas I still need to share. Who are some other players you’d like to hear from or some subjects you’d like to see discussed?
I’m getting assignments from my editors all the time. Might as well take it straight to “the people,” right? So what do you say, people?
Now for a few links:
Not sure if you’ll find this of interest but this is a direct quote from Florida quarterback Tim Tebow regarding next year’s game against the Bulldogs in Jacksonville: “Come see us beat Georgia again.” . . .
Speaking of Florida, TE recruit Orson Charles of Tampa apparently has eliminated the Gators from consideration, according to a report in the Palm Beach Post. . . .
Mike Merola, captain of the 1950 Georgia football team, passed away recently. . . .
This is kind of old news but I didn’t see it when it came out. So, for what it’s worth, Georgia was voted among the Top 5 programs in the nation for producing a family atmosphere. . . .
Charles Bloom, associate commissioner of the Southeastern Conference, is trying is hand at blogging. So the least I can do is direct some of you to something he calls “Principled Profiles in Sports.” Let me know what you think.
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115 comments Add your comment
Top Dawg
February 25th, 2009
8:07 am
I hope you tell the Georgia players about teabow’s comments, but I’m sure it’s already on their boards. Go Dawgs!!
Atlanta Jackets
February 25th, 2009
8:09 am
First! LOL
A Jacket is first on the UGA blog!
Josh “The Robot” Nesbot just scored again! LOL!
Jon P
February 25th, 2009
8:19 am
I’d like to see at least some tidbits of UGA football, if possible, during the off season. It’s a long time before football begins and I get bored with the other sports. So, as much football news as you can deliver would be appreciated. Football, football, football all the time. UGA baseball would be next as a worthy subject as it is usually under-reported by every newspaper.
Thanks for asking!
GeoffDawg
February 25th, 2009
8:22 am
Aw, sorry atlanta jacket – just like prom night, you talk big but fail to close the deal.
Jon P
February 25th, 2009
8:24 am
By the way…why don’t you delete the insignificant bloggings of the GT fans? They are usually ridiculous and petty. I don’t read their blogs. Why would I? There’s nothing interesting about Georgia Tech. They are poor sports and their fans are the most obnoxious I’ve ever encountered!
GeoffDawg
February 25th, 2009
8:24 am
I agree with Jon. As much as I love our baseball, golf, gymnastics, equestrian, etc. teams, my interest in reading about them wanes after awhile. Football will always move the meter.
Robby
February 25th, 2009
8:42 am
Write an article about WHY Colleges should not be allowed to keep their tax-exempt status when they are making MILLIONS every year from sports and VERY LITTLE ever goes back to the academic departments
Atlanta Gator
February 25th, 2009
8:54 am
Robby—-In many instances, the “university” athletic departments are actually organized as non-profit corporations that are legally distinct from the universities that control them. The explanation of what non-profits can and cannot legally do is fairly lengthy and complicated, but, if you’re really curious, I suggest that you google “26 U.S.C. § 501″ (that’s Section 501 of Title 26 of the U.S. Code; Title 26 is also known as the Internal Revenue Code). Enjoy your light reading, but you may need a tax lawyer to explain the details to you because it reads like it was written by angry chimpanzees banging out a stimulus bill. Oops—-can I say that, Chip?
GeoffDawg
February 25th, 2009
9:00 am
You could write something regarding the way college basketball is making a mockery of the student athlete concept. While admittedly, football is guilty of this as well to a lesser extent due mainly to NFL rules and the substantial difference in physicality, when top basketball recruits publicly announce that whatever school they sign with, they’re only staying for one year (cough cough ga. tech), how is the college any different from just being a developmental league? He’s basically a professional athlete already. I don’t have anything against people turning professional straight from high school because college isn’t for everyone and we all have the right to earn a (legal) living using our natural talents. However, schools who admit players who have documented their desire to leave after one season are diminishing the value of the education received by all the real students.
godawg
February 25th, 2009
9:05 am
I like the new format. How ’bout an “Ignore the Bug” button so we don’t have to view their pathetic drivel?
I could have used it twice this morning already (yes Robby, you’re one).
MGMT died
February 25th, 2009
9:20 am
post pictures of the Gym Dawgs and stories about foobaw. And pictures of Gym Dawgs.
gdawginkalamazoo
February 25th, 2009
9:30 am
Chip, tell your editor that your peeps said to take a 3 week paid vacation to a place of your choice. Preferrably an all inclusive resort where you don’t have to worry about anything. Is that what you are looking for?
Geoffdawg, yeah I agree that rule stinks and fouls up the college ranks. I say that if the kid has the talent to go straight to the NBA then let him go. No sense in wasting a college scholarship on him if he is there only the one year. Give that to a kid that might need that education post basketball. I would prefer a the record we have now and get the kids a life if they don’t make it to the big time.
Fletch
February 25th, 2009
9:30 am
I wonder why Techies are always jumping on the UGA blog, could it be because there is nothing interesting to read about on the nerd blog?
Fletch
February 25th, 2009
9:31 am
BTW, great article here about GA football and why it is so awesome….
http://uga.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=916646
David
February 25th, 2009
9:36 am
Chip,
Wall to wall football. All the time. I don’t think it would be inappropriate to have a football blog and an “everything else” blog.
And the Answer Is .......
February 25th, 2009
9:38 am
(to your question, Fletch, about why Techies are always on the UGA blog)
It’s the same reason that I enjoy watching Fox News. I love laughing at idiots.
Fletch
February 25th, 2009
9:47 am
Ba dum ching
gdawginkalamazoo
February 25th, 2009
9:53 am
Crying because you lost is okay Tebow. Crying because you won is okay. Start smack talking like that and you may find yourself regreting it.
Gen Neyland
February 25th, 2009
9:55 am
Football could easily be a top priority here, but it would be like eating chicken every night of the week. As an enemy participant within, I’ll take whatever the host brings and will be happy to have the opportunity to play along if the topic or a respondent so moves me. I do like links to conference material, good and bad. There are some stories out there that will fuel most any fire…and may I say, Go Vols..?
Bub
February 25th, 2009
9:56 am
I’d like to read mostly about football, but with the other sports mentioned too, especially the baseball team now that their season has started. College baseball is one of the most underrated sports in America in terms of excitement, especially in the South. The Dawgs made a great run last year & got a lot of people fired up, and they look like they might do the same this year, so I would love for the AJC to lead the way in covering them.
Homer
February 25th, 2009
9:57 am
I think most of the interest is as follows (though I am sure several will disagree) and should be covered as such:
1. Football (a lot to cover with 85 scholarships, 24 positions, and all the supposed changes being made this offseason)
2. Basketball’s coaching search
3. All others as necessary. (Track, Baseball, Golf, etc.)
RxDawg
February 25th, 2009
10:01 am
Honestly? For me? It’s football. I love my dawgs and I wish them well in all of their sports, but I don’t go around the internet looking for news on the golf team. I just don’t. This is not a knock on them. I guess I’m just a huge football fan but a small “sports” fan. I like to know if the other teams are doing well and if one of them makes it to a championship then you bet I’m tuned in. Life just kind of takes priority over how much attention I choose to put forth toward UGA sports. Football is the one exception. I eat, breath, sleep UGA football baby!
38-3
February 25th, 2009
10:03 am
Apparently abuse and date rape…model citizens of the FLA team, and they come over here and talk sh*t about a DUI that a UGA player gets?
Stack1009
February 25th, 2009
10:12 am
Chip, I’d have to say that as much as I love football I do like to hear about all the other sports as well. Living in Texas I don’t get a lot of coverage on the baseball, tennis, track, golf, etc. teams out here and usually have to find stuff on the AJC site. It’d be nice if you could briefly mention how they are doing every so often. How ’bout that womens’ gymnastics team? I haven’t heard anything on them recently.
BTW, I saw your reply to my post about David Greene the other day. Look forward to seeing what what he has to say to you about his NFL career so far…
dawgstephen
February 25th, 2009
10:13 am
What would I like to see Chip? I’d like to see REGISTRATION and accountability to be able to post on the blog. That would cut down on lots of the worthless stuff that appears here on saturday afternoons in the fall.
Right On Time
February 25th, 2009
10:16 am
Chip,
Like all good Dawgs, I enjoy any update I cand get on the football team. However, I always find it difficult to get info on the golf and tennis teams until the very end of the season. I would enjoy reading about those sports as well as baseball.
By the way, what a great career you have. You get to go from college town to college town watching top level athletes compete at all manner of sport. Although I’m sure you have to deal with your share of tool bags, what great work if you can get it!
Chip Towers
February 25th, 2009
10:19 am
I think gdawginkalamazoo has the right idea!
DirtyDawg
February 25th, 2009
10:20 am
Mr. Tebow’s continued references to his religion are beginning to make me believe that he really does…believe, that is. All too often athletes and other celebrities – including a recent POTUS – use it as a way to gin up sympathy and popularity, but I think this kid may, indeed, mean it. Of course he could benefit from studying that ‘Pride’ thing in the ‘Seven Deadlies’ and the hubris, bordering on narcissism, that it fosters…you know the gator chomp in the face of a defeated Oklahoma Sooner at the end of their game, or even the announced invitation to come see them (and in particular, him) beat UGA this next season. I suppose the only thing that will ultimately convince me of his religious sincerity will be when he looks skyward following next October’s game and says, ‘Father, why hast thou forsaken me?’…yeah, then I’ll really believe.
Alabamadawg
February 25th, 2009
10:21 am
I egree with MGMT , more pictures of the gym dawgs and more articles about football. Also tell us how you can go about finding out about former dawgs…shouldn’t Andy Johnson, Jimmy Polous, and Glen Harrison have children playing football…if they had children…and what are the former stars doing these days…
Rabun Dawg
February 25th, 2009
10:21 am
Chip, I assume that you are the “beat” writer for UGA sports. If that be the case, I think that football should be first and foremost, but shouldn’t we be fed info with regard to other sports on occasion? I for one am interested in what is happening with the search for a roundball coach, and would like to hear more with regards to the baseball team, and some updates on the golf and tennis teams whom are constantly in the chase for NCAA championships. Seems as though UGA has a real star in track as well, and I think we should be kept abreast of that sport to some extent. In other words, make it a”sports blog”, not just a football blog!
Right On Time
February 25th, 2009
10:21 am
Part II,
Chip,
Is there any chance that UGA is waiting until the Gopher’s season is over because they will be naming Tubby the new coach? I assume the potential for Knight at UGA is “dead in the water”. Any “noise”?
TommyP
February 25th, 2009
10:21 am
Mostly football with some basketball thrown in.
If you want to talk anything else, put it at the bottom as a bullet or something.
godawg
February 25th, 2009
10:27 am
TommyP, if you put it on the bottom of a bullet only Florida players will see it.
Rabun Dawg
February 25th, 2009
10:30 am
Chip, I forgot to mention, haven’t the “Lady Dogs” about played themselves out of the NCAA tourney? And, is Landers job in any way in jeapordy since they haven’t done much lately? Some updates on the “Gymdogs” would be nice to hear about as well!
Some Sense
February 25th, 2009
10:32 am
Chip,
You and the BLOG are terrific.
Football, football, football…close, let’s be honest.
It’s more about what shouldn’t be on the BLOG than what should be:
The Techmites and their constant 45-42’s;
The Fire Willy and Bobo guys.
Each is, in a word, redneck.
Two just random thoughts about CMR and his program:
We’re fortunate to have him and his staff, but the “not intense/tough enough” label will always be around.
Time to, for once and for all, distance himself and his program from/stop emulating the one he came from. Free Shoes University, the Criminoles, etc.
DAWGS ON TOP
February 25th, 2009
10:49 am
BASEBALL, BASEBALL, BASEBALL. Everyone always wants to hear about football and so do I, but it is baseball season. How about some coverage. Y’all cover basketball, a team that can’t beat anybody. The Diamond Dawgs on the other hand came within one game of a National Championship last year, and it seems to only get covered in the post season or for a game against Tech. Last time I checked, baseball is still America’s Pastime
I-DOG
February 25th, 2009
10:55 am
Chip,
I would love to know if the coaches have given any thought to a 3-4 defensive alignment going into Spring practice. It seems that we have some very good interior lineman and linebackers, but we don’t have the protypical DE’s to play the 4-3 this year (and last year). My understanding is that we have several DE’s out as well for Spring so it will be hard to shuttle in and out two healthy quality DE’s at a time this Spring. Wouldn’t it make sense to switch to an alignment that calls for just one?
Halberstram
February 25th, 2009
10:56 am
I’d like to see coverage of the main events for the other sports and something about football in each post, as we know it drives the car.
Also, the Diamond Dawgs should definitely be a threat this year. Even though they lost 2 1st round picks, UGA might have brought in the best freshman class in the country. The team is currently ranked about 6 or 7 in Baseball Americas Poll. Shame the Braves had to cut the exhibition games with the Dawgs and Jackets, I imagine that’s quite a thrill for the college kids.
BugKiller
February 25th, 2009
10:56 am
Chip,
This is Coach Y’s last year in Athens, and I have yet to see you interview her, or cover a meet. I know there are people here, the “316″ Georgia fans who never went to school and care only about football, and those guys and gals are great, and we appreciate their enthusiastic support and mostly their money, but for those of us who are students and alumni, we tend to care about everything Bulldog, and the truth is, Coach Y is the winningest Coach in UGA history, and you’re ignoring her final year.
I’d also love to know exactly what’s going on with the BB search.
I think it’d be a great idea for the football offseason if you do a “10 Questions With…” a football player section which ends each blog post, that way, you do keep the “316″ Football fans happy, and can still actually cover all of Georgia sports.
I really hope you do everything you can to cover the Diamond Dogs, the Gymdogs, and even the Tennis, Golf, and Swim and Dive teams, all of whom have won SEC Championships and even National Championships much more recently than the Football Team.
BH
February 25th, 2009
11:11 am
Unless the wheels are really off, I would prefer more pertinant stories than articles about wheterh CMR is tough enough or agressive enough or whatever enough.
The last thing UGA needs is a Blog to stir up issues and opinions about a good solid and proven head coach. CMR and the team need more support than opinions that question our teams or coaches ability to get the job done.
1eyedJack
February 25th, 2009
11:11 am
Football, football, football all the time and I want to see mini-features and Q&As on the gridders every day.
Hairy Dawg
February 25th, 2009
11:19 am
Sure would be nice to send Tebow out of school with a 1-2 starting record against the Dawgs, wouldn’t it?
Jeff Grady
February 25th, 2009
11:19 am
UGA fan sports interest hierarchy:
FB recruiting (verbal commit period)
FB signing day
FB season
FB recruiting
ACC basketball season
Baseball season
GeoffDawg
February 25th, 2009
11:20 am
That’s a good point I-Dog makes about the 3-4 alignment. I haven’t really paid attention, but does anyone know other programs that run this scheme and consistently have success? I know that defensive battles are typically won or lost in the trenches so having an abundance of down linemen is preferable but it makes me wonder if we could’ve masked our DE woes a bit last season with this type of set up.
austindog
February 25th, 2009
11:27 am
Atlanta Jackets, great post! Couldn’t have been more perfect.
1eyedJack
February 25th, 2009
11:29 am
To run the 3-4 defense you have to recruit a particular type of linebacker (hybrid LB/DE) and I believe most of the Dawg ‘backers are 4-3 types.
BugKiller
February 25th, 2009
11:34 am
Geoff…
… to do something like that, the team would need a DC with some imagination and innovation.
Instead, we’re stuck with Willie Martinez because Coach Richt refuses to do what is necessary to push his program over the hump and win MNCs.
And I’m sorry, BH, but again, what exactly has Coach Richt “proven?”
He can win 10 games a year and maybe win the SEC every 5 years or so.
Yeah, that’s better than the guys who came before, but in today’s SEC of Meyer, Saban, and Miles, it’s nowhere near enough.
What he’s proven to me is that he cares more about keeping terrible coaches on his staff together for “unity” purposes rather than jetison his coaching deadweight to improve his program.
Again, our wide receivers have been underachievers for YEARS. Who was the variable that remained the same every year? Not the players.
Our defense has gotten worse, EVERY YEAR, for the last four years. Who has been the constant variable in each of those years? Not the players.
Our special teams has always seemed to be given short-shrift. They have never had their own coordinator under Richt, and they always seem to let us down when we need them the most. Who has been the constant variable with Special Teams under Richt? Again… NOT the players.
Meyer, Saban, and Miles have no qualms with firing underperforming, underwhelming, and over-their-heads coaches because those three want much more than to win 10 games a year and win the SEC every five years or so.
I really have come to like my analogy of successful companies to describe the differences between Richt and the three coaches in the SEC who do what it takes to win, even if it means firing coaches from their staffs who aren’t getting it done.
Richt is Chik-Fil-A. Chik-Fil-A is great, they make plenty of money, but they are what they are. They’re regional and they aren’t going national anytime soon, just like Richt.
Meyer, Saban, and Miles are Microsoft, Coca-Cola, and IBM. They’re willing to do anything and everything to continue to improve their brand recognition and hold onto their places as the best companies in the country and the world.
Richt holds himself back. Richt could be Apple. He had the chance to do the right thing and fire Martinez, but refused to do so. And it might be the thing that does him in in the end. Because like the guy from the college football website the other day said, one day soon, Georgia is going to have to ask itself if they’re happy being Chik-Fil-A, or do they really want to be Apple.
BugKiller
February 25th, 2009
11:41 am
And to anyone here (AlatamahaDawg) who likes to defend the indefensible Martinez…
… NO ONE BUT RICHT WANTS HIM.
Miami, where he is an alumni, looked at his body of work, saw the same things we’ve been saying all year, that his defenses have gotten WORSE every year as the players who BVG coached and taught have graduated and moved on, and said thanks but no thanks to Martinez.
NO ONE WANTS HIM.
Other schools and pro teams wanted BVG.
No one wants Martinez, accept Mark Richt, who obviously can’t put his emotions aside and fire his underperforming, underwhelming, and over-his-head best friend.
Lot’s of people want BVG. No one wants Martinez.
Defend that.
Chip Towers
February 25th, 2009
11:42 am
By the way, some “media outlets” are reporting that UGA representatives flew out to Oklahoma on the school plane as part of the basketball coaching search. I talked to senior associate AD Frank Crumley, who was sitting with Damon Evans at the time in his Butts-Mehre office, and he told me the school plane is indeed in Oklahoma — but it’s carrying Georgia football coaches, who are visiting with the OU coaches as part of a clinic. They did the same thing last year at Oregon State. . . . For future reference, Georgia wouldn’t hire Dan Parker Executive Search to conduct a discreet search then turn around and fly to a candidate’s campus on the school plane.
GW
February 25th, 2009
11:53 am
Yoculan’s last run at a national championship, #10, just around the corner. Could be juicy blogging.
bank walker
February 25th, 2009
11:57 am
Please, in the future, do us the favor of excluding any Elane Kitten articles. He is a drama queen, only looking for attention, and he really isn’t worth your effort in writing. GO DAWGS!!
Right On Time
February 25th, 2009
12:00 pm
Chip,
You probobly have nothing to do with it, but the poll question of the day is just plain stupid!
“Who would you like to see in Athens if Richt left?” Dumb on it’s own.
THEN our choices are Saban, Myer, Nutt, Spurrier and Miles?
Thursdays poll question:
If you lose your job in this economy, would you rather 1)lose your house and car or 2)have a sharp impliment deflate your eyeball and then not be able to pay your medical bills?
Dawg fan
February 25th, 2009
12:01 pm
I am a football fanatic but more coverage of all the spring sports as well would be great. Baseball, track, tennis, golf, etc. Also, if there would be a way to better police the reader comments that would be appreciated. The trash talking/sour mouthing comments become absolutely disgusting (don’t know if there is a way for readers to selectively block some comments). If I want to hear trash talk and whining I will just watch FOX News. TKs.
Huh?
February 25th, 2009
12:03 pm
I hate to be rude, but if BugKiller could shut the hell up it would really nice. Thanks.
BugKiller
February 25th, 2009
12:08 pm
Nope.
Chip Towers
February 25th, 2009
12:09 pm
Right on Time: I think Georgia’s reps will at least reach out to Tubby to gauge his interest. But I would think it’s a longer-than-long-shot. He makes $3.3 million per year and has a $13 million contract with a hefty buyout. I don’t think the Dogs are going to go down that road. . . . And, no, I don’t have anything to do with the poll question. And, yes, I agree with your assessment of this one.
AC in Boulder
February 25th, 2009
12:18 pm
80% Football
10% Men’s Basketball
8% Men’s Baseball
2% Everything else
Huh?
February 25th, 2009
12:20 pm
It was worth a try. I see that its lunchtime. Chick-fil-a anyone?
The Truth
February 25th, 2009
12:23 pm
I’d like to hear about off season conditioning. It seems like every other year our football team has major injury issues. A few years back we had a lot of O and D line recruits that never panned out because they ended up have chronic injuries (some with behavior issues). After that season CMR said they would revisit the process for evaluating players during the recruiting process. Have we revisited the conditioning program this off season? Are mat drills to rigorous? Why aren’t other teams plagued with injuries every other year like we are?
The Sham
February 25th, 2009
12:26 pm
THROW US SOME UGA BASEBALL NUGGETS TO SATISFY US. THOSE BOYS ARE GOING TO BE SOLID THIS YEAR. SHOW THE LOVE NOW AND WHEN THEY WIN THE N.C. IN A YEAR YOU WON’T BE CONSIDERED A FAIR WEATHER REPORTER…
reservoirDAWG
February 25th, 2009
12:28 pm
Please Bugkiller, appease Huh?.
BugKiller
February 25th, 2009
12:43 pm
Not a chance… I will remain a voice of truth, crying in the wilderness, wearing sackcloth and living off of honeycomb and locusts.
If you all are happy with the status quo, as Coach Richt seems to be, what with his unwillingness to fire terrible coaches because they’re “family,” then I hope you realize that sooner than later, the status quo will begin to fall to 9 win seasons, instead of 10 win seasons, because Martinez will continue to drag this program down.
It’s what happened at FSU when the head coach there refused to fire his terrible Offensive Coordinator.
You think Richt would have been smart enough to learn from his mentor’s egregious mistakes.
Huh?
February 25th, 2009
12:47 pm
Sorry. I think I might have stirred the hornets nest.
Nowhere Bartender
February 25th, 2009
12:48 pm
hey chip i hope u read this far down
you know athens, its football football football all the time BUT i would really like to hear more baseball stories. especially with the mediocre bravos down the road, i need a good team to root for.
No more basketball until he hire a coach. its too pathetic
thanks
Music City Dawg
February 25th, 2009
12:49 pm
I like hearing what other schools are doing and/or saying (i.e. the Tim Tebow comment). It’s fun to see what the competition is up to.
NRBQ
February 25th, 2009
12:52 pm
Priceless fail, Atlanta Jacket.
Bonus points for managing to misspell your own quarterback’s name.
Nowhere Bartender
February 25th, 2009
12:53 pm
and if you could keep us updated on fields, beckham, and keppinger. i dont get to see many reds games and american league baseball is sacrilege
Right On Time
February 25th, 2009
12:54 pm
Thanks Chip. I was not aware Tubby was so handsomely compensated. I can’t imagine matching the base, much less the buyout. In fact, that would qualify as reckless spending. Oh well, here’s hoping for the undiscovered genius.
Captain
February 25th, 2009
12:55 pm
Atlanta Jackets — I always appreciate a good GT supporter posting profound comments, especially those like you WHO CAN’T CORRECTLY SPELL THE PLAYER’S NAMES. Who is Nesbot? Impressive post Dude. Not smart enough to insult the Dawgnation. Why don’t you check the spelling of the GT QB’s last name.
AceDawg
February 25th, 2009
1:02 pm
What would it take to grow enthusiasm and strong support for UGA basketball? Obviously, Harrick had the stands filled toward the end of his run because the Dawgs were winning, but enthusiasm shouldn’t fall off the face of the Earth when the Dawgs are mediocre. (Right now, I understand to an extent because they are doing awful, but c’mon Dawgs fans! They might win a game or two more if you all gave them energy).
GeoffDawg
February 25th, 2009
1:17 pm
I think atlanta jacket was trying to rhyme with robot. Robots….there’s a tech fan who really knows how to play into a stereotype.
LOLDAWG
February 25th, 2009
1:40 pm
well done GeoffDawg!Well Done.
Preston
February 25th, 2009
1:51 pm
I think you should keep doing what you’re doing. I know it’s tough trying to keep us fed with football news in the offseason but you seem to find a way to make it happen and I appreciate it. The other sports are interesting but a VERY distant second. just keep us informed mostly with the football program because that is UGA’s money maker. The things that I am waiting to hear about are the academic situations of the new guys coming in and which RB’s stand out during Spring practice and win the most playing time.
Music City Dawg
February 25th, 2009
1:56 pm
Agree with Preston — the RB situation has everyone curious, as does the QB situation. We assume Cox will take over, but who knows? He could get yanked.
Orson Charles interests me also. Although, I think he should quit being a drama queen and choose.
Cameron
February 25th, 2009
1:57 pm
Football, football, football. We want to know who the basketball coach is going to be. But, until they are relevant (or at least headed in the right direction) then that is all. Track: only the Lawrence kid. Baseball, sure some. But, don’t overdo it.
gdawginkalamazoo
February 25th, 2009
2:09 pm
godawg, that bullet comment was sad. Sad but hilarious. But only hilarious until somebody gets hurt.
Chip Towers
February 25th, 2009
2:35 pm
Hey guys. We’ll see how many of you are paying attention and navigating all the way down to the bottom of the blog. . . .
I’m over at the UGA football complex right now. At a little after 3 p.m., Joe Cox, A.J. Green, Aaron Murray, Makiri Pugh and Michael Moore will be available for interviews. A little later, Brandon Wheeling and Marcus Dowtin will be coming by.
So any specific questions you’d like me to ask? P.S. I ignore idiots.
bairet
February 25th, 2009
2:37 pm
Hey Chip, maybe a Q and A with Aaron Murray now that he’s officially a georgia student? Or maybe a Q and A with Kris Durham. His future at wideout was really looking bright before his injuries and A.J. Green’s emergence.
gdawginkalamazoo
February 25th, 2009
2:39 pm
Bugkiller, they also play Sister Sledge in the background when the coaches are having their annual reviews.
dangerranger6969
February 25th, 2009
2:40 pm
I would like to see a blog on what does uga get out of the game between ga and fla in jacksonville and why they dont go home and home
GeoffDawg
February 25th, 2009
2:41 pm
Hey Chip – you could ask AJ Green if he thinks he’s physically ready to handle the increased number of double teams he’s likely to face this season with the departure of Massaquoi.
GeoffDawg
February 25th, 2009
2:43 pm
I’d also like to know what Joe Cox personally thinks are his greatest strengths and weaknesses. That could provide some insight into the types of schemes we may see this Fall.
gdawginkalamazoo
February 25th, 2009
2:43 pm
Keep it football for the majority then punch in other sports as championships get closer, ie, golf, gymnastics, baseball. Or the “here are a few links” is a welcomed addition that you can put the other sports under.
Cuz
February 25th, 2009
2:58 pm
Ask AJ if he feels that he is under more pressure now that the other two of the titanic trio are gone.
Blog topics, start with a daily dose of football with other sports thrown in where warranted. And get a daily cheerleader pic with a Q and A discussing the advantages of the pro-style offense over the spread. Or some other important topic like why Willie Martinez doesn’t pronounce his name like we do in Augusta, it is pronounced Martnez, two syllables not three.
Cuz
February 25th, 2009
3:01 pm
Easy answer Mr. Danger. The Jax game is the South Georgia contingent of the Bulldawg Nation’s homegame. Just ask one.
Music City Dawg
February 25th, 2009
3:45 pm
Chip,
dangerranger6969 brings up a good point. Why don’t we play a home-and-home with FLA? I think we did one in the 90s, but before that, we were always playin in JAX. Why is that?
Not that it would matter, they would drill us either way.
RxDawg
February 25th, 2009
3:47 pm
Ask Joe Cox who is really going to stand out next year at WR other then AJ. I don’t believe Marlon Brown is just going to come in and knock all the other WR’s right off the depth chart. I know Moore is a good name to think about, but who else? Theres a lot of good recruits there that have paid their dues. Tony Wilson, Troup, Durham..ect.
Music City Dawg
February 25th, 2009
3:47 pm
Does anyone read Jeff Owens’ blog? I like the Q & A he does with the players.
Cuz
February 25th, 2009
3:54 pm
Music City, we did the home and home when they rebuilt the stadium for the Jaguars. Man that old stadium was a bunch of rusty bolts.
DawgGirl32
February 25th, 2009
4:05 pm
Who is Makiri Pugh?
Preston
February 25th, 2009
4:05 pm
Music City Dawg, We played a home and home series back when Spurrier was still at Florida because they were renovating the stadium where we play every year. The place had become a dump and UGA was close to pulling out of the deal and go to a permanent home and home but they put some money in the place and here we are playing them in the state of Florida every year.
dawgstephen
February 25th, 2009
4:08 pm
Those interested in hearing from some things at UGA regarding the offseason can listen to my radio interview i had 2 weeks ago with Coach Van Halanger. I posted it to my church website. Just scroll to the bottom of the page. here is the link.
http://www.dogwoodvalleybaptist.com/Radio.html
GeoffDawg
February 25th, 2009
4:09 pm
The home and home was when Spurrier ran up the score on those porous (Joe Kines?) defenses we used to trot out on the field. I wouldn’t be against evening up the playing field but I think I would rather see it alternate to the Georgia Dome every other year. Playing it at a “neutral site” lends the game a larger sense of importance IMO.
Chip Towers
February 25th, 2009
4:21 pm
OK, Aaron Murray was a no-show, which sucks because I was going to write him up for the morning paper. I’ll give you A.J. Green instead. Couple of things y’all asked for, then I have to get to writing. . . .
From A.J. Green, regarding double teams: “Yeah, I’m up for the challenge. I’m just going to have to work hard this spring, get better in the summer, get bigger. . . . The offense will be switching me around some, putting me off the ball, putting me in motion a lot and stuff like that. I think I’m going be all over the place this year, not just a ‘Z.’ I’m going to be the Y, the X, just everywhere.’
From Joe Cox, on greatest strengths and weaknesses: “I’d say my greatest strength is nothing physical, it’s my leadership abilities. I’ve said it before, that’s what I pride myself on, how I lead and how I conduct myself on and off the field. Weaknesses, really I could name just about anything. Not being a downfall, just being things I need to work on. You can always work on footwork, you can never learn an offense enough. Those are the things I’ve been trying to work on the most right now in the offseason.”
Z.Itchy
February 25th, 2009
4:25 pm
I’d like to know the offense and defense will look like compared to last year, especially in light of the exodus of Stafford, Allen, Massaquoi and Moreno.
GeoffDawg
February 25th, 2009
4:28 pm
Thanks Chip! I really like this new “blog for the people” format.
gdawginkalamazoo
February 25th, 2009
4:35 pm
I hope they put AJ in the e,n,d,z,o,n,e.
Music City Dawg
February 25th, 2009
4:43 pm
OK, thanks for the info. So, how did the JAX tradition get started to begin with? I’m sure we’re still in it for money reasons, but I wonder how it got started?
Old Dawg
February 25th, 2009
5:10 pm
Chip:
I’d really like to see a nice balance on all of the spring sports. There are so many great participants in those sports, with many of them pursuing advanced degrees in medicine, law etc. They’re also great characters with lots of stories about the matches and road trips. Plus, the tennis coaches are two of the best in the business and really great people.
Looking at it from a circulation/sales perspective, throughout my sports writing career stories on supposedly minor sports created a lot of buzz in rack sales and requests for extra copies of the paper.
I know I’ve mentioned this before, but feature stories and Q&As with former athletes are always popular. I enjoyed the recent pieces on Andre Hastings and Randall Godfrey y’all have written. Some writers and editors may look at stories like those as small town journalism, but in reality we’re all hooked on human interest stories. One of the best is right there in Athens, Brent Crimes. He played tennis at UGA and is an eye doctor … nice way to show that student-athletes can actually go on and earn great careers. Another one is Robert “Happy” Dicks, a linebacker from the 60s who is now an Athens neurosurgeon.
Chip, y’all do great work. Keep the great copy coming!
CornerPlaya
February 25th, 2009
5:17 pm
Why do the UGA corners continue to play pass defense with their back to the ball. I have seen it over and over, where a ball about hits them in the back of the head because they are not looking. Not only could they knock it down but have jsut as good of chance of an interception. CMR has said it is becasue once you turn around the receiver is gone..In my EXPERIENCE, it is obvious when the ball is released and it is still going to go where thrown and not change directions like a receiver. When you are at the bottom of the league in INT’s, maybe seeing the ball would help???
Raleigh
February 25th, 2009
5:32 pm
Since we’re making company analogies today, how about this one…
Bug Killer is like Hardee’s….fills up alot of space but really nothing there worth digesting (and makes some folks violently ill).
Get a life, pal. Richt’s not going anywhere and no matter how much you rant about his decisions, he ain’t listening. I’d call you a “glass half empty” guy but that would be a gigantic understatement.
jacob
February 25th, 2009
6:24 pm
I’d like to read about baseball, basketball, football. Whatever info is out there.
Regardless of what the topic is, the blogs are not interesting, no fun, when the AJC allows Tech and Gator fans to wreck the conversation with their juvenile comments. The same goes for the Tech blog — UGA fans should not be over there wrecking their blog either.
It’d be nice if all of these fans could grow up and have a decent blog for discussion but that’s never going to happen since most of the fan base is under 17yo. But until the AJC cleans things up, it’s always going to suck here for that reason.
And it’s too bad, really, because we could have a really good blog if it weren’t for this problem.
But if the AJC doesn’t want to work a little to have a good blog by monitoring the juveniles then switch to a blog format that forces registration with an ID and email address. This would keep people from constantly logging in and changing their name to bait and flame. Obviously it won’t eliminate the childishness in whole but it will control it more.
UGASlobberknocker
February 25th, 2009
7:11 pm
I would like to see an occasional feature story about ex Bulldogs a “where are they now kind of thing.” like what ever happ to Meat Cleaver Weaver? Pulpwood Smith? What is Rodney Hampton doing now? What about Cowboy Parrish and his sidekick (whose name escapes me now)?.
Chip you do a great job. Will you ever be back on 680 the fan? I always think you add a lot when you are on there.
Sen. Bluto Blutowski
February 25th, 2009
7:13 pm
I personally like having Tech bloggers on our blog. It lends class and intelligence.
Jimmy
February 25th, 2009
8:03 pm
Chip, these blogs are great. For me, like a lot of others, it’s football-24/7. The thing I like the most that you’ve been adding lately are the links. I love reading about any and all college football teams. On ESPN’s college football page, they have a blog section where you can click on links from local papers from EVERY D-1 Conference. Maybe i’m just weird, but I love clicking on a link to read about Miss. State’s offseason conditioning program via the Mississippi Clarion-Ledger, or whatever the website’s name is. I wish they did the same for College basketball.
rod
February 25th, 2009
8:09 pm
This blog is like the rest of blogs. How you folks put up with a 100 messages of nothing to read one message that is only half interesting? The one message from OLD Dawg commented on the reporters blog but the3 rest oif you… you just like seeing your name in print.
Brian
February 25th, 2009
9:01 pm
Would love to see a mix of coverage here. UGA has a lot of great spring sports athletes and it would be great to see a little bit about them too. Golf, baseball, track and field, even equestrian….
T Moore is racist
February 25th, 2009
9:54 pm
Muck Foore!
Gen Neyland
February 26th, 2009
12:08 am
Dangit, UGA is my 3rd favorite team in the SEC. After reading today’s blog, I feel I’m in Group Session waiting for the master of crazy, BuLLdawg, to make his appearance. Speak to us ol’ DawgofBuLL…It’s after hours so now is your time. Rise up and fulfill your obligation to the masses…We await…and Go Vols
Michael Carvell
February 26th, 2009
3:14 am
Chip, your insight on the basketball game?
Thomas Brown
February 26th, 2009
4:06 am
With all we read in the AJ-C about how great Georgia Tech Baseball is, I would like to see some print on Georgia Baseball. You could do some comparisons.
jerry
February 26th, 2009
6:07 am
Anything but basketball.
rick
February 26th, 2009
1:28 pm
unfortunately tebow is right.there is nothing going on to make me think any differently.
wreckmaniac
February 28th, 2009
11:43 am
The surest subject for this crowd, Chip, is football recruitin’. This is a group of recruitin addicts. Its not about what UGA does on the field. Its about who they recruit.
JenniferGO Dawgs
February 28th, 2009
1:05 pm
“My ultimate goal is not to get a big hug from coach Meyer after a game, it’s when I stand before Jesus Christ and he has his arms out … and he says, ‘Timmy, you finished,’ ” Tebow said. Also, “Come see us beat Georgia again.” . . .
I use to think he was a humble person and role leader, but he just proved that he is full of himself. We will be back and don’t take it easy, as far as hits ,on Tebow next year. This year we went too easy. I love the Dawgs no matter what their season ends with……..GO DAWGS, sic ‘em!