Wooten’s debut . . . dancing Dogs . . . and stray facts
One ball was thrown to him in the Arkansas game. Overthrown, actually. Then Rantavious Wooten made his first reception for UGA in the second quarter of the Arizona State game, a spectacular catch for a 27-yard gain on 3rd-and-12.
“When I caught it,” Wooten said a couple of days ago, “it felt like having a burden lifted off my shoulders. I felt relieved, and I felt excited. I just wanted to keep playing.”
He made the second catch of his collegiate career late in the fourth quarter, a crucial 11-yard gainer on 3rd-and-4 early in the drive that led to the game-winning, game-ending field goal.
Obviously, Wooten had gained the coaches’ confidence with his work on the practice field — a prerequisite for a freshman to be called upon in a tight game, let alone in a game-deciding drive.
“I knew what I had to do, and I focused and worked real hard and did my best every day to prove to the coaches that I can make the plays and am ready to play,” Wooten said. “That is what I’ve had my mindset on every week.”
He said he had “a great week of practice” before the Arkansas game. “Everything seemed to be falling into place for me, and then I felt like I’d get my chance.”
And how is the other receiver in the 2009 signing class, Marlon Brown, doing? “He’s actually stepping up,” Wooten said. “He’s catching the ball. . . . I expect him to play soon.”
—————————————
As you know, nothing goes unnoticed or unanalyzed in Bulldog Nation. Example: some players dancing to the music that blared through Sanford Stadium during timeouts late in last Saturday’s game. Mark Richt was asked his feelings about it this week, both on his radio call-in show and in a meeting with reporters.
“Well, that’s a good question,” Richt said to a caller. “If you go by how it affected our defensive players, Scott [Howard] just mentioned that in the last four drives of the game we held [Arizona State] to minus-13 yards. So if that is going to be the result, I don’t mind them doing that.
“I don’t think it’s something that is a lack of discipline or a lack of respect. I think there are a lot of guys that have got the spirit inside of them, and if that gets rid of a little bit of nervous energy before the next play or whatever, that’s fine with me. If you noticed, the other team was doing the same doggone thing.
“I don’t think it’s that big of a deal,” Richt said, “but I’m sure there are about 50 percent of the folks out there who think it is.”
He added: “If the fans don’t like it, they need to start booing when [players are] dancing instead of cheering.”
—————————————
Stray facts:
– Georgia and LSU have met in football just 27 times despite both being charter members of the SEC.
– LSU leads the series 14-12-1, including a 6-6 record in Athens, where the Tigers have not won since 1987. Georgia has won the past three meetings and six of the past eight. None of which will mean a thing on Saturday, of course.
– LSU says only seven of its current players were born when the Tigers last won in Athens.
– Georgia’s Drew Butler leads the nation in punting with a 50.1-yard average.
– LSU’s starting center is T-Bob Hebert, the son of former Falcons and Saints quarterback Bobby Hebert. He was born in Louisiana and grew up an LSU fan, but played his high school ball at Greater Atlanta Christian.
– Georgia is 0-3 in its last three games against top-10 teams (Alabama and Florida last year, Oklahoma State this year).
– A.J. Green isn’t the only receiver entering Saturday’s game on a hot streak. LSU’s Brandon LaFell has caught five touchdown passes in four games.
– I think I mentioned this in a story earlier in the week: LSU safety Chad Jones and defensive end Rahim Alem (formerly Al Jones) are brothers.
– LSU sophomore Jordan Jefferson is the youngest starting quarterback in the SEC, 19 years and one month.
– Both LSU and Georgia have struggled to get their running games going, so consider this: The Tigers are 28-0 under Les Miles when rushing for 100-plus yards and holding their opponent to less than 100.
– Points off turnovers: Opponents 54, Georgia 6. That’s crazy.
——————————————-
And finally, here’s the lineup for book signings in the UGA Bookstore before Saturday’s game:
10 a.m. until noon: Larry Munson (”From Herschel to a Hobnail Boot”) and Herschel Walker (”Breaking Free”).
12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m.: Vince Dooley (”Dooley’s Play Book”) and Fran Tarkenton (”Every Day is Game Day”).
Also, Kevin Butler and David Greene will be available for autographs from 1:30 to 2:30.
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124 comments Add your comment
Michael Dawgs for life
October 2nd, 2009
1:08 am
Marlon Brown needs to be put on the field during last year’s high school all american game he was the best one on the field they have to put him out there. And final score of the game will be GEORGIA 45 LSU 38. If Georgia wins this game they have a legitimate shot at winning the SEC. Florida has a lot of problems(there recivers suck, their running game is average, tim tebow is hurt)
ctown dawg
October 2nd, 2009
1:30 am
Second yes! I personally dont mind the team dancing to me it shows they are loose and not playing tight so i agree with richt. It reminds me a lot of 2007 i hope we can back it up like that team did.
GO DAWGS!!!!!!
BigDawg
October 2nd, 2009
2:36 am
Remember the 2007 season with Souldier Boy w/ players dancing and players trouncing UF and others! We were ranked #4, the top two teams lost and Les cryer Miles milked his way into the BCS chumpionship game. UGA was def the best team at the end of the season, but Less Miles took the Urban Cryer route of influencing voters. Playoff system now, eliminate the weak (Cin. Boise, BYU, USF, OSU, any ACC team, any team from the Small Ten, any team from the PU$$ Ten, any team who does not play any top 10 or top 20 teams, bye bye ACC, little 10 and pu$$ ten. SEC football is KING, 3 of top 5 from SEC? Go figure! SEC championship should be for BCS National Championship. See UF, LSU, UF. So sorry for other sorry leagues! Nothing trumps SEC. Enjoy your dresses!!!
slobodan
October 2nd, 2009
2:37 am
Off course I want the dawgs to stuff LSU runners. But I want better route recognition and awareness of where the ball is going by the pass defense. Baccari Rambo showed signs of this kind of intuitive, ball hawking player; besides his interception, he jumped a short route to the ASU tight end and broke it up. Remember UGA walk-on safety Tray Battle’s last 2 regular season games in 2007? Remember Paul Oliver being everywhere the ball was? These are the last 2 ball hawks I remember. These type players don’t have to be track stars; they just know how to play football.
69 Dawg
October 2nd, 2009
4:15 am
0 and 3 against top ten teams the last two years. Want to know why? It’s Willie’s backpeddeling, be afraid to use, play the same schemes, lay off the receivers defense. We’re a second tier team now thanks to Willie and CMR’s reluctance to show determination and courage and fire Willie. It might light a fire under other Georgia coaches if the fire
Willie match was lit. How can we Georgia fans sit back, watch what we’re watching and not be livid with what’s going on. Do you really see our Defense staying with LSU, Florida and Tech and how concerned should we be about Tennessee and Vanderbilt? Hasn’t CMR caused us enought aggrevation and misery making us watch Willie’s poor performance game after game after game after game? I’m losing support for CMR and Damon Evans. I’ll shout it again … FIRE WILLIE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TEXAS DOG
October 2nd, 2009
7:14 am
THE DATA doesn’t lie…every year after Van G left under Wille the defense has gotten worse….every year worse! DATA can’t lie…the data is not emotional…THIS IS A NO BRAINER…..IF Richt can’t see this problem then he is blinded by friendship….WILLIE MUST GO!!!!
TEXAS DOG
October 2nd, 2009
7:15 am
FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS DAWG! FIRE WILLIE!!!! FIRE WILLE!!!!!!
Dawg Pound
October 2nd, 2009
7:24 am
Let the boys dance you old fogies!! Good grief, their 18-21 yr olds
bad brad
October 2nd, 2009
7:57 am
Don’t think I will be going to the bookstore before the game. It’s a zoo without all the autograph seekers that will be there this week.
Motown Hound
October 2nd, 2009
7:58 am
Dawgs put it together and waltz to a win. Ball is protected, flags stay in back pockets, defense holds, offense scores, tailbacks run and kick-offs stay in bounds.
Dawg heaven.
chazzo
October 2nd, 2009
8:28 am
Whatever it takes to get a W…
NC Dawg
October 2nd, 2009
8:30 am
Marlon Brown is a great player and will be for the Dawgs! But, he should not play until he has earned the right to play! CMR will do the right thing at the end of the year, if the defense doesn’t get better! You are correct stats don’t lie! Go Dawgs!!!!
senoiadawgs
October 2nd, 2009
8:47 am
If winning and crying is what it takes to get the MNC game with a loss or two then CMR needs to break out the tissues and fire Martinez
AltamahaDawg
October 2nd, 2009
8:53 am
69, what are you doing about it?
Keydet Dawg
October 2nd, 2009
9:00 am
QUESTION: What is up with Washaun Ealey? I have heard that he has great balance and change of direction, able to make the first guy miss. We are missing that this year. Is he injured, not ready, fumblitis, struggling academically etc?
It is hard to put a freshman in at tailback, but I would love to find a diamond in the ruff on game day. Sometimes you have to take that chance and give him the opportunity. I believe this kid is the best back we have, maybe a game changer.
AltamahaDawg
October 2nd, 2009
9:00 am
….and you seriously blame the OSU loss this year on the defense? Really? Or Fl last year when our 1st string offense failed to score a single point? The Alabama loss was 50/50 blame to anyone being honest.
timthebrave
October 2nd, 2009
9:01 am
Let them dance….what is this footloose
George
October 2nd, 2009
9:04 am
Let them dance! Thats why we get the stud athletes year in and year out. They come here to win, to get ready for the NFL, and to have fun. Sick of hearing about us being the hip hop team of the SEC. Who cares, they’re college kids, let them have fun.
senoiadawgs
October 2nd, 2009
9:07 am
The fire Martinez does not come from losses only. Usually it comes more from our wins. Altamaha, I am the first to come on here and say a better whooped our tail and not blame the coaches or the players. How can you see all of the talent and the field and think that it is coached well? How can see watch a game and receivers for the other team not have a Dawg within 10 yards and think they are coached well? How can you explain a good not great D Line and LB’s hardly ever getting pressure on the QB even when there is a blitz? I can tell you, coaching
AltamahaDawg
October 2nd, 2009
9:29 am
No, it doesnt come from losses. They rarely do that.
And I was specifically asking him about the comments as to why we lost our last 3 against top 10 teams. Zone defense appearantly, despite the facts of what actually happened in those games.
And why can’t anyone try to level the conversation to what is logical and truthful without being accused of saying the defense is well coached? Did I say that? Have I ever said that? Does everyone have to fall into the “fire somebody” or blind homer category? Frankly I find either pretty boring. If you could go back and read my stuff over the past several years, you will see I am critical at times, but I usually take the whole “hey our offense has been just as responsible for any of our losses in the past few year” angle. You would also know that I have been particularly upset anytime we fumble. To me that is far far worse than any blown coverage. The impact to the game is certainly worse. It’s happened so often this year, what can you say anymore.
But if By chance Richt were to read any of this stuff….let’s just say he would…..80% of the negative stuff is so over the top, so totally devoid of reality, so lacking any admission of circumstances, if i were him, it would make me dismiss every bit of it as pure whinning.
And I will say again, complaining about something and doing nothing about it is a lot worse than just not complaining.
Keydet Dawg
October 2nd, 2009
9:29 am
Funny note, I wrote Will Muschamp, found his email on the University of Texas web directory. Stated ” I would love to see him between the hedges again, coaching-up the defense”.
He stated in reply: “I am pulling for the dawgs to get better-Will”
A pc statement, but he knows there is a problem there. As a former dawg player, UGA should really work behind the scenes to get him coaching defense. If I were Richt, I would give him a call and have a back-up plan. Will bleeds red&black, I am sure he would listen. If he knew he would come to UGA, hell offer him the keys to Sanford stadium. They would have to offer higher dollar pay, as he has been given the keys to the longhorn stadium when Mack Brown retires.
If I had Will as a back-up and a few more other coaches as options. Hell guys, there a ton’s of coaches UGA could snag on defense. The mountain, wac and 1-aa are full of talent that would love the opportunity to get to the next level. I would definitely sit Willie down & put him on a “PIP”, Performance Improvement Plan
example:
Defensive current rankings, defensive categories:
-Total offense yardage allowed:
-Total offensive plays allowed:
-Total offensive TOP allowed:
-# of three and outs won per game:
-Rush defense allowed:
-Pass defense allowed:
-Sacks:
-Defensive turnover recovery (how many defense forced and recovered):
-Opponents Touchdowns per red zone attempts:
Three game corrective action plan:
-Refer to the list above. Then set goals and minimum standards for each category. You want to set goals that improve the defense and are attainable. After you list current stats and 3 performance improvement plan statistics. Richt will have to review where Willie is weekly to meet his goal, because if Willie screws up game 1 of his 3 game plan. Then he has to really make-up for it on game 2 and/or game 3.
The last step of the plan would be if he achieved or did not achieve his performance minimums. At this point he would be placed on another plan if needed and a specified period of time to correct, it would state that if not corrected in this period of time termination would follow. Thereby giving him the opportunity to prove he is qualified for the job. It is that simple, it works in corporate America and it will work in football.
You either learn how to motivate, manager and lead others or you will be managed and lead right out the door.
Wishful thinking I guess.
azdawg
October 2nd, 2009
9:33 am
If dancing leads to a W, then rock on and dance all night.
Boykin should be saved for special teams, KO returns especially. He cannot cover LSU’s receivers. Replace w/Cummings and also use Rambo on D.
If Willie backpeddles we’re doomed. He and his D must step up like last years game w/a few pick 6’s but LSU has new QB that can run as good as he passes.
Joe Cox is probably facing his toughest test yet. LSU’s CB’s are big and fast w/good hands. O line must protect him so he can find the open receiver. And please, Bobo, use some imagination on critical 3rd down and one’s!
The Dawgs can beat LSU if they don’t implode on themselves w/costly TO’s, play smart, and have their best defensive stand of the season.
elvis
October 2nd, 2009
9:43 am
Why wouldn’t they dance?
Seriously, it is not about being solemn and scowling until you start the play. I hope we dance one LSU’s SEC grave.
Charlotte Dawg
October 2nd, 2009
9:59 am
Keydet Dawg, you are in mgmt, but I actually think it’s a great plan!! It let’s him know it’s “put up or shut up”!
41 38 49 38 45 24 37 41 17
October 2nd, 2009
10:37 am
Those who are upset with the dancing issue need not worry because it will be resolved to none this weekend. 28 – 0 LSU in the first qtr. Willie will be back to normal looking clueless!
Dawg Dude
October 2nd, 2009
10:38 am
If something doesn’t change on defense this week, i.e. more blitz, less bend dont break play in the secondary etc. etc. then we will lose by 3 touchdowns atleast……..im thinking we are gonna lose.
41 38 49 38 45 24 37 41 17
October 2nd, 2009
10:50 am
Remember great defenses win Championships period.
HBTD
October 2nd, 2009
11:32 am
LOL! Hey “Numbers Boy”, don’t you have something else to do? I bet you’re doing well in your freshman math class this yearm and I’m sure your parents are very proud of your mathmatical accomplishments. Keep up the good work and maybe you’ll one day be accepted into that “great” Trade school down on N. Avenue where you can follow your very own football program.
JP
October 2nd, 2009
11:32 am
As a Gator fan dealing with a bye week, I think UGA hangs 30+ on LSU. if the D can make a few stops, they ought to win by at least 10 points…
1992 Dawg
October 2nd, 2009
11:44 am
This one falls into the category of one of the games that we always seem to lose under Willie’s direction. Our road record has been stellar, but give us an SEC team, playing at home, especially when UGA is favored and it’s a recipe for a loss. Think about it. Alabama last year, in recent years..Tennessee, South Carolina… the list goes on. I think this is a statement game, a must win. If not, I question the direction our program is headed. Too many top 10 recruiting classes, way too many athletes, no excuses!
matt
October 2nd, 2009
11:55 am
Motown,
You’re pretty optimistic…I like it. Go Dawgs!
AltamahaDawg
October 2nd, 2009
12:01 pm
Just had this conversation yesterday at lunch with Dawg brethren……..the dancing has nothing to do with the outcome of the game or the direction of the program. They don’t dance at practice and that’s where it matters.
However, given that half the stadium is fat old white guys, and they already have plenty to grumble about, I think if I were Coach I would speak to the PA guy and say…..hey you know….tie game, might NOT be the time to crank that stuff out. It’s not like he asked them to do that, and would have been awkward as hell to have bolted over there to stop his players from responding to music playing on the loudspeakers.
I do love the line though, “maybe the fans could make up thier minds”.
HBTD
October 2nd, 2009
12:22 pm
AltamahaDawg-I guess I’m probably one of those fat old white guys at 51. I think you’re right on with your point about the timing of the music. I’d like to go one step further and suggest the “forced entertainment” has gotten completely out of control. There is NOTHING wrong with just catching your breath and talking to your neighbor during a time out. I for one do NOT need all the loud music, find UGA under the french fry, replay of great UGA moments over the last 50 years, etc. Years ago, the PA announcer would use that time to announce scores around the country.
Am I in the minority on this issue of being force fed with “entertainment” whenever there is a lull or time out in the game.
georgiagirl
October 2nd, 2009
1:03 pm
DANCE DAWGS DANCE DAWGS
Don’t worry about the old folks and their bitching.
Keep up the motivation, enjoy your life as a player.
This is 2009 not 1950.
DANCE DANCE DANCE
AltamahaDawg
October 2nd, 2009
1:22 pm
Me too, or as I like say, a ghost to the co-eds.
I could live without some of the fluff too, but I notice that the kids in the crowd can find UGA every single time. We didn’t grow up quite as plugged in, so I think the presentation is just trying to keep up with the times. Including hip-hop.
I think if folks were real honest…..nobody would be upset or worried about character, if it were 1983 and some of the players were air jamming to Blue Oyster Cult, The Reaper, while showing Terry Hoage’s big hits on the grainy replay screen.
Harry Dawg
October 2nd, 2009
1:33 pm
If they danced and jived to Up Around The Bend by Creedence CW Revival, then it would be fine.
Gooooooooooooooooooooo Dawgs
UGA class of 73
AltamahaDawg
October 2nd, 2009
2:10 pm
just using the term “jived” kind of sold you out on Harry. I didn’t think I could get that opening riff from BOC out of my head, but you just replaced it.
Tom Jones
October 2nd, 2009
2:27 pm
I think Im gonna dance now!
Burdell
October 2nd, 2009
2:34 pm
Keydet–
Wishful thinking…Will is not going anywhere, anytime soon!
On a side note…I hear that his old high school has already offered him DC…you know he still bleeds “purple and white”….
Burdell
October 2nd, 2009
2:41 pm
GeorgiaGirl–
Those old folks that you speak of…they pump way more money into UGA Athletics than the youngsters.
Careful what you wish for….
Jake7
October 2nd, 2009
2:49 pm
We SEEM to have a PROBLEM executing on BOTH D & O….MAYBE we CAN DANCE………..HAMMERTIME!!
Festus
October 2nd, 2009
2:54 pm
Yawls need to give us old folks a tune to daince to. I lykes John Denver’s “Thainks Gawd Ima Kuntry Boy”!
DawgGirl32
October 2nd, 2009
3:06 pm
I miss Soulja Boy.
Hey Willie Haters- You might want to also consider that opposing offenses have changed a lot in the past decade. A lot more spread, option, mobile QBs, etc. BVG didn’t have to coach against a lot of those. Has the yardage we’ve given up and points we’ve given up increased over the past few years? Yes, they have. But they also have for the other SEC teams too.
Old Geezer
October 2nd, 2009
3:07 pm
For what its worth, old folks, aka geezers, do the heavy lifting at colleges, churches, and paying taxes.
TMC DAWG
October 2nd, 2009
3:50 pm
Enter your comments here Dance or not, I think we need new coaching,
Cuz
October 2nd, 2009
4:03 pm
How about a little Dr. Funkenstein? Just what the Doctor ordered.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JbUP-skb7E&feature=related
dawgster
October 2nd, 2009
4:07 pm
I believe it is wishful thinking that Will M. will come here, he will always be a dawg, but it is my understanding he could very well be in line to take over for Mack Brown at Texas when the opportunity is there, other than that, if the position were to open up here at Georgia, i don’t believe he would make that move if the head coaching position is his at sometime down the rode, but who really knows at this point…As far as the dancing, i didn’t care for it at the time and the fact we were tied and had lost momentum, i can tell you what Coach Erk would have done or said about that, i do love emotion and do think these kids should be able to show it, but do it on the field or if you are sticking it to you opponent, but tied at 17 to start the 4th quarter, just not sure, don’t want to make a huge deal about it and do like the comment from Coach Richt about how the fans could respond….
georgiagirl
October 2nd, 2009
4:22 pm
Burdell,
I guess you love to put the money thing around, well money does not get you everything, because you can lose it just as fast as you got.
And you and your money do not own these young guy even if you think you do. I said DANCE DAWGS, I said nothing about money so get real, oh and by the I am 51 years and red head, so keep your money I am just fine with my happy life and I love to see people enjoy life not throw their money in my face.
A lot of my friends put alot of money in Georgia too big shot.
GO DAWGS DANCE DANCE DANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE FOOTBA
UGA '03
October 2nd, 2009
4:25 pm
DawgGirl32,
That could be the worst justification for Willie’s failures I’ve ever heard. The Dawgs defensive rankings under Willie are shameful when compared to BVG; but, MUCH more importantly, those statistics are equally distasteful w/re to other, current defenses in both the SEC and the remainder of the nation. Have a little compasion for the people around you and spare them the “don’t be mean to Willie, it’s just so much harder to coach defense than it was 5 yrs ago” babble. Nevermind your absurd assumptions w/re to the novelty superiority of offenses like the spread, option, etc.Traditional drop back passing and running b/w the tackles is far more problematic for Willie anyway.
georgiagirl
October 2nd, 2009
4:27 pm
The old geezers I know are really nice people, and they have money but they don’t throw the money thing in people face.
GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who knows I might the nurse you have one day, kindness, dear sir, kindness.
UGA '03
October 2nd, 2009
4:35 pm
and georgiagirl . . . you seem to have a lot of trouble with reading comprehension and drawing baseless inferences from other people’s comments. Burdell never implied, let alone actually wrote, that he was one of the persons with money or that money equates to happiness or that people with money own the players. you’re the only one who said any of that. not very bright, huh?
i’d be willing to bet (see, I don’t pretend to know) that he and others like him are only making the point that there most of the monetary support for the athletic dept comes from people with money, and those people tend to be older. since money is necessary to fund the scholarships of those players, pay the coaches, and so on, it might be worthwhile to at least consider the opinions and thoughts of the people who w/o whom you wouldn’t have a football team to watch.
and i don’t care one way or the other whether they dance, so long as they stay focused. but to say “to hell with the opinions of those old farts, so what if they give money” just makes you look foolish.
Dorsey Hill
October 2nd, 2009
5:42 pm
If you really want to know the difference between UGA’s defense under BVG vs. CWM look no further than the roster. This is the Richt first SEC championship defense:
Rush: Charles Grant, 6-4, 267, Jr. (11)
DT: Johnathan Sullivan, 6-4, 280, So. (6); David Pollack, 6-2, 260, Fr. (5)
NT: David Jacobs, 6-4, 265, Jr. (8); Buck: Bruce Adrine, 6-4, 274, Sr. (6); Johnathan Sullivan, 6-4, 280, So. (5)
SLB: Boss Bailey, 6-4, 218, Jr. (11)
MLB: Tony Gilbert, 6-1, 246, Jr. (12)
WLB: Will Witherspoon, 6-2, 217, Sr. (10)
WC: Bruce Thornton, 5-11, 193, RSo. (10)
FS: Terreal Bierria, 6-3, 205, Jr. (10)
ROV: Jermaine Phillips, 6-2, 211, Sr. (12)
SC: Tim Wansley, 5-9, 172, Sr. (10)
P: Jonathan Kilgo, 6-2, 198, Jr. (12)
Grant- First rounder and still playing in the NFL
Sullivan- First rounder, but out of the league
Pollack- need I say more?
Bailey- 2nd Rounder and still in the league
Spoon- Second round and still in the league
Wansley- still in the league
Phillips- stiil in the league
Gilbert and Beirria were both in the league and may still be.
Now let’s look at the 2008 defense:
DE: Rod Battle, 6-4, 265, Jr. (8)
DT: Corvey Irvin, 6-4, 292, Sr. (11)
DT: Geno Atkins, 6-1, 287, Jr. (13)
DE: Jarius Wynn, 6-5, 275, Sr. (8)
Demarcus Dobbs, 6-2, 282, RSo. (4)
SLB: Akeem Dent, 6-2, 231, RSo. (8)
MLB: Dannell Ellerbe, 6-1, 243, Sr. (9)
WLB: Rennie Curran, 5-11, 228, So. (13)
CB: Prince Miller, 5-8, 196, Jr. (8)
Bryan Evans, 5-11, 194, Jr. (5)
SS: C.J. Byrd, 6-2, 198, Sr. (13)
FS: Reshad Jones, 6-2, 212, RSo. (12)
CB: Asher Allen, 5-10, 190, Jr. (13)
P: Brian Mimbs, 5-11, 209, Sr. (13)
Other than Geno who is the first round pick? How many of these guys have been or will be drafted? How many will be fixtures in the league?
If you want to say that CWM should get the same results with less talent you are simply foolish. Now is player development or recruiting the right players an issue? Maybe. But football is more about Jimmies and Joes than X’s and O’s. Why we don’t have the same quality players that we had in Richt’s first five years I can’t say, but you are lying to yourself if you think CWM has had the same talent because that is demonstrably false.
If you don’t believe me you take Kelin Johnson at safety and I’ll take Thomas Davis and let’s see who wins. BVG had Sean Jones, still a pro and Thomas Davis, a dominant pro and Willie got Kelin and Tra Battle. If you expect to see the same results, I’m sorry but you are just a moron.
Z.Itchy
October 2nd, 2009
6:55 pm
I say again, I’d love to see MR establish a policy of no dancing unless they’re up by three touchdowns. I think it is a lack of seriousness about the game.
Oledawg
October 2nd, 2009
7:08 pm
DawgGirl32- You are right on! Good statement and I’m proud of the easy way you expressed. Don’t pay attention to the uptight jerks that I still believe are walk-on wannabe fans showing their unwelcome butts. Alt is on here and he keeps them herded into small bunches for easy blog pickins. I love it when you ask them their plan(to replace W) and they come up with unsubstantiated bull manure.
Old Farts is the label some of you are looking for and this ole’fart says playin’ da music and pattin da feet ain’t changed through the decades. Maybe ole’farts should look back and decide how the music felt while as a student long ago. Players and students dancing out of overconfident joy always peps my ole ticker up. It makes me feel younger and I know the reason why. My body grew older, but the mind remained young. I still can remember the sway of the student section and wish someone (cheerleaders?) would go into the South stands and find the ole farts that still rock! We need a sway on the South side that Richt can look across to see. He needs to feel our love as well as money. GO DAWGS!
UGAVII- Get your face out of that beer mug! It’s Friday, Day before Game Day. Tomorrow, run to the fifty and veer toward the South Stands. If you see a 69 year old Dawg with hat and glowering in the third row up/middle….. that ain’t me. I’m the big 69 yr old who looks 49, hugging the cheerleaders and yellin at the top of my ample lungs. I’m everywhere you can see the game, wearin Omar’s red tent, yellin’ “Mark Bradley is an ahole” and dancing to anything on the PA system.In my day the cheer was, “RAH,RAH,REE..KICK’EM IN THE KNEE! RAH,RAH,RASS…KICK’EM IN THE OTHER KNEE!” You would have liked that cheer, UGA.
This team needs all the cheering it can get tomorrow. If anyone looks around and shouts, “Where’s oledawg?”… all old farts over 50 should stand up in unison and ,”WOOF!WOOF!WOOF!”, “SIC’EM DAWGS” until Richt looks our way from the sidelines.
Oledawg
October 2nd, 2009
7:21 pm
Z,Itchy- Our coaches tell’um to play and have fun. You are one of those that wants to make our school into the NFL. Now they(NFL players) have a reason to be serious on the sideline. Have a beer, smoke a joint, take a pill…I don’t care, but for God’s sake…relax and enjoy this game. If it is such a serious business, adopt a pro team. If you keep watching this UGA team, you may not make it through the season. As a matter of fact, you may be too OLD to watch UGA games.
Keydet Dawg
October 2nd, 2009
7:42 pm
Anyone got the skinny on Washuan Ealey and Marlon Brown? We need play makers, are these kids up to speed?
Go Dawgs
October 2nd, 2009
7:53 pm
I am a homo. I am the gayest dawg on the planet. I love men of all ages and sizes.
Pi$$onaDawg
October 2nd, 2009
8:19 pm
Can I get David Greene to sign my CLIPBOARD after Kevin Butler and I do a LINE of COKE off it?
AltamahaDawg
October 2nd, 2009
8:28 pm
Well Oledawg, you have to admit that complaining that people don’t complain enough, is a pretty failproof plan.
uuugh...
October 2nd, 2009
8:30 pm
I think ‘03 has it just about right. I’ll take it one step further though. You know those great recruiting classes full of 4 and 5 star recruits? Don’t think for a second that they aren’t generated by those old farts with all the money. CFB is big business and a kid that can play is a valuable commodity.
These kids are hired hands that come in and play for a while. Look at USC…that is almost a pro program at this point. Florida is getting there too. The kids like AJ and Tebow, super talented and committed to a particular school, come along once a generation. I think they are getting even harder to find too.
A hired hand never has the same commitment to anything as a stakeholder. I am not saying that the players are not committed to the program…I am saying that their level of commitment would be the same anywhere (IE we don’t have a Rudy). If you buy season tickets, you are a stakeholder thanks to your contribution to the Hartman fund. All of these contributors deserve a voice. If you don’t like the dancing, don’t buy tickets. It is pretty simple…but if enough folks start voicing their opinion with their dollars (by withholding them that is) we’ll be able to watch those recruiting classes start to fall off. Whoever said becareful what you wish for was right on the money, so to speak.
Personally I don’t think we have performed near well enough to dance.
Next, Muschamp gets paid a million bucks a year (or close to it anyway) and has near perfect job security in that he is the head coach in waiting. What better situation could you ask for? The only way that guy comes back to Athens is for 3 times his current salary and as the Head Coach.
I believe we have a better shot at Kirby Smart.
I know that the idea that a coach that is underperforming should lose his job bothers many of you. I don’t get that. I am not saying now is the time to make a change…but barring some ‘07 type run, something has to change at season’s end. Something is not right. It doesn’t feel right watching the games…does it?
It is not losing that bothers me…it is not being competitive when we do lose. Doesn’t escaping with a win, when we do win, bother any of you?
Cuz
October 2nd, 2009
8:42 pm
I watch the games from my Lazy boy. It feels pretty right to me.
Sorry uuugh, I still remember the late seventies, the late eighties, all the ninties so a win to me is better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. For me a win is a win and a loss means I get up the next morning. I put on my red UGA shirt and go to church, the same as if we won. But that is the way I look at it, feel free to moan and groan about a three point win or a ten point loss all you want. I have better things to do than have a game hangover.
uuugh...
October 2nd, 2009
8:44 pm
point taken Cuz.
Cuz
October 2nd, 2009
8:44 pm
Oledawg, now I know who that doublewide old guy with two arms full of cheerleaders is. Is you.
Cuz
October 2nd, 2009
8:46 pm
And uuugh, don’t take it personally, I did not mean it that way. I respect your passion for the Dawgs. Life has dealt me a different hand is all. And I play the cards I was dealt.
uuugh...
October 2nd, 2009
8:52 pm
I was there in the early to mid 90’s…I really do see your point. I guess part of me had just hoped we had left all that behind!!
AltamahaDawg
October 2nd, 2009
9:08 pm
What, losing all the time? Is that coming back? Dammit!
uuugh...
October 2nd, 2009
9:15 pm
Hopefully not!!!
I am stoked about the game tomorrow…but a little wary too. You know?
If we “show up,” we should be fine.
Cuz
October 2nd, 2009
9:21 pm
You bet your bottom dollar we will show up. If we get rid of those dang turnovers, we roll. And I used to like my Granny’s turnovers.
uuugh...
October 2nd, 2009
9:25 pm
I think LSU will be pretty fired up after last year and was it the year before that where we really spanked them?
The only thing I like about that Les Miles is the damn fine way he pronounces ArKANsas!
Cuz
October 2nd, 2009
9:30 pm
I still think that Les Miles is Mussolini’s illegitimate son. Just look at his picture on Shultz’s blog holding up the Crystal football. I thought it was Il Duce celebrating his victory over Ethiopia.
Nick
October 2nd, 2009
9:31 pm
I know Willie bashing is a popular thing, but the question should be is the defense in position to make plays. From what I have seen, especially last week they were. It is the players job to execute when the coaches get them in position to make plays. Execution is where we have failed. If we trust CMR as much as we say we do, then we should trust his pick in a DC.
uuugh...
October 2nd, 2009
9:39 pm
Oh Hell…Mark May just picked the dawgs.
Cuz
October 2nd, 2009
9:42 pm
Nick, there is an old Russian saying: Trust, yet verify.
There is another old Russian saying: Pass me the bottle of Vodka.
Cuz
October 2nd, 2009
9:44 pm
It’s over uuugh, might as well go to a quilting bee.
AltamahaDawg
October 2nd, 2009
10:04 pm
I can assure you, it was his slam at LSU more so than any love for UGA.
meansonny
October 2nd, 2009
10:05 pm
I’ll take UGA and the points.
Looking for a good win.
Cox should be healthy.
Playing in the between the hedges with a psyched up crowd.
Weather shouldn’t be an issue.
Playing a team that has struggled to stop the run.
All of the above should set up very well for our passing attack.
We kick the turnover flu and win (and without the need for a gamewinning kick).
I’m not sure about the penalty virus. That one may linger for a while longer.
But I expect a quality performance from the dawgs tomorrow.
45ACP
October 2nd, 2009
10:12 pm
I have heard stories that back in the 60’s and 70’s LSU had their real life Bengal Tiger at the games.
The story goes that they put a microphone in the cage and would prod the tiger to make him growl.
The speakers for that microphone were of course in the visitors locker room.
Fact or fiction?
Pi$$onaDawg
October 2nd, 2009
10:30 pm
45ACP I heard it was a PHI MU the TKE’s kept in the basement at got her to yell with a touch of the Electric Cattle Prod. FACT or FACT?
45ACP
October 2nd, 2009
10:48 pm
I don’t know. That’s why I asked. PHI MU, Bengal Tiger or Calico cat.
slobodan
October 3rd, 2009
12:14 am
Dorsey Hill; Trey Battle and Kelin Johnson played some damn good football in Battle’s senior season with the dawgs; of course they had Paul Oliver helping out a bunch. They finished #2 in the nation.Thomas Davis was a ferocious hitter; but burned on pass coverage his share of times in college; his worth to the dawgs was tackling against the run and rushing the passer. In fact, he admitted in print he was responsible for a home loss to Tennessee when Erik Ainge faked him out of his jock and passed over him for touchdowns. Now, you are correct in your assessment of Sean Jones. He’s one of the best ever at UGA. And, not sure; but I think Trey Battle got some pro time with the Cowboys..Back to Paul Oliver; he made life miserable for the GATECH stud receiver Johnson. Oliver not returning for his senior season really hurt the Dawgs last year. Don’t take this as a diss to Thomas Davis from me…I just disagree with some of your comparisons…After all; Willie Martinez was position coach for all of them..
Pago Flyer
October 3rd, 2009
12:25 am
Let’s see, we have one of the best college bands in the South…..so, the pa system plays the crap rap/hip hop (LOUD)? No more Redcoats!
Sad. Major colleges don’t play the rap crap/hip hop…The Big House doesn’t do it, Penn State, ND,Southern Cal etc., don’t have to do it. Sad…
BuLLdawg
October 3rd, 2009
1:27 am
No, I don’t think we need to be booing. I think we need to be coaching our kids.
LSU Number at Number 14 UGA is the Biggest Game this weekend, and the highest ranked team at Sanford Stadium since 1995 – 14 years ago Despite the fact that Les Miles has not beat UGA, ever, Chief John Chavis was clearly available to Coach Richt for his “coaching staff” but we whiffed again. We have any turnovers and their defense will shine against our own. And, figure out who is going to field the punts Coach Richt and stick with him. CBS HDTV.
Oklahoma bwaaah Number 8. Miami of Florida Number 21, and has not had a football team since they left the Big East, losers of 25 games since in these 5 seasons since leaving the Big East. That’s 5 losses per year over the last 5 years for UM. This is a dud game with Oklahoma’s Loss to Brigham Young University this season and Miami of Florida’s Loss last week 7 to 31 to Virginia Tech whom Alabama thrashed by double digits. Miami of Florida, you recall Lost in the Emerald Bowl last year. And, Oklahoma has Lost 5 of its Last 6 Bowl Games. Tell me that is a better game than LSU at UGA.
Arkansas should rebound after losses to Alabama and Georgia the last 2 weeks against Texas A&M.
Number 19 California welcomes Number 9 Southern California. No one watches football out there in the Land of Fruit and Nuts, and this one has no luster compared to Number 4 LSU at Number 14 UGA. California’s blowout of Biblical Proportions 3 to 42 last week to Oregon does not help the PAC-10, it helps Boise State, who beat Oregon 19 to 8. Recall Washington beat Southern California as Pete Carroll has done 5 consecutive years with 6 losses to totally unranked football teams. LSU slaughtered Washington by more than a touchdown at Washington. Now, LSU comes here. Oh, and Washington also lost to Stanford. Bwaah on the PAC-10.
Auburn at the vols. Lame Kitten. What has happened on Rocky Top. Just what in the world ? The vols have beat Western Kentucky whatever that is and Ohio whatever that is. The vols have lost every other game this season, including a horrible UCLA team. If you think I am picking the vols, or think this is a compelling game, get over yourself. At least Auburn beat West Virginia.
Pennsylvania State with an incontinent old coot hanging on to hear Bobby Bowden’s wins do not count with the NCAA, who were blown out by nearly 2 touchdowns in the only game they played all year last week playing Number 89 Illinois with a losing record n the horribly down Big 10. Yeah, right. Someone will watch this game. Uh huh. Number 13 Pennsylvania State, right. Pennsylvania State has Lost 44 games in the 9 years of this decade already, 5 a season.
Michigan Number 20 at Number 93 with a 1 and 3 record Michigan State. Typical Big 10 NOTHING football game. Included in the 3 losses for Michigan State out of 4 games, is the LOSS to CENTRAL MICHIGAN. Nice Big 10. Michigan beat unranked Notre Dame, Indiana ha ha ha, and both Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan. There is not a person in all of the state of Michigan who knows one thing about football college or pros.
Face it. Number 4 LSU at Number 14 UGA is the Best College Football Game this week. CBS scooped on this one.
LSU leads 14-12-1 against UGA all-time and is 6-6 at Sanford Stadium. Our football season is OVER with a Loss to LSU at Home this afternoon. And, with LSU chalk full of Georgia boys on their roster who are All-America players, this is very important for recruiting as well. Every recruit for the next 3 years is at this game. Tell yourself how Big This Game Is Bulldogs, and how very much Bulldogs’ turnovers, penalties, punt returns, running game, offense and defense for UGA are ALL big huge questions about UGA. Vince Dooley says Number 4 LSU as a 3-point dog at UGA clearly makes the point that we don’t know what we are talking about in rankings. We are going to have to play Lights Out to even be in this game; that’s how good LSU is and how good UGA is NOT. LSU has a better “coaching staff” a lot better.
LSU does miss Jimbo Fisher but as it turns out, Jimbo Fisher had a lot better recruited players to work with at LSU. And, the facts of the matter are that LSU has out-recruited Georgia. Beat LSU and don’t read about laying 3 points, and you have done something. Something we frankly haven’t done around here since DJ Shockley beat LSU for the SEC Championship 4 years ago.
For all these areas of a football team, not the least of which is Coach Richt’s “Coaching Staff” while Les Miles scrambled and got Chief John Chavis, a win over LSU would be a step in the right direction – like when we stayed out the newspaper for negative press this Summer for the 1st Time since Coach Richt got here. Then, we promptly went out and laid an egg against Oklahoma State. We are hanging on by a thread, not a better football team than LSU, nor a better football program. Don’t give me this we are a 3-point PICK B.S. We haven’t done a damn thing. And, if we beat LSU, everyone will rightfully still point out, we haven’t beat Florida nor Alabama. I would not say we are better than Auburn either. And, even Georgia Tech beat us. Give me a break a 3-point PICK.
They have to believe we are fools to lay that.
You better get your heads straight Bulldogs, for looking over on the sidelines for help from that “coaching staff” is a waste of time, you need to make some plays.
Can we just get a damn win, and quit with this LSU is in doubt and we a 3-point PICK the way we are coached by this “staff.”
BuLLdawg
October 3rd, 2009
2:48 am
2005 Greg Blue, Consensus All-America Free Safety.
2004 Thomas Davis, Consensus All-America Free Safety.
2003 Sean Jones, All-America only by AFCA Rover.
1998 Champ Bailey, Consensus All-America Cornerback Nation’s Best Defensive Player Award.
1985 and John Little, Consensus All-America Safety.
1984 Jeff Sanchez, Consensus All-America Safety.
1982 and 1983 Terry Hoage, Consensus All-America Rover. College Football Hall of Fame. 5th in Heisman Trophy voting 1983. National Championship. Super Bowl Championship 1992.
1980 Scott Woerner, Consensus All-America Cornerback.
1977 Bill Krug, All-America Rover.
1968 Jake Scott, Consensus All-America Safety. 5 Consecutive Pro Bowl Awards. 3 Super Bowls. Won Super Bowl MVP. Lives here, great guy.
THESE are the level of play we are used to here in my lifetime.
NOT what we have now.
Warren Peace
October 3rd, 2009
3:11 am
You know Bull, usually I think you are full of bovine fecal matter. But this time I think you nailed it, right on the head and through the wood. Well Jimmy crack corn. I bow to your unerring sense of the undeniable.
cdhlsu
October 3rd, 2009
4:56 am
Enter your comments here Enjoyed reading some Dawg thoughts before the game. 2 great college football schools and we in Baton Rouge have a deep respect for Georgia football! Les is a father type head coach and the young guys love him. They play hard for him but we all know he is not a football genus like some many think they are. What he is , is solid. LSU is young at QB and they have brought our 19 year old along very slow or to slow most think. We have 2 NFL running backs that can’t get to day light and 2 WR’s that we are not throwing 20 yard plus routes to.
Today I think you will see LSU go down field ! You guys crowd the box like the 1st 4 teams have I think we are going downtown ! Looking forward to a great game !
Geaux Tigers !!!
cdhlsu
October 3rd, 2009
5:07 am
I have heard stories that back in the 60’s and 70’s LSU had their real life Bengal Tiger at the games.
The story goes that they put a microphone in the cage and would prod the tiger to make him growl.
The speakers for that microphone were of course in the visitors locker room.
Fact or fiction?
(((((((((((((
Fact !!! Now our big ole 700 lbs of love doesn’t like to get into the cage!! When we can get him out of the 3,000,000 dollar palace he lives in on the North end of Death Valley they haul him around the entire field! When they get him in front of the student section they bring down a mike to the cage and get a Tiger roar and the folk go crazy!
Mike the 3rd would roar like crazy! Of course the vistor’s got to hear all this! Then we park Mike the Tiger by the vistor’s until they run out to chants of Tiger Bait Tiger Bait !!
Then Mike gets to go back to his hard life doing the work for the day!!!
You gotta love college football!!!!!
Big Dawg
October 3rd, 2009
6:33 am
Yes uuugh Mark May did pick us but the old coot picked LSU so I don’t feel as bad as I would if both picked us. BTW- a lot of Dawg fans make very good points both for and against Coach Martinez. I have been pushing for all Dawg fans to unite in putting these guys (Coaches especially Coach Richt) on the hot seat because in looking at our teams since he has been here when he starts getting heat then the team has responded i.e. 2006 after the Kentucky fiasco we won 3 straight to end the season 9-4, 2007 after the Tennessee fiasco we won 7 straight to finish # 2 and IMHO the best team that year.
Some of you have asked about Ealey and Brown’s progress the inside word I got is both players have made good progress in practice. Ealey was set back a l;ittle by the injury and still has a few issues with blocking and our Coaches will not put him on the field in a game until they feel sure he can handle blocking assignments. As for Marlon Brown he has shown flashes in practice of being a true talent (AJ Green like abilities) but like Ealey has had some issues with down field blocking. Wooten my fellow Dawgs may have been the real find in this class, the coaches can not say enough great things about this guy, he has come in and performed, learned the play book, runs very good routes, catches the ball, is elusive and blocks real well. Look for him to get more playing time.
Go Dawgs
Alabama Jack
October 3rd, 2009
7:09 am
When you proudly add 0-4 Idaho State to your schedule you lost all right to ping on anybody else’s conference or schedule. Too bad, its not a road game. Most dawgs would think I-Da-Ho, would be professional entertainment.
AltamahaDawg
October 3rd, 2009
7:56 am
I can tell you first hand what went on in that basement.
JFKDawg
October 3rd, 2009
9:06 am
I’m one of the old Dawgs, having graduated in ‘82. I have no problem with the dancing, just dance at the right time. Being tied with a team you should be up on by14 points and having done nothing all game isn’t the right time. Up by 21, dance dance dance. Tied ball game, better be worried about winning rather than your spin move.
ChipperDoodle
October 3rd, 2009
9:20 am
“The problems that have plagued the program for most of the last two years: penalties and an inability to stop opponents, reared their head again…”
That quote from Sporting News? Nope, not about Georgia. It’s referring to Louisville’s loss to the ‘Burg last night. Look how far the Cardinals have fallen because of the same two problems with which the Dawgs are suffering. Both stats indicate poor coaching and lousy discipline. Are the Dawgs taking a dive? What is going on in the program that is allowing these trends to persist?
BuLLdawg
October 3rd, 2009
9:33 am
“Coaching Staff” is a bunch of buddies and college roommates. That is what is going on in the program that is allowing these trends to persist, including dancing on the sidelines tied with Arizona State a team we were PICKED to beat by 4 TDs.
Georgia Headlines – 10/2/09 | MrSEC.com
October 3rd, 2009
9:36 am
[...] will be going up against “a pretty special athlete” in Tiger safety Chad Jones.3. Mark Richt wasn’t bothered by the fact that some of his players were seen dancing on the sideline late in last [...]
77DAWG
October 3rd, 2009
9:38 am
TEX DAWG, I am 1000% with you. ONLY way UGA can be a top team WILLY GOT TO GO and CMR please look at the bigger picture not just 9, 10 wins a yrar. Don’t worry about DAWG Nation CMR, we want more, not just like it is now. Even though still have some losers happy with our winning program and nothing more. Willy did HIS BEST already, he just too slow in solving the game effectively. He is staying the same but most of DCs improving their games that why we are a bad D team. CMR sir, you are a good person, but this is a surving business, and you gave CWM plenty of time to improve (to catchup with the rest of the football world). We need a football defense not just a track stars with no plan for them!
we're over rated !!!
October 3rd, 2009
9:42 am
but we’ll still pound the crap out of those turd eaters ……
BuLLdawg
October 3rd, 2009
10:21 am
Coach Richt has GOT to change out his “Coaching Staff” or Coach Richt can just leave when we get rid of the bunch of them. Let him go to Flawed State, if he wants NOTHING BUT HIS BUDDIES and college roommates as his “Coaching Staff.”
UGA
October 3rd, 2009
10:36 am
Dawgs theme song today and for the season
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8pAYLJa6do
we're over rated !!!
October 3rd, 2009
10:43 am
Ugag has not beaten a top 5 team at home in 25 years….THATS A FACT>>>>>>look it up.
DirtyDawg
October 3rd, 2009
11:27 am
Hey guys the only way Will Muschamp or Kirby Smart come ‘home’ to Georgia is as head coach, and we’ve already got ourselves a good’un. I seem to recall that Tennessee absolutely couldn’t live without having ‘favorite son’ Johnny Majors back (after he and Jackie Sherril had lied and cheated their way into a winning program at Pittsburgh) and we all know how that turned out for ‘em..
Go Dawgs
October 3rd, 2009
11:28 am
I’m still GAY !!! Any men available ??? Yes, Uh HUH ???