Curran says he’ll leave UGA for NFL draft

(Updated 6 p.m.)

As Bulldog Nation awaited word Sunday on whether Kirby Smart will be Georgia’s next defensive coordinator, the team’s best defensive player announced  he is leaving school early for pro football.

In what he called the “toughest decision I’ve had to make in my life,” junior linebacker Rennie Curran said he will forgo his final season of college eligibility and enter the 2010 NFL draft.

His decision came as Georgia appeared on the verge of hiring a defensive coordinator to replace Willie Martinez, fired on Dec. 2.

Smart, Alabama’s defensive coordinator and a former Georgia player, has been considering a lucrative multi-year offer to take over the UGA defense but has not made his decision known.

“I’ll tell you what I’ve been saying all along: that I’m not going to make any comments on the search until I get my guy,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said late Sunday afternoon.

And is he about to get his guy?

“I’ll let you know when it happens, I promise,” Richt said.

Smart could not be reached for comment Sunday.

The new coordinator will have to rebuild the Bulldogs’ defense without the linebacker who led the SEC in tackles this past season.

Curran, from Brookwood High School,  played in 37 games in his three seasons at Georgia,  making 30 starts and 298 tackles.  He was named the team’s Most Valuable Player this past season.

His decision to enter the draft was not a surprise, but he said it was agonizing.

“There were so many variables, so many unknowns in making a big decision like this, because you don’t know what’s going to happen in the future,” Curran said. “It’s a total leap of faith.

“It’s one thing to say that you’re going to go -– that you’re mentally and physically ready. But it’s another thing to actually take the stand and have the courage to do it and  not look back. . . . It was something I really battled with.”

In the end, Curran said an accumulation of factors convinced him the time was right to end his UGA career: the need to financially support his 1-year-old daughter, the loss of other key defensive players, the likely change of defensive scheme with a new coordinator, and the recognition that the biggest knock against his NFL potential (his height, generously listed at 5-11) wouldn’t change with another year of college.

“Those were some of the things I wrote down on my list of pros and cons,” Curran said, “and my reasons to go outweighed my reasons to stay, even though I love Georgia.”

He  is the second starter on Georgia’s 2009 defense to announce he is entering the NFL draft early, following junior safety Reshad Jones. Georgia also is losing two other starters in the secondary and the top three defensive tackles off the ‘09  team to graduation.

Curran said he considered delaying his decision until a new defensive coordinator is hired, which could be as soon as Monday, but concluded he’d make the same choice no matter who the hire.

He wouldn’t disclose the round in which the NFL  advisory board projects him to be drafted, but said it is “good enough” to justify the decision. He is counting on a strong showing at the NFL Scouting Combine late next month to boost his stock.

“I’m going to have to really knock out the Combine,” he said, “but I feel like the sky is the limit. I just have to get one team to like me.”

Said Richt: “I think Rennie will do well. He’s a tackling machine. He always has been. I don’t care what level of ball he plays at, he’s going to be that torpedo that can hit. I just want to tell him thanks for everything he did for us.”

178 comments Add your comment

Cujo

January 10th, 2010
3:28 pm

First… UGA can surely outbid them, can’t they?

dallis04

January 10th, 2010
3:31 pm

If we don’t get smart…It’ll truly cap and end to a bad season for UGA…BUT if we get him…be a dang nice start for 2010

Yes

January 10th, 2010
3:32 pm

Yes, they can.

dallis04

January 10th, 2010
3:33 pm

also TIm, does this mean that Smart has already made his decision…I figured Curran would want to know about D coordinator first??

jaff

January 10th, 2010
3:33 pm

Do you think UGA will get Smart?

St.Petedawg

January 10th, 2010
3:34 pm

I’m sure they can and will Cujo.

Cuz

January 10th, 2010
3:36 pm

Kirby’s wife was on the girls UGA B-ball team. Do you think that might also have some merit on coming home?

dawg nation

January 10th, 2010
3:37 pm

Book it!! He’s a DAWG at heart!!!

Thiry Points to your Twenty-Four Points

January 10th, 2010
3:38 pm

I am HOPING this means Kirby has made his decesion to come, and Curran wants to stay….. wishful thinking.

I think the anticipaion is bad for our program. This issue needs to be resolved ASAP

Cuz

January 10th, 2010
3:38 pm

Sounds almost like Bama is channeling their inner Don Vito Corleone. I hope the Smart’s don’t own any horses.

Thirty Points to your Twenty-Four Points

January 10th, 2010
3:39 pm

Saban being upset about Smart leaving would just be icing on the cake

TheDawgPound

January 10th, 2010
3:40 pm

Alabama’s pockets are too deep. And why would he come to Athens for a rebuilding project when he could stay at Bama 1 more year and probably get a head coaching position. Our DC job is not as attractive as we think it is

Is Kirby the Answer?

January 10th, 2010
3:42 pm

How much of Bama’s D is really Kirby though? Saban is considered one of the better defensive football minds in pro or college ball of the last 15 years; has Smart benefited from exposure to Saban enough to take the step to go out on his own? Also if he does come to UGA and turns the D around, you have to think he might be one and done as hot HC candidate after next season and the Dawgs will be back to square one.

TheDawgPound

January 10th, 2010
3:44 pm

There is really not much stability at UGA either. Everyone knows that with another bad year, Richt may get forced out

Slick

January 10th, 2010
3:46 pm

Both schools got tons of money. Either could match any offer. It’s not a matter of one school being unable to go higher, but rather unwilling.

Red Light

January 10th, 2010
3:46 pm

While Curran is a great college linebacker, wouldn’t he have to move to strong safety in the pros? He’s no Sam Mills!

SuperB

January 10th, 2010
3:47 pm

Every big name DC in the country should thak Mark Richt– for THEIR school giving them a raise.

St.Petedawg

January 10th, 2010
3:49 pm

Why are over half the comments on a dawg blog site negative?

Krogunner

January 10th, 2010
3:51 pm

Kirby Smart will be the next head coach at the University of South Florida. You heard it here first. I am actually glad. we need a DC that will be around a while. If Smart came he’d only be here a year or two and then we are right back in the same boat. Hey Richt, take a look at how Meyer is rebuilding his staff (because of promotions, not firings) and tearing it up on the recruiting trail. If we want Smart then fire Richt and hire him as Head Coach!

Vince

January 10th, 2010
3:53 pm

the fact that Rennie is ready to announce is interesting seeing how he has said for a while that he would wait….I wonder if he knows something we don’t.

Dawg Man

January 10th, 2010
3:53 pm

Man, with all these super recruit qb’s we got coming, and these 2 freshmen at UGA now, if we get Smart, I bet every opponent on our schedule will start trembling—National Champs for the next 4 years and probably more after that, I bet at least 4 teams will forfeit to keep from being beat 100-0 every week–great to be a dawg !!, Wish Jan Kemp hadnt caught us changing grades, then I bet we’d be in championship every year.

Eat It St. Simons

January 10th, 2010
3:53 pm

Best of luck to you Rennie, you’re a DGD.

((((30-24)))) hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
((((73-66)))) hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
((((24-14)))) hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

WE RUN THIS STATE!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

ajc is slow

January 10th, 2010
3:54 pm

It’s not good that Rennie’s holding a press conference. They never hold a press conference to stay. That also makes me wonder if that means Smart is not coming to UGA.

Bremen Dawg

January 10th, 2010
3:55 pm

UGA has as much money as Alabama. I would have thought UGA would have offered somewhere around 900,000 and that would be in line with the best DC’s is the nation. I wish Rennie to best if he jumps to the NFL. I don’t see him play linebacker in the NFL, probably third string LB and special teams guy. He has the speed that is needed.

ajc is slow

January 10th, 2010
3:55 pm

Vince, that’s exactly what I was thinking…

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

January 10th, 2010
3:55 pm

need decision soon, this can’t be helping recruiting. could see true freshman play LB next year, who’s the replacement for rennie?

Albert

January 10th, 2010
3:56 pm

Hey Eat it St Simons, what was the UF-dawg score the past couple of seasons?? Love the ” dawg meat “

Bremen Dawg

January 10th, 2010
3:56 pm

Sounds like Kirby is playing the money game now, if he was coming he would have already signed the contract.

tw3a

January 10th, 2010
3:56 pm

If Smart comes to georgia and Right can’t right the ship he would have a chance at becoming headcoach, also a possible head coach in the future at his own school

Krogunner

January 10th, 2010
3:56 pm

Eat It St. Simmons, What are you 10? Grow up and represent your school with a little class. No wonder other schools look at the dawgs like a bunch of clowns.

SavDawg

January 10th, 2010
3:56 pm

I hope we get Smart, but you got to think being the DC at Bama looks better on a resume. I hope he (and his wife) want to come back to Athens.

GaGator

January 10th, 2010
3:58 pm

TheDawgPound

You make alot of sense. Good summation.

ajc is slow

January 10th, 2010
3:58 pm

DC at Bama only looks food on his resume at this moment b/c they just won the NC. If he comes to UGA when they are down and UGA goes to win the NC that will be more impressive….

Krogunner

January 10th, 2010
3:59 pm

Kirby Smart is not the answer. Even if he comes he will not be here long. Get a good NFL guy that will be around a while and build a D. i would rather us be in the market for a Head Coach!

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

January 10th, 2010
3:59 pm

whoever the DC is, UGA has plenty of $$ to spend. we’ll get a good coach that’s for sure. just need the players to buy into it.

Dewnsav

January 10th, 2010
3:59 pm

HMMMM….maybe the decomitted Blake Sims knew something…

FL Dawg

January 10th, 2010
4:00 pm

If Saban wants to keep Smart enough that they match what we offer, we need to poney up the money and go get the young man. If I were ‘Bamas OC, I would be asking for the same right now. Coaching in college just became much more lucrative folks….

Personally, I am suprised ‘Bama is willing to pay so much for Smarts services, they still have Saban who can teach another young DC…from a business stand point, ‘Bama should move on.

ajc is slow

January 10th, 2010
4:00 pm

Dewnsav,

Blake Sims want to be a QB or WR & Bama wanted to play him on defense. That’s why he decommited.

Krogunner

January 10th, 2010
4:01 pm

Anyone see what Florida is doing on the recruiting trail, geeez!

JasonDawg

January 10th, 2010
4:02 pm

If Curren goes to NFL I believe UGA isn’t getting Smart. Just my opinion.. If they get Smart, Curren would stay.

jack bull

January 10th, 2010
4:03 pm

i don’t really understand why people are so impatient on this. i guess it’s just a sign of the times. but the “delay” in making a hire does not hurt our program. as long as we have someone in place before the dead period ends in a couple of weeks, we’ll be okay. besides, according to most of the folks on here it really doesn’t matter who we hire, right? anybody will be better than what we had….

according to most on here, that is…

woohoo

January 10th, 2010
4:03 pm

CURRAN IS STAYING!!!! BRING ON SMART!!

Yes

January 10th, 2010
4:03 pm

I just read on David Pollack’s Twitter that He’s Coming.

ajc is slow

January 10th, 2010
4:05 pm

Curran leaving….Smart must be staying.

smart would be smart

January 10th, 2010
4:06 pm

Rennie is too short, hes good but was a liabilty this year in many ways, press confrence is to make him seem more appealing to the draft…If Kirby doesnt come it’s becasue he’s still mad at GA for not promoting him the first time..Why would anyone want to stay in damabama, it doesn’t eve compare to GA, and I believe him and Damon are close, Saban is sour grapes, Kirby ought to know, Richt want coach forever who wouldnt want to coach UGA at the highest level, #1 draft pick last year, Now South Florida come on, dont win there your done, but would be agreat palce to live, Rennie’s just tired of waiting.

jack bull

January 10th, 2010
4:06 pm

Krogunner, i kinda think you may need to find another team to root for…another head coach?!? you can’t be serious…

as far as UF, yeah, they’re getting a lot of guys,,but , wait and see, they’ll be in some trouble soon, just like Miami did back in the 90’s..i prefer to do it the Georgia Way, myself…

THWG

January 10th, 2010
4:06 pm

Rennie time to feed those kids you fathered on campus. One less t.h.u.g. for athens police to worry about.

richt is an idiot. kirby will make sure he has egg all over his face. why would that guy leave that defense and team to coach lousy pups who are perenial losers.

alabama has been ranked top 5 for two straight years, most of their players are coming back and he has a chance to win back to back sec and nc and you think he is going to leave bama for a 300k rasie.

:) :) :) fat chance.

cherokee

January 10th, 2010
4:06 pm

Curran is Gone

ugadawg

January 10th, 2010
4:08 pm

rennie curren said he’s entering nfl draft

ajc is slow

January 10th, 2010
4:08 pm

Rennie: “If I came back it would have been awesome, but leaving offers a whole lot of opportunities as well.”

Ropedawg

January 10th, 2010
4:08 pm

Good Luck in the NFL Rennie. DGD

GaGator

January 10th, 2010
4:10 pm

If Smart were really smart, he would let Richt have another disastrous season, with chaos galore and come riding in on a white horse to save the Georgia football program.
Even without getting Smart, you would be wise to send Richt packing.

Taylor

January 10th, 2010
4:11 pm

So long Rennie! Best of luck!

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

January 10th, 2010
4:11 pm

who fills rennie spot?

Taylor

January 10th, 2010
4:12 pm

THWG

January 10th, 2010
4:06 pm

Rennie time to feed those kids you fathered on campus. One less t.h.u.g. for athens police to worry about.

richt is an idiot. kirby will make sure he has egg all over his face. why would that guy leave that defense and team to coach lousy pups who are perenial losers.

alabama has been ranked top 5 for two straight years, most of their players are coming back and he has a chance to win back to back sec and nc and you think he is going to leave bama for a 300k rasie.

Wow dude how classless are you? Calling Rennie a thug? unbelievable

Rennie Girl #7

January 10th, 2010
4:13 pm

THWG u beat us at home once an act like bamas all that, whatever..Athens Police love to arrest them dawgs and everbody else it’s a status thing. Oh and u didn’t play us this year, “If” the 1st string had showed up it may have been Florida again…

Business Man

January 10th, 2010
4:14 pm

Slick and TheDawgPound – StPetedawg is right – UGA can easily outbid UA, if it chooses. All publicly available information suggests that years of good financial management has resulted in UGA being comparatively richer than UA. However, that same fiscal conservatism that resulted in the budgetary advantage will likely result in a limit on how much Damon Evans is willing to pay for a coordinator. That said, I think he’ll outbid the Tide rather significantly.

As to why Kirby might be willing to leave an arguably better position, remember how much we all love our own alma maters. The Smarts are no different. We’ll just have to wait and see.

Krogunner

January 10th, 2010
4:14 pm

jack bull, I guess you like spending the holidays in shreavport. We are the most undisciplined team in the country and that is coaching. We recruit too well to be unranked. I hate to say it, but with richt we continue to fall further and further behind florida and bama.

collegeballfan

January 10th, 2010
4:15 pm

ATHENS, Ga. — University of Georgia All-Southeastern Conference junior linebacker Rennie Curran announced Sunday plans to forego his final collegiate season and enter the NFL draft.

A 5-11, 225-pound native of Snellville, Curran has appeared in 37 games for the Bulldogs including 30 starts. In his three seasons at Georgia, Curran amassed 298 tackles. This past season, Curran led the SEC in tackles with 130, collected All-SEC honors for the second straight year and was named one of Georgia’s permanent team captains. He was a finalist for the Rotary Lombardi and Chuck Bednarik awards.

“This has been a really difficult decision,” said Curran. “I love the Bulldogs and my time at Georgia has been great. But weighing all the factors over the last couple of weeks, I finally reached the decision Saturday that entering the NFL draft this year is the right decision for me at this time

01HAWK

January 10th, 2010
4:15 pm

BAMA can match any school in dollars. Paul Bryant Jr. is on the Board of Regents for state colleges.

Dylan

January 10th, 2010
4:16 pm

I think Curran and other members of the team and coaching staff know some things that we don’t. Curran said earlier that he would wait for the DC to be announced and there’s yet to be one named publicly and Curran has declared. I expect the DC announcement by Wednesday. I’m tired of waiting.

Good luck to Curran. Wish you nothing but the best in the NFL.
GO DAWGS!!!

rrich

January 10th, 2010
4:16 pm

good luck rennie you will be missed

Vince Dooley

January 10th, 2010
4:17 pm

BIG MISTAKE!

Kirby is not calling the shots…
Saban is…
just like I kept calling the shots for years after I left UGA.

Bremen Dawg

January 10th, 2010
4:17 pm

It all about the money these days and I don’t blame him for leaving early. I wish that the NFL, NBA, and MLB would require 4 year degrees before you can play.

FL Dawg

January 10th, 2010
4:18 pm

The only way Curran would stay is if the new DC came from the NFL. He out of here, so one of two things, KS is coming or UGA still doesn’t have a DC.

Big Dawg 97

January 10th, 2010
4:18 pm

PLEASE NOT KIRBY!

Everyone knows Satan is calling the shots … not little Kirby!

Bremen Dawg

January 10th, 2010
4:19 pm

One reason all of the recruits come to Georgia is to play early and to go to the NFL. That is there #1 goal.

BullDawg Rick

January 10th, 2010
4:19 pm

Rennie….

I have enjoyed watching you play in the Gwinnett Football League, at Brookwood & in the Classic City….

You are a class person & a DGD!!

All the Best to you!!!

Ropedawg

January 10th, 2010
4:19 pm

We may be better off. He lacked heart and took too many plays off.

Reggie Ball

January 10th, 2010
4:20 pm

I could be the DC…Give me a shot.

benadawg

January 10th, 2010
4:21 pm

My football world has been shot to hell, So one more bullett ain’t gonna hurt, there is one thing for certain Rennie can be replaced, But we will miss him.

Bremen Dawg

January 10th, 2010
4:22 pm

When Saban was calling the shots at LSU his D got tourched several times by UGA. Bama’s defensive has not got tourched any under Kirby. Kirby is making adjustments on the side, just watch the games.

GaGator

January 10th, 2010
4:22 pm

This what Saban thinks about the Georgia offer—septic tank, did he say septic tank?????????

“I’m not pleased when guys make lateral moves because it’s a little bit human nature to think – like my dad used to say, the grass is always greener on top of the septic tank. You always think it’s better someplace else. You kind of let your ego get involved and you make moves that you shouldn’t make that really aren’t in your best interest from a career standpoint. So I’m not happy when guys do that. But anybody on our staff who can move up, we would like to help them do that.”

ATLiens

January 10th, 2010
4:22 pm

Fans from other schools that advise UGA to fire richt are hilarious. Richt is one of the top coaches in college football and his record at UGA speaks to that. No he hasnt won a national championship but in reality it takes as much luck to get to the BCS title games as it does anything. For instance in 2006 Fla was very, very fortunate that they were able to sneak into the title game, however, in 2007 uga was not so lucky (twice actually because if ky hadnt choked multiple times in ot against the vols ga, not tenn would have played lsu for the sec title). Richt has built a great program that currently has hit a speed bump after last season, however, to fire him would be absurd. When your winning percentage is higher than Dooley’s and you’ve won mulitple sec championships you arnt going anywhere. The only way Richt is gone after next season is if the dawgs go 5-7

ropedawg what is your deal

January 10th, 2010
4:22 pm

lacked heart?? well hell i would love to see how many tackels he had if he had heart you are a dips**t

Paul Johnson has Moobies....

January 10th, 2010
4:23 pm

Good luck at the next level Rennie and thank you for leaving it all on the field.

GaGator

January 10th, 2010
4:24 pm

Krogunner

January 10th, 2010
4:14 pm
jack bull, I guess you like spending the holidays in shreavport. We are the most undisciplined team in the country and that is coaching. We recruit too well to be unranked. I hate to say it, but with richt we continue to fall further and further behind florida and bama.

YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD–FIRE MARK RICHT.

jack bull

January 10th, 2010
4:24 pm

no way we’re falling..we’ve had one bad year.. we’re actually on the rise, some are just not smart enough to see it..that’s okay, those of us that are true fans see it. Mark Richt is the best thing thats happened to UGA in a very long time.. i’m tellin ya, time for some to find another team to pull for.

Frank

January 10th, 2010
4:24 pm

Best of luck Rennie, the DawgNation will miss you. Once a Dawg, always a Dawg.

THWGT!!!!!

BullDawg Rick

January 10th, 2010
4:25 pm

Rope… R U Stupid??? Rennie “Lacked Heart & took 2 many plays off”???

He lead the SEC in tackles you moron!!

U R A fool!!!

UGA FAN

January 10th, 2010
4:25 pm

Rennie Curran should stay in school for the education. He could go pro after graduating. With his size he will be on the bench in the NFL. Rennie is no thug, THWG, you don’t much about Rennie. He played in the band in High School and was a excellent student. He is probably going pro to support his family which includes his parent…

Mdawg10

January 10th, 2010
4:25 pm

Ropedawg, he lacked heart? Wow, have you even been watching this team the past 3 years? Rennie was the one and only player who has played with consistency throughout his career. This guy gave 100% every play and finished his career with more tackles than both Brandon Spikes and Rolando McClain. He’ll be hard to replace, but we are still deep at linebacker (Dowtin, Gamble, Dent, Robinson, Williams, Gilliard, etc.).

Good luck in the NFL, Rennie. It was awesome watching you play for the Dawgs.

dogfan

January 10th, 2010
4:26 pm

Keep on looking, Richt. Kirby’s not coming. The search for a DC at Georgia is getting mighty old. Do you have a plan B or C or D,E,F.

jack bull

January 10th, 2010
4:26 pm

undisciplined? its not two hand touch..gimme CMR over anybody in college football.

jack bull

January 10th, 2010
4:28 pm

who’s better?

ajc is slow

January 10th, 2010
4:29 pm

Richt’s words today at Rennie Curran’s press conference via teleconference:
“I’ll let you know when it happens, I promise,” Mark Richt said of DC hire.

Maybe since Richt is out of town recruiting they are waiting to announce it until he gets back to Athens & Richt/Smart will make the announcement together. Tomorrow maybe?

David

January 10th, 2010
4:29 pm

THWG-Somewhere a village is missing their idiot.

Krogunner

January 10th, 2010
4:30 pm

Jack bull, keep drinking the kool aide. Better get ready for another bowl trip to shreavport, nashville, or birmingham. just reality.

fire lane kiffin

January 10th, 2010
4:32 pm

lane kiffin is going to have tenn on probation soon. please fire him!

Josh

January 10th, 2010
4:32 pm

Well, if Smart DOES decide to come to Georgia, is it that much of a stretch for his wife to become an assistant for the bball team? Maybe even the coach in waiting? Seeing that Landers is ready to retire I think that’s a possibility. Feel free to correct me if we already have a CIW for women’s hoops because I have no idea.

GaGator

January 10th, 2010
4:32 pm

I DOUBT RICHT IS EVEN IN THE TOP 10 FOOOTBALL COACHES-START WITH CHOICES AT-USC,BOISE STATE, TCU CINN, LSU, ALA. FLA, SC, ND MISS. STATE AND THE LIST GOES ON

TheDawgPound

January 10th, 2010
4:33 pm

I still don’t see why Smart would make the jump to rebuild a UGA defense. He just did that with Bama and won a NC. Now is when he reaps the rewards with a possible head coaching position, not take the same position at a school in the same conference that is not in good shape. Why take a raise up to $700k in a position that you will not look good for 3 years when you could get a head coaching gig withing 1 year paying you close to $2mm???

jack bull

January 10th, 2010
4:33 pm

patience folks, be patient…i guess some that are in the “entitlement generation” don’t know the meaning to that word..

Rope Dawg

January 10th, 2010
4:34 pm

jack bull=moron!

GaGator

January 10th, 2010
4:36 pm

Smart has been on Richt staff twice(check his bio) and Richt has let him go twice.
I really don’t think Richt is a very go judge of talent.

jack bull

January 10th, 2010
4:37 pm

not reality, i know we will be in a BCS bowl next year..and no, i don’t drink kool-aid, thx.. i just know that some folks don’t think things thru.. i’m sure you’ll change you tune next year when we have a great season..not that i expect you to eat your words or anything

GaGator

January 10th, 2010
4:38 pm

TheDawgPound

There you go again, making too much sense for these folks.

Rope dawg

January 10th, 2010
4:38 pm

Tennessee has 6 scholarship players in hoops. The rest are in jail. You can’t spell THUG without a U and a T. just fitting in with the football program i guess.

EW

January 10th, 2010
4:38 pm

Rennie’s only drawback in the draft is his height, and well that’s not going to change in another year. Go and prosper young man. You deserve it after the hard work you put in for the Dawgs.

jack bull

January 10th, 2010
4:38 pm

intelligent, very intelligent..moron, huh? tell me who is better,,thats all

tw3a

January 10th, 2010
4:38 pm

I know everyone would love to have Smart, but there are alot of DC outhere ready to bloom. There is another Smart out there and if that person comes to Georgia he can do the same thing Smart did. I still think Pollack would be a good hire on the defence somewhere maybe linebackers he brings alot of energy, youth that I think the players will relate too

jack bull

January 10th, 2010
4:39 pm

if we don’t get Smart, whom i don’t think is the answer, who would you get? and why?

EW

January 10th, 2010
4:40 pm

Kirby has one question that hangs over him: Can he do it without Saban?

The logical decision is to go to a place you are comfortable and show you can.

Krogunner

January 10th, 2010
4:42 pm

jack bull, tag off the red and black tinted glasses. I would be happy to be in the chick fillet bowl next year and that is just sad.

tw3a

January 10th, 2010
4:43 pm

I actually in a way like Grantham. NFL experience equals attractive thought for recruits. Especially coming from the Dallas defence

jack bull

January 10th, 2010
4:43 pm

GO DAWGS!!! just ignore the lunatic fringe,,,they know not what they are talking about..or else they wouldn’t be where they are in life right now…

Krogunner

January 10th, 2010
4:45 pm

jack bull, just to name a few…Meyer, Saban, Miles, and that’s just in the SEC.

jack bull

January 10th, 2010
4:46 pm

not that i am being the grammar police or anything, but “tag” and “chick fillet” just explained a whole lot to me…

GO DAWGS!!!

oh yeah, anybody on here a season ticket holder?

collegeballfan

January 10th, 2010
4:48 pm

If Carroll leaves Sou Cal for the Seahawks, will Richt be called to interview for the USC job? I say yes he will be called & he will politely decline the interview.

jack bull

January 10th, 2010
4:49 pm

that’s okay,,i think i would rather have my twin boys playing for Mark Richt.. or maybe Pete Carroll.. but not any of those cry babies, you know, the ones who lose their cool when things don’t go their way and start throwing things and pitching a temper tantrum.. but that’s just me..

ajc is slow

January 10th, 2010
4:49 pm

oh yeah, anybody on here a season ticket holder?

Sure am!

tw3a

January 10th, 2010
4:50 pm

totally with you jack bull

tw3a

January 10th, 2010
4:50 pm

Sweet Home Alabama

January 10th, 2010
4:50 pm

Dawg man YOU GOT too midgets ,a tight end and another joe cox coming in.matt stafford is only in the history books.dawgs you are no longer relevant,join the ACC AND compete.

jack bull

January 10th, 2010
4:51 pm

gotta go, bring on Travis Jones for DC, well, one can only hope, i guess….

GO DAWGS..

Urban Meyer

January 10th, 2010
4:51 pm

Rennie is good enough to be second team for us. Good luck in the pros! I guess he’s tired of coming to Jacksonville for the annual dog training exercise.

jack bull

January 10th, 2010
4:52 pm

12 years here, still kinda young, ya know…

Good Dawg

January 10th, 2010
4:52 pm

jack bull, go away with your little “grammar corrections”. it’s one thing to be a good Dawg fan and another to be blind. In case you didn’t see Carroll is going back to the NFL.

Krogunner

January 10th, 2010
4:54 pm

collegeballfan, nobody wants Richt. your comment is too funny!

Rope Dawg

January 10th, 2010
4:55 pm

jack bull should be a Tech fan!

Thirty Points to your Twenty-Four Points

January 10th, 2010
4:58 pm

Best of luck Rennie!

Damn Good Dawg!

Rope Dawg

January 10th, 2010
5:00 pm

Rennie =4th Rounder

Dawg in Bama

January 10th, 2010
5:00 pm

All over talk radio here this p.m Alabama officiala will make Smart one of the highest paid asisstants and he stays.

GaGator

January 10th, 2010
5:03 pm

I hate to think what may happen in the state of Georgia if Smart turns UGA down.
I don’t think there would enough Prozax in the USA to bring ya’ll out of your depression.

Happydawg

January 10th, 2010
5:03 pm

Best of luck Rennie, you are going to do well in the Pros. Thank you for playing for the dawgs and I’ll be rooting for your success.

GaGator

January 10th, 2010
5:14 pm

While UGA and Richt are agonizes over the DC that they desperately need, the Gators are kicking the mutts in the butt. Check this out at ESPN recruiting

One for the Ages

Having the nation’s top-ranked class doesn’t appear to be good enough for Urban Meyer and the Gators. This year’s class is starting to look like one of the best ever. And they are not finished yeet.

Curran says he « Football on the Brain

January 10th, 2010
5:17 pm

[...] Curran says he By cousinwalter Leave a Comment Categories: Uncategorized Curran says he’ll leave UGA for NFL draft [...]

Sources Say

January 10th, 2010
5:18 pm

CMR agent has been contacted about the open position at USC

Rope Dawg

January 10th, 2010
5:23 pm

Sources Say, and Elin is rumored to be reconsidering her marriage with tiger. they may work it out…NOT. she is snow skiing in the Swiss alps! Nobody wants Richt!

swampjacket

January 10th, 2010
5:28 pm

As a UGA Hater, I love to see Curran go! He’s one of the two or three best defensive players in the SEC. I actually loved watching him play…Great energy and has his nose in on every play! Definitely a strong safety in NFL!

George

January 10th, 2010
5:29 pm

That;s Elins’ twin in the swiss alps fyi… Kirby to Athens. Done… Have I been wrong yet??? Nope.

Trojan Man

January 10th, 2010
5:33 pm

Sources Say, no thanks! Keep your coach. As much as I’d like to return to mediocrity I think we can do a little better than that. USC doesn’t need a Bible thumping, Bowden wanabee hypocrit. We’ll hire Del Rio, Riley or Jeff Fisher. I don’t think you need to be worried about someone stealing your coach cause noone wants him! Better be worried about that Gator Train! They’re even getting some of our recruits now.

Heywood Jablome

January 10th, 2010
5:40 pm

Rennie was not supposed to announce his decision until tomorrow. He moved it up to today because we will have another press conference Monday afternoon…..Just sayin’……

superDawg

January 10th, 2010
5:42 pm

Rennie good luck and take care of your family.The Dawg nation will miss you.

Sources Say

January 10th, 2010
5:53 pm

Trojan man – your rigtht USC does not need a coach who does not cheat, has integrity, and keeps his word. I guess its back to being a middle of the road PUK 10 team for USC.

DawginOH

January 10th, 2010
5:55 pm

Dear GaGator and other Dawg haters: I love how y’all say that UGA is so irrelevant and yet constantly come on our blogs to trash our football team. If we’re so irrelevant, why are y’all here? As much as I hate your football team, the University of Florida is a great school so why don’t you and your other FL buddies learn to represent it in style and go to a Gator blog to discuss YOUR football team? If you can’t stand hearing about UGA sports, I think you picked the wrong state to live in, my friend. Head back to Florida if you can’t handle the locals discussing news relevant to their team. I am a proud graduate of the University of Georgia so I go to ajc.com to check up on news relevant to MY team. If you need help finding a Gators blog, I’d be happy to take a few seconds and send you the results of my Google search.

Keith

January 10th, 2010
5:59 pm

Of course he is going pro. All thugs care about is money and not helping their team or getting a college degree. Funny how most white players stick around longer then the brothas.

Trojan Man

January 10th, 2010
6:00 pm

DawginOH, a little jealous of a certain school to the south?

atl xmen

January 10th, 2010
6:03 pm

uga will be just fine as long as uga has richt..he is top 5 coach and his record proves that. once he wins 2 or 3 nc in the next 7 or so years he will number one. and he would have done it the right way. i wouldnt take one coach over richt. i know that gator fans on here are acting like dawg fans are hoping uga will not have richt as a coach in hopes of fla hiring him when meyer quits again. no real uga fan will say fire mark richt thats how you can tell the real dawg fan post from a gator posing as a dawg fan post.

uga is not going anywhere we have the talent and the coaching all we need is a little luck and that is coming really soon. fla will be down for the next few years and ala will be too after next year..by that time uga will have nothing but upper classmen playing against the sophs and freshmen of ala and fla..

its great to be a georgia bulldog fan knowing your coach wont be quitting on you..fla and ala cant say that…

Rop Dawg

January 10th, 2010
6:07 pm

atl xmen, you’re killing me. surely that was a joke, right?

P. Bull Terrier

January 10th, 2010
6:11 pm

Don’t be surprised if Rennie ends up becoming a very good NFL linebacker. I’ve watched him play since he was in the 9th grade and at every level he continues raise the bar and exceed expectations. As a Senior in high school he owned the field, but he was still just a mid-level prospect and didn’t generate much excitement when he committed to UGA. Critics said he was too small to be a linebacker in the SEC and not fast enough to play safety. It didn’t take long for him to prove that he could, in fact, play linebacker in the SEC and could play the position better than most of the linebackers in the country.

Some players are blessed with all of the right stats and measurements on paper, but never really do much on the field. Rennie is one of those who doesn’t measure up to the ideal, but just simply gets it done on the football field. The NFL is a big step, but I’d be surprised if he’s not successful.

Krogunner

January 10th, 2010
6:12 pm

I am a real Georgia fan and I say Fire Mark Richt! There is a difference between being loyal and being blind. Nobody does less with 4 and 5 Star recruits than Richt. The day we get rid of this guy is the day we start competing with Florida and Bama. Urban Meyer has 2 National Titles in 5 years, Saban 1 in 3 years and Richt has 0 in 9. That is more than luck. Wake up and recognize reality atl xmen.

Krogunner

January 10th, 2010
6:13 pm

Plus I am not much into spending the holidays in Shreavport!

dawgdip

January 10th, 2010
6:14 pm

If you ever strapped on the helmet and played between the hedges, you would not ask why any x-dawg would want to come back.

GaTruth

January 10th, 2010
6:14 pm

GaGator is more on target than we’d like to admit. What coach, or player for that matter, would want to come to UGA with all the fans on the AJC who do nothing but BIT@H! You bit@h about Richt (who leaves Dooley in the dust – if Vince hadn’t lucked into ($$$) Herschel he wouldn’t have had ANY national championships. How much coaching does it take to run Herschel 40 times a game?) You bit@h about 18-21 year old players when you whiners didn’t see a down of AAAAA football. You constantly proclaim the “fact” that Smart is about to move, when the only thing you know for sure is that your drunk brother-in-law has a friend down at “the plant” that heard a toothless Waffle House waitress who overheard a trucker that drove through Tuscaloosa four years ago, say that Kirby Smart remembers playing in Athens. Why don’t you all sit back, take one minute to realize how little you know, how stupid you sound when you proclaim some fact that you DON’T know for certain, how negatively YOU impact recruiting, and then start focusing on making comments to would make a coach or player WANT to go to UGA? When you constantly BIT@H, you reveal your lack of testosterone and make us seem like the North Avenue Trade School whiners. Give it a rest!

DawginOH

January 10th, 2010
6:14 pm

Trojan Man- Just annoyed at how fans of a certain school to the south can’t find a better use of their time. I came here to read what other readers thought about Rennie Curran going pro. What’s your excuse? Good luck, Rennie! We’ll miss you. DGD!

savannah dawg

January 10th, 2010
6:16 pm

Georgia has offered Kirby Smart a contract for 700,000 per year for three years. Now all we have to do is wait on his answer.

Rick

January 10th, 2010
6:25 pm

DawgPound—There are no guarantees in life. How do you know Smart could have a 2+ mil head coaching job?

Stop eating your own poop, its affecting your mindless BRAIN…

dogdownsouth

January 10th, 2010
6:27 pm

3rd or 4th round pick maybe lower doesnt have the size , speed looked for in Middle linebacker for the NFL will probably be a Special Teams Standout for some teams think Via Sikehema Eagles that type

dogdownsouth

January 10th, 2010
6:30 pm

GaGator signing day is FEB 3 the truth will come out before then about Myer will not be back this is one of the Greatest Con Jobs that UF is playing with these kids cause if they told the truth about Urban the Recruits would be leaving in Droves!!!!! after Signing Day Urban will anounce his medical condition is worse than expected. By that time the recruits will be stuck to there committments

Trojan Man

January 10th, 2010
6:35 pm

Keep dreaming and wishing! And tomorrow Richt will resign and Nick Saban will announce he’s heading to Athens!

Urban Meyer

January 10th, 2010
6:37 pm

Keep praying dogdownsouth. I plan on continuing the late October beat downs for many years to come. Pretty soon you will just start calling me Daddy!

BillyJack

January 10th, 2010
6:40 pm

Good luck young man.

Quincy

January 10th, 2010
6:44 pm

Good luck in the NFL, Rennie! You’ll be missed between the hedges when we take the north avenue trade school behind the wood shed for yet another butt whipping. We Run This State!!!!!!

Bobo, Bobo, a pirates life for me

January 10th, 2010
6:45 pm

Thanks for everything Rennie! You were my favorite player to watch on gamedays!

Good luck in the NFL!

Fat Dog

January 10th, 2010
6:50 pm

Rennie, you are not as dumb as I
thought you were. Take the few bucks you will get as a low round draft choice and invest it smartly for your 1 year old daughter. Also do not pretend your decision has anything to do with who will be the DC. You would be a fool to stay even if it Erk Russell returning from the grave.

Bornloser

January 10th, 2010
6:50 pm

YOU ARE ALL MORONS!!!! I’M COMING TO COACH THE DEFENSE

Ole Dawg

January 10th, 2010
6:53 pm

Saban is such a hypocrit. He leaves the browns to go to Michigan State; then keaves State to go to LSU; then leaves LSU to go to the Dolphins; then leaves the Dolphins to go to Alabama. He has moved both laterally and downward. Talk abot an ego.

atl xmen

January 10th, 2010
6:57 pm

krogrunner..you sound liek a tech fan..like i said no real uga would be dumb enough to even think about saying “fire mark richt”

and of course im serious about uga winning a national title..if not for some bad luck a few years ago..uga would have one already..just out richts won loss record and you tell me he has done less with 4-5 star recruits..the 3 sec schools and texas and usc recruiting classes are rated higher than uga year in and year out. so i would say richt top ranked recruits are winning just fine..he has us ranked in the top 5 to top 10 most years,,,and if not for most of his recruits leaving early for the pros would be ranked higher..so richt is doing great..better than any uga coach as ever had. like i said in two to three years uga will have a national title …uga wins the sec they are in there..fla will be down the next few years and we have the players to beat ala ..so no worries here…

Deep South Dawg

January 10th, 2010
6:58 pm

Thank you Rennie for all you have done!! You will always be a Dawg and I wish you the best of luck! You have provided me many memories over the past 2 1/2 years! All I can say is that I hope the falcons get you!

atl xmen

January 10th, 2010
7:03 pm

richt has uga playing in more bcs bowls than shreveport games so i wouldnt get used to playing in shreveport anyways .krogrunner you can enjoy your teams blue field bowl though we all know your a tech fan…

UGA Alumn

January 10th, 2010
7:18 pm

I can’t believe they deleted my comment for saying Rennie is a D@m! Good Dawg! They should delete this website for the garbage that gets reported by these so called sports reporters. When David Pollack is ahead of you on a story your paper has issues!!

DAWGS Suck

January 10th, 2010
7:20 pm

Pitiful UGA fans…hang your hat on Smart who really had nothing to do with AL’s greaT DEFENSE…IT’S ALL Saban…

South GA Pine Rooters

January 10th, 2010
7:27 pm

Good luck Rennie we’ll be rooting for you.

dawg it

January 10th, 2010
7:28 pm

thought he was staying? sounds like he’s jumping ship. maybe the the thoughts of next year to him, would lower his stock? I would say he’s on the inside and getting out. This makes me wonder what he knows about the future of UGA Football.

UGA Alumn

January 10th, 2010
7:37 pm

Dawgs suck must be a techie! I’m sure he is real pumped about getting the A-She-She’s great U of Virginia’s garbage as their next defensive coordinator. Hit us up when you win a bowl game!

chuck allison

January 10th, 2010
7:40 pm

FWIW, Alabama’s football revenues are 120 million per year and UGA’s football revenues are 98 million per year.
GT’s revenues are a lot less than either of these but we are not trying to hire Kirby Smart either.

dawg it

January 10th, 2010
7:41 pm

why is it when ever I’m on here all I see is talk about TECH !! focus you dummys, they get enough print as it is?

dawg 3/20

January 10th, 2010
8:19 pm

The Alumni cut Rennie off after the 5 loss season so he has to go pro so he can afford diapers for his kid.

Stevie-B

January 10th, 2010
8:30 pm

As a current UGA student, I will say that Rennie was definitely a fan,and student favorite. He was definitely not a thug, he was one of the most personable people on campus. His kid was not “fathered” on campus, it was with his high school sweetheart.
All the logical signs pointed to him graduating.
He was on track to graduate, he will definitely be greatly missed.
Thanks for 3 great years

Kid me not

January 10th, 2010
9:02 pm

Stupid bloogers on this site. Surely we are glad they are not in charge at UGA nor anywhere else in the college football world. Negative creeps. Go Rennie! Go Dawgs!

Dawg fan 404

January 10th, 2010
9:09 pm

Its all good, we have an incoming freshman that will replace Rennie very nicely. Good luck Rennie !! Go Dawgs!!

http://proxy.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/football/news/story?id=4812187

TheDawg

January 10th, 2010
10:36 pm

Rope Dawg use that rope to hang yourself the world would be alot better ! ! You obviously dont know Rennie he is Far from a thug ! ! He is a real young man that has always carried himself with Pride. I would take 100 more just like him !! It’s a good thing you can be a A Hole on here because in real life I’m sure your a wussy ! ! !

Tom Brown

January 11th, 2010
12:39 am

I love Richt but he continues to lose players as juniors…why? Is this a real personality problem or is it a true leadership problem. I say again, I love Richt but I want him to take a look at what is happening to his team and see if he really needs to change more than just his defensive cooridinator. I love UGA more and we need a Championship soon 1980 was a long time ago! Go Dawgs! TB

Tom Brown

January 11th, 2010
12:48 am

Please comment on my thoughts. Am I way off base? Why does Florida always hold on to their players? HELP ME – CONFUSED

HungryDawg

January 11th, 2010
2:41 pm

Good luck Rennie!! You are a great Dawg and you will be sorely missed!!!!

re: Tom Brown

January 11th, 2010
2:44 pm

What other stars has Florida “held on to” other than Tebow and Spikes?

Tom Brown

January 12th, 2010
12:47 pm

Well those two are exactly who I was thinking about. Are they the only ones? I just feel like we lose so many juniors and I hate it. I love our coach and I want to know what we can do to make these kids stay in school. This is a big question and maybe not even a football question but if there are any programs, then lets put them in place. Does that make sense?