Bulldogs resume practice, ready to feast on Outback Bowl opportunity
Georgia tight end Aron White displays good hands, passing a Bloomin' Onion while holding ribs as quarterback Aaron Murray looks on Thursday at Outback. (UGA photo by Steve Colquitt)
ATHENS — Just back from an Outback Bowl luncheon over in Athens. The local franchise on Atlanta Highway hosted the entire football team and support staff to a late lunch of Bloomin’ Onions, salad, ribs, shrimp, steak, chicken and lobster tail. It really is quite a sight to observe the likes of John Jenkins and Cordy Glenn sit down for an all-you-can-eat, meat-fest. Rumors that the event put the restaurant out of business proved unfounded.
Meanwhile, with final exams now behind them, the Bulldogs returned to practice on Thursday for their first of a dozen or so workouts before their Jan. 2 Outback Bowl date with Michigan State. It has been nearly two weeks since Georgia’s humbling 42-10 loss to No. 1 LSU in the SEC Championship Game, so it took a while for the Dogs to get back in the swing of things.
“Being out of the element for a week and a half, I kind of felt sluggish and out of it a little bit,” senior cornerback Brandon Boykin said. “I know I made a few mistakes today. But, like Coach Richt said, that’s typical when you’ve been off a little while. So we’re just trying to get back in the groove of things. We’ll definitely be a lot smoother and a lot cleaner as the week goes on.”
Coach Mark Richt actually hit the road for some in-home recruiting visits and was not in attendance for Thursday’s festivities. Otherwise, it appeared most everybody else was present, though a certain beleaguered tailback could not be spotted among the dozens of players (don’t read too much into that because it may not mean anything).
It was an informal affair so there weren’t any in-depth media opportunities. But I did catch up with a couple of players for some quick, casual interviews.
In general, the Bulldogs claimed to be fully engaged and motivated for this year’s bowl game, their 15th in a row.
“There’s a lot of incentive,” Boykin said. “We want to top the season off. We lost our bowl game last year, so that’s something to definitely be motivated about. We’re coming off a loss in our last game, so we definitely want to win again and finish our season 11-3 rather than 10-4. And we want to play well to carry over to next season. So there’s all that.”
Said junior wide receiver Tavarres King: “We’d be one of seven or eight teams to have an 11-win season here. That’s motivation enough for me, to be up there among the great teams that have come through Georgia. And [losing a bowl game] is something I personally don’t want to experience again. Looking back, that was rough. We don’t want to have to do that this year.”
The uninspired Bulldogs lost to Central Florida 10-6 in the Liberty Bowl last year. It was only the third bowl loss under Richt and first one in five years.
Georgia is expected to have its hands full with the Spartans (10-3), who like the Bulldogs lost in their conference championship game. Michigan State lost to Wisconsin 42-39 in the first Big Ten title game. Its other losses were to Notre Dame (31-13) and Nebraska (24-3).
“We’re starting to watch a lot of film now,” Boykin said. “I know they’ve got a great quarterback, an excellent offense and they have one of the best defenses in the nation as well. So they’re very similar to us in the way they finished the season and their record and everything as well. They’ve got our attention.”
Said King: “They’re a game away from playing in the BCS, so they’re a tough bunch. They play extremely hard, they’re very fundamentally sound and they’re not going to beat themselves. We we’ve got to be ready to take care of business.”
There’s a media day function on Friday and practice every day through Tuesday, so much check back for more updates.
NOTES: Freshman outside linebacker Sterling Bailey will undergo foot surgery on Friday, according to his father, Kevin Bailey. Bailey tore metatarsal ligaments in practice this past Saturday. The recovery will force Bailey to miss spring practice but, barring setbacks, he’ll be back in time for camp next summer. Bailey (6-5, 275) was redshirted this season due to shoulder surgery last spring. . . . Punter Drew Butler was on crutches and had his left foot in a walking boot for what he said was a minor ankle injury. “It’s no big deal,” he said. . . . Defensive end Derrick Lott was also on crutches for an unknown leg injury.
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139 comments Add your comment
bAMA fan oh yeah
December 15th, 2011
11:11 pm
we are the best….
we get two chance to beat the best…
when we lose we will still be the best….
dose that make any sense?
Chris
December 15th, 2011
11:23 pm
ajc can yall make a story on the isaiah rumors?? i dont believe the people on the blogs with there “sources”. i want and need IC to stay at uga
“Personal attacks will NOT be tolerated hate-filled harassing posts unacceptable”
December 16th, 2011
12:19 am
I’d love for Mark Richt, who should have already gotten his extension, to get a commitment from Mike Davis. Mike Davis, ranked # 6 RB in nation by Rivals, said that he spent the entire day at practice standing beside Mark Richt the whole time, and that Mark Richt said that he needed running backs and would have every opportunity to play 2012. I’d also love to see us get a commitment from a Top Safety, ranked either # 1 like Keith Marshall at RB or # 6 like Mike Davis at RB. Great stuff along with our Top OL commitment John Theus the # 3 OT.
Jalex49
December 16th, 2011
12:25 am
Sign both Gurley and Davis. Georgia needs both of them. Crowell will be just fine. I have confidence in Coach Richt and feel he will do everything he can to get the right recruits at Georgia.
Hope all the juniors decide to come back.
Charles
December 16th, 2011
12:33 am
LSU 42 Georgia 10
drbasic
December 16th, 2011
2:09 am
old dawg….you sir, are an angry person and true dawg fans, think you are an idiot….if you are not happy with the team or coaches or the previous records….please feel free to find another team, our feelings will not be hurt.
bartender
December 16th, 2011
3:42 am
the “dream team” are the best in the land,and Mich st ain’t nothing gonna be a 40-0 blowout…..lol……….ooooooooo…K
7576DAWG
December 16th, 2011
3:49 am
When asked about the updated SEC schedule’s McGarity stated that the new schedule’s for 2012 should be released Monday or Tuesday of next week.
Billdawg
December 16th, 2011
4:36 am
Reality check guys. One fumble, a punt return and awful special teams allow us to let SC defeat us. Otherwise an 11 win season. Get over Richt leaving, He will be here till he decides to leave. He has made the the right adjustments except for 2d half conservative play calls.
As to Crowell eligibility, only info is on these largely non alumni contributors blogs. Not a great news source. Let the coach do his job. He is a top ten coach. We can’t replace him with a better coach.
guy
December 16th, 2011
5:45 am
Sign Mike Davis along with the Marshall guy and wait for IC and CT to do their screwing up.Then,kick them off the team for good with a hob nailed boot!!! Let them then go join their pot buddies!
Insider
December 16th, 2011
5:56 am
Crowell is academically ineligible to participate in any team functions right now. He is not kicked off the team however. Take it as fact. To be announced next week.
Old Dog
December 16th, 2011
6:20 am
“Reality check guys. One fumble, a punt return and awful special teams allow us to let SC defeat us. Otherwise an 11 win season. Get over Richt leaving”
Reality Check guys – one blocked punt against Vandy – if Drew Butler had not tackled the Vandy player, we would hae been 9-3, not the SEC east champions, and SC would have played LSU.
But they probably would STILL have given Richt his extension and raise for “being such a nice guy”. I can’t remember, when I go to a football game, is it to see my team play some good football, or is it to watch the coach be “nice”.?
Old Dog
December 16th, 2011
6:24 am
“old dawg….you sir, are an angry person and true dawg fans, think you are an idiot….if you are not happy with the team or coaches or the previous records….please feel free to find another team, our feelings will not be hurt.”
I’ll take that under advisement – we will see what next year brings.
Why did the stadium fail to sell out early this season for the first time in forever? Adams and McGarrity better watch the fan base and decide what is best for the TEAM. Fans can always vote with their feet.
“Personal attacks will NOT be tolerated hate-filled harassing posts unacceptable”
December 16th, 2011
7:32 am
Old Dog,
Please keep up your posts. This is still America. Only posts approved by the clique are allowed to be said, even by a long-time solid Bulldogs’ Football Program fan such as yourself, sir.
I am not in the least concerned about the posts saying you are not.
Cowardly to say true Dawg fans would call you an idiot. I am a true Dawg fan, and I think you are spot-on.
icallbs
December 16th, 2011
7:55 am
If Crowell is indeed academically ineligible my guess is if that alone doesn’t do him in, the fact that with some of the majors these guys can choose along with hand-holding by tutors that is available, you have to be some lethal combination of lazy/dumb that can’t be overcome. No, that is NOT unkind, harsh, etc. Its a fact.
dawgster
December 16th, 2011
8:09 am
Just for all you know it all insiders…Crowell practiced with the team yesterday…How about quit spouting off and spreading the rumors…Things will will work out one way or the other, but Crowell did practice yesterday….go dawgs
JDawg1785
December 16th, 2011
9:56 am
Hope the Dawgs devour Sparty like Aron White did that bloomin’ onion! Go Dawgs!
old dog
December 16th, 2011
10:06 am
Crowell,
You turn the boot upside down; directions are on the heel. The p*ss will come right out!!
evil empire
December 16th, 2011
10:34 am
Capt Jack is a GT bonified butt pirate!! Just doesnt know how to come outta Davey Jones locker to admit it to the Yeller Bellied Nation!! Scared he’ll be hung in the gallows!!
evil empire
December 16th, 2011
10:36 am
But i sure can relate!!
McDawg
December 16th, 2011
11:31 am
bummer about Bailey
one game season–have to lay it all out
The Diesel
December 16th, 2011
11:56 am
Tide Roll the A$$ Clown is back I see.
roughrider
December 16th, 2011
12:25 pm
Tech nerds should concentrate on winning this bowl game and nothing else. Their bowl game record is embarrassing to the state of Georgia.
LogicalUS
December 16th, 2011
1:35 pm
“One fumble, a punt return and awful special teams allow us to let SC defeat us.”
Hey nice trick….everybody gets to only count the plays you like from each game. Imagine the wonderful records college football teams will record.
If you look hard enough I am sure that you can “forget” enough plays in the LSU game for a UGA victory.
Geez, I hearby decree that the only plays to be counted toward for UGA record are the UGA TDs, all others are ruled inconvenient and thus should be ignored.
WDE
December 16th, 2011
2:20 pm
Glad to see that the players are giving Mich St due respect they are a tough bunch and it will take a great game to beat them. Go Dogs!
Mad Dog One
December 16th, 2011
3:14 pm
Why don’t all you low life trolls clime up a ladder and kiss my a$$. We don’t care what you “know” hahaha, say, think or do. You are not revelent to UGA or its fans. To some of you dumb a$$ ALL TEAMS AND FANS FROM THE SEC MAKE FUN AND LAUGH AT THE OTHER TEAMS. If you don’t matter then you are not in the conversation at all. As a great American said I’M BULLDOG BORN, BULLDOG BREAD AND WHEN I’M DIE I’LL BE BYGOD BULL DEAD. As always GO DOGS & GATA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mad Dog One
December 16th, 2011
3:16 pm
That would be BULLDOG DEAD. Sorry Mr. L.G.
PapaDawg
December 17th, 2011
5:35 am
I hope Crowell has a real good excuse for not being at a team function. That kind of thing will not set well with your team mates especially if you are having a self pity party
wins-by-a-link
December 17th, 2011
10:25 am
IC will never wear the Red and Black again, His bad attitude was evident from the start and I’m sure his grades are below par, I think the last straw was when he turned his back on Coach Richt during the SEC championship game after he had gotten a penalty for running his mouth, Sometimes the only solution to a bad attitude is to rid the problem from the program before it spreads to others, Richt knew there was a risk in IC but probably felt it was worth the gamble, This time it didn’t work out.
angry mangy mutt
December 17th, 2011
11:05 am
Hopefully Dawgs are focused on this game. Mich St is no slouch, however they are still a Big 10 team which should make them victimized in Tampa. Just never know about our team, rather under CMR or whoever, just never know if or when we’ll show up.
Where IC is concerned, who knows. Something often lost on fans is that UGA quietly has a higher standard than many other schools (esp SEC). Not pulling a Techie here, but for a state u, Uga does ask for more from their student athletes. That is one answer as for why certain kids leave the state, and why private school kids get a closer look (yea, I know not all private schools are great). IC may be finding that out now. In Athens, you mess up, people know. Mess up a couple of more times, you are likely out.
01HAWK
December 17th, 2011
2:56 pm
WDE………………………………Glad to see that the players are giving Mich St due respect they are a tough bunch and it will take a great game to beat them. Go Dogs!
BAMA did not respect them last year………………………….I believe the score was BAMA 49 and MICH ST. had 7 after the 2nd, 3rd and 4th stringers came in.
Put 2 QB’s out of commission. By the last quarter they had a former QB playing that started the game as a receiver.
Lets see what the PUPPIES do.
1969 Graduate
December 17th, 2011
4:52 pm
Hey, I’m still trying to recover from the second half of the last game. Whose feet should be held to the fire for that ar$e whipping?
How can anyone miss Mark Richt’s record against good teams? The man’s “studying football?” Bobo is still around?
Contract extension for Mr. Richt? That’s a joke, I hope.
We beat some bad teams, folks. The good teams beat us! Who is our CEO? I sure hope the AD requires a victory over MSU. They’re a real football team, and will kick our butts if we’re not well prepared, really into the game, and well coached, with good play calling.
Could we recruit an offensive line, and an offensive play caller, and someone who knows football.
Go, Georgia Bulldogs!
Lakedawg
December 17th, 2011
8:37 pm
1969 Grad and Insider—-How is it that Isiah Crowell was practicing and Coach Richt said today everyone was eligible for bowl?
From whence does your information arrive from?
Lakedawg
December 17th, 2011
8:42 pm
Also Grad you seem to be missing a lot of latest news, Coach Richt is signing a 3 year extension with an increse in pay and coaches Grantham and Bobo are getting new contracts rewarding their good job this year.
And recruiting is really picking up steam with 4 O-linr committed and one more coming shortly. Things looking all Dawg next few years.
Lakedawg
December 17th, 2011
8:45 pm
Running back chart for bowl game, Malcome, Crowell, Harton as of today. Samuels and Thomas still not practicing.
extrapoint
December 18th, 2011
5:00 pm
While Coach Richt always talks about competition among the players, this doesn’t exist when it comes to the quarterback position. Short of Murray being layed out and taking off the field on a stretcher, Mason will not be given an opportunity to compete. It’s Coach Richt history of playing only one quarterback.
FLA DAWG
December 18th, 2011
9:36 pm
The Odds have The Dawgs by 1 point over MSU……………………………. I try never to buck the odds but my guess is this will be a ” U Picke “em” closer to Jan 2.
MSU has beaten Wisconsin and Michigan while my Dawgs have beaten………………….well, nobody..
MSU 17, UGA 10
Victor John Little John
December 22nd, 2011
6:02 am
Any truth that Isaiah Crowell flunked all exams making him academically ineligible for Outback Bowl
UGA Alumni Association
December 22nd, 2011
4:45 pm
If you are traveling to Tampa to watch the Outback Bowl game live, the UGA Alumni Association is hosting a Pre- Game tailgate for all bulldog fans. There will be an all-you-can eat buffet and unlimited premium drinks! Register at http://www.alumni.uga.edu/alumni/index.php/evites/outback_bowl_evite.