Notebook: Burnette ‘prepared’ for marriage, Dooley gushes over Georgia
By Ryan Black
Special to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
ATHENS – Chris Burnette was 99 percent sure his girlfriend would accept his marriage proposal on Sunday.
That wasn’t good enough for Georgia offensive line coach Will Friend. He needed 1 percent more certainty from his right guard.
“He was like, ‘Well, you better mark sure she is going to say yes before you invite all of these people,’” Burnette said.
Not to worry, though, as Arielle Haynes indeed said “yes” when Burnette popped the question. The proposal took place Sunday at Athens Church, where Burnette and Haynes are regular attendees. Luckily, the weekly Sunday service begins at noon, which meant many of Burnette’s Bulldog teammates who go to earlier services at other churches could make it.
News spread quickly, especially after video of the event was posted online. When asked what made him do a video, Burnette couldn’t explain it.
“I just knew that I wanted it to have something that was Christ-centered, because He has been at the center of our relationship from the get-go,” he said. “And I wanted to do something public, because that’s how she is. I knew she would appreciate it, so it only fit for me to do it at church.”
Burnette said there has been no firm date set for the wedding, but they are planning to have it sometime next summer. Six months into their relationship, Burnette knew he would eventually ask Haynes to be his wife. There was just one thing holding him up.
“I was just trying to save up money and be financially stable,” he said. “It really helped me mature a lot during that time.”
At 21, he is the younger partner in the relationship by three years. But with the advice he has received from his father, Haynes’ father and his pastor, Burnette feels he is ready to take on the challenges inherent to making a marriage work.
“They’ve all been saying that marriage is a sacrifice,” he said. “It’s not about you. I think that’s something I’m prepared for.”
Vols’ Dooley hopes for better showing in Athens
Tennessee coach Derek Dooley didn’t have to be asked for his thoughts about Georgia. Instead, he addressed it in his opening statement during his weekly media session on Monday.
“There’s no sense in me talking about how good they are,” he said. “They’re probably playing as good as I’ve seen them in a long time.”
Dooley went on to list the Bulldogs’ impressive stats on offense and defense, and the talent they have at myriad positions on the field before finally saying, “We’ve got our work cut out for us.”
“Hopefully we can take a lot of the lessons that we’ve learned in the first four games and try to go play in Athens and see how it turns out,” he said.
The Volunteers hope it will turn out better than it did last time they traveled to Athens. Two seasons ago, Georgia cruised to an easy 41-14 victory after jumping out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter. Dooley is confident his team has improved immensely since then, and won’t be intimidated by playing a true road game for the first time this season.
But to find a better result than 2010, the Volunteers will have to slow down the Southeastern Conference’s leading rusher, Bulldog true freshman Todd Gurley, who enters Saturday averaging 101.5 rushing yards per game.
“We’ve got to win the line of scrimmage first, have good scheme discipline and then bring a lot of hats to the football, because one guy ain’t gonna bring him down,” Dooley said.
Of course, Gurley isn’t Georgia’s sole threat. Dooley couldn’t say enough good things about the play of the Bulldogs’ junior signal-caller, Aaron Murray.
“He’s playing with a lot of confidence,” Dooley said. “He’s got a very strong arm, he’s got a lot of snaps under his belt. They don’t change a lot offensively in what they do. He’s had a lot of work at getting good at what they do and you can just see him triggering the ball a lot quicker than he ever has, he’s a lot more accurate than he has been, and that just comes with experience.”
As for his own quarterback, Dooley was pleased with the strides Tyler Bray has made the past two weeks. With his frustrations boiling over during the Volunteers’ loss to the Florida Gators two weeks ago, Dooley said he sat down with his starting quarterback on multiple occasions to explain how to better control his emotions.
“There were a lot of conversations about how you manage what goes wrong in a game, and how your body language and your thoughts and words can affect other people, especially guys on the team,” Dooley said. “He made some bad throws early [in last week's game against Akron], bad decisions early and he was frustrated wanting to get something to happen, but he really kept a nice calm about him. He worked his way through the game and he got better and better and better as the game went on. That was a good step for Tyler.”
Lee, O-line tough it out
The moment left guard Dallas Lee injured his ankle against Florida Atlantic two weeks ago, he made up his mind that he wasn’t going to miss playing against Vanderbilt.
Lee’s status heading into Saturday’s game was murky, though — at least to the public. He knew well ahead of time he would be in the starting lineup when the first-team offense took the field on its opening drive.
“Coach [Friend] told me on Thursday after practice,” he said. “My ankle held up good that day, so afterwards he let me know.”
Lee said it is normally up to players whether they feel healthy enough to go all-out in practice. Getting the starting nod is up to the coaches, though. And for an offensive line that has trotted out the same starting five every game this season, playing through minor injuries is just a way of life. No one is more aware of the line’s lack of depth than the players themselves, Lee explained.
“That’s definitely on everybody’s mind. We know who we have in the room,” he said. “As far as the starting five, it’s going to take something pretty serious for us to not play. We want to keep playing with each other and give us the best chance to win on Saturday.”
S. Carolina game set for 7 p.m. on ESPN
Georgia’s Oct. 6 football game at South Carolina will kick off at 7 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN, the SEC announced today.
Georgia is ranked No. 5 and South Carolina No. 6 in this week’s Associated Press media and USA Today coaches’ polls. Both teams are 4-0.
Injury update
Georgia’s injury report on Monday was a short one, listing only four players. One was defensive end Abry Jones, who was held out of practice due to an ankle sprain he suffered in Saturday’s win over Vanderbilt. Offensive lineman Watts Dantzler was battling an ankle sprain of his own, which precluded him from taking part in contact drills. The other two Bulldogs listed have had long stays on the injury report: offensive lineman Hunter Long (left foot fracture) and tight end Cole Trolinger (concussion).
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84 comments Add your comment
All schools recruit the same kids
September 25th, 2012
10:24 am
UGA has standards of conduct for their athletes, and we ENFORCE THEM. That is THE DIFFERENCE in UGA with most SEC schools, as well as many, many others, that look the other way. UGA does have standards of conduct and they enforce them.
We all recruit the same kids and we all have to deal with exactly the same issues. We might have one kid that is never in trouble and they might have one that is never in trouble. We ALL HAVE A FEW kid that cause issues. this is not news. Duh??
The kids today, from the poorest circumstances to the best of family circumstances can create issues. UGA at least is setting the standard and all over USA, schools are DUMPING chronic trouble makers. UT finally did it with a few and Auburn n did recently and of course, UGA has set that trend as THE NCAA standard of student/athlete conduct.
UGA haters on this blog? I suspect that 99% did not even sit in one college class room, so they hate and they were not GOOD ENOUGH to be offered a scholly.
Goooooooooooooooooooo Dogs.
Jefferson Davis Hogg
September 25th, 2012
11:00 am
Something about this game tells me it may be a lot closer than expected. UT has some good athletes and most notably a very good QB and great recievers. Its good to have the suspended players back but how well will they mesh with the chemistry we already have? I hope the players arent letting the high rankings and all the praise go to there heads. Anyone see the LSU vs Auburn game last wknd? Anything can happen any given Saturday. I do think the Dawgs will pull away and cover the spread but it might be at the end of the game before they do…Go Dawgs
fedup
September 25th, 2012
11:00 am
I know this is a cfb /Uga blog but I am trying to spread the word. ,e and my fantasy league guys and my boys that get together every weekend during football season have decided to strike against the NFL this weekend. Something has to be done to show the arrogant NFL fans will not stand for what is going on. Join us this weekend in a complete blackout of the NFL starting Thurs note. Mnf was the last straw.
Big Arnge
September 25th, 2012
11:02 am
The funniest post on here is the dog fan saying TN fans are the most arrogant & obnoxious anywhere. Now THAT’S funny coming from a dog fan.
bham dawg
September 25th, 2012
11:09 am
Big Arnge… can you imagine what our offense would look like with patterson? good think dooley pulled out the kitty.
Joey
September 25th, 2012
11:11 am
Good luck with that blackout, fedup.
Refs blow calls every game, every season.
Don’t let the national sports writers get you all bent out of shape with their crying.
Hackberry Holland
September 25th, 2012
11:19 am
Me thinks the Dawgs are looking too far down the road. They are right for an upset and smacdown from UT. CMR and crowd don’t have a very good track record in maintaining intensity week in and out during the season.
UGA Insider
September 25th, 2012
11:29 am
Don’t worry Dawg fans… I will probably give you my prediction/score tomorrow. I really have no idea at this point. Last week I knew the team was fired up and I knew Vandy couldn’t compete. Which is why I predicted 45-10.
This week will be closer but I’m not sure by how much. UGA is the 2nd best team in the country right now but we must continue to dominate or we will never catch FSU in the polls. I hope CMR undertands this and keeps the foot on the pedal.
There are only 3 teams that can even stay on the same field with UGA this season. They are Bama, FSU and Oregon. That’s it.
WDE
September 25th, 2012
11:38 am
@UGA Insider I hope your right but we are going to have to put W’s on UT,SC, UF and Auburn before I breathe a sigh of relief ….we still have a ton of football to play….UT first and then we can worry about SC etc etc…
Pitbull
September 25th, 2012
12:00 pm
I love the Georgia -Tennessee game when the UT fans show up in their ugly orange shirts from Sears.
Those hillbillys ought to just wear the prision jump suits they were issued the last time they were incarcerated.
t2go
September 25th, 2012
12:02 pm
I agree w Insider…dont think there are many teams that could hang with the Dawgs. What has been great to see is Georgia pulling away from these teams they have played this year. I remember in the past, often Ga. would go up early in a game and then, after that initial burst seem to let up. I do not think they consciously did this or necessarily went all conservative with the game plan like some people have said over the years….Im not sure what it was…over confidence, lack of conditioning? But whatever it was it does not seem to be the case this year. They have looked great in the 2nd halves…I love how they came out at Kick off vs. Vandy and jumped all over them…what was even better was at the start of the 3rd they just picked up where they left off!! Love it that 2nd and 3rd stringers are getting reps,,,these guys are building depth and momentum!
Joey
September 25th, 2012
12:03 pm
UGA Insider, you did indeed have last week’s game pegged.
We need another good showing for the pollsters, but I will be happy with a “W.”
It’s a long way away, but FSU ain’t gonna be ready for the D that UF will take to Tallahassee. Until then, they have smooth sailing – not even Va Tech will slow them down.
You and ARdawg are running neck and neck in the predictions category this season. I’ll look for both of your picks/scores – be sure and put it in a couple of places so I won’t miss it.
Go Dawgs!
Joey
September 25th, 2012
12:10 pm
“I remember in the past, often Ga. would go up early in a game and then, after that initial burst seem to let up”
***************************************
t2go, you’re right, but it happened about 5 or 6 games last season – and it was Richt taking the foot off the gas, not players “letting up” in my opion.
After seeing what is happening this season, I’m thinking Richt/Bobo didn’t trust Murray last year- he made a bunch of INTs as well as fumbles that gave opponents points directly and gave momentum away.
He is protecting the ball much, much better this season, and they are attacking on offense.
Like Grantham said, when asked why he still had some starters in the game in the 4th Q, “well Vandy still had their starters in the game…”
I love it.
MurfDawg
September 25th, 2012
12:20 pm
Thru the first two SEC games for UGA and USC, against common opponents:
Lattimore 44 carries 195 yds 4tds
Gurley 26 carries 195 yds 3 tds
Marshall 22 carries 114 yds 2 tds
GURSHALL 48 carries 309 yds 5 tds
Go Dawgs!!
7576DAWG
September 25th, 2012
12:35 pm
Jefferson Davis Hogg
This game will remind everybody of the Georgia – L.S.U. game last year except Tennessee won’t be lights out defensively for 30 minutes like Georgia was. The second half will kill Tennessee because of their lack of depth and Georgia will be playing their second team by the fourth quarter. Georgia wins 42 to 14. Tennessee may score late and get 17 points. Georgia’s offense is the best they have had in many years and I have faith that Murray’s performance in the Vanderbilt game is the new Murray and not a fluke.
7576DAWG
September 25th, 2012
12:35 pm
Jefferson Davis Hogg
This game will remind everybody of the Georgia – L.S.U. game last year except Tennessee won’t be lights out defensively for 30 minutes like Georgia was. The second half will kill Tennessee because of their lack of depth and Georgia will be playing their second team by the fourth quarter. Georgia wins 42 to 14. Tennessee may score late and get 17 points. Georgia’s offense is the best they have had in many years and I have faith that Murray’s performance in the Vanderbilt game is the new Murray and not a fluke.
dawgfacedboy
September 25th, 2012
12:50 pm
I’ll be in Talladega for the UGA/SC game. Anyone know of a radio station, maybe and ESPN affiliate that would carry the game?
Thanks!!
Laine
September 25th, 2012
12:58 pm
Anyone know how to keep raccoons from getting under house trailers? Sometimes when I move the anntena just right..I can pick up theBama game!
Dawg-Gawn
September 25th, 2012
1:45 pm
@MurfDawg:
Glad to see someone with a little imagination that has vision to see beyond the usual left brained-logic controlled world, where the right side of the brain (passion, creativity, love) is locked up in a prison camp of right and wrong, only engaged when the left brain says, hey we need to be upset here!
Herschel was/is (back then) magic on the football field. Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall look to be magic (now) on the football field. Therefore the combining of their sir names to Gurlshall is not to be meant as disrespect or to add pressure to any of these players, but simply meant to add admiration and love to UGA’s new freshman for a job well done!
You left brainers, learn to have fun, life is short enough without stressing about others who enjoy life to the fullest!
“Phi Beta Gata”
“Bobo’s Pistol is Legal”
“Our Team” “Our Time” “No Regrets”
“BELIEVE” in the “G”
kauai dawg
September 25th, 2012
1:59 pm
ONE game at a time. Can’t look ahead. The Vols are ALWAYS a good game and we have to show up for it. Needed to circle this stretch with vandy, tenn and sc for sure. All BIG games.
Steve
September 25th, 2012
2:04 pm
Vols could put a scare into the Dawgs this weekend.
UGA 31
UT 24
Hard Truth Soldier
September 25th, 2012
2:21 pm
Dooley welcome home, It’ll be Like Clarke Central Playing Cedar Shoals when you were a tight end. We never lost to them. Georgia will never loose to you, just like us we had bigger faster, and stronger Clydesdales. Georgia has the same, and you know they couldn’t stop our train.
replacement ref
September 25th, 2012
2:27 pm
Dawgs will go as far as Murry can take them.. I think UGA is a top 5 team and can compete with anyone in the county when Murry’s on his game. You just never know what your gonna get with him. Good luck Dawg fans. GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jefferson Davis Hogg
September 25th, 2012
2:51 pm
It’ll be a good week to get a gauge on our kick coverage with Patterson returning kicks. I still think UT has a clear advantage with Bray and their tall recievers. They are number one in the SEC in many offensive categories. Mitchell, Rambo and the boys best get ready for a track meet. Our front 7 has got to keep the pressure on Bray and put him on his back. This isn’t the same UT team we faced last year but the Dawgs aren’t either. It’s a one game season every weekend from here on out boys so stay focussed,.Go Dawgs
BILLY JACK
September 25th, 2012
3:36 pm
Great story for a great kid-also incredible student I believe he is a 4.0 student his entire time at Georgia.
ckgator
September 25th, 2012
4:26 pm
ANY pressure on Bray means he’ll soil his britches and throw a pick.
38-14, Georgia.
Dawgfan
September 25th, 2012
5:49 pm
Good write up here…I’m pumped!!!!
http://www.philsteele.com/Blogs/Individual_Team_blogs/Georgia_Blog.html
ARdawg
September 25th, 2012
6:00 pm
dawgfacedboy
You need some siriusXM
Bob
September 25th, 2012
6:01 pm
Hasn’t Hunter Long been hurt his entire career at UGA? Why doesn’t Richt just award a medical scholarship and be done with it.
Uga83
September 25th, 2012
8:51 pm
Don’t understand all the negative comments about UGA discipline and behavior, maybe it’s just MORONS who don’t understand that these are kids who are going to make stupid mistakes, like a lot of other kids who are in college, the only difference is that athletes are in the public eye, especially at a program like UGA. If the MORONS actually paid attention, athletes at other schools are often involved in as many, if not more, altercations. It’s all a matter of perceptions, if your local news covers UGA Football, it’s not often that you are going to hear about marijuana use at Oregon, Tyler Bray’s numerous youthful mistakes, etc.
heeldawg
September 26th, 2012
3:29 pm
@Laine:
Why is it that Bama fans seem compelled to perpetually denigrate everyone who isn’t Bama? If I were winning like you guys have been, I’d be gracious in victory and humble in the (rare) defeats. Instead, you run down Mark Richt as a “third rate” coach, describe Georgia’s players as “low class trash” and berate the Dawgs for having the schedule they have. Richt is hardly “third rate;” he’s averaged about10 wins a season in 12 years in the toughest football league in America and has won two SEC titles, appearing in the SECCG four times (hopefully five after this season). Georgia’s players are the same as Bama’s players–no better, no worse. All of the big SEC schools have recruited from the same pool of kids. And the schedule is what it is. In the SEC, you still have to show up every week (right, LSU?), and you cannot win the SEC title without defeating the best team from the other half of the conference.
I can’t figure it out. Maybe if I lived in Alabama I’d be able to comprehend the vast inferiority complex that must be driving your angst-filled post. But I don’t, and I can’t. One word of advice: ave your vitriol for you in-state rival. What goes around comes around–and yours is coming, sooner or later. Old lady Karma’s a bee-otch. Perhaps she’ll make an appearance in the Georgia Dome on December 1 just to remind you of that fact.
True ATL Fan
September 26th, 2012
3:37 pm
All that needs to be said is the Dawgs are 4-0, the Birds are 3-0, and the Braves clinched last night in walk-off fashion. For as much as we are dogged as fans in Atlanta, we should be EXTREMELY proud of our teams and make as much noise for them as possible, online and in real life. And to Dawgfan or whoever said their still worried and timid, get the puss out of your heart “We’ve been burned so many times before…” Go to the clinic then.
Georgia’s defense prepares to bring Alec Ogletree, Bacarri Rambo back into fold | UGA sports blog
September 26th, 2012
4:07 pm
[...] Notebook: OG Chris Burnette attracts attention with dramatic marriage proposal [...]
Chuck
September 27th, 2012
10:42 am
Laine, did you read the first item in the blog? Doesn’t sound like Chris Burnette is low-class trash to me. Hey, but all your time looking in the mirror may have made you an expert on low-class trash.