Sports

Quotable Quotes

Coach Mark Fox-”I thought that was a really hard fought game tonight.  Coming in I felt like UAB might be the best team we have played all year.  They play extremely well together and we knew this would [be a] real test.  They are a team that is going to win 20+ games this season.  We knew they would make a second half run and they did just that.  I was pleased that our team was able to answer late and come out with the win”

Trey Thompkins, on debuting at home-”It was great. The intensity that the crowd brings helps us so much. Sometimes we need that sixth man to lean on and we could lean on them tonight.”

Jeremy Price, on his post play-”Once I saw my team was looking for me a lot, I just had to deliver. I did what I could in the post.”

Final Thoughts

Wow, what a game, what a win.  Players and coaches will never admit how “important” a game is, but us media people will.  This was an important game for Georgia.  And not only for an NCAA resume.  If they have any plans competing or winning in the SEC, you need to be prepared to grit victories out.  Even with an abysmal second half offensively, the Dawgs were still able to win out.  Admittedly, those aren’t the best wins, but you’ll take ‘em.

-Although Trey Thomkins went down pretty hard after the Robinson lay-up, he says he’ll be fine.  Just landed on his hip wrong.  Emphasis on hip.  Not ankle.  Sigh of relief.

-Thompkins, Price, and Robinson led the team in scoring with 20, 14, 13 points respectively.  Honestly, while Trey’s 20 were important, I think Price’s were equally, if not more impressive.  Cameron Moore is 6-10 and Jeremy Price is 6-8.  However Price was easily bodying Moore up and getting easy points in the paint, including those two free-throws at the end.  While obviously Thompkins, Robinson, and Leslie are vital parts of the offense, Price needs to contribute as well.  Especially on nights when the former guys are struggling (Leslie had 4 points).

-While Leslie was lackluster offensively, Coach Fox gave him a lot of credit on the defensive side and I would have to agree with him.  Leslie split time guarding Aaron Johnson with Robinson and both did a great job, limiting Johnson to 4-9 from the field and forcing 6 turnovers from the somebody who averaged 9 assists per game.  Johnson had 3 the entire game.

-After only going to the line once in the first half, they visted the charity stripe eight times in the second half, going 7-9 for the game.  While that’s not nearly enough times, credit the Dawgs for hitting their freebies.  Sort of.

-A big concern from here is obviously the Dawgs inability to play a complete game.  Georgia was outscored by UAB 32-23 in the second half and once again showed low effort coming out of half-time quickly losing a thirteen point lead to three.  Thompkins admitted he was a bit winded, and I’m sure the same can be said about the rest of the team.

Alright, I’m out guys.  See you next week when Georgia travels down to Atlanta to face Georgia Tech.

(more…)

My feelings can be summed up in 1:10 of this clip from Office Space.  Just substitute “idea” with “song”.

I’m not going to link you to this video because that would just help it spread.  One positive thing from this video?  We finally have an image of Mark Richt crossing his arms and mean muggin’.  Represent.

Sitting in the Sanford Stadium Media room after talking to Coach Richt, Aaron Murray, Justin Houston, and a slew of other Georgia players.  Obviously the biggest questions centered around the young Murray taking over at quarterback and new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham’s new 3-4 defense.  The decision to eliminate two-a-days almost entirely from pre-season practice is also a pretty big topic around the journalism water cooler.  I still have to go through my recorder, but here are a couple of quotes that stuck out from the interviews.  Practice is scheduled for 3:25 PM, but the word on the street is that it is pretty much a dog and pony show.  That’s good because I love ponies.

Mark Richt

On the alarmingly thin and young depth chart at quarterback:

“The quarterback room may be the youngest in the history of college football…Coach Bobo will really earn his pay.”

On the injury to inside-linebacker Akeem Dent, the “quarterback” of the defense:

“It definitely hurt us.” Richt still holds hope that Dent will be back in time for the September 4th opener against University of Louisiana-Lafayette.

On Logan Gray, who currently will not get snaps at quarterback during pre-season practice:

“We’re asking him to mentally prepare for us.”

On the importance of the running game with Washaun Ealey and Caleb King:

“I’d be very disappointed if we didn’t run the ball well…we have to run the ball well.”

On the comparison between former Georgia quarterback David Greene and Aaron Murray, made recently by offensive coordinator Mike Bobo:

“David was a tremendous student of the game…Aaron has a tremendous work ethic…you have to prepare your mind as well as your body to play quarterback.”

On the mobility of Murray, and whether or not Richt and company will ask him to use it:

“We don’t want him to prove his manhood as a runner.”

On his expectations for Murray:

“All he’s gotta do is do his job…you don’t have to be the hero on any down.”

On the record-setting hot summer and the possibilty of players getting injured.

“We just have to keep an eye on everybody.”

On how intriuged he is to the new defense Grantham has installed:

“We’re all intrigued.”

On the decision to eliminate (sort of, there will be a couple here and there) two-a-days from the pre-season practice schedule:

“Instead of breaking them down and building them back up, let’s just build them up from the get go.”

I gotta hand it to Richt, he’s honest.  I think a lot of coaches would look at a quarterback situation like this and try to sugar-coat it like it is not as bad as it seems.  But let’s face it, it’s bad.  Or at least has the potential to be.  You have Murray, who hasn’t taken one snap in a college football game then Hutson Mason, who hasn’t taken one snap in a college football practice.  Forgive me for not mentioning the two-walk ons, Parker Welch and Greg Blingham, but I think you get the point.

Richt understands that, even admitting that Mike Bobo will “earn” his pay this year.  Still, Richt is confident that the running-back tandem of King and Ealey, the veteran-filled offensive line, and weapons like AJ Green will make up for the inexperience at quarterback.

Richt is also pretty confident that nixing two-a-days will be a big help to both his offense and his defense.  Per NCAA rules, the one-a-day practices will also allow a walk-through every morning as well as a worthwhile weight-lifting session.  Before, Richt says, the two-a-days would tire players out and leave them fatigued.  Lifting sessions would happen, but they were short and lackluster.  While Richt insists that he’s not softening his approach, he also insists that two-a-days left his players worn out and that the new practice schedule should allow his players and opportunity to get stronger as well as be mentally prepared on both sides of the ball.

To be honest, I really like this approach.  In a year where you are installing a new defense as well as a new quarterback, important fundamental concepts could be as important as ever, so to keep the players fresh both physically and mentally may be the difference in those late-fourth quarter games where most players are worn out and going purely off adrenaline.

That’s it from me for a bit, getting ready to head over to the Butts-Mehere complex to take in the first practice of the year.  Player quotes and thoughts should be up later this evening.  Until then, follow me on Twitter for live updates.

Mark Richt has seen a double rainbow. It was awesome.

This upcoming Monday, UGA will be holding it’s 2010 Pre-Season Media Day at Sanford Stadium. James is currently out finding himself in the mountains, so I will be attending instead.

Don’t worry, even though this will be my first offical UGA media event, I’m not afraid to ask the tough questions like:

1. Team Edward or Team Jacob?

2. Have you seen a double rainbow? If yes, how did it make you feel?

3. Will Whitney Houston ever make a comeback?

Sure, I’ll throw a couple other questions in like:

1. Is Aaron Murray really ready to lead the Bulldog offense?

2. What can we expect from the new 3-4 defense?

3. Will an NCAA inquiry and other off-field incidents be a distraction for the upcoming season?

But, mind you, these are only possible questions. Don’t get your hopes up.

In all seriousness, it will be very interesting to hear what Mark Richt and the Bulldog players have to say about the quickly-approaching season.

Georgia will certainly be a dark horse for the SEC East this year, as long as they can get past Florida.  While expectations are not exceptionally high, there is a lot of potential and I think Coach Richt and his players understand that.

Here’s the schedule:

11:00 AM: Lunch

11:45 AM: Coach Richt will speak with media.

12:00 PM: Players available to media for questions.

3:25 PM: Open practice to media at Butts-Mehere complex.

WARNING: Here comes a shameless Twitter drop.

Follow me on Twitter for updates throughout the day and check back on the blog for a comprehensive overview of the day’s events.

Damon Evans

UPDATE: Word on the street is that all coaches and staff attended a meeting at the Butts-Mehere Heritage Hall at 1:20 PM in Evans’ office.  And it’s probably not for doughnuts in the conference room.

Also a little twist, there was an unnamed companion with Evans the night of the arrest.  No other details have been released.

UGA Atheltic Director Damon Evans was arrested for a DUI late last night in Atlanta.

A Georgia State Patrol officer pulled over Evans and noticed an odor of alcohol coming from Evans.  The officer administered field sobriety tests and decided that Evans would be unfit to drive.

He was charged with a DUI and failure to maintain lane.  Evans was pulled over in his 2009 BMW off of Roswell Road and Chastain Drive.

University spokeman Tom Jackson issued this statement through the AJC, “”We’re aware of the report, and I expect we’ll issue a statement later today.”

Evans has been the Atheletic Director since 2004, replacing Vince Dooley.

This mugshot is funny, but it’s probably not the real one because his eyes have to be open.  Hooray for the City of Atlanta Police Department.

While James and Kirk are watching almost every World Cup match and providing our dedicated blog readers with up to date recaps, predictions and podcasts, I did a little editorial on flopping and let you guys know when UGA got some football commitments.  But let’s be honest, recruiting doesn’t mean anything until you’ve signed the paper.  Just ask bead-wearing Da-Rick Rogers and his bro-lover Nash Nance.  I don’t sound bitter do I?

Anyway, I am here to share my two cents on the World Cup.  Funny thing is, it’s not even about the World Cup.  It’s all about the vuvuzelas.  Do you have what it takes to be a Vuvuzela Hero?  My highest score is 15, can you top that?

Big boy.

After Nick Marshall committed to the Bulldogs a couple of weeks ago, Mark Richt got even more good news on the recruiting front.

Dalton offensive lineman Watts Dantzler announced  yesterday that he will commit to the Bulldogs after narrowing down his selections to Georgia and Auburn.  Dantzler decided to make his announcement on Father’s Day in honor of his late father, Danny Dantzler, also an offensive lineman who lettered at Georgia from 1971-73.

The 6-7, 330 pound Dantzler is yet another in-state player to commit to the Bulldogs, staying with Richt’s plan of building a “Dream Team” of Georgia high-school recruits.  Check out the video of Dantzler at the bottom.

Jarvis Jones transferring to UGA

Jones, during his days at Carver-Columbus. Grantham is pumped.

USC freshman linebacker Jarvis Jones announced last week that he will transfer to Georgia.  While the recent fallout of USC sanctions may have been a big factor in Jones’ decision, a neck injury Jones sustained in a game against Oregon last season also might have played a part in Jones’ transfer.

After sitting out the rest of last season, Jones, a former Carver-Columbus, Ga. star, could not return to  spring practice because the USC doctors did not clear him to play.  Even after seeking second and third opinions and receiving positive feedback, team doctors still refused to clear Jones to practice.  Finally Jones asked for, and was granted, his release of scholarship.

Already medically cleared by UGA doctors, Jones will redshirt this season and have three years of eligibility starting in 2011.  The 6-3, 236 pound linebacker is a 2008 AJC Super 11 and former US Army All-American selection.  Video after the jump.

Here’s Dantzler. If you are having trouble finding him, he’s #73. Or, the behemoth clowning fools.

Here’s Jones.  He’s #10.

We’ve all seen it. We’ve all complained about it.  Almost even more than those damn vuvuzelas.

As the sport of soccer is the middle of it’s biggest stage, casual soccer fans (which pretty much covers all of America) are not talking about the athleticism or the passion of World Cup Soccer.  Instead, they’re talking about flopping, like in the video above.  As players fall over for the slightest contact, trying to draw a penalty or even a yellow card for aggressive play, they are slaughtered with insults from the “I know everything about the sport and I’ve only been watching it for ten minutes” viewer.

Insults like “wussy”, “crybaby” and various interpretations of the female genitalia are common.  These words are why the everyday bro is turning his back on the world’s biggest sport, as if soccer will fall apart if they don’t watch it.

Sorry to break it to you, but this happens in all sports.  Even the ones we cherish so much in America.  While it may not be flopping per se, or even to the degree that we see in the World Cup, professional athletes are professional athletes for a reason: they entertain us.  And every good entertainer has a little acting in their repertoire.

For example, look at our football.  Next time you see a cornerback or wide receiver drawing a pass interference call on a deep ball, watch their arms flailing all over like a wacky arm flailing inflatable tube man.  Or when there is some contact after the whistle and a lineman hits the floor after a wide-reciever bumps into him.  Referees make it rain all the time with flags that are an extension of a well-performed foul.

Next look at basketball, when Dwight Howard takes a charge.  From anybody.  This dude is a brick wall, but it’s a well accepted rule that whenever a player is busting his tail down the court like a bat of hell, somebody needs to put a body in front of him and flop.  Are we really expected to believe that Howard really can’t handle the impact of Nate Robinson?  No, but it’s in the rules and to be a good team, in any sport, you have to know the rules.

I’m not saying that flopping should just be accepted.  It bothers me too.  But for these self-proclaimed sports purists who claim that soccer “annoys” or “frustrates” them, they need to realize that drawing fouls is simply part of the game.  And why they may choose to protest games that feature athletes obviously taking advantage of contact, I have one thing to say.  Have fun watching golf for the rest of your life.

Wilcox, talented in football, basketball, and color coordination. Check the socks.

In what has been reported as Georgia football coach Mark Richt keeping up with his declaration to recruit a “Dream Team” of in-state players, Wilcox County quarterback Nick Marshall has committed to the Bulldogs.

Marshall, 6-2 and 190 pounds, chose Georgia over Georgia Tech, Alabama Florida State after reportedly being having a “silent commitment” to Tech.  What is even more interesting is the announcement that Marshall will play defensive back for the Bulldogs as well as walk on for the UGA basketball team.

After receiving Division 1 offers for both football and basketball, Marshall is considered the best athlete in the class of 2011.  He led Wilcox County football team to the Class A state championship last year, starting at both quarterback and defensive back.

While this is obviously a big land for Richt, the biggest beneficiary in Marshall’s commitment might be basketball coach Mark Fox.  In an article published by the AJC, Marshall’s high school basketball coach George Kennedy states that Marshall is “one of the best I’ve seen in high school basketball, and I’ve been around this business for 38 years…he just does some stuff that is God-given talent that you don’t see every day.”

Some of that God-given talent was seen in Marshall’s 52-point performance against Montgomery County in the first round of the Class A playoffs.  Marshall, a shooting guard, averaged 27.5 points last season, taking Wilcox to a semi-finals appearance.  After landing Marcus Thornton only a couple weeks ago, Marshall is yet another solid player Fox will have the opportunity to show off in Stegeman in the near future.

Here’s a video of Marshall returning an interception for 99-yards for Wilcox.