Monday's Meatloaf - I'll Take Dawgcrushes for Five Hundred Alex

Back in September I survived a monsoon and saw AJ Green strap the football team on his back in order to defeat the Sun Devils of Arizona State. The next day I made a comment somewhere along the lines of I heart AJ.

Mrs. Bernie giggled.

Well, if you haven't figured it out by now I also heart Ricky McPhee. McThree epitomizes everything that is right with college athletics. Grew up a short dribble from Athens, but his only scholarship offer was from Gardner-Webb. Transferred to UGA after two years at the small NC school to pursue a dream.

And at Georgia he found a home for his arching, long range bombs. Although he was used little to start the 08-09 season, he earned more minutes that January once his jumpshot became more reliable than Dennis Felton's resume'. So reliable in fact, he ran into Stegeman this season on scholarship again. He responded by helping smooth the transition from Felton to Fox for the program. He played more minutes than both Thompkins and Leslie. He hustled. He made clutch shots. He consistently found the right spot to be in at the right time.

My adoration grew with each seemingly impossible rebound.

Sure there are players in Georgia Hoops' future with more God-given skill, but we'll miss these seniors nonetheless. Albert Jackson once boxed out a tornado before cutting down the SEC Championship nets on the North Avenue hardwood. Tyler Whatley made one career start at Georgia, but has given the program his heart and soul for four years. McPhee never met a loose ball he didn't desperately want to dive for.

And I heart that.

Today's Ingredients 

• In evaluating the hoops season, wins vs losses may not be the best quantifiable measure. But improving on the average margin of defeat could be the most telling. In 2008-09...15 points per game. 2009-10...7.6. That, ladies and grunts is a number heading in the right direction.
• Hale recaps the season and the SEC Tourney after falling short to Vandy Friday night. 
• Sure there are reasons for hope in regards to the future of Georgia hoops, but like the rest of us... Daugman is disappointed. 
• Having trouble impersonating a bracketologist already? Jimmy Cracked CornDawg has ya covered on the dance floor. And I'd trust him over this guy...
• Back on the gridiron, Georgia's Pro Day is tomorrow. It may not have the hype and plethora of telephoto lenses that last year did, but it's intriguing nonetheless.
• Another ManDawgcrush....Rennie Curran agreed to do a diary of the NFL Combine for the Gwinnett Daily Post. Here's his first installment...and here's the second. And like any good dad, he ends it with a big hug from his daughter.
• Also, here's an interview with Jeff Owens and here's one with Geno Atkins. 
• Reshad Jones will be wined and dined tonight ($$) by the Dolphins. Miami's tackle football team is very interested in the former Dawg. It's believed that they'll address WR with their early pick at #12. But they also have the 43rd and the 73rd pick. Just hope Parcells doesn't keep him out too late.
• After a trade yesterday Knowshon may have a different QB next season.
• As the Pirate Turns.....Rex had a little bit different take on the Pirate Leach videos than I did. In related news, I've had my lawyers contact the Georgia legend and let him know that I'll see him in court!
• Meanwhile, the Senator keeps us up to date on the depositions.
• Lil' Derek Dooley is about two TEs short of his best laid plan.
• Joey...have you ever been in...a Turkish prison? RIP Peter Graves.
• Pulling a page from the And now for something completely different file - Raise your mouse if you too are sick of the five dollar footlong song. Jeez Loueez! The only thing worse than the jingle is the actual sandwiches.
• Exile has a sprint up on Torrin Lawrence who continues to blaze trails, one track at a time.
• And lastly some congratulations are in order....Coach Diaz picked up win number 500 yesterday as the mens' tennis team beat Vanderbilt 4-3 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.

Have you ever tried to explain the concept and practice of time change to a 8 year old? I felt like a HillBilly  yelling at his tv during Double Jeopardy. Raccoon gizzards...er...WHAT IS raccoon gizzards Alex. 

(insert Canadian condescending, know-it-all tone) Oh, I'm sorry....the 19th President of the US was Rutherford B. Hayes.

Every answer I offered her sounded completely unfounded and ludicrous before it even escaped my lips. And this girl unfortunately inherited has been blessed with her momma's inquisitive nature. Each answer to any question is thoroughly analyzed like a singular piece to a jigsaw puzzle. Microscopes are used along with 200 watt bulbs. If any incongruence is found the piece given right back to you.

I even tried the old distraction technique that worked like a charm until around her 3rd birthday. I desperately offered to discuss anything, regardless of the subject. What's your favorite song again honey? I offered. Exactly 6 seconds later - So Taylor Swift changes her clocks too? Why? Why do we all change our clocks and lose an hour?

So if you're dragging around this morning Reader, complaining about the fracking clock and wondering where that hour went...I'll tell you the same thing I offered Conner: Herschel Walker never complained or asked questions about time. He just ran over it like a freight train. So crank up the Montgomery Gentry and place that tenderly in between two slices of bread with a melted a piece of provolone for good measure. Call it lunch. Call it dinner. Just don't ask it any questions.

Cuz just like a '59 Cadillac...it's gone!

Bernie