Lakatos is Turning Over Secondary

Found this old piece by Fletcher Page at DawgPost from back in the spring. It got me all (re)geek'd up about our hire from UConn. Coach Lakatos has brought his in your face style to Athens and the kids are diggin' it. There's no need to reflect on how abysmal last season was in terms of the gives and the takes. If early indications are on target, this season will be a stark contrast to what once was.

But don't take my word for it.

I love how he coaches me. It’s different from last year. He’s more hands-on. When he gets on you, he gets on you in a respectful manner. He’ll coach you hard, but he’s just about football. It’s noticeable. - Nick Williams

It’s more ball. Coach Martinez wanted you to play the man, the hand and basket. He teached that in certain techniques, but coach Lakatos, he wants the ball. Yeah, he wants the ball. - Vance Cuff

My preference is to press. I like being physical and getting up on the line, so I really like it. I think the more we play it, I think everybody enjoys it, and we’re learning the techniques, and the things to get up in the receivers. It’s fun to knock them off their timing and to frustrate them. - Brandon Boykin

Basically, jamming, that’s what most corners really don’t know how to do real good. - Branden Smith

That's a pretty good sampling and the message is clear. They're happy with the new philosophy.

Trivial Update - Picking Flowers Winners in Starkville

#ThursdaysRTrivial episode 55 coming up after this PSA: Some people blaze trails, some pick flowers. Thanks to Johnny Cash you can do both now in Starkville MS.

#ThursdaysRTrivial episode 55 "From FABULOUS to ACTUAL" Have a seat everyone, it's time for the weekly twitter twivia show that's an arrested development, not an arrested country singer. REPLY back your answer for a chance at an ACTUAL prize. The Dawgs play the dogs in Starkville on Sept 25th. It'll be a homecoming of sorts for OL Josh Davis of Tylertown High School. What other Tylertown HS product will play in the game?

I wish I could remember where I saw the comment. It may have been on Twitter, but I think it was on a message board. But the guy said how the Dawgs' away uniforms were his favorite, that there was something special about  seeing them in the opponents' stadium.

I couldn't agree more. No, there's no place like Sanford. And I'd rather be there on a Fall Saturday than anywhere else. But experiencing the sights and sounds of Glory, Glory away from home is simply awesome. But it must be tenfold for the Dawgs who are suddenly much closer to home, friends and loved ones. I hope Josh Davis makes a stack of pancakes in Starkville.

I intended to have a BIG announcement prior to this episode. And just as I was preparing for it, news broke about McGarity...then Branden...then Banks. So suddenly my BIG news was noticeably SMALL. But the show had to go on.

And going from 54 episodes of plain old fabulous prizes to an actual prize really brought out the trash talk. The tension was palpable, and the results produced another photo finish.

So...Scott gets TrTs first actual prize! (confetti...Price is Right babes...catchy music...you know, the works) Shan gets more cowbell...what else? Mike gets an Alex Trebek bobblehead doll. Many thanks to Mary of ecollegefinder for the sponsorship. You can dress like Scott too if you'd like, just visit MitchellandNess.com.


And if you'd like to sponsor an episode of ThursdaysRTrivial, just hit me up.  

Extra! Extra! Extra! McGarity, Banks and Branden!!!

Suddenly the Dawgwebs are blazing.

• First, it appears Greg McGarity has landed back in Athens. I'm personally thrilled at this news. He was the best candidate in my mind and puts a nice ending to the Damon Evans debacle.
• Second, Branden Smith will rejoin the team with academic blessings tomorrow. He tweeted a short while ago that he was headed back to Athens and had Georgia on his mind. But it was difficult to put too much stock in those words after watching his status updates the last couple days. Simply put, he's a difference maker and he'll be wearing the G baby!!
• Lastly, sad news that Quintin Banks will be retiring from football. He's never overcome his knee problems, but I think I can speak for all of us in the Dawg Nation when I say that we were all really, really pulling for him to make a comeback this fall. Luckily, he'll still be on the sidelines as a student assistant.

So...welcome Greg. Welcome back Branden. And you're a DamnGoodDawg Quintin.

Thursday Headers - Tackled to the Ground

Stir these into your coffee...or Red Bull...or beer. However you roll.

• Carvell writes that Coach Fox has offered Miller Grove's Brandon Morris, a 6-7 small forward who's skills set is off the charts. Morris also has current offers from Clemson, Auburn, Georgia State and Nevada.
• Clarkson brings us up to speed with Bacarri Rambo...or at least as close to we can get to Rambo speed.
• PWD gives us a look at the new video that will charge up the crowd going into the 4th quarter. I give the highlights an A...the music...no thanks.
• Weiszer finds Grantham relatively unbothered by the injury situation at ILB.
• Paschall looks at what life is going to be like on the road. I had forgotten that Josh Davis was from Mississippi.
• Emerson runs down the competition for starting jobs at DawgPost. 
• Exile has some scrimmage thoughts.
• And my favorite morning read...Who taught you guys how to tackle the last five years? Coach Warren Belin ladies and gentleDawgs.

AJ Brings Enough Spotlight to Share

I was halfway towards writing a post about Smart Football's "6-3 deep post" yesterday when I realized it had already been done...and better. Reminded me that the first rule of Georgia football blogging is to always check with the Senator first.

But I will add that the weapons that Coach Bobo (and more directly Aaron Murray) has at his disposal is exciting. AJ Green lining up wide on Orson Charles' side and letting them work their magic on the opposing safety will produce results. The same goes for Aron White when he's on the field. Figgins too. And Lynch had a TD in yesterday's scrimmage on top of a good spring. 

Of course, Charles creates the matchups that make readers of Chris' piece on the 6-3 post drool. But the point is that AJ is the type of athlete that makes the entire team better. (I almost typed offense in place of team, but remember AJs favorite all time play is on special teams when he blocked that Sun Devils' kick) He's just that type of player who's gonna make it easier on whatever 10 other players are on the field.

Most notably, the quarterback.

"When in doubt, throw it to No. 8," coach Mark Richt said.

Tidying up the Laundry

Amusing post by Year2 that explains a couple of the penalties that make keeping your cool as a college football fan very difficult. And a good read for the fan that has found himself (or herself) in the position of having to explain just what the hell happened.

Your offensive coordinator likes to get cutesy sometimes. Why put one guy in motion when you can can do two? Your team lines up in a power rushing package, but shortly before the snap, the tight end and fullback switch from the right side of the center to the left. A quick snap ensues, followed by a nice seven yard gain. Whoops, it's yellow hanky time.

It's easy to laugh about it in August. So go ahead and get it out of the way. Let's hope the laundry's not an issue against the chicken ranchers.

Sidenote - Julio Green....a true enigma constructed of all world talent and over-hyped potential. #AJ4Heisman #JulioSmulio

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Monday's Meatloaf - Not Just a Chance

Yesterday was Chance Veazey's birthday. I mention that because I've been thinking about him a lot this last week. Most of you will undoubtedly remember that nearly a year ago Chance was in an accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down.

As a kid my dad had a friend named Danny. One day Danny dove into the local swimming hole (this was back before there were 3.2 pools every 5 square miles and if you wanted to cool off on a summer's day you found the nearest stream or pond). When all the water and the consequences settled, Danny was completely paralyzed.

As a kid my dad would take me back to his hometown in Blackville, SC a couple times a year. We'd take our sticks and he'd teach me about the game and life in general as we walked the 9 hole course twice. And afterwards we'd always stop by Danny's house to see how he was doing, visit a bit. His nurse would bring me something cold to drink and I would listen to my dad and his friend swap stories. Danny would catch dad up on their other friends from nearby and Dad would catch him up on what we were up to in Athens.

I'd met people with handicaps before. But meeting Danny for the first time was both terrifying and awe-inspiring. I was terrified that this could happen to someone; I was awestruck by how much my dad's friend was able to do without his body to help. Driving away my dad told me Danny's doctors never expected him to live much past his 25th birthday. This was back in the early 80s. Danny passed away last week.

Instead of giving in to a freak accident and accepting his doctors' prognosis, Danny had outlived most of them. That's why I'll never pity someone like Chance Veazey. I'll just stand back and ready myself to be inspired by them. I'll keep plodding along and one day be reminded that I take way too much for granted.

And I'll always have my dad's friend first and foremost to thank for that. RIP Danny.

Today's Ingredients

• Nyla Imani Miller was born yesterday. So now Prince has a little princess.
• Dexter Morant had a change of heart and is now getting acclimated, again. If Grantham and the seniors welcomed him back, I'll stand in line to do the same.
• Mike is counting down the four long weeks.
• Garbin however is counting the odds in Georgia's favor.
• Speaking of odds, The Senator reminds us of a Dawg who has had some pretty crappy luck.
• It's all about getting better and putting more tools in my tool box. AJ Green, ladies and gents.
• Why are fans the only ones that can see the senseless damage that preseason polls inflict?  Exile doesn't have his blinders on.
• Meanwhile GhostofErkRussell reminds me of how sad it will be again to not have Munson in my ears helping me get the picture.
• Weiszer details why Coach Garner has survived 13 years and six DCs.
• Carver DT Gabe Wright lives by the same motto as the plainsmen.
• The Big Ten (the old one) is taking their slow methodical tackle football game indoors. Fans prepare to piss and moan.
• Up on Rocky Flop....when it rains, the single wide's roof starts to leak.
• And, is the pressure already mounting on Chris Peterson's Broncos? I was really looking forward to some WAC tweets...

As the owner of this prestigious blogspot, I often climb up on my high horse and tell people they just need to take a long look in the mirror. It's just my way of saying they let things get out of perspective and the sonsabitches need to resize their britches. And a little self-actualization can go a long ways these days in Gayturdsville. So let me grab the reigns on this one and see what I can do.

First, Emmit Smith...you're upset that the ol' Ball Coach didn't invite you to sit on his lap back in 1989 (lemme emphasize that again NINETEEN EIGHTY-NINE!!!) and beg you to stay and play tackle football in the swamp another year, all while spoon feeding you bubblegum ice cream. You've let it grow into a hatred for all things gaytor by refusing an invite when FU had the audacity to put you into their Ring of disHonor.

Second, actual Gayturds...you're upset that Smith didn't do the Tebow Chomp at the Hall of Fame podium in Canton. You're feeling like that rejected 15 year old all over again who's stuck at home with six pairs of old jeans that are 3 sizes too small and a pair of scissors. You're wishing you could go and dance with Ms. Shy and Shameful Andrews herself. Yet there you are...playing pin the mullet on the redneck at your own pity party.

Third, Emmitt gives a Tweetapology. It was as empty as the space between Erin's ears. Wow, all of yous...self-loathe much? Then again, what do we expect from Mr. Smith and the Swamp Things?

Here's your fork Reader. Have some lunch and then go do the world a favor and smack a gator in the mouth.

Bernie

GATA Tra Battle

I'm not sure there's ever been a smaller player to play so big. And back in 2006 when the Dawgs hit the Plains as big underdogs, Tra Battle had more "receptions" than any Abuurn receiver and practically beat the WarTigers singlehandedly.

h/t uboatcommander

Battle went undrafted in 2007, but has served on a few NFL teams since. After being cut in September 2009 from the Cleveland Browns' practice squad, he joined the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League.

But one thing's for sure, the diminutive Dawg safety is still showing up in Brandon Cox nightmares. He may not have had the physical gifts that Thomas Davis or Greg Blue had. But he had heart...and his blood ran red and black.

GATA Tra Battle!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]