Feliz YdosKonce Muchachos!!

Wakey Wakey...eggs and rapies!

Again...BDB wishes you and yours a very 

Happy New Year!!

Hope you didn't see your life flush before

your eyes this morning...

Enjoy the Bowls!

244 days...*

...to fix this (crap). Enjoy the offseason circuit Coach.

*number of days may be off by a fifth of bourbon or two. Not to be held responsible for any math after the first quarter.


- Posted using BlogPress from Bernie's iPhone

2011 is right around the corner...

Just a quick note to tell you all to be safe and have a festive non-Seacrest New Year's Eve. If you're in Memphis, I especially hope your last day of 2010 is enjoyable.

Doing some family/friend stuff, so I'll be offline for the rest of the weekend. Plus I have about 156 miles to run today if I'm to make that resolution from a year ago stick.

If tomorrow's bowls allow, I may have some Liberty thoughts Sunday. Darren has a Happy New Year post in the can for tomorrow. Let's hope you're not one of the ones pictured.

2010 has been quite a year, I'm thrilled you've chosen to spend part of it here. I had hoped to get to 1000 total posts before the big peach dropped tonight, but that will have to wait until next month I guess.

Hell, even Herschel took a rest every now and then. Again, be safe.

And Go Dawgs!!

Liberty Bowl Preview

This shouldn't be close. In fact, let's just get this out of the way. The offense will score a lot of points. There's no real reason they shouldn't. Couple the fact that we have a good quarterback that makes dependable decisions and an all world receiver likely playing his final game in silver britches...with the fact that the offensive line, running game and offensive coordinator have heard nothing but criticism the last month...and I highly doubt Drew Butler gets too much work except as a holder.

I can has 3rd down stoppage!!

Would I love to see Ealey get about 30+ carries for around 150? Sure. Will he...I doubt it. Cuz that's more potential plays to AJ, Durham, Orson, Tavarres...White. We should just run the ball on 2nd and 4s or the occasional 4th and inches just across midfield.


So I think we put up points a plenty. Whether it becomes a shoot out or a blowout depends on the defense. And they could have just as big of a game. Assuming  Grantham does a better job with a month to prepare than he did with an extra week.


I watched the CUSA Championship game, just as I said I would. But I'll be honest that I didn't do it in one sitting. I took it in bits and pieces as I had time here and there. So my analysis may not be as sharp as it should. But you probably already know that they are a decent running team...but also one who hasn't seen the caliber of athletes that we have. In fact, their strength of schedule doesn't get any stronger than NC State or Kansas State.


I was a little surprised at the UCF stats as a team, since they've really been billed (from that I've read and heard) as a really good rushing team. Maybe they've had some injuries, but no one RB has stepped up for the entire season. Ronnie Weaver (#35) has the most yards on the season, but against SMU it was Latavius Murray who carried the load. And he runs fast downhill. Very fast.

George showed me his resumé. I wasn't impressed.

Maybe I'm crazy, but I'm more concerned with Murray (#28) than I am their dual threat QB, Jeff Godfrey (#13). Godfrey's not going to kill you through the air (assuming they don't run a plethora of wheel routes). We can contain him. I hope we can plug the holes in the line of scrimmage to force Murray and Weaver towards the sidelines.


If that happens consistently early, our offense should build enough of a lead to force the Black Knights to pass frequently. A one dimensional team from central Florida isn't one who is going to win their first bowl game.


Then UCF can go back to being best known for a playmate video shoot...and a coach with a tarnished resumé.


Go Dawgs!

Locker Notes - Black Knights

It's the last Locker Notes of the 2010 season. Circumstances make it bitterweet. But necessary nonetheless. Let’s get to it.

• Aaron Murray - What could you possibly have in store during this amazing season? Can't wait to find out.
• Justin Houston – If that interception against NATS stands to be your final play at Sanford, wonder what your very last play as a Dawg will be?
• Christian Robinson - Godfrey would look good with some turf hanging from his face mask. Just a suggestion.
• Chad Gloer - You've proven worthy of the scholarship awarded earlier this year. Have some fun out there.
• Kris Durham - Can't recall enjoying a player's senior season any more than I have yours. And something tells me they're overlooking your ability. GATA!
• Coach Grantham - Hope you can put another blemish on O'Leary's resumé.
• AJ Green – I can’t think of what my favorite highlight of #8 is. But I am sure you will add a couple more tomorrow.

I know it's been awhile. But you know what to do. Here's your sharpie.

Aaron Murray's tape measure

From question mark to record breaker, Aaron Murray has transformed before our eyes. In fact, he really didn't waste much time shedding the question mark tag. With two TD passes tomorrow he can surpass Stafford's season mark and with just 1 TD (by land or by air) he can take Shockley's TD mark set back in 2005.


And he continues to impress in front of the cued mics as eagerly as he does on the field. Case in point:

“I’ve never been into individual numbers or records,” Murray said. “The thing that will stick with me about this season is that we didn’t win enough games. I came here to win championships. That’s how you’re measured.” 

You can say what you want about this team and its record in 2010. You can feel good or not about the fact that Coach Richt is the coach. But you gotta love the fact that our QB isn't interested in measuring himself with rulers or yardsticks.

Nick Williams to transfer

UGA confirmed late yesterday what had been rumored on message boards, Georgia safety inside LB Nick Williams has been granted permission to transfer to another school. Since he didn't redshirt, he can go to an FBS school with a year of eligibility remaining.

Williams had grown openly frustrated with repeated position moves this season as well as a hamstring pull. Grantham seemed to favor Ogletree at safety, which prompted the move to inside linebacker. For a player who's seen Kiante Tripp move more than a pack of gypsies, hard to blame Williams for his decision. Even though he eventually came around to the switch to ILB, he evidently doesn't feel like his future is there...or in Athens.

I had the privilege of meeting several players at Countdown to Kickoff back in August. None impressed me more than Nick Williams. I wish him well...and hope we don't have to face him.

NCAA types up some comedy

It's not what we believe folks, it's what they wish we would.

Several media and others recently concluded that very different situations involving student-athlete eligibility should be considered independent of their unique circumstances or interpreted with a "one size fits all" approach.

In particular, they are comparing recent decisions involving The Ohio State University and Auburn University (and others). Some have even suggested the NCAA plays favorites in these types of situations based in part or in whole on financial considerations.

Nothing could be farther from the truth.

You can click here for the rest of their crap. I'm too pissed that they actually described AJ Green as (and others). 


Bastards.

Keep your hands off my stack

...heartfelt Buckeye apologies.. *sniff, sniff*


Being on vacation this week has allowed me to watch some daytime television...in between naps. Yesterday I caught some press coverage of a couple Buckeyes speaking from their heart. Which I can only presume is located on their biceps with the words Overrated Sweater Vest.

Don't look at my pointed finger....it's
the other one. You see it?

The first time I saw this production (which you can subject yourself to by clicking here) I quickly turned the channel, disgusted by the display. The second time though I found myself laughing. Hysterically. I mean, sure these guys are sorry. They're going to have to sit in a corner the entire off season and stew over this mess. 

And I mean it!

Then, last night it was Mark May's turn to entertain me. Thoroughly enjoyed watching him implore Tressel to suspend these OSU players for the bowl game in spite of the NCAA. As if this hadn't all already been decided. He was especially concerned that they would navigate their way around any punishment at all by leaving Columbus for a second day selection in April.


You're cute Mark, the way you beat that desk in Bristol with your fist to make a point. But you're daft man. Your microphone is no match for the money of college football. But perhaps you can't see that due to your partner's spittle dripping from those designer glasses.


The bottomline is that these kids aren't sorry for what they did. They're sorry they have to pretend to be when all they did is get a fraction of what they feel they are due. And if...IF...there's anyone at the NCAA or Big Ten brass who's embarrassed by how this has played out...that will quickly dissolve when Terrelle Pryor gets introduced down in New Orleans.


Like Pink Floyd warned us...

Money, it's a hit 

Don't give me that 

Do goody good bull$hit 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

BTW...what's more sad...that Mark May is trying so hard to be a voice of reason...or that I actually typed the words thoroughly enjoyed watching Mark May?

I'll see y'all...

Trinton Sturdivant spoke to the media yesterday. I'm not really sure what to make of that, given that he's been off limits for so long. After reading his comments and answers to questions (which naturally centered mostly around his knee injuries and draft stock analysis) I'm not sure what to make of his eligibility either.

–On what he wants to hear from NFL? “I would love to hear first round,” he said laughing. “You just don’t know. You’ve got to play it out and wait to see what happens.”

–On risk of injury factoring into decision. “At the beginning of the year, it was a very, very important point, but now it’s like I’m just playing football. It ain’t happened to me yet so I don’t anticipate it happening at all.”

The truth is that Trinton should be as easy to gauge as AJ Green. AJ has nothing more to prove at this level, he's freakishly gifted and ready for the grind of the professional coverages. Trinton is freakishly gifted as well. He's 6'5" and 320 lbs. He can protect his QBs blind side like few other LTs to grace the Sanford sod.


But successive knee surgeries in the 2008 and 2009 seasons leave a big question mark. If a team is going to trust a guy to protect their million dollar arm, they wanna know he's physically ready. And since Sturdivant hasn't quite returned to his 2007 form, another year would seem to be needed. Gain some trust and confidence.


However, here's a guy who's missed two seasons after a stellar freshman year that seemed to solidify him as a future NFL Hall of Famer. If the analysis is good, why risk it?


At the end of the session, Trinton simply said I'll see y'all. Will we be seeing him in his last game as a Dawg Friday afternoon?

Dawgs versus Buckeyes

 Per Weiszer, we're close to the deal...but the game's a ways off.

It's assumed that the NCAA will not allow Terrelle Pryor to play in this game. But who knows.

Diamonds in the Rough

Recruiting has to be luck at times. But how much?


David Pollack could've been a bust just as easily as a legend? At least according to his three stars. Right?


So what does it take to get a couple of diamonds like this guy?

“Evaluations are when these guys are 16, 17 years old,” Richt said. “And then, all of sudden, at 19, he’s a different man. Most guys, you’ve got a pretty good feel for what you’re getting, as far as a body type and growth. Some of these guys just don’t stop growing or hit another spurt until they’re 19 or 20.”

Given the number of prospects in the state each year, Richt didn’t recall Miller at first. But No. 49 stood out immediately when he began scouting UCF.

Bruce Miller grew up a Dawg, but unfortunately...rather inconspicuously.

“Growing up watching UGA, David Pollack was my favorite player to watch,” Miller said. “I don’t know if I quite compare to him. He was a great football player. But that’s a great compliment to hear from Coach Richt.”

Sometimes it takes a little luck to get an impact player. Coach Richt could use a little in early February.

Bobo's Wife goes shotgun on 3rd and 8

Will black coffee be the answer to Coach Bobo having that killer instinct with the play calls?

Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo walked onto the field sipping a steaming cup of black coffee.

“My wife was calling me a wimp, because she drinks black coffee,” Bobo said with a grin. “So I actually weaned myself off it. Now I’m black coffee. It keeps my figure.”

Or maybe Aaron Murray convinced him to go sans creamer. 

Monday's Meatloaf - some movie fruitcake

Yesterday the girls braved the icy grip that was NE Georgia to go shopping, so I was left alone. And since the NFL offerings were as thin as the turkey carcass in the trashcan, I decided to watch a movie. I grabbed a hunk of fruitcake, a favorable beverage and Clark Griswold's station wagon was the first thing to jump out of the Netflix queue.

FrahGeeLay! Must
be Italian.

Which got me thinking, what're my favorite Holiday movies? Google provided this list, which I quickly rearranged into this top three: A Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation and A Charlie Brown Christmas. Others receiving votes: The Polar Express and Elf.


Many will find the absence of classics like Miracle on 34th Street and It's a Wonderful Life appalling. But I'm just drawn to comedy. And for the fruit in my cake you just can't beat Ralphie in a rabbit suit...or the soft glow of electric sex, gleaming in the window.


And as far as that Frank Wilkins list linked above, I don't mind him intermixing some films that aren't about the Holidays but have them as a backdrop to the plot. But if you're going to include King Kong, how can you not do the same for John McClane's epic struggle against Hans Gruber in Die Hard?


Perhaps I'm overthinking things. But that's what we get when the wife leaves me Home Alone with Google and Netflix.

Today's Ingredients

• Weiszer confirms that Caleb King, along with AJ Harmon and Derek Owens will miss the Liberty Bowl game due to academic reasons.
• Gentry Estes fourth installment of his 2011 player preview was a bit of a surprise; some high praise for Michael Bennett. In related linkage, Weiszer also runs down the 2010 class' impact.
• Big Muddy is ready to welcome the Dawgs in Memphis. But also isn't above taking a shot at the engiNerds.
• T Kyle has a thorough walk through of the Liberty Bowl, and predicts a pretty close game.
• Speaking of bowls, for those of you participating in the Festivus Bowl Mania...the feats of strength is about to begin. Kruger...pass the flask.
• Groo constructs his own Dawgs of the Decade, and finds a talent rich pool to choose from.
• Nice throw yesterday by MoMass in Cleveland's loss to the Ravens.
• After already losing four players to academics for tonight's bowl game against Air Force, Tech will be without a few more who missed curfew.
• Could the Dread Pirate Leach end up just dusting his spurs...in Stillwater? What a let down that would be.
• Does Muschomp have his new DC in transit? If so, will James Willis bring his 116th ranked swerve with him?
• A guy named Tab really turned the Buckeyes' Christmas sideways Saturday with this <quote> article <unquote>.
• Mike Singletary was fired by the 49ers. I guess he really never was wearing the pants. 
• And lastly, if you're on the Twitter you can now follow Darren the Intern. And once Willard returns from his annual Tijuana Christmas Vacation...well, we'll see.

Feliz Navidad. Pase el PBR.

Maybe you're thinking a movie like A Christmas Story or Christmas Vacation isn't pious enough, or has too much color. I guess you're right in some way. But that doesn't mean they don't have a message fitting for the season. 

Christmas Wish List: a pool of egg nog

I mean, who hasn't had a Christmas wrought with work-related tension that is compounded by family dishevelment, eventually ending in an all out rant:

Hey! If any of you are looking for any last-minute gift ideas for me, I have one. I'd like Frank Shirley, my boss, right here tonight. I want him brought from his happy holiday slumber over there on Melody Lane with all the other rich people and I want him brought right here...with a big ribbon on his head. And I want to look him straight in the eye and I want to tell him what a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, four-flushing, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood- (kicks box) sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, d**kless, hopeless, heartless, fat-ass, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed sack of monkey s**t he is! 

Hallelujah! Holy s**t! Where's the Tylenol? 

In the end, we've all had a Christmas where we shot our eye out. And we all have a little Griswold in us. Here's your fork Reader. And the Tylenol's extra-strength.

Bernie