Dear Senator, thanks and rest in peace

It was Saturday morning before I realized Senator Blutarsky had passed away. In the weeks since he wrote about being sick, like many of you I'm sure, I've been checking Get The Picture for more than updates on college football's comings and goings.

When I joined the Dawg Blog roll in 2008 there was Paul Westerdawg's crew at Georgia Sports Blog, there was Dawg Sports, Groo's DawgsOnline, David Hale's Bulldog Blog, The Grits Tree, Bubba 'n Earl, Bulldawg In Exile, a kid named Mackie over at Blogging Pantsless.

And fittingly, it was Mackie who messaged me Saturday morning to check if I'd heard. I quickly clicked my GTP bookmark and there were the words on my phone. The good Senator had passed away Thursday.

Over the weekend I started this post a few times. I didn't know Michael personally (although I'm still honored he graced my comment section that time Coach Richt admitted he didn't read Blutarsky's blog either), but wanted to share some thoughts of appreciation.  Others have offered their words as consolation and remembrance. Weiszer had interviewed him before, and Tony knew him professionally as well as from UGA fandom. 

Senator Blutarsky's iconic Get the Picture banner

More broadly, his daily readers have long ago formed a community, one that gathered daily to not only discuss college football but also read Brochstein's words, his explanations, his passion. When I needed to better understand the comings and goings of the latest NCAA development, I didn't got to ESPN or Sports Illustrated. I went to Get The Picture. Blutarsky was genuine, loyal, intelligent, passionate. He was prolific! Who else could nudge the ball rolling and see it form out as The Montana Project? He created a reasonable and accurate poll in The Mumme Poll. He put together a lexicon of common terms we use around Georgia football.

Anytime I got a link from his illustrious space to my little corner spot here, I was proud to have earned the Senator's attention. Going forward, I'll miss his words, guidance, explanations, Musical Palate, humor, Monday morning viewpoints...

For years, there's been such comfort in having Michael's experience blended with his history and knowledge of Georgia football. He made the blogosphere a much better place. And for that I am deeply grateful.

The best to ever wear the Collar!

 RIP Que! #DamnGreatDawg

A 2x National Champion
A 2x SEC Champion
A 2x Peach Bowl Champion
A Sugar Bowl Champion
A Rose Bowl Champion
An Orange Bowl Champion

Forever and always, a #DGD.

RIP UGA X 🐶#GoDawgs https://t.co/QJmwx4pDYG pic.twitter.com/nTLFttlznp

— Classic City Collective (@ClassicCityCLTV) January 23, 2024

An appreciative nod to The GOAT

Giddy. Wordless. Surprise. Bewilderment. 

Awestruck.

Yes, I think awestruck is the best way to describe how I felt when the news dropped. Like yours I'm sure, my phone began to buzz incessantly. I tried to keep up with the scrolls of message boards and twitter, and easily resisted logging onto FB where I was sure to find...

Calm down errybody! Already read on FB that Kirby has turned down the falcons to accept job in tuscaloosa 😂😂

— Chris Burnette 🏆🏆 (@BernieDawg) January 10, 2024

Two other thoughts. First, what an amazing career for Coach Saban. He set the standard in the 2010's, one that we strived for even as we rebuked it. Remember "The Georgia Way"? Kirby Smart may very well still be our head coach without Nicholas Lou Saban Jr., but would he be the coach he is today without him? Would he be able to manage his roster with such savvy?

Would two years ago last night have been as sweet? No. So a humble hat tip to the man that set the standard that only our coach could surpass.

Second, now this is the kind of coaching search that should be televised 24/7 until Dan Mullen calls Tuscaloosa home! 😜

Onto Bobo Year 2

 Emerson had me with this:

By the points-per-game metric, Mike Bobo-coordinated offenses now account for two of the three highest-scoring teams in school history. Anybody still criticizing Bobo’s credentials or capabilities is not to be taken seriously on the subject anymore. (LINK $)

In an article that is both a fair and honest assessment of Coach Bobo's first year of his second stint as Georgia's offensive coordinator, as well as thorough look at the depth chart he should have returning for year two, it's hard not to be really excited about the future.

While much of the 2023 offensive production has left Athens in favor of the NFL Draft or the transfer portal, the depth and talent at the RB and WR positions is impressive. Of course, more changes are practically imminent, especially after Spring practices. But Kirby and Co. continue to manage the roster more than effectively.

One of the moves Seth points out that I am also keeping an eye on is Xavier Truss. Searels is the OL's third coach in five seasons, yet we've continued to trot out solid units despite injuries and absolute studs going to the NFL. If Truss decides to return, at best we get another starter. And at worst we get an experienced offensive lineman that can plug into multiple positions.

 - - - - UPDATE - - - -

Ratledge makes his decision official. 

#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/7dRhU6K2sC

— Tate Ratledge (@tateratledge22) January 5, 2024

Considering Stackhouse did earlier, if Truss is staying as well, I would expect that news to drop soon.