What makes a Cajun Ragin'?

Don't tell Kirby, but I'm extending the 24 hour rule before we get real serious about the next opponent because yes indeed I actually do remember Nicholls State oh Lord Jesus can we please have nice things? 

Last night I was reminded that we opened with UL Lafayette in Aaron Murray's first game back in 2010, as well as this tailgate video Nama cooked up...with plenty of Tabasco.

Go Dawgs!

Missouri fans drink leaded paint

If you're heading out to ColaWest for the first time, I feel obligated to share with you footage of our trip out there in 2012. It was a good time. They are very nice people. Weirdly courteous, overly accommodating, nervously gracious, but nice folks.

Of course, they drink from paint cans. So that might explain a little something^*.

h/t @namaman

^*That's assuming they haven't all turned into a bunch of self-absorbed pricks now that they're the defending SEC East champions.

Repost: The Clempson Anecdotes - "Touch that Rock son!"

*From about a year and a half ago, I put this here to help explain how truly awesome this rivalry is and how much I will truly miss it after we kick their Tiger ass Saturday night.

Okay, so I promised to clarify a little. But as I sat down to type this out I realized that there was more than one post here. So let's make it into a series. That's something I learned my second junior year of blogging school.

The year was 2003. Georgia had renewed its rivalry with Clemson and once again the Tigers had been disappointed; losing by a Billy Bennett field goal in 2002 and getting absolutely outclassed a year later. But even more importantly Georgia was creating some traditions under new coach Mark Richt. One of these was the Dawg Walk. With a renewed sense of energy in the tackle football program after an impressive SEC Championship run, the Dawg Walk (where the team is dropped off on Lumpkin adjacent to Clark Howell Hall and the Tate Plaza to enter the stadium amid thousands of fans, the Redcoats, Hairy Dawg and the cheerleaders) was starting to draw good numbers. Add to that the fact that South Carolina was in town and the fact that it was a big time night game and the atmosphere was electrified tenfold.

Thomas Davis make Charlie go BOOM!! (via)

Mrs. Bernie and I had decided to take in the Dawg Walk prior to taking our seats in the stadium. New to this tradition we got there late and had to stand about six deep as we waited for the buses to arrive. While doing so there's really not much to do except people watch and listen to the band hammer out songs that enliven the crowd even more. A group of guys had gathered in front of us and in the middle one of them was wearing a Georgia helmet. At first I thought that he was quite the superstitious fan to wear headgear on such a hot day. But then again, this was well into an afternoon where many beverages had been consumed around campus. Judging from their behavior they had enjoyed their fair share. Perhaps even more.

Prior to the team coming through, a large group of recruits were escorted in and I kept hearing a familiar phrase. "TOUCH THAT ROCK SON!! You know you want to!" My ears had to be deceiving me. Why would a Georgia fan tell a recruit to touch Howard's Rock, the chunk of granite Clemson players grope as they enter the stadium? How drunk was this guy?

As the scene played out and I gathered more context from the friends around him I began to realize that this Georgia fan was actually a Clemson "grad" who had surely lost a bet in Death Valley two weeks before when Greene, Gibson and Pollack had dismantled the Tigers 30-0. He was now paying the price by being paraded around in Georgia gear for everyone to see and take pictures of with their brand new flip phone.

Or was he paying any price at all? He knew a lot of the recruits by name it seemed. And here he was not so subtly recruiting for a rival program, at least in terms of recruiting trails. The novelty of the sight grew to the point that some of these kids acknowledged him and smiled. Why were his buddies letting him get away with this?!?

On the other hand, we beat them 30-0. And it wasn't even that close. This clown probably should've taken Charlie Whitehurst's place. Wouldn't have done any worse.

Around the tailgate - off season headlines

It's the return of some off season tailgate conversation. Each day this week I posed a question for some of my favorite tailgaters. They respond, in between sips of fortitude.

Today we look at the highlights/lowlights of the off season.

The off season has been long, but pretty active. The departures and attrition have grabbed the usual share of headlines, but I would still rate the addition of Jeremy Pruitt as the highlight thus far. How would you characterize the 2014 off season?

Robert
Jeremy Pruitt has to be the highlight of the off-season. Let me get this straight and pinch myself once more. The defensive co-ordinator for the 2013 National Championship team made a decision to come to our beloved Georgia Bulldogs and coach th same position? Not only that, it didn't cost us a ton of extra money. Extra money that I would have been happy to see AD Greg McGarity dip into the vault for. Great job by Coach Mark Richt, AD Greg McGarity, and especially Coach Friend.

While I am optimistic about what the future brings under Coach Pruitt's leadership, I hate that there were players not willing to pay the price to succeed under said leadership. Regardless, I like "no B.S." attitude and the optimism far outweighs my frustration with players not doing the right thing.

Joe Waterloo
I think the additional of Jeremy Pruitt is without question the highlight of the offseason .  But other than that it's been the typical trainwreck that us Dawg fans have become accustom to.  Maybe the loss of so many key defensive players (to things other than graduation) will end up being addition by subtraction in the long run, but in the short term of the 2014 season there's a lot of math to overcome.  Pruitt can't help but being an upgrade from Granthem, but even if he is the Nick Saban schooled rock star we are expecting it would have been much better to see him being able to salvage the damage Granthem did then to have to start fresh at so many spots.

AthensHomerDawg

It started with uncertainty and then we hired Pruitt. I'm impressed with Pruitt and I am not by myself. The departures and failings of our players can't be taken lightly.  Gee... I could free lance here but I'm not fooling anyone. Todd was not the DC we hoped he would be and some of the great recruiting gets failed to deliver.  So we rebuild and reunite? I guess so. I'm on the bus... on a Ford 150 or whatever it is we are riding! ;-)

GO DAWGS!!

Thanks gentlemen! Y'all come back tomorrow when we look at the transition under center between #11 and #14.

UPDATE:
This about sums it up...via Benjamin...

Monday's Meatloaf - when bean bags backfire

Any of you older siblings ever look back fondly on some of the pranks you pulled on your brothers and/or sisters? You know, to help prepare them for Life's pitfalls. It's noble work, if you are born into it.

Courage can be fleeting.

Anyway, one of my favorites was to take these decorative bean bags Mom had lying around the house and carefully place several on the blades of the ceiling fan. Then I made up some excuse for my younger sister to stand in the middle of the room. In a pinch this one usually worked like a charm - Just stand there and look at the fireplace. I think Santa is coming...do you hear the sleigh bells?  

Nevermind that it was June. But once the kid was placed appropriately I flipped the switch (note: for maximum effect, important that you toggle the fan speed to it's highest setting prior to setting the scene). The blades carry the weight for a few seconds before dumping their payload. Then you have a toddler who's eyes go from extreme wonderment to OMG What is happening?!?!! The ceiling!! It hates me!!

Then you wait an hour or so and set the scene again. Great fun. Until three decades later when your own kids trap you in your own scheme. I guess I had bragged about the prank once too often. My 11yo can be quite mischievous when she wants to be. And the 9yo can be an eager lemming to her older sister's misdeeds. To make a long story short, the master was done in my his own brilliant blueprint of deviousness. He cowered under a blanket to shield himself from the torpedoes of doom. He cried PLEASE!! Make it stop! THE HUMANITY!!! Their laughter tortured his ears from a safe distance, and he knew, should he survive the destruction, they would spend years reminding him of this pitiful moment when he was reduced to such an awkward display of distress.

On a positive note, at least I didn't need a diaper change after the entire affair. In another couple decades this story may have an entirely different ending.

Today's Ingredients
- Don't forget to register for the bowl pool. You don't want to miss out on the feats of strength!
- Groo is helping us get reacquainted with the Cornhuskers.
- Over seven minutes of Running Back U highlights? Thanks Greg!
- Tyler takes a moment to look forward to the playoffs, takes a left turn and finds a case study for what not to do.
- Of course, the Mack Brown saga has taken a turn since this was posted, but MaconDawg had some grand ideas for the soon to be former Longhorn coach in his next chapter.
- After what's been an anti-climatic yet still very intriguing year for him, Kimberley looks at what's next for Jadeveon Clowney.
- Feeling a bit reminiscent today, so the last few ingredients for today are some of the things I've earmarked and saved throughout the season. Outside of the arena, these are the things I will remember most about the season. I'm sure I missed a thing or two. So feel free to add in the comments.
- One of the brightest spots on the periphery of the actual action were the week to week videos produced. This one tugged a little harder at the heartstrings.
- Another masterful video, but fraught with ignominy.
- Maybe Muschamp should have Jeremy Foley schedule more chalkboards.
- If you're not into the whole brevity thing...In one single post just before the season began, Dawgden combined two of my favorite things to watch - the greatest movie to ever hate the Eagles and SEC football. It was a transcendental experience in Dudeism man.
- Lastly, I think we can all agree that Blutarsky hit the nail on the head when he shared his words and specifically this video as an encapsulation of why we're here. (addendum - he's at it again today)

The last person I'd like to recognize here is a commenter - tbone226. Way back when we were preparing to play at Auburn with a lake, I mentioned and provided a loose description of the picture below. I had been unable to locate it with Google. tbone made up for my lack in internetting investigation. Thank you again sir! That was one of the highlights to my blogging season and I look forward to using that picture again next August.

And the 2013 winner of Best Picture is....

That's a wrap for today Reader. Beware of flying objects. And giggling children.

Bernie

Homecoming: the sights, the sounds, the interviews

Some of Nama's footage from last Saturday in Athens. I want you to pay particular attention to our debate on what the Georgia at Auburn line would be. And of course, notice who was right. Ahem.

But mainly notice the beautiful kids and the Damn Good Dawgs at the Dawg Walk! Was a great day to be in Athens!

Faint recollections from the Cocktail Party

See, I am Wonder Mike and I'd like to say hello!...One, two, three, four. Come on girls! Get on the floor!

One thing I never learned in Blogging School is that your golf game could become part of  full length feature film's trailer. Also, I should add that none of Perry's many engaging personalities were harmed getting down off of that party bus. Or witnessing Chris' blow torch!

So no full blown video with interviews this week. Probably a good call on Nama's part. Beyond what you saw there, other achievements that were unlocked - a deceptively fast black van, corn hole using RVs as natural hazards, Oscar convincing me he was in Jax lockup, the Church's chicken, cheese and egg biscuit, a small yet impressive sampling of The Wrangler's Sunday School class meeting on SSI at 1am, many a sad, empty growler, and an exponentially greater number of sad gator fans making questionable life choices.

BDB Gameday Semi-Live, the LSU tailgate

The game was spectacular. We all know that. But one of the reasons that win felt so incredibly awesome was because we always have so much good food and good times at the tailgate, it's just nice to finish it off with a victory like that.

Saturday was no different around campus before the game. Great food, drink and fun everywhere. And you'd be hard-pressed to find anything that cute little show over on Myers Quad had that we didn't: Predictions, check. Interviews, check. Product placement, check. Game analysis, check. Wardrobe changes, check!

So when you get 21 minutes to spare, enjoy.

Kudos to Nama for putting all of this together. Mrs. Bernie and my kids for the signage. And the rest of the guys and gals that made this Saturday one of the best ever in Athens GA.

Go Dawgs!

The Clempson Anecdotes - "Touch that Rock son!"

Okay, so I promised to clarify a little. But as I sat down to type this out I realized that there was more than one post here. So let's make it into a series. That's something I learned my second junior year of blogging school.

The year was 2003. Georgia had renewed its rivalry with Clemson and once again the Tigers had been disappointed; losing by a Billy Bennett field goal in 2002 and getting absolutely outclassed a year later. But even more importantly Georgia was creating some traditions under new coach Mark Richt. One of these was the Dawg Walk. With a renewed sense of energy in the tackle football program after an impressive SEC Championship run, the Dawg Walk (where the team is dropped off on Lumpkin adjacent to Clark Howell Hall and the Tate Plaza to enter the stadium amid thousands of fans, the Redcoats, Hairy Dawg and the cheerleaders) was starting to draw good numbers. Add to that the fact that South Carolina^* was in town and the fact that it was a big time night game and the atmosphere was electrified tenfold.

Thomas Davis make Charlie go BOOM!! (via)

Mrs. Bernie and I had decided to take in the Dawg Walk prior to taking our seats in the stadium. New to this tradition we got there late and had to stand about six deep as we waited for the buses to arrive. While doing so there's really not much to do except people watch and listen to the band hammer out songs that enliven the crowd even more. A group of guys had gathered in front of us and in the middle one of them was wearing a Georgia helmet. At first I thought that he was quite the superstitious fan to wear headgear on such a hot day. But then again, this was well into an afternoon where many beverages had been consumed around campus. Judging from their behavior they had enjoyed their fair share. Perhaps even more.

Prior to the team coming through, a large group of recruits were escorted in and I kept hearing a familiar phrase. "TOUCH THAT ROCK SON!! You know you want to!" My ears had to be deceiving me. Why would a Georgia fan tell a recruit to touch Howard's Rock, the chunk of granite Clemson players grope as they enter the stadium? How drunk was this guy?

As the scene played out and I gathered more context from the friends around him I began to realize that this Georgia fan was actually a Clemson "grad" who had surely lost a bet in Death Valley two weeks before when Greene, Gibson and Pollack had dismantled the Tigers 30-0. He was now paying the price by being paraded around in Georgia gear for everyone to see and take pictures of with their brand new flip phone.

Or was he paying any price at all? He knew a lot of the recruits by name it seemed. And here he was not so subtly recruiting for a rival program, at least in terms of recruiting trails. The novelty of the sight grew to the point that some of these kids acknowledged him and smiled. Why were his buddies letting him get away with this?!?

On the other hand, we beat them 30-0. And it wasn't even that close. This clown probably should've taken Charlie Whitehurst's place. Wouldn't have done any worse.

^*I think it was the Gamecocks. But my memory could be failing me there.

The WLOCP '12 Tailgate video

You remember that guy with the sideburns that was on TV behind Aaron Murray post-game? Well, we got him in this one. We also got Derrick, some guy named Amp disguised as Tony...and Uncle Bo!! Unfortunately Robert was too busy defending his turf to be captured on film. But we do have more dancing (this time on tables!!) and evidently I play drums.

Also, you're going to see me do something disturbing in the blooper outtakes at the end. I only ask that you withhold judgment until I can explain the situation in its entirety. Enjoy.

As always, Dawg fans win the tailgate. As for why I would pour my drink into a gator fan's cup, lemme explain what you didn't see and more importantly what you didn't likely hear. It was a long argument. She wanted a refill but her cohorts refused to help her out. I'm a gentleman raised in the South, but I do have certain limitations when it comes to providing alcohol to floriDuh fans. I assured her I would give her the rest of my drink if she gave me a "Go Dawgs!. After much deliberation she obliged.

Quid pro quo. No harm and no foul. Especially since I had just absconded with said drink from a gator tailgate. So before the Dawgs even took the field we were up 2-0. #winning

The NEW Vandy Tailgate Video

If you can get past my drunken Drive By Truckers "sing-a-long", this Vandy tailgate footage is almost as much fun to watch as the actual game.

All of the predictions were confident, even if they ended up being not nearly confident enough. Jarvis fell a little short of Matt's 2.5 sack prediction, but that was bold as well. Helped set the tone.

And kudos to Mike for being the only one in his group brave enough to stand in front of the camera. Unfortunately, he can no longer run for public office. But that's the price you pay I guess. Welcome to the club.

- - - - - - - 

Thanks to Nama for finally getting this out. And thanks to La Jolla for lighting a fire under him.

BDB takes on "The Grove"

Like a fine wine, or maybe just a fat hunk of cheese...this has been aged. Aged all the way to something just short of perfection. Plus, Nama has to use the dump button in excess.

I think my favorite part was Nama saying, "He's in! He's IN THE ENDZONE! ON TOP OF PEOPLE!!"

"The Lost Files", from the BDB archives

While drinking beer in his lavish studio this weekend, Nama found some lost footage from last season. He says he'll have the finished product as well as the Vandy tailgate video ready soon. For now, here's the Ole Miss preview.

Monday's Meatloaf - a decent, and courageous proposal

I can't seem to put my finger on it, but I've always felt some kind of connection to offensive lineman Chris Burnette. I've never crushed a defensive lineman's ego into the Sanford Stadium turf and I didn't come close to being my high school's salutatorian. But I can say that he and I now share the privilege of having asked our best friends to marry us.

Burnette proposes at Athens Church

Best wishes to the happy couple. I wish I could also say that I was brave enough to get to one knee and pop the question in front of a congregation and YouTube cameramen. I mean now that he's done that, the actual exchanging of vows should be a piece of cake. But in actuality I barely summoned the courage to form the words for my proposal while sitting in my truck outside the Virginia Welcome Center. Not nearly the drama, but the answer to the question is all that truly matters. Right?


So Mrs. Bernie and I would like to wish Chris and Arielle years and years of happiness. The best is yet to come for y'all, we're sure of it.

Today's Ingredients
- Last week I laid the foundation for what I hope to be an accountability series on giving Coach Bobo some respect. Later this week I'll provide the numbers to finish that foundation, as we draw near to the heart of the schedule.
- It's still very early, yes. But by the end of the season we should have something to look back on and make some quality judgments. 
- Speaking of owning our own words, PWD extends a hand to another coach that has taken some criticism.
- Looking back to Saturday, Travis sounds cautiously optimistic. I think Tyler was heading the same direction, but I also think it's safe to type that he's a little giddy.
- Meanwhile, Cranford has just gotta support em with this complete recap.
- And if you like complete recaps, hard to beat what Danny has here.
- Georgia's red zone defense is definitely trending in the right direction, as Blutarsky points out.
- During the rewatch yesterday, Mrs. Bernie was putting the freshman kickers on notice. Instead vineyarddawg aims for the goalposts.
- And right on cue, Kimberley examines the kicking game. As she points out, it's certainly not all on the kickers. But it's gotta get more consistent. Quick.
- Spurrier doesn't throw his visor any longer. But a headset is fair game. And as ecdawg points out, hanging up on the media is becoming par on his course.
- Saturday was a day for some second half meltdowns. And it appears Clemson isn't getting the same results with Brent Venables as they have enjoyed with Chad Morris.
- Lastly, if you're a fan of the tailgate videos Nama produces from his lavish studio, he has found some lost footage from last season. I'll have the preview up tomorrow, then he'll get us that and the Vandyriffic afternoon from this past weekend.

If you've been coming here for awhile you know that these meatloaf posts are the heart and soul of this operation. When I started this little blog the best thing I could come up with to do was to read what those other guys were writing. The more I read the more it made sense to share some of it. Plus back then I thought it would impress my friends that I knew how to "link" another web address within my finely constructed sentences.

Layin' the wood, tailgate style.

They're easily amused. Trust me. And I'm easily amused as well. That's why this "end of the loaf" is devoted to a shout-out for Tanner, Matt and Dustin. Those guys made actual meatloaf for Saturday's tailgate. I think Tanner made it, but they helped dress it up and check temperatures at least. I'm a sucker for a plate of pulled pork and I've never met a pot of collards that wasn't calling my name. But meatloaf has always translated to "home cooked meal" for me. And with Tanner's secret sauce and wife Hillary's "tamato jam", it was some good eats!

Everyone has their own recipe for meatloaf. Mrs. Bernie and the 10yo once even made individual loafs using muffin pans. It's a simple, yet diverse main dish that always hits the spot.

That all being said, if them HillBillys come to town serving up their own meatloaf, please contact the authorities. Once you're south of Chattanooga it's no longer legal nor socially acceptable to serve "varmints" as meals. Yep, one-third of the season is complete. We've only just begun. Don't let up now. Grab a fork and go give Monday a Very Gurley Stiff-arm!

Bernie

THE Mizzou Tailgate Video

You saw the preview. Some of you were even there in person. Anyone who spent the weekend around Nama learned what a "dongle" (sp?) is, although its function in life still eludes me.

Well now you get the full picture. From airplane nap...to tailgate interviews...to a yellow drenched Faurot Field. They showed, we filmed. Take it away Namaman!

Kudos to JMac and Chase for their confidence with their predictions. And really Mac was only six points off with a FG added for each team. And another shout-out as well to "Little Joe" for not blowing up our tailgate, literally. 

We'll be back with some more Geritol and bourbon in two years Columbia! You've been warned.

Mizzou Tailgate Preview

Nama is still is production on the tailgate video. But he wanted to give you a taste of what's to come.

You're going to want to stay tuned. Cuz they had that cannon "Little Joe" aimed right at us. Did a peace ambassador step in? Did an Evans Scholar intercede? Or did Jarvis Jones just sack it and force another turnover?

SEC fans, a different breed

It's late February. We're all really missing getting together around the coolers and the grills to talk about college football in preparation for the afternoon's game. I hope most of you have seen this terrific production from Pigskin and Magnolias. But if you haven't, this ought to quench your mid-winter thirst for tailgating and general gameday atmosphere.

Pigskin & Magnolias: 12 Days of Fandom from Joshua Locklair

Great documentary. It's honest, well put together and most of all it gives you just a little taste of what a fall Saturday is like in the South. Of course, there's no substitute for being there in person. But right now, this is all we've got.

Personally, I haven't been to all the SEC stadiums but I love going to Oxford and prefer to never set foot in Starkville again. So...other than Sanford, where do you like to spend a gameday in the Fall? 

Some scenes from the chicken gate

Now that South Cracky has slipped a little bit, let's pile on with a little fried chicken.

Nice work on the editing Nama. Dawg fans always seem to win that tailgate.

Sunday Thoughts on Missy

First and "butt" most...did Charles "Lipo" Weis miss a belt loop? Or did he just turn the Earth on its ear?



Ok, now...they're somewhat scattered but here they are:

- S/O to Matt from Roswell who recognizes a hot shot blogger when he sees one. *high five*
-  Aaron Murray...tragic hero or epic bullet in foot? Discuss...
- Judging from the voices I've heard, I'm not the only one who's sick of seeing Crowell on the sideline. Especially when the game is in the balance.
- Plan to rewatch today, but seemed like the line played better against a quality defensive front. Still have some protection issues all around, but hard to complain.
- Also from what I've heard, Crowell never stepped out. Ouch.
- Defensive backs who can also catch for $200 please Alex.
- Ok, who has kidnapped Blair Walsh? I mean seriously. Bring him back. Please.
- Can Orson and Malcolm go out on pass patterns on the same play?
- Disappointed that we let them off the mat. But this is a team that can now let its defense carry it. And that feels pretty good.
- Hello! SEC East race...and AwwBarn makes quite the awkward bed fellow.

You want to know how Coach Grantham celebrates keeping "Bullys" out of the end zone? He referees a two hand touch parking lot game with the coaches' kids...while balancing a Bud Light...and a blackberry.

Winning.


- Posted using BlogPress from Bernie's iPhone

Chanticleer Liveblog

Last week's chicken was mucho unsavory. I'm thinking we see better results today.