Practice Talk: Day 2

First off, still waiting on official word from Kent Turene regarding his status with the NCAA Clearinghouse...but it seems unlikely he'll be/has been cleared. I know Grantham really wants this kid. Sounds like he'll have to wait.


As for Jarvis, the clock's still ticking. Some other notes from yesterday:

Kent Turene

• Seeing as how I never remember seeing him getting tackled backwards, I like how Weiszer threw this little nugget into his day two practice notes: Strength coach assistant and former running back Thomas Brown again was spending his practice time eyeing the running back groups coached by Bryan McClendon. Not a bad resource to have around.
• Cornelius Washington missed practice with what sounds like is a hamstring issue. Hope it's not a lingering issue.
• Speaking of OLB, Washington sitting out has lead to early reps for Ray Drew, and the early returns are positive.
• Crowell is legit y'all!
• If you've been worried (like me) about the offensive line depth, CMR thinks some freshmen are ready to fill the 2-deep...at least ready in early August.
• Jenkins practiced despite missing some time Thursday due to the heat.
• And once again, Malcolm Mitchell y'all.

Can't blame Jenkins at all, cuz it is frackin' HOT. I'm cussing at my car's cooling system for 5+ minutes before getting any kind of relief. I can't imagine how hot it is for people like Coach Richt...or Kwame...or Fletcher Page.


Damn.

Beer of the Week: the Stone IPAs

"Let me tell you guys a story: so this one time I was drinking 

beer and then the end." - the Beerinator

Hope everyone had a great IPA day on Thursday. Personally, mine stunk as my lips did not touch the pint glass until around 9pm. But I've extended my celebration into the weekend to show my support for this eventually becoming a national holiday.


Just in case some readers are even more of a brew novice than I, here's a crude and roughly abbreviated explanation of IPAs...or India Pale Ales. This variety of beer originated after British soldiers settled into India. Naturally they were thirsty and soon ships arrived from Great Britain with beer onboard. Unfortunately the beer did not travel well and was quite skunky after weeks at sea. So to solve this dilemma those inventive brits began shipping the ale with added hop flowers to keep it fresh on the long journey. The result was an ale that was extra hoppy and overall delicious. And the world rejoiced.


Your welcome.


The India Pale Ale is widely popular and is my favorite variety to drink. From talking to people and reading lots of stuff I've found most people who really like IPAs generally also like Imperial IPAs, or DIPAs (double india pale ales). Then there are others who like to throw in an IPA every now and then to change things up, only to cringe when things get a little too hoppy.


So as you read this just know that I enjoy india pale ales and get pretty excited with imperial IPAs. All that being said, Stone Brewing Co. makes a fine collection of IPAs. So I thought given the timing of Thursday's holiday and this post I would outline them. I haven't had the pleasure of all of them, so I'll note in bold which are from first hand experience and which are from reading reviews and word of mouth in italics. 


Also, I'm not a fan of everything Stone brews. The Arrogant Bastard Ale is mostly overrated if you ask me and happened to be the first one I tried from them. Given their prices I can see where many people (if they felt the same) would not try their IPAs. In many cases that may be a wise choice. With Stone however, that is faulty logic. Here's why:

• Ruination - In a word, exquisite. Probably one of the best IPAs you'll ever drink. Maybe you've had IPAs where you felt like you were drinking a pine tree. This has that great piney taste but balances perfectly with the mellowness that all good brews have. Plus it adds a nice fruit taste (think citrus but too acidic) and a lemony aroma to round out what is a great drinking experience. You'll be forcing yourself to savor it rather than gulp it.
• Cali-Belgique - This flavorful IPA poured a little eagerly; it had a generous head that resulted in lots of lacing on the glass as I worked through it. The taste reminded me of a toned down Invocation by Wild Heaven. Hints of spices and fruits that overpowered the hops. So that was a little disappointing, but overall I thought it was a good mixture of a Belgian ale and an American IPA. I would definitely enjoy this one again. 
• Japanese Green Tea - Here's Ben's take: I've been a big fan of Stone Brewing Company in general for many years, but specifically their IPA, it's been one of my go-tos.  I had the pleasure of meeting the CEO Greg Koch at the Brewvival (www.brewvival.com) festival in Charleston in 2010.  He really has the game figured out...not only is he a nice, approachable guy who set up his brewery in one of the most beautiful cities in the country (other than Athens), but he also knows the value of collaborating with other brewers, including homebrewers.  I've tried many of Stone's collaboration beers (Highway 78, Saison du BUFF, etc...) and really enjoyed them all, but none as much as Stone's latest release.  The Japanese Green Tea IPA, brewed in collaboration with Ishii Brewing Co., who's owner used  to be a Stone bewer, and Baird Brewing Co.  After taking my first sip, I had to do a double take at the label to confirm that it was actually 9.2% ABV.  It's hidden extremely well.  The beer was not overly hoppy, nor was it overly green tea-ish.  It was a perfect blend of the two...the balance was amazing. I could drink four or five of them before the 9.2% caught up with me and knocked me out.  That being said, I must point out that I preceeded the Green Tea IPA with a COAST HopArt, and a Stone Ruination, so my taste buds could have been completely shot as far as hops and bitterness are concerned, so your experience may vary.  But as a self-proclaimed hop head, 70 IBUs was pretty much exactly how this beer tasted.  Not only is it a mighty tasty beer, but all proceeds from purchasing this beer go directly to the Japanese Red Cross Society.  So do like I did and tell your wife it's your civic duty to go purchase this beer to help those in Japan affected by the earthquakes and tsunami.  And if that isn't enough, the anti-oxidants in the tea are good for the ol' ticker.  Cheers!

Here's a video I found of the guys talking about the process for the Green Tea IPA. 9.2% ABV to add a positive frame to the 9.2 earthquake that caused so much damage, good stuff. Given the collection of flavors (hops from literally around the world), this is one I'm anxious to try.

All of my experience with the Ruination and the Cali-Belgique I had from bottles, mostly bombers. If you find a place with Ruination on tap you must turn in your IPA card if you don't take a glass. 

To conclude, if you're looking for the standard bitterness of an IPA, you can't go wrong with the Ruination which is easily in the double IPA range (DIPA) at more than 100 IBUs per bottle. If you like a little more flavor, throw one of the others in the rotation. Because you really can't go wrong with a Stone. And thanks to Fred and Ben for the background, suggestions and tasting notes.

It's like Vegas, but with hotter seats

Totally smurfy!

Richt evidently peeled some paint in Butts-Mehre on Wednesday night to open up the 2011 camp. Too bad the surly Paul Johnson wasn't in town, because according to Aaron Murray Coach Richt was ready for a fight.

Richt addressed the team on Wednesday night and Murray called it “my favorite speech coach Richt has given in three years. He was pumped up, energized, motivating. I walked out of the room like, ‘Wow.’ I know as players we’re ready to go, but coach Richt is ready to go out there and fight someone right now. I talked to some of the players and they loved it, too.”

Pressed for details, Murray wouldn’t divulge much.

“What happens in the team meeting room stays in the team meeting room,” he said. “I went out of there ready to play Boise State at 10 o’clock last night.”

Meanwhile, Kellen Moore evaded Gargamel and pretended he was married to Smurfette.

Richt's worst game

Yesterday we jumped on Estes' post re: CMRs greatest games. Today let's do the same for the worst ones. Here's Gentry's morning coffee from yesterday where he collects the memories that always sprinkle like salt over a festering wound.

To a bunch of toothless wonders. Damn!

Again, it's hard to argue with the choices here. They're all solid stinkers and led me to unleash words that would make my momma blush before hitting me upside the head. I agree that the 2002 WLOCP was probably the worst loss of Richt's tenure and the lone blemish on a spectacular season. A win there against an average (by FU standards) Gator squad and the sky was the limit. Instead, more heartbreak.


But I have to add that the 2009 game in Knoxville was a low point for me. It's one thing to lose a game, it's quite another to get completely outclassed. We never made it off the bus and I completely lost my religion.


Also, I'm not sure it should be ranked being an OOC game and one that was out of state...but last year's debacle in Boulder was another low point. Whether it was AJs cramps, losing the line of scrimmage to some deadbeat hippies, the fumble or the homeless people taunting us as we walked downtown...that game sucked.


But I'm not sure I would take one of the others out. What say you Reader?

Trivial Update - Scott Woerner just beat Clempson again

#ThursdaysRTrivial ep 70 coming up right after this PSA: Nearly two year's worth of trivia & not a single one vacated. #TrT #engiNerds


#ThursdaysRTrivial ep 70 "Remodel, Remember" It's the Twittah Trivia Show that's a proven playmaker. REPLY back your answer for a chance at a fabulous prize. Recently #BDB underwent a remodeling. Who's the legend featured on the picture banner at the top?

In case you missed it, Scott Woerner had a lot to do with my early years as a Georgia fan. I think it was Ollllddude who made the point that Woerner is one of many great safeties Georgia has produced.  But little did I know back in 1980 when he sealed the deal against NotHer Dame that I would end up hosting a gameshow with #19 on it. Awesome.


Remember, the Tweetdeck reads from bottom to top. So @TNRLM gets the top prize, a commemorative 70th episode coin valued at over six and a half cents. @the_real_paige gets the memo she missed. New dad @benwilderv gets pants that aren't poopy. And @Stuff_of_Legend gets a commemorative 70th episode TrT koozie, valued at...whatever he gets on eBay.


Tune in for episode 71 when we do keg stands with Garcia at Mangus' condo. Epic.

Dawgged Impartiality

Phil Steele and I share something this season: we both like the Dawgs. Albeit for different reasons. I'm eternally obligated to root for my alma mater after a couple degrees, thousands of dollars and countless hours "studying" on campus. Steele on the other hand, likes Georgia to rebound pretty significantly. So much so that he's listed us as one of his top five favorite teams this season.


Of course, we've talked about his prognostication before. But it's worth mentioning again I think, especially after the Coaches Poll was released yesterday. Steele's reasoning is multifaceted.

• net close losses - we lost 7 games last season, but 4 of them were close losses that hinged on a handful of plays.
• Jenkins/Crowell impact - it may seem trendy to compare these two to the impacts of Bama's Cody and SC's Lattimore, but there's reason to believe that they could make a huge difference.
• talent - he likes the talent we have, even after some additional personnel losses since he first predicted we'd win the SEC East.
• schedule - as light as a side salad once you get through the conference opener. This is perhaps the biggest reason to have the Bulldogs as contenders.
• Aaron Murray - a returning QB who is coming off a successful season is a proven commodity.
• teamos especiales - Steele rates out Special Teams as #1 in the country. Take that Fabris!

In the end I don't know if this gets me anymore excited for the upcoming season. I'm excited for Georgia football, don't get me wrong. But I'm still in a I'll buy it when I can see it type of mood. Especially as far as feeling any level of comfort thinking about playing in the GA Dome twice this season.


However, it does unmuddy the waters so to speak. There are no excuses. Richt can't make the ball bounce his way once play begins, but most everything else has set up pretty well so far. Someone ask Claude Felton if that extra large shipment of bubble wrap for Jenkins made it to Butts-Mehre.

- - - - - - - - - - - 

Sidenote: Once the Coaches Poll came out yesterday I went back to see how accurate Steel was back in February with his early prediction. He had Boise State pegged just right at #7 and had the top four exactly. For whatever that's worth...

Freshmen Jersey Numbers

Emerson has posted the numbers of the incoming freshmen. Many are already known, but it's fun to see who's wearing what. My favorite - Jenkins with #6. Awesome.


There are some other "odd" ones, such as WR Chris Conley wearing #31. And of course seeing Chris Sanders' name beside #8. *sigh*


As far as Isaiah Crowell and Branden Smith sharing #1, Richt hinted in his presser just a minute ago that they would evaluate the likelihood of both being on the field together and what the jersey situation would be. One could switch to #3 or #4...both of which are open now.

Dawgs begin season at #22

The preseason USA Today Coaches Poll is out and Georgia has its lowest August ranking since 2001 at #22. I thought we'd be a little higher based on some of the optimism we've read about. But this seems about right as far as blind shots in the dark go. 


I was a little more surprised to see Boise at #7. Really thought they'd be higher than that. But playing a top 10 team to start the season should put some extra pep in this afternoon's first practice for the Dawgs. Not to mention following that up with an SEC opener against #12 USCe. The only other item of consequence, Muschomp's FU Fightin' Gators are #23.


Yeh personally, I can't stand preseason polls. They're like throwing darts at a dart board after you're 5 beers into happy hour and someone has spun you around in a circle 20 times. Well, maybe not quite so clumsy but you get my point. If you share that cynicism you should ready yourself to participate in the Mumme Poll, a poll shared by the Senator and 3rd Saturday in Blogtober. Free to join for any committed college football fan. It starts a month into the season, you know...when you can actually determine where teams should be.

Dream Team: competitors now, starters...maybe

Sounds like Aaron Murray's job is safe...for now.

“We’re not expecting the freshman class to win a bunch of games for us,” [Richt] said. “We’re expecting the freshman class to come in and compete and hopefully provide a level of competition for the level of play of our current players to rise, and if there are freshmen who can do a better job, then they’ll play.

“We’re not thinking we’re going to line up 22 freshmen and go kick somebody’s rear end. That’s just not going to happen.”

Richt's greatest game

Yesterday Gentry Estes explored Coach Richt's top five games. I spent some time yesterday reflecting on his choices, both the ones that made the list and the ones that just missed the cut. I'd have to agree but couldn't help but wonder what the greatest win is. I hope that it still lies in the future of course, but after the last couple seasons that crystal ball is pretty cloudy.


However there's no arguing that Richt has brought some flair to the UGA resume. And I think the 2002 victory on the Plains is the greatest. Why? Well, for all the reasons that we currently sit here so hungry for winning football again. That one game had everything in it that we seem to have lost the last couple seasons.

• Desire - There was a clear intent and an evident need to win that game. You didn't see a group of guys hanging their collective heads when we were down 11 points at two different points in the game. Afterall, there was still time on the clock.
• Strength - We played 60 whole minutes. When we needed a play at the end to grab the lead, we got it. And when we needed a stop to finish them off, we got that too. No moral victories here in facing a good team on the road and hanging with them for 58 minutes. Moral victories are for DBs who get burned by a 70XTakeoff.
• Playmakers - Michael Johnson was never a slouch of a receiver by any means. But the dude went off in this game to the tune of 13 catches for 141 yards, most of which were in the second half. And Sean Jones was a factor from the get go, getting an INT on Auburn's first possession and a fumble on an early punt return.
• Perseverance - There were plenty of mistakes and a lot of poor play, especially early. Greene barely had any completions the first half and the defense tackled poorly until finding a rhythm after halftime. But Tuberville's squad could never pull away completely which set things up for a nice comeback.
• Confidence - When you face 4th and 15, down 4 points and there's only 75 seconds left...and you score from the 19 yard line...that's confidence. Good coaching, great playcalling and ability on the field.

Plus the game had a TD by an offensive lineman; Jon Stinchcomb recovered a David Greene fumble in the endzone. So I guess we could also include Luck as a category.

BTW, Estes flips the coin this morning and will look at the five worst losses for Richt. I'm sure we all have a few in mind.