GA Senate enacts some gator hate

Senator Albers as it turns out went to Louisville and graduated from UGA's Carl Vinson Institute. But no doubt he had plenty of help in passing this resolution. (h/t Clem)

Now if they'd just stop making those infernal Florida Gator license plates.

Erin Murphy's VIRAL infection

I trust you've read THIS.

Earlier this evening, Aaron Murray held a press conference at the Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall on the campus of the University of Georgia. During the press conference, the veteran starting quarterback of the Georgia Bulldogs revealed some shocking news in light of the recent scandal involving Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Manti Te'o: Aaron Murray actually has a dying girlfriend.

Quite honorable of Murray to carry on the way he has with a dying girlfriend in the background. And even more so to come to the public with this news before it got out of hand and became a distraction before the 2014 BCS Championship.

On an even more humorous somber note, you can follow Erin Murphy on Twitter as she supports her boyfriend one IV bag at a time - Dying4Heisman.

Countdown to NSD - 13 days

Georgia has 29 commitments and has zeroed in on their last few targets. You could make an argument that Richt and staff have a reasonable chance at any or all of the following: Tunsil, Foster, Adams, Kamara, Johnson, and Bellamy.

But there's also a guy who will make his final visit in Athens on February 1st - Matthew Thomas out of Booker T. Washington in Miami FL. He's an edge pass rusher and playmaker, super fast and quick as lightning. At 6'4" and 210 pounds many wonder if he might end up at safety or even wide receiver. But there's no question he can play at the next level, right where he's been wreaking havoc in high school...at outside linebacker.

Thomas went out to Southern California last weekend and has already been to Alabama. He was on Miami's campus yesterday and hits FSU this weekend, which is where many believe he will end up. Whoever gets him will have a heck of a player with incredible closing speed.

Theus has surgery

Last week it was announced that Chris Burnette had surgery to repair his shoulder. Now a second starter on the offensive line will miss much if the spring as John Theus had surgery to repair a fractured foot.

The rising sophomore had surgery at St. Mary’s Hospital to repair a fifth metatarsal fracture, according to the school. A full recovery is expected. 

Theus, from Jacksonville, Fla, started every game at right tackle as a freshman.

Georgia already will be without starting right guard Chris Burnette after he had surgery last week to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

 Spring practices begin on March 2 and conclude with the G-Day game on April 6.

CMR has lost control of Mark Emmert

Improper conduct...improperly obtained information...no subpoena power...

Shame shame NCAA.

"To say the least, I am angered and saddened by this situation. Trust and credibility are essential to our regulatory tasks,” said Emmert.  "My intent is to ensure our investigatory functions operate with integrity and are fair and consistent with our member schools, athletics staff and most importantly our student-athletes," he added.

The short of it is that the NCAA used testimony in the Shapiro bankruptcy proceedings to gather leads and information in its investigation of Miami's football program. So instead of ruling on the ugly matter in Coral gables, instead Emmert is unleashing an investigation within his own house.

Also, in a somewhat related matter...#FreeKoltonHouston.

Countdown to NSD - 14 days

In just two weeks the faxes will be rolling in!

Alvin Kamara - The Norcross running back had a good visit in Tuscaloosa last weekend, but we assume its impossible to have a bad one if you are a stud recruit that Saban has in his cross hairs. Georgia will get its "official" turn this weekend and it remains possible that another school (Clemson, Tennessee or maybe FSU) might get his final visit during the week afterwards. Kamara will be spending time with family on the last weekend of recruiting before signing day.

Tunsil - a VERY large paint ball and recruiting target

Laremy Tunsil - He was in Athens this past weekend and had a chance to show his mom around while also getting to know ($) some of the players, including a paint ball excursion that he really enjoyed despite being such a big target. It continues to look pretty good for Georgia with Tunsil: he has a chance to compete for early playing time at the tackle position opposite John Theus, has a couple good running backs in the backfield along with a four year starter under center, and he seems to really like the program from the top down.

“Alabama and Georgia are similar in most areas and they are both winning programs. You cannot go wrong with either. I do not really know where I want to go and it is hard, but God will lead me in the right direction.”

Incidentally, he sat next to Coach Richt in church on Sunday. Something drastic would have to happen for Tunsil not to sign with Georgia.

Montravius Adams - The five star defensive tackle from Dooly County has been making the rounds and this weekend it's Georgia's turn/ It's unknown whether Adams will make another visit anywhere after that, so Coach Richt and staff could get the final crack at this talented monster. Auburn seems to be making a late push, but it's still a battle between Clemson and Georgia.

Toby Johnson - Georgia might have a better shot at Johnson than with Adams. This junior college defensive tackle prospect has made no secret of the fact that he likes the Dawgs. New defensive line coach Chris Wilson has known Johnson for awhile and has stuck with him through his transition to Athens as well as Johnson's ACL tear in November when a lot of schools lost interest. Despite the injury he is on track to play this fall.

The College Park GA native is finishing his academic work and rehabbing at Hutchinson Community College and will make his final decision known on Signing Day.

Davin Bellamy - Another one that is visiting this weekend, Bellamy is weighing options after committing to FSU. Grantham has supposedly long been enamored with his quick burst and UGA is definitely back in the running now that Garner is in Auburn. Is there too much ground to make up? Maybe so. But you cna bet that the coaches and players will make a strong pitch on Saturday. He strikes me as someone who is really looking for a place to further develop his skills and we know from last year that Grantham can do a good job selling the program in terms of what it can do. Especially good pass rushers.

So, give FSU the nod here. But UGA is far from out of the running.


Reuben Foster - This kid reminds me of a piece of driftwood floating about 50 feet from shore, rocking back and forth with a turbulent high tide. Committed to Alabama, de-committed, committed to Auburn, de-committed. All of that while also changing high schools and getting program specific tattoos. He finished a good visit to Tuscaloosa this past weekend and hits the road towards Athens on Friday. Auburn gets the last official. So the more things change the more they stay the same possibly. Whichever direction he sways last will get his signature. But it's hard to believe the drama would end there right?


Tomorrow we'll look at one linebacker that UGA will get the final crack at, Matthew Thomas out of Miami.

Finebaum contemplating next move

So this snippet of news broke yesterday.

The gist of it is that a rival radio station (apparently) finally succeeded in luring away the Alabama (and national) cash cow that is The Paul Finebaum Show. As per the Cumulus contract however (which ended Monday), Finebaum must be radio silent for three months. And although there are ways around that silence it appears as if the popular host will enjoy a nice vacation before beginning a new endeavor with Cox this spring.

However, if Finebaum is truly "weighing options", what would those be?

• offer to be a ringmaster for Ringling Bros.
• lead investigator in South Bend
• Tammy's sex slave...Oh! PAAAAAWWWWLLLL!!!!
• ......
• WalMart greeter
• Saban's chief minion
• used car salesman
• Jim from Tuscaloosa's bowling partner
• ...
• an SEC referee (hey...he already has the hair for it, and the bias)
• Mrs. Chizik's pool boy
• ...

Humpday Hilarity - inaugurated

You've probably seen this picture by now...

But it also reminded me of this video by Bad Lip Reading. If you haven't seen it, enjoy.

Georgia Dome blues

Before you get sucked in by NFL Super Bowl 2013 stats and who will win the "HarBowl", I wanted to look at just how much one endzone of the Georgia Dome has sucked this year.

Once the Capital One Bowl ended I slowly, ever so slowly, found myself getting drawn into the Atlanta Falcons' run towards the Super Bowl. At first I would just casually watch the game on Sundays, followed by reading some articles, and then before you know it I'm rearranging schedules so that I can be in front of the television for the NFC Divisional title game.

You see...it was over. And then Matt Ryan led the team back down the field. Slippery Pete was sent back to Seattle and the Falcons were poised to be underdogs again, on their own field, in the NFC Championship game.

Of course, you know all that. And you know how that one ended as well. Out of miracles and out of downs, the Falcons' season ended.

And it ended in almost the same spot where the Bulldogs' dreams ended. Facing the same endzone in a relative semi-final game, everything on the line, the Falcons followed the same heart-breaking script the Dawgs did.

I immediately endorsed the burning and total obliteration of the arena. I had previously believed Arthur Blank to be off his rocker asking for another stadium. But perhaps a fresh start would be a good thing. Build something from the ground up on land that isn't cursed. I'm not sure which stage of fan grief that puts me in, perhaps somewhere between bargaining and anger, but it still feels wrong.

I'm officially back to not caring about professional football. No amount of NFL Super Bowl XLVII betting could rectify that. But I'll be back next January. And I hope by then the Dawgs will have already exorcised those demons once and for all.

Dawgs and Tigers - Monday Night Football?

Please. Not going to happen. On a related note, that Dabo sure is cute when he talks though ain't he?

Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney caused a bit of a stir on Monday, when he told USA TODAY that the Clemson-Georgia game to open the 2013 season could be moved from Saturday to Monday.

An intriguing proposition from a national standpoint: A potential matchup of two top-10 teams with high-powered offenses. ESPN would probably love the Monday night feature, and Clemson would apparently be open to it, judging by Swinney's bringing it up.

There's only one problem: Georgia almost certainly would balk at the idea.

The big difference here is that if the game were moved to Labor Day night, Georgia would be playing South Carolina five days later, while the Tigers get South Carolina State.

Now, if Dabo wants to switch those around, we know all scheduling concerns go through the office of one Steve Spurrier. And I believe they've met.

Thebigdifference
Read more here: http://www.macon.com/2013/01/21/2324891/clemson-georgia-on-monday-night.html#storylink=cpy