August 6th - Think BIG today.

Getting closer y'all. How's your gameface coming along? If you give those practice headlines too long of a glance, run two big miles. There will be no easing into the season a month from now. Go Dawgs!

Charles Johnson Foundation Receives NFL Youth Football Camp Grant

I've neglected my inbox recently, but found this as I was catching up this morning. Thought it was worth sharing. Damn Good Dawg!

HAWKINSVILLE, Ga., August 3, 2015- The Charles Johnson Foundation received a $3,250 NFL Youth Football Camp Grant, recognizing the foundation’s hard work and dedication to its community. The NFL awards these grants to players and coaches making a difference in their hometowns or team cities by hosting free, non-contact youth football camps in the summer. The grant also recognizes efforts to promote sportsmanship and community-wide charitable projects.

Coaches at the camps must complete the NFL’s online Coach Smart course, which included an updated CDC concussion awareness video. The course paralleled a Safe Tackling Clinic at the 2015 Charles Johnson Foundation Sports Academy & Community Weekend. Carolina Panthers Defensive Line Coach Eric Washington held the clinic for local youth football coaches to teach proper tackling techniques and safety. Coach Washington was assisted by two fellow Panthers Coaches Sam Mills (Assistant Defensive Line Coach) and Steve Wilks (Assistant Head Coach/Secondary Coach).

“I’m honored that the NFL recognized my foundation with this grant and the funds will go towards helping us keep this event free of charge,” Johnson said. “I’m also grateful to have had the support of three of my Panthers coaches at my Sports Academy helping to teach safe tackling techniques. It’s an important topic and I’m glad we could find a way to highlight it at my event.”

June marked the fourth year of the foundation’s Sports Academy & Community Weekend. Beyond football, dance, tennis, cheer and dance clinics, the two-day event included a Community Night where the foundation presented two $20,000 college scholarships. The Hawkinsville Board of Commissioners also surprised Johnson by presenting him with the Key to the City of Hawkinsville, recognizing his endless effort to give back to his hometown.

For more information on the NFL Youth Football Camp Grant or the Safe Tackling Clinic, contact Meredith Geisler atmgeisler@tandemse.com or 703-740-5015. For more information on the foundation and its mission, visitcharlesjohnsonfoundation.org.

ABOUT CHARLES JOHNSON & THE CHARLES JOHNSON FOUNDATION

Charles Johnson is a native of Hawkinsville, GA, and a proud alumnus of Hawkinsville High School. After attending the University of Georgia where he starred at defensive end, Charles was drafted by the Carolina Panthers of the NFL in 2007 and now serves as a captain of the team.

Through eight professional seasons, Charles has received All-Pro recognition on the strength of 62.5 career sacks, placing him among the premier pass-rushers in the league.

In 2012, Charles’ passion for philanthropy and loyalty to Middle Georgia led him to launch the Charles Johnson Foundation. A non-profit organization, the Charles Johnson Foundation is dedicated to fulfilling a two-fold mission:

• Providing opportunities for under-served youth to reach their full potential through athletic, recreational, and educational programs and initiatives; and
• Providing support for single African American mothers through proven programs and initiatives.

The Charles Johnson Foundation Sports Academy and Community Weekend is the flagship annual event for the Charles Johnson Foundation, combining his efforts to advance education with free sports clinics in football, basketball, tennis, dance and cheer.

"Competition brings out the best in everyone."

Emerson is out in Kansas City catching up with the Chief's roster of former Dawgs. Here he asks Aaron Murray about the QB competition back in Athens.

He’s never met Lambert, the Virginia transfer. But he was in the quarterback room with Bauta for two years, and with Ramsey for one.

“Both great kids. I think a little different quarterback-wise,” Murray said. “Brice is a very pure thrower. That’s probably one of the most beautiful releases you’ll ever see from a quarterback. From day one I was like: That man can throw a football. Good kid, works hard, smart kid.

“Faton, he’s more athletic, can run, bigger kid, can do a lot with zone option read, running, does things like when things break down being able to run. Can also make all the throws as well.”

As Emerson points out, Murray can relate as he went through a competition for the job back in 2010 and then spent four years looking over his shoulder at Hutson Mason. And currently he's the third string quarterback for the Chiefs.

Of course, the paycheck is probably some consolation.

It's August and Erk just ripped another page off the calendar.

My first instinct was to drop a hype video or one of those highlight montages here for today. But I think I'd rather keep things simple...clear headed...except for maybe a few drops of blood.

Yes, I think it's time to get a big neck.

Open the door and take a whiff. That's August sunshine in your face this morning. If you want the team to keep their minds right, set an example. When most of the SEC elite players were at PCB during spring break, Nick Chubb was back in Cedartown working out with his high school. That's old school. No fake juice. No rap-induced hype video. No half-assed effort to raise the bar back up.

Just another day to get better. 

Remember the squib kick. Never forget.

There was evidently a replay of the last edition of "Clean Old-Fashioned Hate". (h/t Weiszer)

Yes, that's the official engiNerd Twitter account and their radio guy in response. Maybe they were the only ones watching. But then again I didn't bother to click on the "THWG" hashtag.

Anyway, just a cautious reminder as to why this rivalry is important. And what it feels like when that blind squirrel gets their nut.

Nick Chubb vs the 585lb squat

From Lucas Rogers of BulldawgIllustrated...

Nick Chubb squatting 585 like it's nothing! https://t.co/QLIFwc4pxO

— Lucas Rogers (@LucasRogersBI) July 24, 2015

Damn.

"Woerner! Woerner! Woerner!"

Y'all know I hate following recruiting. But this bit of news from Kipp Adams makes my Dawg heart proud.

Top247 prospect Charlie Woerner (Tiger, Ga./Rabun Co.) has committed to the Bulldogs, Dawgs247 has confirmed. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound prospect visited Georgia with his team for the Mark Richt 7-on-7 in June, and returned for Dawg Night last weekend.

Woerner, considered the No. 13 prospect in Georgia, No. 19 wide receiver in the country, and No. 119 prospect in the 2016 class by the 247Sports Composite, chose Georgia over offers from Alabama, Clemson and others. His addition gives Georgia 14 commitments, and should push them past Michigan State for the No. 10 class in the country.

Spurrier vs the World, jumping the shark edition

Like most of you I'm sure, I spent part of last night on Steve Orr Spurrier's Wiki page trying to find the sentence that confirmed for me that the man had indeed obtained a degree in journalism from Florida. I didn't find it.

Same old Spurrier right? I guess. Has a bit of a different feel to it though. Probably because of this:

Not a big mystery why Spurrier made the statement he did when he did: http://t.co/SvTnnWZneU http://t.co/R0wORVkRNW

— dawgsonline (@dawgsonline) July 23, 2015

Regardless, the OBC can't make me feel sorry for Hack McBradley. And it's hard to bark too loudly as he's definitely made the annual rivalry against us...well, an actual rivalry.

But since the old guy is down, why not get in a kick or three.

Monday's Meatloaf - "I'll see you at graduation tonight, son."

Those weren't the last words I ever heard Mr. Mac say to me, but they were perhaps the most meaningful. Most educators will freely admit that they, at least partially, go into the field for those precious two months in the summer. If you meet one that says otherwise, they're either lying or fresh out of college. Probably both. But I feel comfortable speaking for those of us who are also very dedicated to making young lives better equipped for their future, that our hearts are anchored in our career.

And if you were to condense his (estimated) five foot nine, three hundred pound frame into one thought, that was Mr. Mac. I was saddened with the news of his passing earlier this month. So glad he had 77 years on this Earth to enrich the lives of everyone that came within his orbit.

My two most vivid memories of Mr. Mac are bookends to my high school career. As a freshman at Cedar Shoals someone broke into the locker room. While Coach Scott blew his whistle and as we expertly performed fitness drills in the gym, the thieves made off with some misdemeanor type valuables. I lost a grand total of five dollars and a belt. It was traumatic. Guess that new Yes album would have to wait. 

The next day I was called into the principal's office. Even though my dad had told me Mr. Mac was the gentlest of giants, I was petrified. The principal's office? I hadn't done anything, but obviously I was at fault for something. I remember sitting there in the chair across from his desk, waiting for whatever punishment it was I was there for to present itself. "I hadn't done anything!", I continued to scream inside my head. I'm sure y'all remember how the teenage mind can relentlessly torture its host in every way imaginable. And my imagination was in overdrive.

Mr. Mac finally walked in and introduced himself. "You're Dr. B's son right?" Immediately I was struck by his kindness. He came across as the most down to Earth school principal I'd known in all my years of formative education. Then again, he also seemed as big as the Earth itself. In the end, I had no idea how true that thought was.

The rest of conversation was lost in a blur of a heightened heart rate and the type of nervousness only a teenage boy of fourteen who is not wearing nearly enough anti-perspirant can understand. After a few moments he reached deep into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet, grabbed a five dollar bill, and handed it to me as he stood up.

He then smiled as I took the bill from his large hand. "I'm sorry my belt won't fit you." He winked as he said it, just to make sure I was completely at ease. I'm sure I thanked him in some awkward manner. And I hope some measure of sincerity was transmitted.

Today's Ingredients
- My dad told me that one March, Mr. Mac showed him a stack of papers bound together. Each one represented a home visit he made for a CSHS student who was in trouble of some sort. Here's a fund set up to continue such efforts for the Cedar Shoals community in his name, if you're so inclined.
- Hope you caught our tailgate roundtable. If not, here they are in order of appearance: quarterbacks, center, receivers, defensive standout, Coach Pruitt, schedule, and overall feelings.
- August isn't even here yet and Tyler is already looking at some cupcakes in November. I see his overall point, but Georgia Southern stands above the rest of those he clumps together. They've taken down Florida and gone toe to toe with Bama in Tuscaloosa.
- They also came as close if not closer than the Dawgs at taking the "State Champs" stamp off of Tech's shiny new 2014 rings.
- Speaking of the engiNerds, the AJC may have missed the latest chapter in Reuben Houston drug story, but Blutarsky didn't.
- And speaking of non-conference scheduling, G&B Attack looks at the Gamecocks' future slate.
- MaconDawg has a look at Coach Richt's new 2017 commit, DeeJay Dallas.
- "So many people." Weiszer writes about the spectacle Dawg Night has grown into.
- Over at Field Street Forum there's a challenge that, should you choose to accept it, could drop a lucrative prize into your lap. (No, not Bama in Sanford tickets. I'm talking about "BRAGGING RIGHTS" son!)
- I'm as much a sucker for a sucker punch at Coach Nicky as the next guy.
- Jason Isbell is a master at lyrics. Here are some words regarding the new album that I found rather astute.

Both literally and figuratively, I was ready to put Trigonometry in the rear view mirror. It was the last exam that stood between me and life beyond the last 12 years of formal education; one final hurdle before I cranked up my 1967 Malibu Chevelle and conquered the world.

(not an) Actual picture of me performing some mathing

I resisted the temptation to speed through the parking lot. As the rest of the underclassmen finished their last day of school, I was heading home mid-morning, with nothing to do but go back to sleep...after setting an alarm that would allow me to (possibly) brush my hair, (potentially) brush my teeth, walk across the stage, and accept my ticket to adulthood.

Yes, every ounce of me wanted to punch the gas and crank Telegraph Road one last time as I peeled onto Cedar Shoals Drive. But I was also compelled to savor the moment. And I was glad I chose the latter.

At the end of the one way conduit from the student parking lot to the front drive beside the school sat a metal chair doing its best to contain a man better suited for a La-Z-Boy. Even as a soon to be graduate, I wasn't one that was familiar with the ins and outs of leaving campus before the final bell. While I wait for you to stop laughing I'll simply add that based on my limited experience there was a 50-50 shot of getting the security officer as opposed to clear passage. I'll also add that the seniors had been reminded (repeatedly) that if we intended to leave campus early we were to bring a note from home.

"Good morning Mr. Mac."
"How'd the trig final go?"
[What?!? How'd he know? Oh God, I'm doomed to go spend four hours in the library shelving books or something. Damnit! DAMNIT!!!!]
"Um..good Mr. Mac. I, um..."
"You forgot a note didn't you?"
"Yessir. I just.."
"I'll see you at graduation tonight, son."

Suddenly I was that awkward 14 year old again - overly excited and equally amazed by my principal's ability to relate. He moved his steel chair from the middle of the lane to the side so that I could pass and gave me a wink.

It was the same wink Doug McLaughlin gave me later that evening when I crossed the stage at Stegeman Coliseum and received my diploma. My formative education was done. That one wink, just as his incredibly firm handshake and every single slap on the shoulder he gave me and thousands of other students that passed him in the hall on the way to their next class, told me that what was waiting for me tomorrow was greater than anything I could leave behind in a trail of gas fumes and a Mark Knopfler solo.

Mr. Mac always had the bigger picture. I'm proud to have shared a few frames in it.

Have a great Monday y'all!

Seniors

Been stewing on this for a couple weeks. My biggest takeaway from the UGA SEC network take over day, was from the 2005 SEC championship game against LSU. They kept talking about how Georgia was not expected to do well that season. Uncle Verne et al continually attributed our success to the seniors on the team.

Now, think back. This was a team that was really one knee injury away from a potential national championship game. This was a team that had exceeded even its own fanbase's expectations. They used a stingy, aggressive defense. And an offense that took whatever the defense offered. Add in a quarterback that had been chomping at the bit, and you had an SEC East team ready for mayhem.

Sure. The seniors under 2005 Coach Richt are different than the ones under 2015 Coach Richt. Back then the roster was set based on some kind matriculated status as opposed to talent. But the basic premise is the same. At least that's what I believe. You have to have good leadership to make it to Atlanta in December. 

So, we had it then. Do we have it now?

Much has been made about Chubb being left off this morning's private UGA charter to SEC Media Days. Last year we took two seniors (Ramik and Conley) and a junior, Todd Gurley. Sure, Nick Chubb is the key to the season. But is it really so bad that we leave him at home?

I don't think so. I think the 2015 Georgia Bulldogs will rely on young talent to make plays. But Richt will always rely on senior leadership to drive the bus. And if you look at the roster, we have upper classmen all over ready to lead. That's going to become important somewhere down the road.