CatNapped

"Are you mad Daddy?" Conner is my six year old that always seems in tune with others' emotions and feelings. Of course after six years together, she knows when Daddy is mad. So the question was almost rhetorical.

"Yes Honey. Daddy's mad." I answered anyway. After all the Dawgs had just given up another rushing TD and subsequently were ruining my afternoon. Luckily Conner pretty much left it at that, cuz I don't know how you explain to a six year old that the defensive ends need to play off the block and extend the option attack towards the sideline. 

Fortunately Stafford, Moreno, Green, MoMass and Dobbs were not done playing. We've wondered if #7 had provided fans with his moment yet as a bulldog QB, like those who've taken snaps before him in red and black. Certainly, Stafford was not lacking for a moment as he left Lexington as he stumbled, side-stepped and rolled his way to the right flat and then lofted a beautiful pass to Green, who used every bit of his 6 foot 4 inch frame to gather in the toss. Jenn noticed that there were four defenders in the area of Green. I noticed at least two of them were drawn close to Knowshon at the front corner of the end zone. I was glad to see Moreno get 25 touches, including 22 carries and 3 TDs. Maybe Green makes the catch anyway if Knowshon is on the sideline, but it was clear that his presence created a little more space for Stafford to make the throw.

As beautiful as that play was, it was Demarcus Dobbs second INT of the season that saved our dog-like dairy-aires. Sure Stafford's talent is talked about in circles both local and national; Green is thought of as one of the best young receivers in the land; but it is Dobbs' play that you can vote for as the Pontiac Game Changer on ESPN's website. You'll remember Dobbs from his 78 yard PickSix against Central Michigan back in September. Once he finally crossed into the end zone that late summer afternoon you may have thought that his feat would be his most memorable as a Dawg. Turns out he had something more dramatic in mind.

Without Dobb's two cast-laden arms reaching up and corralling the Cobb screen pass into his

body as he fell to the Commonwealth bluegrass, we'd all be storming Butts-Mehre this week asking for Martinez to do the admirable thing and pull a Fulmer (ie. step-down for the good of the program).  Instead we will just accost him through blogs, sports talk radio and while standing aside the water fountains this week. I guess the good news is the D made some adjustments, they just seemed a little late. I watched some defensive lowlights last night and it

is pretty clear that our D-ends are continuing to pass rush in the third quarter when the Wildcats really have no interest in passing. Battle tries to turn the corner on a tackle and Dixon uses that gap to find enough room to run into the end zone early in the fourth quarter. Kentucky 31, Dawgs 28 at that point. And why would they pass the ball at all when they had amassed a lion share of rushing yards between Cobb and Dixon? I was surprised Sunday morning when my eyes told me they had bothered to throw the ball 20 times.

Good D's stop the run first and then play the pass. I realize our coaches likely had not seen much option from KenYucky on film leading into the game. But we refused to commit extra support to stopping the run, even as they passed 200 yards on the ground. Cobb is a freshman. Force him to beat us through the air.

Do I feel better this week than last? Certainly. But the win in Lexington did nothing to assuage my fears for this defense's leadership. It will not be an easy week for Coach Martinez. Surely we can give Auburn more of a fight than Tennessee Martin. But in case you haven't noticed, the bugs from the flats have a dynamic offense when it is clicking. We get a bye week before the Tech game. We'll need all of it to figure out a way to stop Johnson's attack.

Shout-outs!

• First and foremost, Dobbs for representin' the big man in dramatic fashion.
• Ainsley for following a five goal performance last weekend with another five goal effort on Saturday in the Big Green Machine's last game of the season.
• Dave Archer for asking the question that was on all of the viewers' minds Saturday during the game, "Where is AJ Bryant?"  ........uh ......he ran out of eligibility last year big guy ....?? Archer then asked the more relevant question, "Where is AJ Green?" Green promptly responded by hauling in a big catch, his first of the game.
• Adam Wynn for making the trek the the SEC's northern most destination. Adam is BDB's first Follower and took it upon himself to cover the game. He reports that the Dawgs won, traffic was bad, air was cold, but he had a great time. Keep up the great work Adam. Catch a nap in between classes........
• Tim Nama for scoring Bernie a ticket to the Auburn game.
• Shaun Chapas on his first TD as a Dawg on a play that rests near and dear in every Dawg fan's heart.
• Rennie Curran - Happy Birthday!! Keep bringing the hammer!

So we set our sights on the War Eagles. Personally, this will be my first trip to Auburn. If the visiting team wins (please note I said if), is it frowned upon to take a roll of toilet paper to Toomer's? On Friday we'll take a closer look at this Schizophrenic SEC team that can't decide whether they are eagles or tigers. We'll also evaluate some of the PR spin Tuberville has given the media related to his staff changes as of late. It has lead to a challenging season for Coach Tubs......

I haven't seen any film, but from the score updates it looked as if the SkyHawks of the Ohio Valley Conference gave Auburn all they could handle for more than three quarters. They trailed by a TD going into the 4th. Hopefully theAU starters got no rest. Of course they just have to turn on the projector to get pumped up for this week's game. Last year we blacked out the stadium to welcome them and then made sure they were black and blue before they left. I'm sure they will be reminiscent of that this week in preparations.

Reader Rants! Some topics BDB is offering up for discussion this week include:

• What's bigger - Terry Bowden's mouth or Tommy Tuberville's ears? Most would say Bowden's mouth as it is rarely closed. But have you seen the size of those skin frisbees on the side of Tuberville's head? Whoa Man! At least they balance each other out.. 
• Does Bobby Lowder let Tuberville carve the turkey when they celebrate Thanksgiving together? It would only be fair after the infamous runway meeting to oust ol' Big Ears. 
• Are 6 scholarship O linemen enough to sustain us against Auburn?
• Why can 3 down linemen produce more of a pass rush than four?
• So you want Martinez gone. Well ....he ain't gonna get gone. At least CMR is not gonna push him out. And as Marc Weiszer reports, the head coach is rather defensive of his defense. Chip Towers has a similar report, but includes a brief transcript of the call in show. Reading between the lines I would say the coaches' assessment is that some players have not stepped up and that injuries have hurt.
• Would YOU keep Martinez? This season's stats have proven that we are regressing defensively. I would argue that something needs to happen going into these last couple of games and certainly next season. Can CMR convince Martinez to better utilize his talent, change schemes, grow a pair?
• And lastly, what is your source for Dawg info, stats, gossip? I mentioned last week I listen to a lot of 680 The Fan. Now that Chuck Oliver is there they undoubtedly have the best college football coverage on radio. When it comes to printed word, is there anyone out there that actually prefers the AJC to the Athens Banner Herald? And when it comes to the cyber word, do you prefer the rumor mill/smash talk of the DawgVent or do you click more often on ESPN.com?

My sources you ask? I just ask Jennifer. She tells me what should be done, how it should be done and why it should have been done yesterday.

Cord Trammell and Chris Nama both connected from way down town on last week's trivia. They both knew that Dickie Lyons had a rather weird dream about his fiance', simple battery and Matthew Stafford over the summer. For an account of the fantasy, click on the freak's name - - Dickie Lyons. For their hard work these gentlemen will both receive the DVD version of this YouTube classic - tastin' Old Crow! Perhaps they can use it to help them grow out of their

bourbon snobbery..... And given Cordgeous' streak of trivia wins he has agreed to continue on this season without the crutches that have gotten him this far. But he sends this warning: Never go against a sicilian when death is on the line!!

Peace be with you BDB brethren. I hope your week is "orange free"!!

Bernie

Cheer up Dawg fans.....

....we scored twice as many points against Florida than KenYucky did. Wahoo!

Moreno and Richt voted absentee in my poll this week. They both did their best to reassure me and other concerned fans that there is no cause behind my concern. I stand (er....sit) here today, unconvinced. #24 is our best threat on the ground and is one of our best assests in the passing game, receiving for one but mostly as a blocker. When he gains a sizable chunk of yards to get us within a breath of the end zone Saturday and then goes to the sideline to give the "rotation" a rep, that's unacceptable. King has proven he's a good backup. Samuel has proven he can avoid the allusive redshirt. Neither of those two options are going to put a defense into a matchup problem. Moreno draws attention....unless he's on the sideline. He needs to regain his breath in the huddle or a coach needs to get in his facemask and tell him he didn't do those mat drills for nuttin'.

So it's hogwash to me that he needs a breather. Using my previous example, Moreno should bounce back up after that long run and get back in the huddle so Bobo can call his number again. Then we are able to stuff it down the lizards throats and score a TD instead of settling for a missed FG. CLANK!!

One last point on this issue: last year Knowshon knew touches! He got over thirty-something in Jacksonville. This year....uhh...not so much. As usual, Chip Towers was one step ahead of me; he explores this issue and provides a more popular poll on ajc.com, here.

Too lazy to click today? Here's my favorite snippet:

On the game’s second series, Moreno had just gained 25 yards to get the Bulldogs down to the Florida 9 when he decided to leave the game. Freshman Caleb King came in and whiffed on a pass block, allowing Matthew Stafford to be sacked for a six-yard loss. Stafford lost five more yards on the next play and Georgia was forced to settle for a field goal try. It missed.

Whew! I'm sweatin' already. Time to simmer down.

Scrap that! One more topic to rant about this Friday. I'll start by comin' clean. I've gone from a Martinez Hatemonger to one of his supporters at the beginning of this season. I was turned around by the stats that had his Ds among the tops in the land every year. "Well, move over Dawgs Discouraged with their Defense! I'm climbin' back on board." I'm tired of bending, breaking and downright gettin' gashed! We got to get back to manning up, bringing the heat and flat out knocking guys outta their boots.

I listen to a lot of 680thefan. And someone made the point on air this week of comparing BVG to Sweet Willie. VanGorder's intensity could make 17 year olds die to play for him. Now kids come to UGA cuz they wanna play for CMR. That's great.

But on D we need some intensity. And I just don't see it. Sure we have our moments when we go up against a Hawaii or Okie State of last year. But consistently it's just not there. I wanna see our D knock someone in the teeth, dictate the tempo and overall wreck havoc on the opposing linemen. Instead, we see a defense that reacts to what is going on and tries to contain the action within the first down markers and the end zones. Boo - Hiss!

Stay tuned with that one BDB readers. I'll agree that our preseason expectations were a bit lofty for our team's caliber. But with another loss (say to GA Tech for instance) things could get ugly with a capital UGH! CMR will always stand by ol' Willie, but it'll be interesting when he begins to feel some pressure into doing something in the off-season. By pressure I mean a big $$ booster, by public opinion or both. And by something I mean anything from firing/hiring to having Willie change his philosophy somewhat north of a tweak.

Speaking of GA Tech, BDB has at least two new ramblin' wreck readers. To make sure they have stayed on board after that North Avenue Trade School comment last week, I need to run a system test. Please stand by: Stop me if you've heard this one. A guy calls the Tech ticket office and someone picks up right away. "I need 4 together for this Saturday's game." the gentleman says. Ticket Office employee: "No problem sir, we have 4 together." Tech fan: "Great! When does the game start?" Employee: "Well....when would you like it to start?"

BA dump BUMP! If I know this reader like I think I do, he'll be redder than the visitors' section at Grant Field two days after Turkey Day every odd year.

But this week it's the Wildkitties. You know, Rich Brooks has done a great job at this school renowned for its basketball tradition. It took him a while to convince everyone that you could put 11 players on the field at one time, instead of the five they had been using. But once he did, they've not just beaten some teams, they've put some butts in seats.

Two more stops on this tour of manic-depression for the Dawgs. Jury's still out on whether we can survive this LONG trip with just one loss. KenYucky's a solid team and they know that the Dawgs can be beat. Many of these cats were around the last time we ventured into Lexington. In 2006 we thought the hardest part of the trip would be convincing the home team to use the oblong ball instead of the round one. Turns out the hardest part was putting more points on the board than the home team. OUCH!

Call me crazy (You CRAZY Bernie!!), but I'd be more worried about this game had we not just had our jock straps handed to us. We've heard this week about there still being things to play for this season. I think the people who still believe our SEC hopes are alive are not paying attention to the machine in the corner of the room that has the flat line............BEEEEEEEEP!

But there are still New Year's Day festivities on the table. Not a bad set of scraps either once those big boys (you know...Bama and Florida) finish eating. Capital, Cotton, Outback are all there for the taking if we can take care of the kittens, war tigers and the bees. Granted that if is a little bigger this week than last. But we're the better team, we have more talent, we're angry and we should be focused. I think we fight through the bluegrass and bring back a win.

Dawgs 34

felines 17

News and Notes:

• About the only person who hasn't announced publicly that they are NOT interested in the Tennessee job is Fulmer
• Raise your hand if you voted for Pedro!
• Bud Foster can really coach a defense
• The LSU/Bama game has been postponed while they search for a location that can hold Saban's ego. It seems his head done swoll'd up since he last coached in Death Valley
• And this week's rumor mill produces this: Fulmer wants a brighter shade of orange and puts feelers out for the Clemson job

This week's trivia brought to you by PlayStation. Without that and NCAA Football, I don't know that I ever would've worked through my frustrations after last week's loss in Jacksonville. TAKE THAT URBAN! HOW DO YA LIKE THAT TIMEOUT? Some final stats from my own version of a Jacksonville beat down: Tebow 9-23 for 108 and 3 INTs; Knowshon 25 carries for 117yds plus 3 receptions for 92 yards, 3 total TDs.

Who had a dream about Matthew Stafford this summer that ended with #7 punching him in the nose and telling him, "You don't hit women."?

Have a great weekend everyone. Don't forget to stop by the online store and purchase your BDB slippers and robes to get ready for the holiday season and those frigid winter nights.

Bernie

"You won....but at least my wife has teeth."

A rich (and largely edited) sampling of a conversation overheard as we tucked our tails and ran for the exits. You want another? Ok.

"I don't know if I'll ever come back to Jacksonville again. EVER!"

Yeh, it was that bad, maybe worse. I think I was right about two things: 1) red pants would've been a bad decision and 2) Blair Walsh was a big factor. Of course, those missed field goals seemed to loom large as I visited the mens room at halftime. But turns out we were just on the first step of a spiraling, disastrous descent into a nightmare that still lingers today.

I feel a deepening need to get real honest. Might as well start with this: it's not a great feeling watching your team get outmanned and outplayed. It makes it much worse when you realize you're also getting outcoached. Then it gets really stark when you remember this is the second time this season this has happened. The only redeeming factor is that against the reptiles you can never get outclassed. I wasn't in the stadium at the time, but later heard that Urban called a couple timeouts to prolong the misery of the fans who had stayed to watch the 5th quarter. That's clASSy!

For those of you who came here for the rosy disposition, with wins over Kentucky and Auburn we can establish ourselves as the clear cut 3rd best team in the SEC. The rest of you probably already realize that we're at least a step closer to the 8th best team as we are the first. In the first half of the Bama game and the second half of the game Saturday we gave up 9 TDs. NINE!! Who in the world ever said Martinez coaches pretty well against this offense? Probably the same guy who said we'd win by a field goal. IDIOT!

In other news, Fulmer and UT have "mutually agreed" that it is not in the University's best interest for him to come back next year as head coach. In a completely unrelated story, Cracker Barrel announced more than 60 restaurant closings in the Knoxville area. 

Other thoughts, some of which may actually be coherent:

Knowshon was a Knon-factor; his fault or Bobo's? Good question. I'll vote for both

• a breakfast stromboli makes interesting cuisine from an airport food court


• the Redcoats came to play; not many others in red and black did


• on a jumbotron in Alltel, Tebow's knee is so huge you can actually tell what yard line it landed on


• Traffic cops outside the stadium do ............. a remarkable job of keeping the order


• Jean short wearing cousin Bill makes a good bloody mary


• it's time for Gary Stokan, the Atlanta Sports Council and the GA Dome to factor into the mix for the GA/fla game every other year


• brush back tosses in cornhole are not really effective


• now that Philyup Fulmer has stepped down, did anyone feel the Earth shake?

Another thing that concerns me is seeing Knowshon take himself out of the game. The first couple of times I dismissed it for the most part. But it seems to happen more and more. CMR commented on it a couple of weeks ago and said that it was #24's decision. I don't mind King getting some carries, but there's times you really want Moreno in the game and it seems like those times are the ones where he jogs to the sideline. What do you think? Have you noticed? Do you think it is a cause for concern or is this blawgger just overreacting?

For the second time this season it is time to dish out some suspensions. After the last loss BDB's suspensions helped propel the Dawgs to a 4 game win streak, including a solid victory over the bye week. This Saturday is stop 3 on a magical mystery tour. And the last time we were in Lexington we left limping. Let's hope these suspensions send a clear signal that here at BDB, we expect competitive games, if not just wins.

1. CMR
2. Stafford. Three picks was 3 too many
3. SEC - your officiating is a joke
4. roughly 70,000 florida fans for annoying me
5. myself for attempting to help direct traffic

And lastly, congratulations to Cord Trammell and Chris Nama for answering the trivia question correctly. They somehow knew that Baccari Rambo simulated the play of Tebow during practice last week. They also knew that the team was touting him for Heisman by the end of the week. Turns out all of that was just to renew the junior gator's repeat bid as the trophy's candidate. But it was enough to earn these BDB readers a sack full of Krystals. Enjoy!

Bernie

Silence speaks volumes

While neighborhoods across the land are filled with the sounds of fall (crunching leaves) and All Hallow's Eve (BOO!), the sounds around the Georgia and Florida athletic offices have been muted. The memories of the end zone celebration are still vivid. But the words that may translate that recollection have been locked away, tight. The bad news is that the media has not been able to provide any fodder for the Bulldog Bulletin board. The good news is that the media has largely had to focus on the game itself.

While seeing Trinton Sturdivant shake, rattle and roll with 50+ teammates may be my most lasting memory of last year's GA/fla game, it was Knowshon's 188 yards and 3 TDs that contributed the most to the win. And another performance like that may be necessary Saturday.

This year's game is HUGE. We've heard/read the experts this week trying to decide if this is the biggest GA/fla game of all. I say it is, undoubtedly. Sure there have been others with similar implications and national rankings, but this just seems bigger. Maybe it's the anxiousness of seeing how each team will play after last year's drama. Maybe it's the fact that the game that has been circled on the schedule for both teams is finally here. At the beginning of the season there were hopes on both sides that this might be a #1 vs #2 match up. Both teams lost at the end of September within hours of each other, but have taken care of business since then. Florida in grand style, the Dawgs in more workmanlike fashion.

Some things that scare me a little:

• Meyer's special teams are always special; James returns kicks like it is a matter of life and death for him to reach the end zone; and if you hadn't heard, they blocked some kicks last week against UK
• Georgia's lack of pass rush is already exposed, but could be devastating tomorrow; the front four have certainly suffered through some injuries, but there's a time is a season when the excuses must take a backseat; that time was about a month ago
• these gators don't crawl, they SPRINT! Meyer recruits speed and this is his fastest.
• Meyer and the gators have something up their sleeve; if it's a gimmick, sobeit; but if they do I think it is likely something they are counting on to impact the game .....something to make you go - "hmmmmmm."
• Is there really, TRULY a chance we come out in red pants? The black jerseys - VERY cool against Auburn in '07, a side story against Hawaii and a disaster against Bama; if CMR uses the color of pants to geek us up against floriDUH ........isn't he stretching a bit too much?
• The Over/Under is well into the fifties, and most are betting that it goes over; I don't like our chances as much in a shoot out; the less we see of #15 the better

As I get a little closer to boarding Delta flight 1667 for Jacksonville, I realize there were a couple more things to clear out of the BDB closet. So real quick -

1. Lemme thank Mac via Dad for this photo gallery of everything that is ......unique? .......about SEC football fandom. Editor's Note - the red-haired, bare-chested gentleman is NOT a Dawg, he's a Hog.
   
   
   


2. John Daly, drunk at a Hooter's? Yep! Here's the proof. I guess he's really working that endorsement.
   



3. Another thank you to my mother-in-law for an early birthday present that was delivered yesterday. She consulted my wife who consulted Nama and, long story short ....Bernie now has Cornhole! For my few readers unfamiliar with this game of skill, strategy and teamwork here is a preview for the movie that is coming to a screen near you! For some pics of Conner and Ainsley throwin' down, click here.
   
4. For the first time in a LONG time, the DAWGS flew in and out of Ben Epps for the LSU game. It saves the team and the coaches a few hours as opposed to flying into Hartsfield. Hopefully that helps in the preparation for this SEC East elimination game.



5. Leave it to CBS to find the ONE sober LSU fan in Death Valley towards the end of the game last Saturday and put him on air long enough for Nama to get out his iPhone - - - - - >




6. And lastly, Knowshon needs 13 yards to pass the legendary Sinkwich on UGA's all-time leading rushers list. He needs 75 to pass 1,000 for the season.

SO! Deep breath. Here we go ....... I think it is fairly obvious that our offense matches up better against their defense than our D against their O. Martinez has fared pretty well against Meyer's spread attack, but this year's gator is much faster and their emotionally sensitive QB is healthier this year and has a more diverse supporting cast. Mainly, the gators aren't relying on Tebow's legs (and heavy shoulder) as much to get those yards on the ground. Moore and Moody are the more traditional size RBs, but have been nicked up a bit. So Demps and Rainey have filled in admirably, despite their size. Meyer and OC Mullen clearly attempt to get these speedsters in space and let them go to town. It would be nice to see a red-jerseyed LB dart through and lower the BOO-YAH on these guys.

If it turns into a shoot-out, I still give us a shot at winning. But I think to ensure a win we have to be the more physical team, control the chains and the clock. Let Tebow rest up for their match up against against Vandy next week and give Knowshon the ball early and often. Meyer says that #24 makes our O-line look better than they are, well let's smack 'em in the mouth and open up some holes that even the gator coach's ego could fit through. Stafford should fare well through the air, especially if the running game sets the table.

PREDICTION TIME- Walsh has made some big kicks, it's time for the biggest of his career. Dawgs handle the gators with a workmanlike effort that makes Meyer write another book in the off-season complaining that Jacksonville is not a neutral site for him anymore and outlines his reasons for moving it to Utah. We keep our aspirations for a trip to the SEC Championship game (and our dreams of anything bigger) alive. Make sure to tip your bartender!

Dawgs 24

Swamptrash 21

This week's trivia brought to you by: The Corn Hole Outlet(.com), where non-athletes go to make their dreams bigger! Last year's Heisman winner is a one of a kind QB. And I'm sure replicating his tendencies and talents in practice to help your defense prepare is a daunting task. Who "filled Tebow's shoes" on the scout team for the Dawgs this week in practice? An extra bean bag if you can add what the Dawg players were chanting after this player's skills were displayed.

If you're in St. Simons, save a booth at Gnat's and some fried dill pickles for me. And as always, be safe.

Bernie

I'll Gamble on the Dawgs!

Turns out the "Tiger Bait" bit back. Hard! In my prediction piece Friday I underestimated the offense and overestimated the defense, I guess. Didn't like seeing all of the long plays go against us, especially the long run for a TD at the end. But it's hard to fault a D that puts 14 points (the difference in the game BTW) on the board. Gamble started the game off in grand style by showing he could read the eyes of Jarrett Lee easier than a recipe for crawfish etoufee. Pick 6, Touchdown Georgia! Up in the booth, Gary and Verne hadn't even taken their suit coats off yet .......... Gamble shows his sportsmanship as well by waiting another 3 hours before returning another pass for a TD. Two interceptions returned for touchdowns by a linebacker was good enough to tie Gamble for an NCAA record AND good enough to send the ragin' cajuns out of Death Valley to drown their sorrows in swamp juice a little earlier than planned. Oh! And Gamble also had 13 tackles. Not bad for an Ellerbe fill-in.

BDB beat reporter Scoop McGee caught up with Les "was more" Miles after the game. Scoop: "Coach Miles, your thoughts?" the Hat: "I WILL be the head coach at LSU, I have no interest in talking with anyone else." Scoop: "So I can consider this a Scoop McGee exclusive?" Miles: "I've got championships to play, and I'm excited about the opportunity of my DAMN strong football team." Scoop: "Even your secondary that just got torched? Any truth that your D backs are not talented enough to handle being placed on an island, blitz after blitz?" Mad Hatter: "It was unfortunate that I had to address my team. I really have nothing more to say." Scoop: "Will Lee or Hatch start next week against Tulane?" the Hat: "I represent me in this issue. Please ask me after...I'm busy" Scoop: "Coach you seem distracted, aloof, or possibly just dazed. Haven't you used this speech before." Miles: "Thanks. Have a great Day."

Scoop then reports that the conference ended with Miles growling about giving up 2 TDs and nearly a hundred yards rushing to a linebacker. I suspect a difficult week ahead in Baton Rouge.

So, attentions turn to a game ....let's see.....let me find my notes......what game is next?.......OH! That's right. Florida! The annual cocktail party has been renamed by BDB as The Annual Convention for Successful UGA Students and Alums and another 50,000 or so Jean Short Wearin' Tebow Lovers. Catchy, but kinda long ....... Let's put that to our readers. Tell us what you would rename Dr. Adams Politically Correct, PoliteFest Social Event with a Football Game Teaser.


So many of you have asked, it's only fair that I share: yes, I will be able to participate in Halloween festivities with the kids AND take in the game. Thanks in part to Delta. However, the catch was to be able to do it without even one carry on bag. Thanks to Ann and Da Crew for taking my bag down to St. Simons on Thursday. Feel free to use my toothpaste. So that I can pull this off though - it's time to clean out the BDB closet of all extra "luggage". So hang on, this could get ugly!

1. Trivia winners. Yes plural. No more sudden deaths. BDB has more sponsors now than we know what to do with. So why not spread the love around. I always have thought of Nama as a pure-bred Dawg, but I'm beginning to think he may be part bloodhound. He's hard to shake off the scent when it comes to trivia. He, like Mr. Trammell was a little conflicted about whether College Football's heaviest trophy was the Fremont Cannon or the Golden Boot. Certainly the cannon is heavier, but the winner of the Battle of Nevada gets the cannon for the next year until the next game. The Golden Boot is a trophy that goes with the team to its athletic offices for eternity. Plus, we didn't even know there was football in the state of Nevada. Ann McElroy correctly answered with the Golden Boot, as did Allen Randall. Adam - sorry, the Old Oak Bucket ......Indiana/Purdue winner .....? Nope. Better keep the Ipod Touch in the backpack during class. BUT - you are the BDB's first "Follower". What an honor! It all adds up to bonus links for everyone!! Enjoy this classic from last year's celebration laden win for the Dawgs. jorts = jeans + shorts
   
2. I was invited last week to have lunch with my youngest daughter. Her Pre-k happens to be through our church and they called the big event "Pizza with Pops". I arrived at the door and Ainsley jumped into my arms. I hugged her tight and then extended my hand towards her teachers. And then it happened. "I read your blawg." Uhm....huh? Turns out I have readers I wasn't aware of. Some of BDB's subscribers forward their bi-weekly editions to other Bulldawg faithful. Jenn evidently sends it to Ainsley's teacher. Cool! So a special shout-out to Mrs. Wendy at McKendree UMC. You and Mrs. Kim do a great job. And thanks for not sending home artwork covered in glitter each and every day. Glitter gives me the creeps.
   
3. I also had the chance to visit Conner at lunch a week or two ago. It was a Friday and she was (of course) dressed in RedandBlack. At her school you get to invite a friend to the visitors table if your parent comes for lunch. Conner had Kennedy join us for chicken tenders and chocolate milk. I couldn't get Kennedy to talk about college football, but that may have been because she couldn't really hear me since she talked pretty much the entire time. She did at one point place her foot up on the table. "I like your pink boots, " I said quickly as she was swallowing a bite of broccoli and drawing a deep breath. She then explained that they were pink COWGIRL boots and that her dad's favorite team was the Dallas Cowboys and they had a dog they named Dallas and Dallas sometimes eats table food and when you feed her hotdogs she poops them out....... there was a lot more that followed, but my nearly middle aged brain could only process so much of Kennedy's diatribe at a time. Oh! And did I mention she was the cutest little girl in pink COWGIRL boots I have ever seen? See for yourself......
4. Some great links you may or may not have been aware of that can help the reddest of Dawg fans stay current with little more than a click: The Anti-Orange Page includes Jim from Duluth's weekly transcription of the CMR call in show, not to mention a Lewis Grizzard archive. CMR's Page shows recruits (and fans) all of the ins/outs of University of Georgia Football, as well as his personal side. TotalUga is a new site published by Brett Jensen. A lot of the info is free, subscribers get the full access.
5. Jim Halpert finally proposed to Pam. And he did it at a rest stop ……in the rain ...............AWESOME!!

Shout outs!

• Knowshon is as adept at getting shout outs as some BDB readers are with trivia questions. SEC Offensive POtW!
• Darryl Gamble as the SEC Defensive POtW, he had to be an easy selection.
• The four customers we had Saturday for our garage sale. Without you, all that work would have been for nothing. Yawn!!
• The Willis' for a great party that included Hurricanes, Jenn for closing out another Burnette win at cornhole, Nama for the Apple Pies, and Cord ......... it was good seeing ya!
• All my Wahoo in-laws for spoiling the Homecoming at the North Avenue Trade School.
  
• And last but never least....my Florida "friends" from last year's game to be named later. (see picture insert) I hope we get to sit next to each other this year ......... maybe you'll enjoy the game a little more.

Penalties!

• Urban Meyer .......just because.
• My Clemson-following family that didn't bother to read my post-bowden firing blog. For shame!
• The SEC for scheduling next year's annual game who's name is yet to be determined the day of Halloween. Even Delta may not be able to help with that one.

Enjoy your Florida week Dawg fans. Make sure you save those Snicker bars Friday night for those cute UGA cheerleaders and decked out linebackers that come to your door. And go ahead and practice slamming the door on those little yellow jackets and gators. "This is the Department of Family and Children Services, intake." ......"Yes I'd like to report a case of child endangerment."

Bernie

Blitzkrieg in the Bayou

Portions of a letter from the Editor earlier this week:


Mr. Nama,

The hardworking, albeit distractable staff here at BDB would like to express our apologies to you as the runner up in last week's trivia. We understand you correctly answered the bonus question and then followed up with a terrific sudden death answer. However, the other contestant pulled the "Married to the Creator" Trump card, and the Burnette sofa is a lonely place. After 11 years of marriage, Bernie knows when to fold 'em and we hope that as a married veteran yourself, you will understand. Please accept this bonus link as a consolation and we look forward to your continued support of all things Blawg.


So ...........BDB readers, the winner is obviously Jenn from Lawrenceville. As luck would have it, last week's trivia was sponsored by Podere Le Caselle. Pick a week honey, I'll call Delta.


Last week's trivia results just prove that, with an imperfect system, controversy can happen. You know, just like with the BCS. The first BCS rankings were released Sunday afternoon and since then every college football fanatic, writer and coach has spent tireless hours poring over every detail. The humans love the Trojans, but the computers hate 'em. Is Ohio State making a move for a third consecutive BCS Title Smackdown? Could this be a dream season for JoePa? One where he could get a new hip and a BCS pat on the back?


None of that drivel here at Bernie's Dawg Blawg. It's LSU week ......which happens to precede the annual Border War in Jacksonville.......which happens to precede a trip to Lexington, which is of course followed by a trip to JurdanHair. (Deep Breath! .......exhale.) Then there's a bye week before Johnson's Jackets make their first visit to Athens.


You get the idea. There's much work ahead. Let's get busy!


I've been having this feeling in my gut the past week or so. Meals came and went and it was still there. We won Homecoming against Vandy and it only intensified, so I surmised that it had something to do with the Dawgs. I fretted and worried ....until finally it dawned on me. It was like the elephant sitting in the corner of the room that my psyche refused to address. Only when my mind came out of the fog, I realized there were TWO elephants. One was the fact that I am running out of reasons to predict Dawg victories. We've dominated two teams the last couple of weeks and yet the game wasn't over until the end. Perplexing. The other was the fact that this is BDB's 13th edition. I don't consider myself really, REALLY superstitious. My wife for instance will spend an entire quarter of a game adjacent to a concession line if she feels it is helping Coach Bobo focus. I don't go quite that far. But I do wear certain items of clothing to games if we are successful. I may adjust somewhat due to weather, but the basic outfit stays the same. Probably like you, my "black-out" attire has been retired.


But #13 coming just before LSU, that's hard to dismiss. From what I saw of their game against South Carolina the other night, LSU may not have all of the play makers they are used to having, but they are every bit of the physical team we have grown accustomed to seeing from our creole cousins. And "the HAT" is always innovative. Their big D-tackle Ricky Francois Jean Louis Jumbalaya (or whatever his name is) was out for the Carolina game and they found themselves thin, so they used four defensive ends on the front line. The result - 6 sacks, 7 tackles for loss against the chickens. I can't remember how many we had against the Visor, but I know it wasn't that many.


Nearly a year ago we all had penciled in Miles for the Michigan job; he stayed but Defensive Coordinator Pelini left for Lincoln. The LSYou defense is still very aggressive under co-coordinators Peveto and Mallory. And you can bet they wanna pressure our youthful big heftys. I expect they'll have their backers and safeties dialed up early and often to test Boling and company. I also expect Bobo to counter with some quick throws and a lot of I-formation to allow Chapas/Southerland and Moreno to help pass protect on second and longs.


On the other side, our D must prepare for one fairly inexperienced QB (Lee) who seems to have a talented arm. And they'll prepare for another (Hatch) who used his brain to get into Harvard, but used his SkyMiles to fly south as a transfer. Crowton likes to use Brainiac to create space with his legs, but he will pass on occasion. Both Lee and Hatch are still young in terms of SEC coursework, so I believe Martinez will throw multiple looks at the duo and try to pressure them into some mistakes. Crowton will counter by keeping our front honest with a steady diet of Charles Scott and Keiland Williams. But perhaps their most lethal offensive threat is one that barely towers over Mary Lou Retton. Trindon Holliday can run the length of the field faster than it takes us to sit down on a sofa. But at a meager 170 pounds, I think one shot from Rennie may just sideline Junior for somewhere between a few plays and an eternity.


My faithful readers, let's huddle up a minute ..........We're at a crossroads in the season, ladies and gents. In nine days we'll be heading home from Jacksonville. If we cross that state line with two more losses than we have today, we've gone from dreaming of going to Atlanta for the SEC Title game to the reality of possibly going to Atlanta for the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. If we split the games and go 1-1, we better hope that one win is against Florida if we're to have any chance at an SEC crown. With either of those scenarios unlucky #13 will have bit us good and the rumblings will have turned into grumblings in terms of what is ailing this talented team.


But I'm staring straight at the end of this 13th blawg and I'm smiling. I'm smiling cuz I have faith in another number ...... 7!! Stafford has yet to have a moment as a Dawg. We've heard the pundits point that out on occasion, despite his talent and NFL upside. He hasn't had that moment that other Dawgs have had to transcend their status as another scholarship player into a BullDawg of Lore. Greene had his moment early in his career. Before Munson made his Hobnail Boot call, Richt and staff called for P-44 Haynes. Now we see the replay every home game on the BigBoard. Greene had another at Auburn the next season when he hit Michael Johnson on 70XTakeoff to secure a shot at the SEC Title. Pollack - INT @ South Carolina. Herschel - placing his cleat marks on Bill Bates chest in Knoxville. Buck Belue - Lindsay Scott. 'Nuf said there.


And how about this one....Quincy Carter - he had a performance of a lifetime as a freshman in '98. He was on the road to Freshman of the Year honors in the SEC and he was on the road in ........Baton Rouge. He was near perfect in leading the Dawgs to an upset of then #6 LSU 28-27.


We've seen highlights of Stafford ripping his helmet off and running to celebrate with his team after throwing the game winning TD in OT to Mikey last year at Alabama. But this blawgger doesn't believe that was his moment. He has more talent than David Greene, he has a bigger arm than Buck Belue and he has a better head on his shoulders than Carter. But those and others have moved their name into places of Butts-Mehre where they will stay long after we're gone. #7 has made plenty of big plays, but Stafford's moment (I will argue) is still out there. And I think it shows itself sooner rather than later. Why not this weekend?



Dawgs 31


Crazy Creoles 13




Trivia brought to you this week by humble pie and boiled crow. They don't taste good, but it beats sleeping downstairs. Standing 4 feet tall, weighing nearly 200 pounds and valued at $10,000, this rivalry trophy is believed to be the heaviest of all rivalry trophies. What is its name and what two teams battle for the chance to (....ugh.....UGH!!....) lift it?



To those travelling to Cajun Country, beware of voodoo dolls and undercooked Boudin. And if given the choice of spending 10 seconds in Mike's cage or Rastlin' with Ti-Paul Jean Phillipe ......play it safe .......................choose the tiger.








Bernie

Vanderbilt victories are always weird.....

....but never very scientific.

First, a message from this week's sponsor, Forearm Shiver: the Great Equalizer.

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Pardon the bleary eyes. Between the game and an emergency meeting Sunday of the BDB staff, your humble blawgger has not gotten much rest. For the first time since its inception (well over a month ago), the BDB has a tie in its Trivia qustion for the week. Jenn from Lawrenceville evidently has her own research team at the ready and quite swiftly determined that Zach Mettenberger is UGA's other Elite 11 QB commit. She let her research staff have the rest of the day off and Chris Nama swooped in with the answer to the bonus question. Nama's success at BDB trivia has been well documented. So it came as no surprise that he knew Mr. Mettenberger's mom Tammy, is an admin asst for CMR.

Over an hour into the emergency meeting yesterday, Senior Chief Executive Financial Advisor Lisa suggested the prize be split. This set off a brouhaha as Chief Executive Lead Editor/Publishing Consultant Wyatt Donnelly was quick to point out that Jenn was first to respond and should therefore claim to prize. Lead Publicity Communications and Relations Advisor Gary Wallace sided with Wyatt's suggestion, pointing out that Mr. Nama only answered the bonus question. Janitor Chet Donnelly then threw his mop at Wyatt and yelled, "Those science experiments have fried your brain, ButtWad! The Bonus was the harder part of the (inaudible) question....(grunts)......(inaudible)......"

Afraid of the aggresive tone the meeting was devolving into, Lead Research Advisor Poindexter called on the head honcho himself. Bernie chastised the staff, especially Gary for wearing a bra on his head to the emergency meeting and decided to resolve the issue using a sudden death playoff question. So here's your cue Jenn and Nama, dig deep. The answer's out there somewhere: what is the name of Zach's father?

And now it is time to play another round of.............Good News, Bad News!

Good news - the Dawgs beat Vandy. Bad news - it couldashoulda been over by halftime.

Good news - the Dawgs only had 5 penalties this week.  Bad news - two pass interference calls (one VERY questionable, the other not so much) led to a Vandy score.

Good news - Stafford started really hot. Bad news - after starting 4/5, he seemed to lose a rhythm.

Good news - the D had two interceptions. Bad news - they left another handful on the field.

Good news - the O line created a lot of space for Knowshon to do his "thang". Bad news - another "big hefty" now getting coached by Ron Courson instead of Stacy Searels.

Good news - although my predicted final score was a couple field goals off, my overall assessment of what was to come was pretty accurate. Bad news - I take no special comfort in that.

Bonus Round - Double Bad News. Two arrests made early Sunday morning. Brandon Wood will not be joining his teammates in the Bayou. Vince Vance reminds me to renew my license next month.

Some thoughts from the Vandy game: I really thought the O line played well, but perhaps their greatest test lies in Saturday's showdown in Baton Rouge, cuz they like to "bring it", as my cousin Brooks likes to say. You continue to see some missed blocks, but it was nice to see them on a 2nd consecutive week, with the game in the balance late, grit their teeth, hunker down and shove some weight around. As for AJ Green, let's just take a moment to gaze into Bernie's crystal ball. AJ showed up on campus this summer. In a few months, he'll begin his first Van Halanger off season workout regimen. The kid is scary talented now, but with some muscle added to that frame - my oh my! He may be this year's most productive freshman receiver. This time next season he may very well be the country's best. The benefits are already suiting MoMass as Green draws more and more attention. Wonder who'll reap the benefits next year? (Marlon Brown - go ahead and commit!) And lastly, we saw Bryan Evans get pulled and Vance Cuff take his place. Evans was continually getting "picked on", especially close to the goal line on fade routes. He's given up 3 TDs the last two weeks. We heard the coaches last year (his freshman season) talk about how impressed they were with Cuff. Now's his chance to shine.

And one more "lastly", we seemed to blitz more against Vandy. And when we pressured Adams it either resulted in an INT, a shoulda been INT or a negative in down and/or distance. I sure hope it is a sign that Coach Willie is beginning to trust his secondary in more man coverage. Cuz we also saw that rushing three or four just isn't making the opposing QB sweat, at all.

Shout outs:

• Bailey Simpson and Beau Gilmore for being named UGA Homecoming Queen and King, respectively.
• Reshad Jones for a stellar performance, one Dawg fans had been waiting on from a kid who was once the nation's top recruit at safety. 
• The kid on River Road before the game who overthrew his buddy and subsequently landed his football into the solo cup of some Vandy fan. Classic! Even if it was an "accident". You'll get more than a shout out if you can duplicate that "accident" against a Tech fan next month.
• Terry Bowden for bringing national respectability to Yahoo! Sports with his insight and coverage of college football. 'Fess up! Raise your hand if you knew he wrote for Yahoo! before he gave Brother Tommy a forearm shiver - "yahoo style" last week? ..........no one???? Surprising.
• Knowshon. Again. The 172 yards he gained were impressive. But the 5 or 6 he gained after the "facial" he gave Ryan Hamilton of the Commodore defense were the most fun!
• DJ Shockley. Thanks for spending just a small part of your bye week with us as it is always a pleasure seeing you on the UGA sideline.
• And an early shout out to CBS for making the rowdy cajuns cut their revelry a little short this coming Saturday. A 2:30 kickoff should be much more pleasant for the Dawgs, and the fans that follow them down there. You know, as opposed to a 6:30pm start.
  

Hope to see you back here on Friday for the LSU preview. I stayed up past my bedtime Saturday night to get a look at the Tigers. Some parts of their win in Columbia were encouraging. Others......very, VERY disturbing.

Yours in red and black,

Bernie

Bernie's Dawg Blawg now accepting subscriptions. Unlimited access and bi-weekly delivery to your inbox. Act now while supplies last. Offer expires when Spurrier wins his next National Championship! Email clbernie@yahoo.com to start the madness.