Dawg House Daze

As the warm, fuzzy vibes were just starting to really tingle from the positive press about good behavior in and around Athens...three players have killed the buzz.

...or enjoyed it for too long...

Not since Quincy donned the "thumb cast" on the Plains has the rumor mill around Athens swirled as much as it did Wednesday afternoon. Justin Houston, Tony Wilson and Bruce Figgins all face suspensions. 

The reasons have not been confirmed, but have certainly been speculated. Regardless, it sounds as if Stillwater just got rougher.

The Mutha Throwing the Dawgs a Bone...??

Yesterday I complained some about adding New Mexico State to the '11 schedule. My controlled fury was two-fold: I want to see higher caliber opponents 'tween the hedges and beyond, AND we're paying the Aggies nearly a full Mega Millions jackpot for the Sanford Stadium win.

Well, Mr. CFB has a column today that in part explains the exorbitant fee. For some reason he also asks who's the better WR, Julio Down by the Schoolyard Jones or our own AJ Green. 

PUUUHHLEEEASE!!

But there's an even better column in the AllJackCrap today by Tim Tucker. He recently dialed up Mr. Atlanta Sports hisOWNself, Gary Stokan to get some clarification on the possibility of Georgia playing a season opening game in the GA Dome (see Bama Ending Tommy's Career).

Much of Tucker's interview plays out as expected, but there were a couple parts that had my undivided attention. Like when he explores the possibility of the game taking the place of a more distant road trip:

So Stokan thinks a game at the 72,000-seat Georgia Dome could make sense for the Bulldogs some year in lieu of a distant trip. He sees the game not as a replacement for a home game in 92,000-seat Sanford Stadium - but as a replacement for a road game to which UGA would get unlimited tickets.

By unlimited I assume he means our portion of the agreed allotment and any that Trojan fans don't want to use September 4th, 2010. Those of course are my words and not Stokan's. But we do have a slot open for a non-conference opponent on that date. However, we would need some flexibility from the University of Colorado.

Back to Stokan's words:

"You try to work with schedules...Does something make sense where someone would move something back to allow something else to happen?"

Enter the Mutha. Usually, what ESPN wants....ESPN gets.

Stay tuned.

KiffyBaby Shows Soft Side & Still Sells Recruit Short

Daniel Hood has come a long way. At 13 he was involved in a heinous crime and paid his dues as a juvenile. Between then and now, the kid has turned his life around.

Honors student. Stellar prospect at D-end. Most importantly, he's now a young man of great character that is vouched for by numerous sources in his life and community.

As a result of his hard work and character makeover, his victim wishes him well and the brand spankin' new Vol coaching staff offered him a chance at SEC level competition.

Kudos, Mr. Hood. But why would KiffyBaby make this comment: Everyone spoke highly of Daniel. He's a bright young man who wants to move past this incident and be a good representative for the team, the university and the community.

Move past this incident...?? Sounds to me like Hood HAS moved past the incident. Maybe those in Knutsville should move past the incident. Also sounds like KiffyBaby could learn some things from his newest signee.

What exactly? I don't know...things like how to be a good representative for the team, the university and the community.

I'm not sayin'...I'm just sayin'.

Every Rose Has Its Thorn....

...and Big Ten Commish Jim "Logic Has No Place Here" Delaney is evidently a prick. The conference head honcho has given JoePa an irreverent ...with all due respect...

[To clarify for you Reader, the Big Ten is actually made up of eleven tackle football teams. To add one more would put them on a "level" playing field with other conferences like the SEC, Big 12, ACC...and would evidently change the conference's name to the Big Ten+2.]

Recently the aged yet sharp as a tack Nittany Lion HC lambasted his own conference for not adding a 12th team and in due order, a conference championship game. His arguments were as pointed as they were salient:

*  Big Ten teams finish their season weeks ahead of other conferences who have the CCG
*  The Big Ten sucks in its own premier bowl (no Rosey wins since the last millennium)
*  The Big Ten sucks in BCS games (see Ohio State, BCS bust)
*  Why not take a bite of the pie the SEC has been enjoying since the early '90s?

Delaney, non-plussed, argued that both of his hips are natural. Paterno pestered further:  Everybody else is playing playoffs on television...you never see a Big Ten team mentioned, so I think that's a handicap.

This from a man who has used a cane in transportation...Delaney should lend an ear. Instead he points out that the ACC and WAC CCGs have been played to crowds rivaling some high school orchestra concerts. Delaney argues: Has it (the CCG) enhanced the competitiveness of the WAC? I don't know. 

Hypodermically speaking, who would the Big 11 add? JoePa suggests raiding the Big East for Rutgers, Syracuse or Pitt. Delaney evidently still has the hots for Notre Dame, "...there aren't a lot that could bring so much to make the choice an easy one."

Yeh, but what are their orchestra programs like?

JoePa says, "Can you hear this?"

Synchronize Your Calendars

Happy Cinco de Mayo Reader! It's a good day to enjoy a cerveza and remember that Napoleon III was just a slightly taller version of his uncle, neither of which could hold General Zaragoza's musket.

Friggin' french...

New Mexico State will get a healthy purse to play Georgia 'tween the hedges in November 2011 according to Weiszer. The game sits on the calendar after the WLOCP and before Chizik brings his War Tigers to town, assuming he's

still off the chizzang! If you want to see the projected schedule in brilliant technicolor, sicemdawgs has your hookup.

Not exactly a strong out of conference slate for the '11 season. As PWD points out, maybe we should reevaluate our deal with Louisville as they are a mere shadow of the team we once scheduled.

After all, I was just bashing the lowly reptiles last night as I pored over my new '09 SEC Helmet Schedule in its technicolor brilliance. Chances are TeaBag won't break a sweat until well into October when they head to the bayou. That's right, Slurban's slummin' this fall with teams like Charleston Southern and FIU, not to mention Florida State....after acting all high and mighty this off-season complaining about former QBs turned shock jocks and Chizik's recruiting tools.

Friggin' floriDuh....

Dos mas cervezas por favor. This post was a buzz killer.

Monday's Meatloaf - A Ride By Shooting at the Glue Factory

Any moment now...West Side Bernie is going to finish the Kentucky Derby. You just watch...

I spent a good deal of time during the hors-douerves portion of supper club touting the dominance my pony was about to show the rest of the field. Perhaps it was the first six or so mint julips, but I was feeling pretty confident.

And numbers like THIRTY TWO to ONE could do nothing to sway me. West Side Crips would show those geldings how we roll in Compton.

But when West Side Bernie trotted out in front of Bob Costas without the blue doo rag....well, I knew he was closer to glue than glory. I guess our gangsta style doesn't translate well in the land of calculating by fingers and coloring outlines the lines. Cuz that IS how dey roll in kenYUCKy.

Some even bigger longshot ran away with the roses after a host of jockeys helped pave the way. It still bewilders me how pretty much every horse gave Mind That Bird the rail the last 3/4 mile. Ainsley coulda won that race on her Barbie Bigwheel.

In the end, it's always easier to lose a little folding money than your dignity (see below for Diamond Dawg update). Perhaps the Belmont will prove a more friendly surface for my colt.

Today's Ingredients

• It will be interesting to see how Perno's Pups react to being stripped of their bark. Of course playing as the lead Dawg hasn't been great as of late, especially for the bullpen. But getting swept by the gators at Foley is the lowest we've been this season. Three leads. All blown.
• Coach Fox is settling into his new digs quite nicely. David Hale has a nice wrapup of what he's been up to and what's ahead.
• Rennie Curran has been the consummate collegiate football player. Weiszer has some thoughts from Curran after last weekend's draft that fit quite nicely into his 5' 10.5" frame.
• In case you missed it, here's a great little story that speaks volumes about the character that Knowshon possesses.
• The Senator summarizes Slurban's latest temper tantrum. Will someone tell that guy that winning the MNC actually affords him more opportunity to take the higher road?
• Exhile takes Congressman Barton's subcommittee hearing to task. Ladies and gentlemen...your tax dollars at work.
• Catfish and Cornbread are counting down the days...
• Tim Tucker reports that today is the day Munson gets his due.

Overall, a rough weekend sports-wise with the Foley sweep and longshot win from the Derby. If it weren't for my pony-tail'd Mia Hamm clones the weekend would've been a total loss. Seriously, watching five year olds do bicycle kicks on the pitch is an impressive sight to behold.

So some mad props to the Green Machine, Mallory for earning both ribbons in her three goal performance and to Conner for being the only little girl not to scream like one when it rained during the second half. Amid the thunder, lighting strikes and ping-pong ball sized hail she was ready for more action while everyone else ran for the parking lot full of mini-vans ...with or without their child.

And snaps in the Trammell's direction for the Derby Party. The only thing more solid than a Cord muddled Mint Julip is Meg's Kentucky Hot Browns. But the Supper Club MVP is still Erin, who refuses to leave the kitchen sink. Go ahead...try and get that dish towel out of her hands.

Stick a fork in it Reader. Call it a lunch.

Bernie

Animals Gone Wild!

We got reptiles intruding, Munson working his "magic" and french kissin' pigs....

Work's been crazy this week with meetings and online courses verifying I am actually minimally competent, so I got a little behind. And evidently the tackle football game this fall between our beloved Dawgs and the pighogsoooeees of arKANsas is in jeopardy.

Evidently some dimrods south of the border have been tickling tongues with swine and hopping on international flights to spread the cooties that develop forthwith.

Amateur athletic events in Alabama have already been cancelled, largely due to the fact that the state's two mimeograph machines couldn't print the newspapers fast enough to spread the word. LordGod, please bless those people with televised pictures over the airwaves...SOON!!

BDB reached out to AD Evans for a comment on the developing situation and whether it would prevent Joe Cox and Co. from boarding a September plane to Fayetteville. His response came via the internets.

"Bernie...get real!!"

Many college football fans might interpret that statement two very different ways. But as a Dawg fan, there's really only one way to read it: Game on!

So pack your Dr. McDreamy masks Dawg fans. We're headin' to PigHog.....Kaaaachoooooie!

Friday Feedbag

• Imagine Jenn's surprise yesterday when she discovered our chocolate lab teleported himself to the other side of his invisible fence. Things were all wellAND good for Munson until he evidently forgot how to teleport back. (And I quote) YELP!
• Don't be too surprised...if Mensa accepted dogs, Munson'd be on the outside of that fence too.
• Props to Nama for pointing out to me that I missed what will soon be our next Nat'l Holiday: Less is Indeed Moore. Monday was Terrance Moore's last entry to the pages ofAllJackCrap. Dude dropped off the face of the sports world's least influential column and sent a ripple of discontent that was enveloped by a wave of HOORAYS! Michael Vick has no shot at an NFL 53 man roster now. 
• Everyone else, synchronize your crackberries for April 27th, 2010. We'll celebrate by all buying beers for Mike Campo, national hero and blog commenter able to cut pompous journalists down at the knees...using only a keyboard.
• The former Georgia stars may have enjoyed success at the draft last weekend, but neither could land the cover to NCAA Football 2010. Noops Dawg over at Dancing in the Endzone calls the decision into question AND has a prediction for who will grace deface the cover next year.
• TotalUGA reports on Coach Fox's first signee, guard Vincent Williams.
• Dan Magill caught up with John Isner, who turned out to be quite the UGA tennis historian.
  
• Seen a lot of draft breakdowns by conference and by school ...meanwhile DawgsOnline breaks it down by state. The state that proves to be the most talent rich this April may surprise you. Then again, it may not.
• If you caught Maria Sharapova dressing up Stafford this week, you may have also caught E:60's piece on some mutant bodybuilder. If you too were skeptical, you'll like this. That worthless freak and show deserve each other.
• Lastly...I've avoided it as long as I can...the gators come to town this weekend for a series against the Diamond Dawgs. Problem is the baseball team has been playing more like Perno's Pups recently. I guess by Sunday evening we'll know if this reptilian visit came at the best of times or the worst.

So, having escaped a virus this week that the national media assures us will be more deadly than Mr. Moore with a word processor and access to an Alabaman mimeograph, I settled in last night to evaluate the 135th Derby.

With supper club this weekend and Bernie on quite the streak, there's a reputation to uphold. First I used Wikipedia to assure myself that none of the colts in the field are regular pork chop eaters and then took a gander at the odds. 

I've been working hard on my street cred....and I've got a good feeling about the 30-1 pony in the first post. Gimme $20 on West Side Bernie to win. 

And pass the ribs...slow cooked to a perfect 160 degrees. 

Enjoy the Mooreless weekend Reader. God knows we've earned it.

Bernie

When pissed....RANT!

As we say on the tennis court, the ball was in their court. The NCAA had an opportunity to do what was right. Coach Richt had pushed for the chance to attend a scholar athlete's graduation. A graduation in which Chris Burnette would be recognized as his school's salutatorian just weeks before reporting to Athens as one of Georgia's prized new freshmen.

But instead of granting a harmless waiver and paving the way for CMR's trip to Troup Co., the NCAA decided to remain the ridiculously inept institution that it is. Worse, they said the decision would have swung the other way had Burnette made valedictorian.

WTF?!?

Denying a coach an opportunity to attend a graduation ceremony is asinine at best; to place the blame for the decision on the shoulders of an 18 year old kid who represents everything that is right about the term student-athlete is equivalent to guerrilla warfare...senseless, absurd, baseless.

I still stand alongside Michael Carvell in that CMR should attend Burnette's moment anyway. Take a stand for academics as the figurehead for athletics in the state of Georgia. Applaud a home grown stellar student and gladly accept whatever pompous, minuscule punishment the NCAA hands down.

This Dawg would gladly accept that infraction. Feel free to rant with me...it's an honest way to deal with cowardly acts of inhumanity. And it'll do until I can come up with something better.

Monday's Meatloaf - Always #1 on Bernie's Draft Board

Six total Dawgs drafted over the weekend. Bernie's name was not called, which is why he is still feverishly typing and not nursing a killer Dom Perignon hangover while poring over a playbook the size of the Old Testament chiseled into stone tablets.

I guess the only bad part about being drafted #1 by the Lions as their new franchise QB is that you have to trade your ride in for a Ford. That and they didn't draft an offensive lineman until the seventh round. 

Hope Lydon Murtha can protect the blindside.

While there was much speculation about Stafford and Moreno's decisions back in January, in the end they certainly made the right call. You may can argue that Asher should've stayed another season and tried to improve upon what turned out to be a third round selection, but the other two early entries couldn't have improved their stock much more, if at all.

To all Dawgs who went through the draft process, whether drafted or not....step to the front of the line today and get yourself a heapin' helpin'. This meatloaf is cooked to perfection.

• Lions' HC Jim Schwartz says the entire staff involved in the draft building process for the organization was sold on Stafford, "from the area scout, to the director of college scouting, to the general manager, to the assistant coach, to the offensive coordinator and the head coach." 
• Consensus made the Georgia QB an easy pick.
• Athens Banner-Herald has an update on some Dawg undrafted free agent signings.
  
• So Ohio State had nearly 100,000 people at its spring game. Given their record in big games, I guess that's like their own personal BCS Championship. 
• The Senator defends all college football fans who pay great attention to spring drills and games. I only add that at least our version of the game doesn't let a coin toss decide who holds the greater advantage in overtimes.
• Great Glory! Somebody step up and pitch for the Diamond Dawgs...SEC series in Oxford goes the way of the Rebels. Bats came alive until Sunday when they were stymied by Ole Miss All-American Scott Bittle.
• In better news around campus, the Womens' Tennis team collected their third straight SEC title with a 4-0 victory over Tennessee. The NCAA tournament selection show airs Tuesday, 5:20pm on ESPNews.
• Lastly, Brooks has a humorous look at this year's Mr. Irrelevant from Oxyclean University, where Michael Phelps holds an honorary doctorate in PR disasters.

Perhaps in response to BDBs criticism of the HillBillyLand program's handling of BJ Coleman, KiffyBaby issued a statement late Friday where expressed regret at the Coleman decision. As Blutarsky points out, these decisions are common this time of year, especially at the start of a new regime...or circus event as it were. 

But Junior Jackhole says at one point that the main reason the Coleman decision is regrettable is because he feels the young QB had made great strides in his short time with them.

That's right LaneyBoy, great strides towards making the other QBs on your depth chart look like the kind of signal callers the Visor has been signing up lately.

May wanna use a firm grip on that fork Reader. Those bites are quite hefty. And Mr. Stafford - Lloyds of London on the phone...returning your call inquiring about increasing your premium...???

Bernie

Sunday Headlines

Knowshon, Staff and MoMass go on the first day of the NFL Draft and plenty of deserving Dawgs laying in the rough, ready to be discovered as diamonds.....speaking of which...

• BryMass (no relation to Mo) hit three (that's - 3!!) HRs in Oxford, but the Diamond Dawgs fell victim to a late rally. Rebels even the series heading into Sunday's 2:30pm rubber matchup. 
  
• Good to know the large Rebel crowds aren't hurting the Dawg bats...but sure would be nice to win this series.
  
• TotalUGA has some good quotes from 24 on being drafted and the process/experience as a whole.
  
• And being in NewYorkNewYork didn't sway The Telegraph's Hale from getting some reaction from CMR on Saturday's Draft proceedings.
  
• Unable to recreate the drama of Friday's come-from-behind victory, the mens' tennis team fell 4-1 to Tennessee.
  

Gonna try to work in a daughter's soccer game in between more Dawg draft selections. Gotta keep up the rep as Dad o' the Year!