A word on the recruit arrests

By now you've all not only heard, but also have likely observed the ugly fallout from the Carver HS arrests in relation to the items taken from Butts-Mehre a couple weeks ago. I'm not going to get into all the media and fan hand wrangling tying these arrests to <quote>UGA's ongoing problem with student athletes and the law<unquote>. 


Well then, maybe a little...


If people want to blame this on Richt, they're only justifying the fact that they rode the short bus to school. We all deal with this everyday, in the workplace and with friends/acquaintances with other deficiencies allegiances. Regardless of the circumstances, Coach Richt will always be perceived to be at fault when it comes to a confluence of these three words: UGA, athletes and arrests. In truth, Richt is no more at fault with one of his players' arrest than he is these three dipshits. But that's why he gets paid with the extra zeroe$$$.


Other points to ponder:

• The first to come to mind is the relationship between Carver's Coach McGee and Coach Richt. Just as things were getting smoothed over between the two schools, this sets things back...at least on the surface. Just don't discount how savvy CMR can be in situations like this. In other words, I think this could potentially bring the two coaches closer together if the cards and emotions fall just right.
• I can't believe there are Dawg fans fretting over the fact that we just lost Deion Bonner. Folks, we didn't lose him, he lost us. In the end, his involvement will be a blessing in disguise and either some other program's problem or their overcoming the obstacles story.
• And no, he's not coming to Athens...really! He's not. Are you kidding? Except as an opposing War Eagle...or Bammer. Or should he really fall from grace, a DB for the ol' Ball Coach. If you disagree with me, slow down and gather your thoughts. You can't steal from possible future teammates and expect to be a part of their locker room again. Ever. If you don't believe me you won't have to go very far to find tweets and other timeline posts saying as much from current players. Get real.
• Lastly, potential teammates' feelings are one thing. But what about former teammates and current classmates? I wonder how this has impacted Crowell and Harrow's relationships inside and outside of Carver HS. They have to feel just a little bit embarrassed to say the least. Bonner should've watched them handle recruitment a little more closely. Sure would've saved Coach McGee a big headache the last couple weeks. 

Everybody take a deep breath. It's all gonna work out for the better. Especially for the two big parties involved, Deion Bonner and UGA.

137 Days of Tranquility

Another Spring is in the books. The team gets some rest. The fans get to stare straight down into the heart of an abyss as deep and unfathomable as the one we stared at this time last year.


Ugh.


There are many things I hope for, not the least of which is some tranquility. Just a long stretch with little news to digest, think or blog about around Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall that is remotely football related.


After that, my only other plan is to fill the glass. Not with baseless optimism or flat, skunky brew. Good, hoppy libations that swallow the days away with each thirsty gulp.


Grab a glass. Join me. 

Monday's Meatloaf - Big Men on Campus

That sound you heard over the weekend were bricks falling from the butts of Boise State offensive linemen.

I'm not the only one excited.

I know, I know. Slow down Bernie...it's just April and that was only a intra-scrimmage with more players in street clothes than the entire brass section of the band. But I just can't help but be a little excited about the improvement our defensive line could see next season.


Kwame Geathers is not just the Spring's defensive MVP, but he's the poster child to off season dedication. His body is different than what we saw in Memphis just a few months ago. the Senator perhaps put it best when he said for once a player actually lived up to the off season hype.


I feel both refreshed and encouraged. Someone get me a DeLorean filled with plutonium. I gotta get past these next five months...STAT!


However, we should probably be proactive about this. If Grantham plans on toying with the possibility of playing both Jenkins and Geathers on the same line, we need to make sure there's no obscure NCAA rule that says you can't play two players on the same line if the campus doesn't also have a classroom that can fit both student athletes. I wouldn't put it past them.


If so, we need to start renovating some classrooms...knock down some walls. Or perhaps a few outdoor classrooms that have no ceiling. 


Today's Ingredients

• I've given fans the business in the recent past, but coming off of a 6-7 season and having the largest crowd in GDay history is impressive. Well done folks.
• As Weiszer points out, we are currently evaluating the talent already on scooters and awaiting the talent that scoots in this August.
• Speaking of the incoming dreamers, Isaiah Crowell had a warm reception Saturday.
• And Page has a look at what John Jenkins had to say to Kwame after he shined at the scrimmage Saturday.
• If my research hasn't failed me, it was Carlton Thomas who lead the squads in carries...thereby proving my poll pretty inaccurate.
• Bulldawg Illustrated's Murray Poole lists RB as his top concern heading out of Spring drills.
• The Grit Tree's Lugnut Dawg offers his observations on the game. Big Muddy does the same.
• Year2 runs down some rule changes for next season.
• Warrants have been issued in the Butts-Mehre thefts. Connect the dots folks. This won't end well for a high profile recruit.
• Chizik balks, Stephenson High School's Carlos Hood walks...to Chickumbia to commit.
• In hoops news, former Vol commit Kevin Ware visited Central Florida over the weekend...and then entertained Coach Pitino last night.
• On the diamond, Perno's Dawgs were only able to take one of the weekend games against the Gators.
• Lastly, Coach Cocky is now getting paid with the big boys. Way to go OBC!

And now for something too funny not to share. I exchanged texts with Aaron Murray Thursday morning. Just as I was about to give up Facebook for a deadly disease that is only spreading contagion among our nation's youthful populace, it has put me in some type of contact with another Damn Good Dawg.

Are YOU gonna be at Rankin?

I'm often confused with another person with my exact name (who happens to play offensive line for Georgia) through social media. I've warned more than a few HS recruits that not only have they reached the wrong dude but that they should be careful who they send messages to (for the record, from my FB picture...it's pretty obvious I'm not a 300lb football player).

Yet I digress....I got a text that morning that asked me if I was going to be at Rankin soon.

About once a month I get one of those weird texts that is obviously a "misdial". But this one I suspected was from a UGA student-athlete since the Rankin Smith Center is a place we hope all of our student-athletes become familiar with so that they can maintain their athletic eligibility. So instead of deleting without responding, I simply replied "What? Who is this?" Soon my suspicions were confirmed that I had once again been a victim of mistaken identity, but I was genuinely thrilled when it came back as Aaron Murray (loosely confirmed by a quick Google check of the area code).

For the record, I quickly explained that he had the wrong guy. And then added some good luck for Saturday and a Go Dawgs! Unfortunately he had a slip of the thumbs again a few minutes later and apologized. Luckily texting ability isn't directly related to the ability to read defenses. I don't think.

To be honest I forget it's even there, but maybe I should take my phone number off of facebook. Maybe not. Perhaps next time Murray will call like Trinton Sturdivant did a few years ago. I'll gladly talk to him...as long as he isn't asking me to protect him against blitzing LBs. I can be a big man on campus, but not that big.


Here's a big fork Reader. Use it wisely, send the picture to Coach T and have a great Monday!


Bernie

Thoughts from a sunny GDay

Turned out to be a beautiful day in Athens. And although I haven't had time to completely digest everything about the game, I'm thrilled that I was right to get a little giddy over early praise for Kwame. That kid may just be the force we needed last season.


What's more is I saw several pictures on Twitter of John Jenkins in the crowd watching the game. The more Kwame and Big John can push each other the better. I'm officially excited about the prospects of our defense with the right personnel in place. That and Tree looked special.


However, I was wrong on at least two things. First, Branden Smith. He may be more than needed on the offensive side of the ball. It was a little sad to see him as the only playmaker we had for awhile. Our receivers need to make some strides.


And secondly I was wrong about what GDay is all about. As soon as my daughter and I sat down and I had a chance to look around at the crowd I remembered the event itself is really about the fans. Nice to see some Dawg pups cutting their teeth a little on the annual Spring game.

GDay Preview

This "game" isn't about the plays. And it ain't about the score. At least for the fans. It's about catching a glimpse of a transition - the transition between a 6-7 season and what we want the 2011 season to become.


For any of you who are new to Spring football, I believe the proper perspective for a fan is to forget about play calls when you watch the scrimmage. For most, it's not about Xs and Os so much as it is about battles, growth and athletic development. With that said, here are the areas that I'll be focused on:


Secondary
Not many 2011 projected starters remaining and safety is especially thin considering we moved Commings back there from CB to help with Spring depth and he isn't really expected to play. So it will be interesting to see who steps forward.


More specifically, I've long had the feeling that this is a big off season for Branden Smith. He's an exceptional talent that we greatly need to excel in coverage and play making in the secondary. As much as I loved seeing him in on gimmick offensive plays, he should be beyond that at this point. I'd much rather see him become the lock down, physical corner we believe he can be. A second Spring under Lakatos' watch should get that done. It better.


Defensive Pressure
If the patchwork secondary has a big day, it will definitely have something to do with the front seven. Unlike the DBs, the LBs and bigguns up front are mostly at full capacity. Can Kwame Geathers live up to the lofty expectations I've built up in my head for him? Is Jarvis Jones the playmaker on the edge that will help ease the pain of losing Houston? I'll definitely be watching Jones a lot as this will be his first real action on the east coast since high school.


In short, do we rush passes and play on our toes rather than our heels like much of last season?


Caleb King
I know fans are disgruntled over him missing games last season for dumb reasons. Even some of the most ardent of King supporters have grown tired and have started to prepare for the Crowell Coming. But King should be the man at this GDay. He's the most complete back we have with the most experience. I know he wants to be on the field this Fall. And I know he wants to take Crowell under his wing. If he didn't want those things he would be on the team any longer.


So as anxious as I am to see what Malcome can do, I expect this to be King's day in the backfield overall.

Sidenote on Malcome: good article here by Page earlier in the week about the RS Freshman. When the black team takes the field, I'm looking forward to seeing Malcome as a feature back.


Targets for Murray
We know what Tavarres King can do. Who else can catch footballs, make blocks on the edge and turn 8 yard routes into big-gainers? Holy crap! We need a lot of that.


Personally, I've about got both feet off the Marlon Brown train. I think Bennett grows into our  WR opposite #12, but truly that's just a gut feeling. Eager to see if Conley is ready to avoid a redshirt. As well as if the coaches let Rantavious Wooten off the leash.


Anyway, that's what I'm looking at from wherever my seat ends up being today. What are you looking at 'tween the hedges this Spring?


Also, here's a video preview from the Dawgs at Dawgpost.

Spring Practice Notes, 4/15

Happy Tax Day America! Now hand over you wallet.


Some news and notables a day before (a close resemblance of) tackle football returns to Athens.

• Yesterday was the final practice of course before the annual GDay game. And it was cut a little short due to the Letterman's dinner last night and the handing out of Spring awards.
• It's quite clear that Kwame Geathers is a big winner in the Spring, especially in Grantham's eyes. I'll reserve judgment until I can see something tomorrow with my own eyes. But I will admit to being more than a little giddy at the thought of having John Jenkins and Kwame beside each other. "Here's our force...come try and reckon with it!"
• In what is always a pretty vanilla game, Richt has said there will be no new plays to tip off the Broncos. I guess that actually makes this fat free vanilla. But at least we won't see any wishbone.
• Grantham is insisting that the move of Alec Ogletree to MLB was the right call ($$) . And it looks like we'll get a chance to see him in action despite the fact that he's been hampered this Spring with a groin. Tree practiced full speed yesterday.
• Speaking of injuries, who actually will play? Sounds like Ealey is the only certainty not to play, but several others are doubtful...including Brandon Boykin and Sanders Commings. Ultimately, it's all up to trainer Ron Courson of course: "If Ron says they can go, they're going...I just go by what he tells me. If he says they're able to go, then they'll go." 
• Effort trumps uncertainty is a theme for the Spring that we all hope transitions into the Fall. Here's new LB coach Kirk Olivadotti: “Understanding the 3-4 defense is the No. 1 goal. If you don’t know where to be on a certain play, make sure you go 100 percent and we will figure out the problem later.” 

Lastly, one thing I've enjoyed reading about the last week or so has been the competition between the two teams drafted. This quote about the post draft bravado both encapsulates the team's excitement as well as mine:

“Murray called (Mike) Bobo, and he’s like ‘We killed them,’” Richt said. “Ben called Coach (Will) Friend and said, ‘Coach, we’re stacked.’”

Tomorrow won't just be about steak and lobster vs beanie weenies folks. I'm looking forward to it.

Go Dawgs!

“I still have more to show.”

Richard Samuel everyone...former star of the win over the 2009 Razorbacks.

Samuel didn’t plan on redshirting, but he had a nagging knee injury most of last year and was overwhelmed by all he had to digest in the 3-4 scheme under first-year defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. He admits that the frustration of getting shuffled down the tailback depth chart in 2009 was nothing compared to his first few weeks on defense.

“Last spring was the toughest because everything was so new,” Samuel said. “There were times I didn’t understand the plays and times I didn’t get the job done, but I just had to keep telling myself that this was a learning process and that things would get better.”

Samuel has worked the past few weeks backing up former safety Alec Ogletree at the “Mo” position but has received most of the first-team snaps in recent days while Ogletree nurses a groin injury. He said working with the starters has been beneficial and believes he is much more comfortable compared to this time last year.

And he promises that his 80-yard run at Arkansas will not be his last highlight.

“I still have more inside of me,” Samuel said. “I still have more to show.”

Gonna be great to see the Cass HS star back on the gridiron again Saturday. I bet he's hungry after taking the last 15 games off.

Gators Gone Ham

Ever wondered what it sounds like when campus "celebrities" get arrested? Ever wanted to hear proof of a gayturd's sense of entitlement?


Here you go. (Although it's edited for language, still not really safe for all work environments...especially swamp marsh)

(h/t Dawgontap)

The full audio is over 30 minutes. You can click here to listen to all of it on the First Coast News website, but due warning...the others aren't edited for language.


Times are interesting down in Gainesville here lately. Will Hill's tweets were one thing. But the St. Augustine police have exposed some unsettling (albeit alleged) dirty dealings with the pressing of one RECORD button.

Another Sturdivant Hangover

At least this time we're looking for a remedy in the Spring instead of at the beginning of the season. But for the third season in the last four, we'll be filling a big hole with Trinton Sturdivant going down to yet another knee injury. He underwent surgery yesterday and will most likely miss all of the 2011 season.


As emotionally difficult as that is for his teammates and coaches to deal with, the show must go on. Here's the starters as of right now:


LT - Cordy Glenn
LG - Kenarious Gates
C - Ben Jones
RG - Chris Burnette
RT - AJ Harmon/Justin Anderson


Glenn had been cross training at LT already with Sturdivant and is entrenched there now. Anderson seems to have a slight edge over Harmon at RT, but that battle will likely last well into the summer.


So...RS Sophomore Austin Long is the only remaining backup at tackle after Glenn, Anderson and Harmon. Long has had a back injury he's recovered from, but is expected to miss all of Spring with a shoulder injury. Should we face any more casualties at tackle we'll be faced with throwing a true freshman in there or converting another guard.


To end this on a positive note, two great reads on the subject: here by Weiszer and here by Page. Lots of great information and quotes from the coaches. The immediate good news is that Glenn is doing well at tackle. Sounds like Friend would like him to drop a little more weight heading into Fall camp "to help him move the way he needs to for four quarters".


And how big is Gates' playing time last season now? That kid was a last minute addition to what many consider a very lackluster class in 2010. What a valuable pickup for Coach Richt. Now he'll be working on his second season next to Ben Jones and adds some much needed experience to a line that is dealing with an all too familiar loss.

GDay Rosters

Courtesy of Gentry Estes at Dawgs 24/7.

Red team's my early favorite, for what that's worth.