Coach Magill reflects, and predicts on Men's Tennis

Grabbed this from Coach Diaz's channel, one of my favorite YouTube ones to follow because it has classic gold like this:

The NCAA Tourney starts Thursday May 17th in Athens. Fulls session tickets went on sale yesterday. Single session tickets go on sale May 14th. Georgia is a #2 seed and will take on South Carolina State first in a bracket that includes FSU and Boise State. 


Here's a link to the complete bracket. Hope to see you out there.

Humpday Hilarity - never too young to jive

I can dance like this too. But it takes a table that is adjacent to an open bar.

GATArchives: the Railroad Track Crowd eviction

They were not players. They never scored a single touchdown. In fact, they never really bothered to sober up for kickoff. They probably even approached their studies in much the same manner. Yet they are The Railroad Track Crowd. They earned Erk Russell's respect and their stories are those of legend. Therefore, they are to be honored with an archive here.

Source: AJC
Date: Sun 11/30/1980
Photo credit: Steve Deal

First, I was neither of age to celebrate amongst the Track People, nor was I conceived among them. That puts me about knee high to Amp Arnold around the time of their hey day. On Sunday mornings I recall riding along East Campus Rd on the way to church. After a home game the rocky embankment that led up to the railroad track was completely littered with bottles, tailgating remnants and the occasional underclassman.

If you wanted to party with these guys you had to be ready Friday afternoon and your insurance had to cover the occasional tumble down the rocky slope to the street's pavement below. Saturday November 29th, 1980 was the last home game before Sanford was enlarged and enclosed on the east end (in the picture you can see the beginnings of the construction). About 4000 fans took to The Tracks for one last view of a football game from the perch they had come to know and love. No doubt feeding off of that energy, the Bulldogs used two 4th quarter touchdowns to beat visiting Tech 38-20 that day. It finished an undefeated regular season and put Dooley's team in the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day against Notre Dame.

The fact that the last team they saw became Georgia's best team ever was no coincidence. You see, Erk Russell had written that it was to be so. On July 7th, 1980 the Georgia defensive coordinator wrote a heartfelt letter referencing the "Railroad Track Crowd" addressed to his "Gentlemen: (and Linemen)". He openly challenged his Dawgs to not only be the last team they saw from the tracks, but also the best.

And it was so.

But in the years leading up to that time just before and during the magical 1980 season, the citizens of the tracks had already begun to wear out their welcome. In the article that accompanies the picture, Alan Truex explains that a student suffered a spinal injury due at least in part to a fight on the tracks in 1979. If you speak to those around campus at the time this was fairly frequent behavior, along with thrown bottles and confrontations with local police. And all that was before even the first trashbags were used to clean up the free seats.

As with the more recent case on North Campus, the UGA tailgating scene knows that it takes just a few bad apples to kill the buzz. It's hard to imagine the decision to enclose the east end being about anything more than money, but doing away with the free seats was surely a welcome byproduct of the stadium's growth.

Still, the Railroad Track Crowd is largely and affectionately remembered as they should be: die hard fans that cherished their spot, greeted the team before and after each home game, and generally bled red and black. But don't take my word for it, here's Scott Woerner:

"It's gonna be sad not having those people there. I can tell how much the team is gonna miss these people. When you drive up and see all the people, and know that some of 'em stayed out all night long up there, you get chills and a warm feeling."

Yes. It might be hard for today's fan - and player for that matter - to understand. But back in the 1970's the Track People were as big a part of the Georgia football gameday tradition as Munson, the cheerleaders and even Uga. They won the hearts of the players. And they gave each game their all.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Some bonus readings:

- I certainly don't believe in the curse (it's Bleacher Report after all), but the "legend" of Rusty McKay provides a decent picture of who many of these fans were.

- Rex talked about what it was like to be a player during the tradition of getting off the bus to the Tracks. The comments provide some great memories as well. I especially chuckled at the reference to the "hippie lettuce". 

- Same is true for Garbin, "as long as there was whiskey to drink and Larry Munson on his radio."

- And make sure and visit the official website where you can read Erk's letter in its entirety as well as grab a commemorative t-shirt.

Jarvis, the HOT name for 2013 draft

With the 2012 NFL Draft in the books, many analysts are already looking at who might crack the top spots in next year's draft. Naturally a name that is going to keep coming up is Georgia's Jarvis Jones.


Even though he's still not a lock to leave campus early (he's a RS Junior this season), many feel he could be the best defensive player potentially available for NFL teams next year.

The 2011 All-American is listed as the top outside linebacker prospect by Chad Reuter of the NFL Network.

Jones is the No. 4 overall prospect behind Southern California quarterback Matt Barkley, South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore and Southern California receiver Robert Woods on a top 30 list by Bucky Brooks of NFL.com.

“Jones is the most dynamic pass rusher in college football,” Brooks writes. “He possesses explosive first-step quickness and burst, and flashes the balance and body control needed to blow past blockers around the corner. While he is still learning the finer points of the position in pass coverage, Jones’ ability to completely dominate the game as a pass rusher makes him a valued commodity in the eyes of evaluators.”

FoxSports.com’s Peter Schrager also mentions Jones in this video clip of the elite prospects for 2013. He says that Jones would have been a first-round pick if he left after last season.

Of course, Jones didn’t leave after making a decision during the season that he wasn’t even considering going.

During spring ball, he even talked like it wasn’t a lock he was gone after next season when he was discussing the outside linebackers.

“We’re young, man, we’re really young,” Jones said. “I’ve still got this year and next year left. If you look at it as a whole, we’re really young.”

SEC Video: NFL Draft recap

Hannah Chalker looks at the 2012 NFL Draft through an SEC lens.

Monday's Meatloaf - more schlameel and less schlamazul

And they'll do it their way. Yes, their way...


One of the great mysteries in life I'm convinced will forever go unsolved. I don't know why I spend even a moment of my day trying to come to a logical conclusion. After all, it's been confounding the male species for decades. Personally I blame Mary Kay. But to be honest, Miss Clairol is just as likely a suspect.

Schlameel! Schlamazul! Hosenfeffer incorporated! 

Of course, I'm talking about what takes women so damn long in the bathroom once they get in front of that mirror...or in the shower...or with all 963 hair instruments. You have the standard curler, the rollers, the dryer, the sprays, the conditioners, the flat iron, not to mention a dozen or so hair brushes. I can count the times my family has been on time for church on one hand. For my own sake I hope the good Lord appreciates me bringing a handsome family into his house more than he frowns on our tardiness.


This has to be innate behavior. Some kind of switch in their little brain is flipped around the age of two and all we can do is wait downstairs while the tools are all laid out on the vanity and the magic commences. Before the door closes the bathroom is clean and clutter free. And it doesn't open again until it looks like a bomb went off on the Health and Beauty aisle of a grocery store. Cans and bottles are everywhere, drawers are half open, brushes are coming out of every nook and cranny...and there's a distinct smell of burnt hair.


Now mind you, don't complain about the end result. There's not a time when our little girls and our significant others are more beautiful. Somehow the curling iron and the flat iron set aside their creative differences long enough to get every hair on their heads in the right shape and in the correct place. The pencils and the brush applicators work together more closely than Laverne and Shirley. It's a finely tuned orchestra, each component in conjunction with the other to produce a somewhat detained, yet very fashionable woman.


No, don't blame the end result. Just be glad all the time didn't tick away and that she didn't ask you to tell her which shoes looked best.


Today's Ingredients

Livin' the dream!

• Let's lead off at DawgSports where Kyle gives us his comprehensive weekend wrapup, including seven red and black draft picks.
• CCRider recaps the NFL Draft, both for winners and for losers.
• Big win in Red Stick yesterday for the Diamond Dawgs. Here's Ching's week in review.
• Ever wanted to read all those mushy words Coach T sends the new signees to prepare them for their first summer in Athens? ecdawg obliges.
• Speaking of S&C, The Lady Sportswriter thinks the newly revamped staff could be a HIT.
• Reuben Foster says he's not de-committing from Bama, yet ($$).
• The NCAA Men's tennis championship draw will be announced tomorrow. You can purchase tickets by clicking here.
• HoopDawg looks at the scheduling, both this year and next.
• Wipe your feet off real good before treading on this Dawg carpet. (h/t Tyler)
• Lastly, like JaxDawg said...I've always felt a unique kinship with Chaz Reinhold. (WARNING - NSFW!) Right down to the red and black robe.

The last day of April. When we were ushered into the month we were full of madness. Now we're just a few weeks away from freshmen reporting to Coach T's office. Maybe I shouldn't type it out loud but it seems like this off season is whizzing right by. Before we know it the Buffalo Bills will be in town to help usher in the new season.

All due respect Chan...please get off my field.

I mean, I'm trying not to get ahead of myself...but what's going to be more awkward, playing against Chan Gailey again, or Cordy Glenn? I know right? I didn't know Gailey was still coaching either. Even his Wiki page still has a picture of him losing while wearing a bee cap. I guess ALL that money Dave "Braine" paid him wasn't enough to retire the ol' 4th and long playbook.

At least he has enough smart people with tackle football knowledge around him to draft a Georgia guy. Excuse me..I'm getting a call...

Okay, so Darren informs me the seasons opener is against the Buffalo Bulls. Not the Buffalo Bills. So in that case we can't just assume we're getting a mediocre team with a crappy coach at the end of his crappy career. Better be ready. Let's start planning the tailgate! Here's the meatloaf Reader. Don't spill any on the silk robe.

Bernie

Diamond Dawgs hold on 5-3 in Red Stick

Powered by two Justin Bryan homers and some clutch pitching, the Diamond Dawgs avoid the sweep against LSU.

Fox's end game?

I'm both pissed and hopeful. We have a coach that can actually wear red and black coach a basketball team, unlike his predecessor. And yet we're still knocking our head against a wall for no real apparent reason. I can't imagine being within 60 miles of a gold mine and not at least learning to swing an pick axe.


Fox is cool with his standard operating procedure. That's great. You "settle" for a kid like Kessler and "hope" he develops. That's a 50-50 proposition at best. Meanwhile we swing and miss on a near "sure thing". We couldn't sell Parker on possibilities and dreams, so we're banking on the status quo.


Redonkulously awesome AAU teams thrive within a hour of Stegeman. Somehow we refuse to acknowledge them. Most Georgia fans and alumni couldn't care less. I'm in the minority.


I want to win.

Beer of the Week: Drafty Kilt Scotch Ale

This is likely the last BotW post here. For some of you that might be welcome news. If so, grab a whine glass out of Mrs. Bernie's collection and go sit by a fire somewhere while you knit, or read People magazine. The rest of you stay tuned within the next week or so for more info.

Monday Night swag!

Had the pleasure of meeting Jonathan the other day. Who's Jonathan? Well, I'm glad you asked. He's the creative guy at Monday Night Brewing. He's also their "Master of Mind Control". Channeling all that power, he came out to The Best of Brews with some great beer in tow. You remember when we talked about their Eye Patch Ale back in January. Well, since then I've had it a couple more times. I even had a growler of it that Ale Yeah! randallized with some coffee. 


Holy crap America is a great place to live! Yet, I digress...


Today we're tasting and typing about their Scotch ale, affectionately referred to as Drafty Kilt. Scotland's location and weather isn't really conducive to growing much in the way of hops. So a Scotch ale is going to be low in IBUs and rich in malt flavor. And although there tend to be many variations of it these days, a traditional Scotch ale will be nice and roasty, sweet, full flavored and around 7-8% ABV.


The Drafty Kilt Scotch Ale doesn't disappoint. It pours a dark reddish brown with a generous head that lingers nicely. This naturally came from a growler so the head might not be as prominent after a couple days. I couldn't tell you one way or the other as the two growlers of this one that I've had haven't lasted into day three. *fist bump!*

Casual tap handles

After admiring the color and letting everything settle down (including myself into a comfortable chair), the first quaff is creamy smooth. It has a lasting sweetness as the roasted chocolate flavors from the malt do battle in your mouth. There's a hint of cherry as well as some bite, but you never catch a mouth full of alcohol burn like some other Scotch ales I've had. This is ultra-smooth and exceptionally flavorful. And what I really like about this brew and Scotch ales over all is their versatility. You can pour a glass of this while grilling, eating dinner or just hanging out on the deck swing. It even works exceptionally well after dinner. Just a great beer.


The guys at Monday Night are growing. Keep an eye on this Atlanta brewery. They released two exceptional beers that complement each other well and have really drawn some attention. Their lines at Suwanee Beer Fest a few weeks ago were steady and there were plenty of content faces walking away from their tent. The Eye Patch and the Drafty Kilt are both very tasty and unique while also giving proper respect to their respective styles. Next is a Belgian Wit that is due out this summer. Fans pitched in with the naming and I believe Fu Man Chu won. In the mean time you should be able to find their unique tap somewhere close by if you live around Atlanta. 


If not, ask for it by name and help spread the word. Something as good as these beers shouldn't be a secret for long.

Richt stands by his tailback; ball's in Crowell's hands now

There are two things I took from reading of this exchange between a fan in Columbus and Coach Richt:

A fan asked for the microphone and began talking about Crowell, the Columbus native and freshman tailback. He wondered whether Crowell, who was injury-prone last year, was “SEC tough.”

Richt defended his tailback.

“He was the Freshman of the Year in the Southeastern Conference. He didn’t do too bad,” Richt said.

The crowd laughed. Richt went on, saying that every freshman has a “learning curve,” and that Crowell has had to go through growing pains in the spotlight. He finished by saying his tailback had a good spring and made every practice.

The position is Crowell's to lose. And it's the kid's turn to stick up for his coach.