re: Nick Chubb fanaticism

My jaw has dropped over the same pictures that you have ogled over. I even found myself raving to family members about his size and speed over this past weekend. Which is not something I myself am accustomed to doing as it relates to teenage boys.

Which leads me to this: is anyone else worried about the ramifications of such frenzied excitement? First, the kid has yet to break one collegiate tackle and we're eager to crown him with all manner of future achievements. Second, we've been down this road before with more names than I care to count.

Of course, the first point would be a lot more worrisome if Georgia's backfield were not already stocked with talent. There's a huge difference between a kid like this coming in with a legitimate shot at being the starter and having to compete with another 5-star running back in the same class, not to mention a Heisman candidate and his experienced backups. Hell, we've had a freshman in very recent memory that was practically guaranteed to start before he even finished lifting the puppy.

Then again, it's May. We need some excitement. So after telling myself to lighten up, I also remind myself to be thankful the Georgia coaches were able to sign such talent despite the depth at the position. And then I take one more glance...

...and say to myself, "Impressive. Hope the ball ain't heavy."

Today's gator moment of zen

h/t Mac

Was it something I said?

I saw this picture yesterday. Reminded me of those times when a person gets dumped. Things are swell and the world is grand. Then the relationship grinds to a halt. The dumpee realizes things have moved on without him or her, but is still grasping for another chance. Praying for another opportunity to make things better. Desperate for a conversation when he/she can prove that things will be different this time!

And then the dumpee sees the dumper at the back of the cineplex on second base with someone new.

Yes. Murray has new threads y'all.

Has Aaron Davis "done messed up"?

Or is he "chirlish"?

So by now you know that Brendan Langley is moving from defensive back to wide receiver. This news is being met pretty positively from many that would prove much more knowledgable than me. After all...

Langley is listed at 6-foot-1 and 181 pounds, and played some receiver in high school.

Which is mostly why I really liked him at corner. He has good size and despite being thrown into the fire early last season I really thought I saw some promise there. Good skills, great hip turn, great reaction to the ball....great size!

Yet, behold. I am a lowly blogger. And we have Aaron Davis. Plus, you know, I always trust A-a-ron!

(nsfw)

Closing arguments

Too poignant not to share DA Legge's summation.

Plugging the middle

There's no question we have an embarrassment of riches at running back. When completely healthy, you could argue we have similar depth at wide receiver.

And on the defensive side there's the linebackers. You start with two returning senior starters and finish with the wealth of talented younger guys eager to earn some snaps. Leonard Floyd appears ready for a breakout season. Davin Bellamy earned some praise this spring. Lorenzo Carter, the state's biggest recruit, comes in this summer.

But if there's one lingering question with this crew that we don't have on the other side of the ball, it's just how much of a rotation we'll see. Especially at inside linebacker.

There’s room for Kimbrough, Rankin, or even Vavlas or Dukes to push their way up the depth chart. The main question for the preseason, which may not truly be answered until the season begins, is just how much subbing will happen, and thus how many snaps will be available to players not named Amarlo or Ramik. Last year there were hardly any.

Pruitt is applying the pressure. His post-spring comments speak to a defensive unit that is starved for motivation (and evidently slimmer waistlines). We're lucky Herrera and Wilson are around to anchor a defense that is still looking for an identity after a sub-par season.

But I'd love to see some guys like Reggie Carter, Tim Kimbrough and Ryne Rankin see more of the field.

Defensive back-tracking

Josh Harvey-Clemons left.

Shaq Wiggins is leaving.

First thought: Grantham is recruiting better than he ever did in Athens.

Second thought: Remarkably, we just got younger at defensive back. But when you consider the fact that Wiggins couldn't rise to the spring occasion, chances are he wasn't going to see much of the field anyway, barring attrition by injury.

Good luck with your "fresh" start Shaq. Sincerely hope the grass is greener up yonder. More importantly, I hope the young(er) guys are hungry.

- - - - - - - - - -

UPDATE:
Shaq speaks about difficulty fitting in.

"First of all, (the) University of Georgia is a great school and I would like to thank Coach Richt and his staff for the opportunity to play at Georgia. When you are new to an organization, it’s extremely important to have the right fit. I love football and want to reach my highest potential. Therefore, after careful thought and much consideration, I believe that it is in the best interest of all parties that we part ways.

"I am looking for a team who will embrace my personality, someone who is a jovial, carefree and a bit of a jokester but who knows when to put jokes aside, get focused and become a true competitor, especially when on the field.

"I want to learn, and I want someone who can channel my energy and enthusiasm to take my game to the next level." 

Congrats y'all!

A reminder for all of you graduates...stay within your skillset. At least until you clear the stage and the YouTube cameramen.

And a special shout out to the AthensHomerDawg clan. Big weekend around that house. Very glad the sons' blog reading didn't get in the way of their studies. But as their wise elder said, "You put the time in, you get the results."

Congrats! And Go Dawgs!

Dawgs in the Draft - Chasing (and living) the Dream

My kids have all A's and B's. I don't say that to brag. (Ok, well a little bit.) But when I look at their grades and then hear them verbalize being overly anxious about a test that the state has mandated, it really sticks in my craw. They're good kids and have worked hard. They have incredible teachers who have pushed them to realize their academic potential. And yet there's still this assessment that's supposed to tell us more than all of the classwork, homework, projects, quizzes and tests combined.

Something Garrison said in that last podcast really resonated with me. Probably because of this state testing thing that has me a bit distracted. But he alluded to the fact (a couple times) that too much attention is given to what these NFL Draft "experts" are saying and the numbers put up at the combine. For hours upon hours and days upon days they've been talking more and more about a glimpse taken through a window as opposed to the view one can get from just opening the door.

Tuesday Busted Coverage was sending out some informative and historical tweets related to the poo that these experts like to fling around. I grabbed a screen shot for you of some of the best ones to the right, but you can read more of them here if you're so inclined. The point being that sure, these guys get some things right. But Jimmy Clausen was a solid enough pick to bet one's career on it?

So Clowney is the jewel of the 2014 draft. As the saying goes, he looks good getting off the bus. He's a freakish blend of size and speed. Many teams covet his potential at the professional level. So will they overlook the fact that he took some sick days this past season and that his stats took a significant drop from his sophomore to his junior year? Most certainly, yes. And one team will pay him handsomely in hopes that the potential they think they see is realized.

Brown was an overwhelming success in his rookie season in Baltimore. (via)

No wonder a guy like Garrison Smith, whose numbers dwarf the defensive lineman Todd McShay calls a "once in a decade type of natural talent", is turned sour by the spectacle that is the NFL draft coverage these days. After all, Smith had twice as many sacks as his SEC East counterpart, the guy considered to be the best pass rusher in this year's class.

Which leads me to something else Smith said. When asked if he was nervous about the draft or where he may end up living in a couple of months he quickly responded no, that he was excited for the opportunity and would be happy with whatever comes to pass. That's a sentiment echoed by former teammates like Rantavious Wooten:

“I did everything that I could do,” Wooten said after Georgia’s Pro Day last month. “I’m going to sit back, relax and whatever happens, happens. I’m not going to stress about the draft or sit here and put so much pressure on myself or everything like that. I did everything I could do. If it works out for me, great. If I get drafted, great. Free agent, whatever I have to do, I’m fine with it.”

While most of us would have trouble relating to what it's like to be on the verge of breaking into professional football, we've all found ourselves yearning for certain job situations, promotions, advancements. You work hard towards getting to a certain position where you can validate all of those long hours of preparation. It's rewarding to realize that level of success.

As Weiszer points out, some of the Dawgs in this year's class of draft eligible players may find themselves in Marlon Brown's shoes from a year ago - for whatever reason, having to prove themselves further and having to beat someone out of a roster spot. They are chasing the dream, one that they've had for years. Decades even, as many of them have been aiming for it since they were learning their ABC's. Some have watched friends and family make made poor choices, using those experiences as motivation for a better life. They've overcome injuries and even endured coaching changes, all while balancing the life of a student and an athlete.

The obstacles lay behind these Dawgs now. They have have refused to settle for what might have been. And are pursuing the answer to what will be.

Dawgs in the Draft - Aaron Murray gets board

Dan Rubenstein's Wonderlic seems a lot more fun.