Grantham's Towel vs. BMFP

Toddie. Dude. Petrino's always gonna score more baby.

My favorite part (well, my second favorite part) of this whole story about the feud between Louisville's head coach and it's defensive coordinator is this quote:

“He’s a mean guy,” said Jamaine Brooks, a former Louisville defensive tackle who left this past spring. “He cusses you out. You’re never doing enough. He’s still Bobby Mother------- Petrino.”

Other than that, (insert sarcasm font) I'm real torn up about Todd not getting a honeymoon on the back of Petrino's hog. At least he can rest his laurels on his big raise until the NFL comes calling (end sarcasm font).

Monday's Meatloaf - a tale of two gameday Saturdays

Mike is a Georgia fan. And like the rest of us he has been looking forward to spending Saturdays this fall in Athens. It's been a long off season and the time has come to make plans for tickets, tailgates, away trips, and ringing that Chapel Bell!

But Mike gets busy. Between work, mowing the yard, feeding the dog, watching 13+ hours of the SEC Network a day, and reading Bernie's Dawg Blawg he loses track of time and the suddenly the Clemson game is here!

The excitement is at a fever pitch. Mike hurries home from work the Friday before and begins to pack the car for the next day's journey to Athens. "Did I remember the tailgate chairs?" he asks himself. "Check! Did I remember the tickets? Check!...Have I checked the latest football odds? Check! Did I get enough beer? What about the gas for the generator? I'll get that on the way in the morning."

Todd drifts off to sleep and awakens the next morning eager to hit the road, and with no idea how greatly complicated things are about to get.

Once at the tailgate things slowly unravel. It's unnoticeable at first. But between the drinking, the eating, catching up with old friends Mike hasn't seen in a year, not to mention the big win 'tween the Hedges, by late evening he finds himself wishing he didn't have to make that drive back home. All of his buddies are asking him for a ride downtown on his way out so they can continue the party. The hotels are booked and his friends only have floor space left. He's left with listening to the late games on satellite radio while he makes the trip back home.

From reader Trey, Lorenzo Carter strikes a selfie
pose a very happy Dawg fan.

"Do I really want to sleep on a floor, or should I just call it a day and head home?" Frustrated, Todd ponders his limited options wishing he'd planned a little further ahead.

Today's Ingredients
- With only days to go before the opener, Blutarsky looks at where things stand in terms of position battles.
- The wide receiver position has had some bumps and bruises so far, but Kimberley focuses on one that is ready to make a name for himself.
- MaconDawg wonders who wants to be a "star" and how that position may be different under Pruitt than it was behind the towel in recent years.
- Tyler looks at a "blogger-sized" player that we hope will be the next Damien Gary.
- Groo peeks at the schedules of the Dawgs' opponents.
- Krisi found Trip Frix's in this week's Dawg Tweets.
- Picture day was Saturday and Greg has some photos from Rob Saye of the players behind the scenes.
- Garbin uses the Georgia-Clemson rivalry as a backdrop in recalling one of his favorite players from the 1980s - John Little.
- From the Blogging doesn't pay the rent file, do you have all the tickets you need this season? That link gives you access to parking passes, season tickets, individual game tickets, both home and away! 100% Guaranteed and No Fees!
- Saturday's post got AHD all reminiscent and he fell into a google hole that helped him find Robert Edwards as the head coach of the Greene County Tigers. How 'bout that Dawg!
- Lastly, hey Chiefs fans....you're welcome.

Bernie is a Georgia fan. And like the rest of us he has been looking forward to spending Saturdays this fall in Athens. It's been a long off season and the time has come to make plans for tickets, tailgates, away trips, and ringing that Chapel Bell!

Athens Football Rentals

But Bernie gets busy. Between work, mowing the yard, feeding the dog, watching 13+ hours of the SEC Network a day, and writing for Bernie's Dawg Blawg he loses track of time and the suddenly the Clemson game is here!

The excitement is at a fever pitch. He hurries home from work the Friday before and begins to pack the car for the next day's journey to Athens. "Did I remember the tailgate chairs?" he asks himself. "Check! Did I remember the tickets? Check!...What about the gas for the generator?...I'll get that on the way in the morning." And then his lovely wife reminds him, "You big dummy, remember how you planned ahead and booked a house through Athens Football Rentals just last week and now we get to spend the whole weekend in Athens, not just most of the day...ya big Dummy??!??"

The family gets loaded into the car. They head towards Athens where they have a nice dinner, a comfortable night's sleep, a short walk to their friends' tailgate, thoroughly enjoy a big win at Sanford that night, celebrate with some friends, a short walk back to their rental home, and then another good night's sleep.

Twelve days folks. We got this!

Bernie

Pruitt's tough love

More than halfway through camp and the defensive backfield situation is as clear as mud. Swann seems an easy bet to start. So does JJ Green. At times.

via Vorhees

It's been the hot question ever since Pruitt took over in January. Is there reason for discouragement just 12 days out that the starters haven't emerged? I don't think so. And the players don't seem concerned about it either.

As proof, Pruitt needs to be able to trust his secondary. He’s trying to find who knows the calls, who recognizes the formations and who knows what to do with both once a scenario arises. In practice, Pruitt, always vocal, has been particularly loud when talking to Green.

Green doesn’t take it personally because he knows the pressure and challenges will only get tougher as the season progresses.

“We’re the ones that if you can take him in practice, you can take him anywhere,” Green said. “You can take the criticism of 90,000 fans. It’s a great thing that he’s caring like he does.”

The answers will come. Until then, the questions (and the criticism) will have to suffice.

The Junkyard Dawg Podcast Episode 15 - Joe Waterloo takes a mulligan

In the second part of our discussion we talk about Pruitt's defense and what we might can expect, how the schedule might be a good thing, and how Joe and I used to cheat at golf.

Now available on iTunes!!
Also on Stitcher!
Email questions and suggestions!

Just a David Greene jersey away y'all!

I can almost smell the charcoal. And the Tiger tears. Go Dawgs!

Friday Misery - Nine and a half questions with Paul Finebaum

Not sure why, but this kinda stuck in my craw the other day.

started? We been here. Welcome. RT @SECNetwork: SEC! SEC! SEC! It all goes down 48 hrs from now. RT if u’re ready to get this party started.
— Bernie (@BernieDawg) August 12, 2014

Slow your roll Charlotte. We've been here since 1932. And actually, the following year the 21st Amendment repealed the most vile and disgusting legislation ever enacted by a congressional body. That's no coincidence. Just facts.

Which is why I'm glad a certain radio personality who parlayed Nick Saban's success into semi-stardom agreed to sit down with me and get to know the SEC landscape a little better. Many thanks to Seagram's Ginger Ale, ESPN, Mike Slive, The Poulan Weedeater Bowl, Old Crow Reserve, and DirecTV channel 611 for sponsoring this momentous interview.

Bernie and his Glass of bourbon: Thansss for joining me Peter. How ya like Shhharrrlotte?
Paul Finebaum: Wait. Why aren't you wearing any pants?

BahGoB: (whispers, sort of) I know you're new here, but see, how this works is I asss the quesssions there Kewpie. OK! So. Let's start with something basic. Who ordered the Code Water Hose?
PF: I don't, ah...,I don't have the faintest idea what you are talking about. But please put on some shorts at least.

BahGoB: Shuddup Phil! What good is a network on the SEC if we don get any insider information?
PF: I think you have the wrong idea here, ah.. Bernie is it?

BahGoB: STFU Donnie! I'M ASKING THE GODDAMN QUESTIONS!! (straightens tie) Now....If you were still selling pot out of high school parking lots back in 1986, well then, did you at least bring a trasncripp of the Eric Ramsey tapes?
Kewpie: Can we talk about....I mean, no more questions...uhm, I would prefer to talk about something having to do with this upcoming season.

BahGoB: (quickly, and with a generous amount of spittle) Missouri, for real?
PF: Well, I think Missouri is really lucky to miss Alabam... 

BahGoB: Stop right there Francis. Do you ever take a break from stroking Saban's....hairs?
PF: Please. I don't understand what you want or what I'm doing here. Where's Dari? Where's Tim?

BahGoB: Ahah! So Tebow has the tapes and Nowkah ordered the hoses?!?
PF: No. (pulls out phone and starts dialing)

BahGob: Whooya booty calling Paul?
PF: ...Hey. Danny? I need to arrange a pickup.

BahGob: Sheridan?!? He's the gotdamn Bagman?!?
PF: Yes. Tell Tammy the charade is up. "The spider is through the upright." She'll...yeh, she'll know what that means. Now. NOOOOWWWWW!!!

BahGoB: "The spider is through the upright"...is that code for springin' Harvey Updi...?

Poof. He was gone. Like a usual gimpy suspect. Like a Herschel Walker tear away jersey. Like the brain matter from Jules' backseat once The Wolf was called. Like Phillip Fulmer at the 2004 SEC Media Days.

And like a florida fan's 2013 swagger.

Gone.

Dabo takes Tigers to the pool....hall.

So yesterday I posted this that I admittedly stole from my dad.

Well, AHD promptly sent me this pic...

...as proof that Dad was right about living life to the fullest. Since he lives in Clempson, I took the opportunity to share with Dad the invincibility that MY coach feels and how he encourages his team to embrace their fears.

After hinting that it might be photoshopped, Dad sent this video as a tongue in cheek retort.

Those of you upset that the team takes an hour of practice in the natatorium, does this make you feel any better? I mean, at least Richt doesn't have a professional diver do his backflip for him.

The Junkyard Dawg Podcast - episode 14 with Joe Waterloo

Joe Waterloo joins me in the Junkyard for a two part session. We start out by discussing how camp is going so far, the concussions, and how the secondary is shaping up.

There's been some changes since the last episode. Namely, it's finally available on iTunes after a five month battle with Apple. As a result there's a new feed that you can copy here. Thanks for downloading and Go Dawgs!

Merritt Hall hanging em up

It's been a developing story really, especially once Bing-Dukes moved from linebacker to fullback.

Hall will be missed, no question. Word is he was out there in street clothes this morning coaching the backfield. Damn good Dawg y'all.

To answer yesterday's question...

...looks like Bing-Dukes is permanent at fullback, at least for this season. In light of the list of concussions, the coaches didn't have much choice but to ask the freshman to help out on the other side of the line.

“If I can help the team, I’ll do it,” he said. “It will probably be just for this year and then I’ll move back to linebacker.”

The 6-foot, 230-pound Bing-Dukes moved from defense and practiced at fullback on Monday.

The move came after starting fullback Merritt Hall was sidelined with an injury. Georgia hasn’t said the nature of Hall’s injury, but the fact that Bing-Dukes is staying at fullback could be a sign that Hall may be out for a while.

He said Georgia coaches needed him there because they were “low at that position.” He said he’s a “quick learner,” and expects to grasp the offensive playbook fast.

“I miss it a lot,” he said of linebacker. “That’s my position, but if I can help out the team then that’s all that matters.”