Humpday Hilarity - Justified and The Stranger

Second episode of the final season aired last night. I hope by now you've caught up to what is one of television's greatest series. This is the wife's favorite part thus far:

Little disappointed that's the best video the internet has. And for those of you into the show, how'd you like the addition of Sam Elliott last night? Mrs. Bernie said he's got fake teeth; looks like he's trying to hold some dentures in. I said no. You're just not used to seeing him without a mustache.

See?

The seasonal affective disorder in Athens meme

Yes. It's that time of year. The time of year that's so consistently depressive that you can set your calendar to it. The one that's so typically nerve-wracking that you can pre-schedule your therapy sessions. Its so much a part of the off season discussion that Estes is naturally compelled to include it on the laundry list:

Are there any more transfer concerns? 
It's pretty common to see players choose to move on after the season (and fall semester) in search of better opportunity at another program. Then another window for that opens at the end of spring practice (and spring semester). Could Georgia have some others leave the team? Sure, it's possible. Running back, wide receiver and the secondary still seem to be potential hot zones for those types of things, but you can't ever rule that out at any position.

Can everyone stay out of trouble? 
And sadly, there is this. OK, this is an annual topic for pretty much any college football program. There is a long time between the bowl game and the next season's opener, and there will surely be some off-the-field issues pop up during that time for the Bulldogs. If there is a difference this year, however, it is that Georgia's first two games are not against teams like Clemson and South Carolina. Instead, the Gamecocks dropped to the third game on the 2015 schedule behind a home date against Louisiana-Monroe and a week two game at Vanderbilt. It might be a bleak view to point this, but the start to this year's schedule could help Georgia when it comes to any possible suspensions.

Nothing says winter blues and spring discontent like attrition and police blotters. Hopefully some meaningful madness in March can hold our gaze through April Fools.

Hopefully.

In Texas, even the media egos are oversized.

Wow. Must be that time of the month....for message bored hits guys! What'd you think I meant?

Be sure and follow the link and read the entire exchange. After all, grown men acting like idiots is what recruiting coverage was founded upon.

Redefining "commitment"

Let's try a little exercise today, shall we?

When you settle in at home this evening, invite your wife or significant other over to sit with you on the sofa, look deeply into her eyes, and explain to her that you are around 70-80% committed to her. And that the only reason you're looking around is so that you can make sure you've made the right decision...for both of you.

Then let's all meet back here tomorrow (those of us still drawing breath) and see if we have a clearer idea of the full definition of the word commitment.

To those that get deep into this recruiting stuff, that's just picking nits. I know. Just hoping there are still people out there that see the absurdity of the "terminology" used. Then again, if the world were perfect, Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt...Lady Diana and Prince Charles...Bill and Monica...The Everly Brothers....Kiffin and Orgeron...they'd all still be together.

"I was like, 'I'm playing in an SEC game, yeah!'"

via UGASports

We hear so much (especially this time of year) about young men coming into the program to start their collegiate career. Personally, I find it more relevant,  refreshing to look at the grown men going out after their collegiate career is done. That's why I thoroughly enjoyed the start to Dash's new series of exit interviews. He starts with someone that didn't play much, Zach DeBell, who provides a unique perspective of what it's like to maybe fall short of your dreams, but enjoy the hell out of the ride.

UGASports: What was your most disappointing moment?
DeBell: "Tech. (After the game) Coach (Joe) Tereshinski gave us, it wasn't an earful but he gave us a speech and that was the first time I was like - whoa. When it comes to coaching, that's the most heart I've seen in long time. He lives, breathes and dies Georgia football. I'm not going to go into details because it was a lot of team stuff, but he's got a lot of heart." 

It's Friday!

Don't let the rain slow yo ass down Boss!

About that Belk bump

It is an issue of confidence now...

“We are very pleased with the direction of our program under Mark’s leadership,” McGarity said in a statement. “Mark and his staff are making significant strides in all areas our program and we look forward to great things in the years to come.”

...and patience moving forward...

Richt, who turns 55 next month, is 136-48 at Georgia. He guided the Bulldogs to the SEC title game in 2011 and 2012, but hasn’t won an SEC title since 2005 and is still seeking the school’s first national title since 1980. 

I'm not necessarily sensing urgency, but recent events (namely the money being spent invested in the football program in terms of salaries for coaches, support staff being added to the program, and an indoor practice facility in the works) lead me to believe that there is an extra layer of accountability being added across the board.

Indoor swamp coming - Fall 2015

Just in time to close this recruiting season...

It's official! UAA announces plans to build an indoor practice facility, to open Fall 2015.

http://t.co/jhoFK344Em http://t.co/q4EQxGyTE9

Jury selection continues in the State vs. Urban Meyer's heart condition

aka, Aaron Hernandez

Numerous witnesses will provide testimony that portrays Hernandez in a very suspicious light. None of these witnesses will explicitly say, I know that Aaron Hernandez murdered Odin Lloyd, but plenty of them will point jurors in that direction. As many as 305 people, in fact, are listed as potential witnesses for the prosecution. Most of them won’t be called, but prosecutors believe each has information or insight that could help prove the case. The list includes names familiar to sports fans, most notably Patriots coach Bill Belichick and team owner Robert Kraft, but other witnesses are more likely to play significant roles.

There's been some debate as to whether Belichick and Kraft would be called before the Super Bowl, which isn't until Feb 1st. But Urban Meyer is available. At least he is available in between recruiting visits (which may or may not involve penitentiary visits).

In all seriousness, this is going to be an interesting case to follow. Hernandez's attorneys have already succeeded in having the victim's cell phone records ruled inadmissible. The fiancée has thus far "stood by her man" and refuses to take an immunity deal. And the effort to seat a fair and impartial jury is quite the burden.

“People who tell you they don’t know anything about this are lying,” he said, referring to the high-profile trial.

He said he wasn’t intimidated standing mere feet from Hernandez.

“He’s just another person,” he said.

A different young man with a black ponytail was released after questioning. He answered questions loudly and could be heard mentioning the Patriots — over the din of white noise being pumped into the courtroom to muffle the sidebars.

If Hernandez beats the rap in Odin Lloyd's murder, there's a few more legal battles waiting in the wind. If he's found innocent of all three murders, the weapons charges, the assault and battery charges (stemming from prison altercations), the wrongful death civil suits, and the allegedly shooting his friend in the face suit, perhaps then the University of Florida will lay his All-American brick back down.

Season recap video - "GEORGIA"

GEORGIA from Georgia Football on Vimeo.

What a season.