What makes a Cajun Ragin'?

Don't tell Kirby, but I'm extending the 24 hour rule before we get real serious about the next opponent because yes indeed I actually do remember Nicholls State oh Lord Jesus can we please have nice things? 

Last night I was reminded that we opened with UL Lafayette in Aaron Murray's first game back in 2010, as well as this tailgate video Nama cooked up...with plenty of Tabasco.

Go Dawgs!

Sunday Thoughts on beating Auburn, again

What a night. What a game!

My feelings driving in yesterday were that I was much more worried about containing their defensive line than I was the vaunted Auburn rushing attack. We have defensive players and coaches that have beaten that thing before. Plenty of times.

Which brings me to the player of the game. I can't explain why they came out in the second half slinging the ball, but it sure was nice to see Mo Smith make the play of the game. He was surprised as anyone to see the ball come his way, but took the opportunity and made a helluva play. Needless to say, without that we're probably gnashing our teeth a lot more over the offense's inability to score.

But the offensive gameplan I thought was solid. Sure, Chaney got too cute in the red zone, but in a game of field position (especially in the second half) he was able to slow Auburn's pass rush down by spreading the field and was able to get precious yards on the ground utilizing Sony and Chubb the way we've been waiting to see them used all season.

Speaking of field position, a couple of good Ramsey punts and kicking that sucker into the endzone on kickoffs gave the defense just what they needed: an uncomfortable and frustrated Auburn offense that never could produce a big play.

And kudos to the crowd too. In a season that has seen some ups and plenty of downs, they brought the fire and passion. Truly a great win for all involved. Go Dawgs!

Remembering Bill Stanfill

Bill Stanfill has passed.

There's a reason I have that man on this site's masthead. He was relentless in his pursuit. He gave his all on the field of Glory.

Stanfill was all-SEC, all-America, all-World. Hell, he's most of the reason Spurrier hates Georgia so much.

If any of Kirby's defenders have half the heart of Bill Stanfill tomorrow night, they'll eat the heart out of an auburn player, spit it out on the sideline, and then raise their hand to go back into the game for more.

No doubt Erk has a seat ready for 77 in our Maker's Kingdom. But I doubt ol' Stanfill will rest there long before finding another fight to take a part in. He was a damn good Dawg. And despite the fact that I'm just slightly too young to fully appreciate his work tween the hedges, he'll be firmly on my mind as I find my seat tomorrow afternoon.

Go Dawgs!

the Friday Misery has all precincts reporting as hating abuurn

So you’ve had a bad week. You’re ambivalent. You’re downright agnostic. You can’t even seem to get out of bed and you sure haven’t even seen the television remote since your mom left town on Monday to visit Aunt Sara down in Lagrange.

Trump?

No. Shut the hell up. I’m not talking about no damn election. This is football son. It’s actual serious bidness. It’s not decided by no electoral college and it sure don’t have no hanging chads.

I’m talking about you...yes, you there with the Auburn tickets that’ve been on stubhub since mid-October. You with the four day old mustard stain on your chin. You the “fan” who was not so quietly hoping for a loss in the bluegrass so you could somehow and in some goddamn way justify selling those seats even to an auburn “grad” since they haven’t moved off of your outrageous initial asking price.

You need a bath and some smelling salts. That, or maybe just an enema. However, I’ve got work to do and I couldn’t really take the time to give a damn. So…

I was wrong.

Once, way back in August before I knew that blocking on the offensive line could be so offensive and actually downright optional, I opined that this Saturday’s contest and renewal of the Deep South’s oldest rivalry could be the Gus Bus’s last stop on the Official WarTiglesmen’s sweater vest tour.

I can’t remember if I was drunk or just that goddamn stupid, but looking back I know that I was wrong.

“Auburn comes to town possibly in their own desperate straits. Unless Coach Malzahn still has some magic up his sleeve, the War Plainsmen could be fighting for bowl eligibility. Meanwhile, Smart’s Dawgs are ready to enjoy a three-game homestand to finish the regular season and maybe help Chubb get over the 2000 yard mark.”

Haha. So stupid. “Siri, what is 2000 yards rushing?” …   …..     …   …. “Bernie, are you still a Georgia fan?”

"Hey! (clapclapclap) Hey siri. Hey. We're in the real for real
CFB rankings. (clapclapclap) Hey! (clapclapclap)"

Shuddup. Of course I am.

I did get closer to the mark later in that post though…

“It will be interesting to see how this young team finishes under its new coach. It’s hard not to expect a bad showing at this part of the season. Which is why I’m glad we get Auburn at home. Hopefully it’s a night game and Sanford provides some pep in the team’s step.

I think the key to beating the Tigers will be how much our linebackers develop in the first nine games and how well our secondary can tackle. A big game from players like Bellamy and Carter and a healthy ground attack could give us our seventh win of the season.”

(Okay, so maybe it would just be our sixth win. Sue me or just ask for your money back at the end of this post.)

You’re welcome. The main point is that I was really wrong but I still hate Auburn. That hasn’t changed and it won’t. Not as long as there are sheep that they will bed down with and bagmen that they’ll meet on a darkened corner against a backdrop of toilet paper drifting amongst the tree limbs.

So romantic. Dumbasses.

HOLD ONTO THE BALL!

That's the wife's rallying cry. It comes when there is either a sense of urgency or a sense of importance. Actually, usually both.

Chubb breaks into the secondary...HOLD ONTO THE BALL! When Sony rounds the corner on a sweep...HOLD ONTO THE BALL! When Sanders intercepts a pass and begins a run back...HOLD ONTO THE BALL DAMMIT!!

She's a superstitious soul and calling out the obvious is both necessary and vital to our survival.

But tomorrow it takes on an even deeper meaning. Yes, every offensive player needs to hold onto the ball as if it were the last swig from the handle of bourbon and it's 3:01 and Uncle Verne is knocking on the door and making sure Gary is done taking his pregame dump. And every ball intercepter that wears the Georgia G needs to grasp that pigskin like it was the last biscuit on grandma's Sunday table.

Holding onto the ball means more than ball security and more yardage. It's also controlling the one thing that Gus has a hard on for even more than orange tweed with no sleeves. 

The Clock!

Holding onto the ball means Sean White has more time to pick his nose. Holding onto the ball means Pettway has more time to contemplate why his mom didn't use more C's in his first name and less estrogen.

"I can't talk now. I'm trying not to pee."

Holding onto the ball means we want it more. We need it more. It means we recognize that football is not patty-cake, two hundred speed sweeps, and singalongs. It's for men with bad intentions. It's eight of the last ten and hungry for eleven.

Concession speech

“Well they just got to the ball fast and they tackled. We need to change that faulty tire, rebuild the transmission, and maybe take one of their safeties that I can convert to a quarterback or running back or even a quarterback or something so we can beat oregon again cuz my wife wants a new house and also a goat she can milk.

Hashtag West Opelikan livestock, but I digress.

Also I think there should be a rule that their current safeties that haven’t stolen money and other shit from their own locker room have to tip the ball in the air so that our finely trained receivers can successfully and unabated run under that thing to score. It just fits our systems the way I’ve drawn this program up since the beginning. All of the success we’ve had has been predicated on other institutional programs’ generosity and ...and ...and basically free loading off of that so that our fans can get what they’ve waited for and also war eagle!

Questions?”

“Yes, coach...why’d you go for it on 4th and 32 from your own 12, in the first quarter...on the opening possession?

“War eagles. Next question.”

More heart than any words that've ever come
out of Trigga Tray's mouth. Ever.

Maximum effort. Laid onto the turf.

I’m not asking much y’all. We haven’t been home in weeks. Is it too much to suggest that we come together with one common goal? Is it ridiculous to mention that it’d be nice if you stop searching for our next head coach and log off the dawgvent for just 12 hours so that we can tailgate in Fall’s absolute resplendent splendor? Is it out of order to demand your absolute best and 100% of your determination and 200% of your voice so that we can do our part in the prime Saturday spot tween the hedges?

I’m only asking because quite honestly I doubt your loyalty. No, not you with the Tahoe packed before 3pm Friday. And not you who told an Auburn coworker that absolutely not would you take two bills apiece for your four tickets.

Y’all are leaders among the boys. You’re Deandre Baker not giving up on the deep pass. You’re Rodrigo lining up his toe and Eason when the clock hits under two minutes.

We have to commit to the G and we have to get after that ass! Auburn is in town and they’re drunk on their own bullshit. A half a tick and Les Miles is still coaching while Gus asks your wife whether she wants paper or plastic. One more Holstein on I-20 outside Toomers’ Corner and these barners are late for the kickoff.

We’re Georgia. We’ve been ready since 10:47pm last Saturday night. We’re the Dawgs and Saturday night is alright for fightin’. Get a little action in...now, let’s bow our heads. God bless our veterans, Tra Battle, and please HOLD ONTO THE BALL!! Go Dawgs y’all! Amen.

Legacy left on the field...

Is it the voiceover, the cinematography, the music? Yes. It's all of that and the heart of being a Georgia Bulldog. Go Dawgs! #beatAuburn

Autumn Fire: Humility from Georgia Football on Vimeo.

"Never quit attitude"

The Reel: Georgia vs Kentucky from Georgia Football on Vimeo.

"He doesn't care for auburn!"

What follows has zero (0) footage of The Bagman, Zero.

Sunday thoughts under further review

Great and much needed road win. That was no easy place to play a football game last night. Kentucky fans took every available seat and got loud.

Defensively things changed after Kirby called the timeout as they were driving and about to score. Offensively things changed when Chaney opened things up and exposed their pass coverage.

And yes, special teams got some of their special back.

Thanks Lexington. Thanks Road Dawgs! And thanks Redcoats Pep Band!

Bring on Auburn. See y'all tween the hedges at 3:30 Saturday. Go Dawgs!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

the Friday Misery is wheels up

A very busy week started with another Jax hangover and just spiraled from there. Suddenly it's Friday morning and I've got to get the car loaded for the Bourbon Trail.

Speaking of wheels up, I do have this though. Watch Tony Milton knock a wildcat on his ass so Greene could hit Edwards deep.

Greene to Edwards for a great 42yd TD catch! Dawgs beat Kentucky in route to an SEC Title! #InTheUGAVault #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/hoeV8GSr5G

— The UGA Vault (@TheUGAVault) November 3, 2016

(h/t Groo)

I hope you can join us. Shame we have to travel that far north up 75 to get a night game. But it should be a beautiful time up in Kentucky, unless you're an ice cube. Hopefully alls well that ends well on this road trip.

Go Dawgs!

The Smart Era - a mid-season evaluation

This is one of those where I am, how we got here, and where we’re going posts.

The good news for me is that my frustration lies more in the short term than the long term. The record might be better under our previous coach, but I doubt we’d be so much better that we’d avoid difficult conversations about Richt's future. The fact is that Vince Lombardi himself couldn’t have beaten Florida with that offensive line.

So yes, I still believe in Coach Smart, even as frustrating as it is watching him grow up as a head coach. I like his energy and enthusiasm. I think recruits react well to him, obviously. And I think he has great upside as a head coach in college football.

VIA

However, the question about Smart’s future has changed ever so slightly, at least for me. Given the circumstances of Richt’s firing, we’re not going to be faced with any decision to make in a couple years if we haven’t reached the SEC Championship game (at a minimum). The only decision to make will be between UGA and Smart’s representation of what any settlement will be.

Again, that’s the program that we are now. There’s no going back on that.

So I do believe Smart can be a great head coach. Given what I’ve seen eight games in my confidence is shaken a bit as to whether he can become a great one quickly enough. Here’s the two examples of that that I think are the most glaring at this point:

1. Our overall depth will improve next year and especially into Smart’s third year. But will the last couple years’ glaring deficiencies in wide receiver and offensive line recruiting have had enough time to correct itself to a championship level? We may get an idea in February. But we can’t be absolutely sure for some time. And that’s as difficult for me to come to grips with as it is for you I’m sure.
2. By the time the depth chart resembles a title contender, will Smart have overcome his lack of sideline balance. The truth is our head coach still has a lot of position coach in him. Which begs the question that goes back to Richt’s firing and Smart’s subsequent introductory press conference when he emphatically stated that he would be hands on in every facet of the game. Did we over correct from a coach that ended his tenure as more of a CEO to a kid that forgets to manage the game clock because he’s trying to control too many other things?

Those are two honest and fair questions to ask at this point. We can get into arguments over assistants and coordinators’ jobs if you’d like, but in the end the two most important concerns are those right there. We can stockpile talent on the sidelines to be a contender, but if the head coach still treats timeouts like stock in a bullish market it’s not going to win us the big game we’ve gone all in on.

Yes, the truth is Smart inherited at least part of the problem in #1. But we’re a program that doesn’t make excuses any longer. So it is Smart’s problem to fix.

And yes, I still believe he can. Even as angry as I am that it’s November 1st and we’re still fighting for bowl eligibility. Even as angry as I am that Chubb will likely leave campus having never beaten Florida.

Even as angry as I am with the realization that while this new era may still be a step in the right direction, it won’t be as quick a fix as I had hoped.