From Athens- November Already !

Good Morning All,

“Success is not built on success. It's built on failure. It's built on frustration. Sometimes its built on catastrophe”. Sumner Redstone


For those of us who have children and grandchildren we know that parenting is the ultimate test in frustration.


The second most frustrating thing is being a current Bulldog football fan.


For many reasons we as the Bulldog Nation feel frustrated! All have been discussed in detail on this blog.


With the exception of a few toads that want to only gloat over our current state, everyone else has voiced his or her frustrations and concerns. Many excellent ideas on how best to correct our problems have been shared.


It will be a most interesting off-season for sure. The question will be? Interesting because of the changes or lack of. Our recruiting class will stir up many folks also.


The word here in Athens is that CMR will be having a chat with GM about the direction of our football program shortly after the season ends.


High on the AD’s list is reviewing all current assistant coaches.


While not saying so openly, he is not a fan of CMB offense after coming from UF. As we have spoke of before many times CMB does not use all the tools available to him. Granted he may have been advised by CMR on what he can do and not do. This would change with a new OC.


There is no doubt that GM can make his mind up and act very quickly. Example the firing of volleyball coach with 7 games left this year. A clear message sent. Produce a competitive team or risk your job. My feeling he will council CMR and give him a timeline of what required improvements need to be made. I believe going into the 2011 season CMR will have a clear understanding of GM’s expectations for our football team.


I see GM being much more demanding of CMR than DE would ever be. A very good thing!



The wife and I are making a road trip to Raleigh starting today to visit our daughter and her family. Son-in-law has tickets to the Wake –BC game. Wake’s BT&T field capacity 31k, told him we get that many at a high school games here in the south.


Never miss a chance to tickle the ACC crowd!


Don’t keep the faith…use and share it!


Have a great weekend and a safe week,


As always “Go Dawgs”

Many good thoughts and points yankeedawg1. Have a safe and enjoyable trip, myself, always visiting with my children.

As you're heading my way, yankee, I'm heading yours. Leaving for Athens in a few minutes. Catch you guys later.

Good post yankeedawg. Better take some long handles going to be a cold weekend I believe. I am guessing you are referring to me as one that is gloating. Just don't understand. I have posted many times that I am extremely disappointed in the outcome this year. Last year, I knew was going to be a rough one, still trying to swallow what happened in the UT and UK game last year. Just because I don't think firing a coach is the always the answer. However, it is always the first answer. Everywhere. By everyone.

You know, I can remember growing up. Hell, it hasn't been that long ago. I can always remember the "old timers" which I loved to hear talk at my uncle's shop on Saturday mornings. Still go when I have time. They would always say, "You know the problem with today's kids, they are always looking for a quick fix, always the only thing that matters is what you have done for me lately. They still rant and rave about it. Heard a couple of months ago that younger generations have forgotten loyalty, just impatient brats always looking to eliminate somebody or something." That was there reasoning behind the economy. I know, I know. Football is not economics, well the discussion we have been having anyways. But I believe, if that is one's mindset with one area of life, it probably shows up in many areas of that one's life. I may be off. Just kind of letting you know where I am coming from.

I am not happy with the losses. Really believed we could have won 10 games this year. Still, think we could have after watching the games. Looking past that stat since we don't want to talk about stats. It is November and this is what I have seen. What improvement do I see from last years team?

Here they are:

Offense: I see a young QB, that I knew very little about besides his high school highlight videos. Buc, stated a long tiem ago the kid was special. Dead on. He is special. But I have also seen him develop throgh games. Coaches didn't put him situations to fail early. Yeah, they weren't as aggressive as they should have been. But they have developed a QB that everyone is praising. Put him in positions to succeed. Last year, our QB just wasn't nearly as talented as this kid, but he had a lot more experience, and at times played great. We have an upside now at the main position for a couple of years. Ealey is starting to run the ball harder. Ran hard at the beginning of the year, but I believe he got a little shell-shocked by the turnovers and looked a little timid at times after those. We are not having the silly penalties that killed us some many times last year. Offense has been much more discipline. I think the offense has improved since last year. 3 of the losses we had this year, we were without arguably the best WR to ever play in the SEC. That makes a huge difference. Seen a difference when he came back with the offense. He will be gone, but think other guys are gaining confidence that they did not have early in the year. I guess they hadn't been in that arena yet.

Defense: Yes, they have struggled at times. And have really blown some assignments. Looked flat out pitiful against USC. I think they are much improved from last year though. Defensive line has played pretty solid. They don't have stat lines like in years past, but D lineman usually don't in the 3-4. Grantam has gotten the best out of Houston and Gamble. They play hard every play and make a lot of plays. Belin, done a nice job. See a lot of upside. Finally, put the talent that Dent has to use. Also, Robinson in my opinion is the most improved player on our defense. Going to continue to grow under this staff, and be a really good one. DB's. Can't remember the last time I have seen our corners play as physical as they are now. They will hit you. Like seeing that. Even little Cuff has been sticking his nose in there. Yeah, they have blown some assignments, but they are getting after it. Safeties. Not what I thought they would be. Hamilton was supposed to be the hitman. Don't see a lot of explosion from him. Not enought to run an alias as the hitman. But, they evaluated him and got him out. Rambo. The guy has talent, just has to figure out how to make the big play. He played extremely hard last Saturday. Really was everywhere. Just quite couldn't finish the big play when we needed it. Ogletree is starting to be mixed in.

I agree, the wins and losses are not acceptable. Never will be win you lose more than 3. It is November, and I do see improvement, and a lot of upside looking outside the W-L column. Last year, we had Cox, so there was a lot of question about what the future of the offense would be. We have a future that we can see instead of trying to hope for.

I like the mix of coaches with the exception of one. Wish Richt would take over the offense totally and let Grantham handle the defense. Think that would make a great team. I think offensive minds need to be mild mannered especially when the are handling young QB's. If that young QB sees you very frustrated, they will begin to panic a little. I think good DC's have to be intense, and a little crazy. Have to have the mindset cause usually the kids follow their leader. Can tell the difference in the physical football they have been playing lately as opposed to last year. I vote we have 2 HC's. Richt over the offense and Grantham over the defense. I personally think Richt likes Grantham. Have seen the 2 talk and laugh on the sidelines. Never saw that with WM. I think Richt just truly stays out of it. He lets CTG do his thing, which is smart of Richt. I believe he realizes that CTG is a lot better at the D stuff than he is. Just like Saban realizes that OC know more about offensive play calling than he does. Did you watch that special early in the year about Bama. I dont think they ever showed Saban calling plays for the offense or running any periods for the offense. Only wathced a few episodes because I couldn't stand to watch. Little jealous I guess.

Want to apologize to anyone I might have offended in the last big thread. Truly was not my intention. Have said it many times. This board is a special one. Tons of insight and knowledge. Believe everyone on this board are stand up people with the exception of one, that SEC joker.

GO DAWGS

Great posts YD1 and AD5.......only thing I will add is


GO GET Mark Whipple!!!!!

Or Brad Johnson, who lives in Athens now. Either one.