From Athens- Just "8" More Saturdays

Good Morning All,

I enjoyed hearing all the feedback on last weeks “Just Asking” thread. The blowback coming up from the Gator Haters was nothing short of awesome. Time we painted the state of Florida Red & Black again.

After last year I feel AM will put this game on his back and won’t leave JAX without a “W”.

AM will have the Dawgs on a mission he does not want to go home and hear another year of jawing. Put OC in that group also. We stay healthy coming into this game the post game victory party will again put St. Simons as risk.

Buc this past Tuesday spoke of team unity and leadership, AM and this group have been paying attention to what Father Joe has been saying and heeding his words. I see a return to on the field leadership this season from several players on both sides of the ball. Very much needed and missed.

Buc,spoke also about USC & SS coming to Hedges wanting to goose CMR and the Dawgs again. Repeat the UF glory days. My money is on CTG and his defense as the nuclear deciding factor. CTG first meeting last year and SS post game actions did us a big favor. After a win over CTG you just shake his hand say good game and walk away.

It does not take much for CTG to get sparked.

Word coming off campus is the over all team speed of this “D” is off the charts. We have added size and strength to go with the speed and will have gas left in the tank comes the fourth quarter. This bomb will go off in a very big way and leave a few OC’s rethinking play calling against us.

Sure it will be fun to watch IC and the offense grow as the season unfolds but for me it is going to be the red meat off the chain “D” that I look forward to watching.

I can see this “D” wearing down an offense and having their way in the third quarter. Turnovers and field position will improve with CTG’s year two “D”.

Counting tomorrow we have “8” Saturdays to kickoff in Atlanta.

Yes I know that’s “7” more than we need!!!

Pause and give thanks – Have a great weekend and a safe week.

As always “Go Dawgs”

yankeedawg1, had forgotten (almost) about Spurrier's backhanded shots at Grantham. South Carolina game just keeps building. The spark that you mentioned is on point. For too many years that has been a missing factor in Athens. Pieces of the puzzle are there yd1, looking for serious changes being made and upheld on both sides of the ball.

Question . . . . Just how strong is this Defensive Line going to be with JTII working with the size we have up front? Stay healthy, this could become interesting. I pray.

You hit all of the bases with this post.

Coach Them Up . . . .

yd1, another great post.

The "D" needs to smack some people around this year, that's for sure. The part of your post I like the most is "8" more Saturdays!!!! Thanks, yd1 - I now have a new countdown that will definitely keep me going through the DAWG days!

The SC post game conjured up memories from last year. there are a couple more paybacks I feel are due.

1. SC. Already stated.
2. Auburn. We all know what transpired in that game--and I think our DL does too. Just ask Ben Jones.
3. Florida.
- The MusCHUMP'S comments.
- The comments made by their players about how they saw defeat in our eyes.
- Years's of being screwed on any close call by refs
- The fact we should be tired of losing to them.

To all teams listed above: BRING IT ON.

Just a bit off of the subject, allow me.

From my home I watch every shuttle lift off. Even witnessed one that did not make it into orbit. The last shuttle Atlantis just left the Cape and it is the last ever in this series of space travel. This is going to have a huge effect on jobs in and around the Space Coast. Estimated 5,000 jobs to be lost.

With that being said, I hope that this edition of our football team can come together and get things done like the folks that have sent our Shuttles off of the pad at Cape Canaveral/Kennedy Space Center.

My doors shake when the fire is lit on the Shuttles and they rumble off of the pad, dogs in my area bark and chills run up and down my spine. This Veteran says yes, God Bless America!

Go Dawgs . . . Coach Them Up!!

Buc, Not off subject at all... I took my family to Destin the week after 9/11. F-16's and other AC were airborne doing practice runs over the shoreline. My young grandson asked as we walked the beach what was all flying and noise about. A crusty old sailor walking with us said "Son thats the sound of freedom" May God Always Bless the USA. Have a great weekend..get close to a brew and some shrimp for me.