Use The Word "Skilled" Carefully

Weighing in on this subject, not because I know that much about it, but because I spent may years thinking I did. Once upon a time my definition of "skill" position was used to describe RBs, WRs, and QBs. But mostly RBs an WRs. As you get older and study the aspects of the game, you see that what I once called skill positions could not perform a high level if they did not have the blocking from offensive line to free their movement or allow them to catch or throw the ball.

Yes, the perspective has changed over time. Now I watch to see how the war is won down in the trenches. The control of the game, it is not a sprint, but a marathon point if view is more important. The "skill" to me now is to make your opponent play to your strengths. Is it boring to watch a game in this manner? Some would say yes. I get back to my thoughts that it is more important to control the line, the clock, and run the ball

Sorry .... Ole' Man Football!

ogredawg wrote: Oh and Buc, Thanks for the link to Bernie's. I read the second part of his blawg and tend to agree that recruiting is not really an issue. Just the positions that are recruited is the issue. Last year was kind of a down year as far as 5*/top 10 go but they all don't pan out either. The top 10 recruits in the state we should get 3 to 5 every year and that has been the average according to Bernie. I am going to follow him a lot more now Buc and again Thanks........

ogredawg, this post stuck in my mind, went back and read a couple of times.

From where I sit ogredawg, the way that we recruit sometimes, maybe too many times in the recent past has made me take pause.

I really like the fact that Sony Michel cast his lot with us. Could never be disappointed with this young man, many will see. He is a bomb.

Going to relent and give Mark Richt a high five. Tough getting players like Sony, but some how, some way, Richt and company seem to come away with "skilled" players almost every year. The word in quotes is not a slant at Richt, using his terminology. Can't imagine the Red and Black opening the 2013 Season without Gurshall, especially with the two opening games.

All or most of us know that Mark Richt is a great recruiter. Most would agree with that right?

Here is where I am at. If we can recruit folks like Gurley, Marshall and Sony Michel, why is it that we can't come up with offensive lines that are better than good. Take any one of the three mentioned in this paragraph and put them behind a Saban offensive line . . . . would there be any difference?

AJ McCarron has been given the keys to the car. Saban is going to allow this young man to open their offense up. Also has receivers that are going to be ready to play. This offense scares the heck out of me.

Then I look at our offense . . . . why should I have any worries, right? Ask yourself that question. Is Alabama that much better than we are offensively? What is the difference between the two offenses?

I will make this wager, have said it one time earlier on this board. AM is going to do some things that Mike Bobo might not want to see him doing. NFL is changing, AM is not a dummy, watch AM take off this season, just saying.

If there is a offensive unit in the SEC that is better than ours . . . . give me the name of the university and the reasons why. Will give a nudge . . . . Johnny Football and his group are pretty good. Does that make them "that good"? They won in Tuscaloosa, that is huge. They did not go undefeated, that also is huge.

Sure looking forward to seeing Athens Dawgs going two deep or more on both sides of the ball. Want to catch up with Alabama, they are at that point NOW.

End with this . . . .

Go Coaches, Coach the Talent Up! Start with a team in South Carolina that does not have the talent that resides in Athens as this post is typed. We have incredible talent right now. No excuses, beat the pants off of those that we should beat.

P.S. Get serious about the offensive line, please.

wlayton, will never believe that Clemson, at this point is better than we are.

Give me this, if you will.

When we opened up with Missouri in 2012, we were warned about Franklin (QB). The media, (which you and I dicussed earlier) warned us about the Tigers. Most of us know what happened.

The opening game on our schedule (2013) is not different than the game we played (away) in 2012. I have to believe that the defense will be ready. Do I believe that Georgia can be stopped, would surprise the hell out of me, if we are talking about the offense.

AM will come out 3, 4, or 5 years ahead of those that he will face on the defense. Homework finished. NFL is looking from game 1.

Many of our receivers will be chomping at the bits to do what "they do".

Have not heard Michael Bennett's name mentioned much, then again, not many folks have much to say until the pigskin is kicked when the season starts. This young man is going to light up not only our football team, the SEC that forgot MB will recall what they did not have to say after the injury. MB is back.

Buc wrote:

ogredawg wrote: Oh and Buc, Thanks for the link to Bernie's. I read the second part of his blawg and tend to agree that recruiting is not really an issue. Just the positions that are recruited is the issue. Last year was kind of a down year as far as 5*/top 10 go but they all don't pan out either. The top 10 recruits in the state we should get 3 to 5 every year and that has been the average according to Bernie. I am going to follow him a lot more now Buc and again Thanks........

ogredawg, this post stuck in my mind, went back and read a couple of times.

From where I sit ogredawg, the way that we recruit sometimes, maybe too many times in the recent past has made me take pause.

I really like the fact that Sony Michel cast his lot with us. Could never be disappointed with this young man, many will see. He is a bomb.

Going to relent and give Mark Richt a high five. Tough getting players like Sony, but some how, some way, Richt and company seem to come away with "skilled" players almost every year. The word in quotes is not a slant at Richt, using his terminology. Can't imagine the Red and Black opening the 2013 Season without Gurshall, especially with the two opening games.

All or most of us know that Mark Richt is a great recruiter. Most would agree with that right?

Here is where I am at. If we can recruit folks like Gurley, Marshall and Sony Michel, why is it that we can't come up with offensive lines that are better than good. Take any one of the three mentioned in this paragraph and put them behind a Saban offensive line . . . . would there be any difference?

AJ McCarron has been given the keys to the car. Saban is going to allow this young man to open their offense up. Also has receivers that are going to be ready to play. This offense scares the heck out of me.

Then I look at our offense . . . . why should I have any worries, right? Ask yourself that question. Is Alabama that much better than we are offensively? What is the difference between the two offenses?

I will make this wager, have said it one time earlier on this board. AM is going to do some things that Mike Bobo might not want to see him doing. NFL is changing, AM is not a dummy, watch AM take off this season, just saying.

If there is a offensive unit in the SEC that is better than ours . . . . give me the name of the university and the reasons why. Will give a nudge . . . . Johnny Football and his group are pretty good. Does that make them "that good"? They won in Tuscaloosa, that is huge. They did not go undefeated, that also is huge.

Sure looking forward to seeing Athens Dawgs going two deep or more on both sides of the ball. Want to catch up with Alabama, they are at that point NOW.

End with this . . . .

Go Coaches, Coach the Talent Up! Start with a team in South Carolina that does not have the talent that resides in Athens as this post is typed. We have incredible talent right now. No excuses, beat the pants off of those that we should beat.

P.S. Get serious about the offensive line, please.

You got my point Buc as I knew you would. The college game is turning more like the Pros as far as recruiting for need much like the NFL teams draft for needs.

Every one on this board knows where our needs are and we blew it last year (Tunsil)and having ZERO back up plans. Are we deep on the O line? Yes. Are we deep on experience? No. We have 6 O linemen that played most of last year and that is it. The rest lack any real playing time unless in mop up situations. We all know that the O line needs to work for quite a period of time to gel and work as a unit. We have one injury for any length of time and the unit will cease to function in most cases. Last year we were pretty lucky without a lot of lost playing time on the O line and when we did, the right adjustments were made and Beard stepped up and played really well. That is kudos to Coach Friend. He has done a fine job just like you said he would. Great hire.

Overall the O line played well especially late in the season when the unit started to come as one. Were they "great"? No, but adequate as CMR so eloquently stated, and comparing our O line to his "FSU" days. Put a hat on somebody and let our "skill" guys make the play or our speed will win out. Uh OK CMR you are the boss but I do not want to hear any excuses this year if we make it to a 2nd tier bowl.

No doubt in my mind that Coach Friend will work his tail off to make this O line more than "adequate", and have his back ups ready to fill any spot that may be needed. I pin my hopes on him to have em ready to rock and rock from the first snap at Clemsun to the last snap in the in the NC game.

ogredawg, that is just on the mark, true to the game without any BS. Often I step back and just read what folks like you have to say. We (all of us can be friendly) but when it comes down to the brass tacks, the truth comes out and those that are real don't sugar coat the game.

Don't know where AllDawgs5 is, but I do know that he understands. Same can be said for thriller, think maybe he is caught up in numbers. Was really glad to see Wartdawg back. 36869, who the hell knows. He knows and I have great respect for him and his knowledge. TN Dawg flashed this week, as did OSD. Duck does not say a lot, but he is real. wlayton, the mayor, has put a lot into this board, does not ask for too much.

sadlerdawg, miss him. averagedawg, don't have a better friend on this board than that man. Half of what I know comes from someone that posts seldom, stanger, he truly has a grip on the Dawgs. growl, much like you ogredawg, solid. DAWGtm, does not post a lot, but when he does, makes a good point.

This could go on forever, Goose, DawgnLA, Dapolla, WoodstockDawg, flyingdawg, LimeyDawg (serious poster) and who could leave out yankeedawg1 and fire_dawg. There are many others and I am not purposely leaving anyone out, old fingers get tired, and . . . . time to hit the sack. Looking forward to chatting with many of you, damn good group.

Last thing, would love to see kentdaddy back.

Does not cost a lot for all of you to think about our football team and give some opinions. Have never been closer to a board than this one, good souls here. This board belongs to all of you, sometimes just saying Hi means a lot. Steve is still building, it will happen here and all that have been mentioned above and those that were not, truly believe that all of us are appreciated.

Good night my friends, here is hoping that we wake up tomorrow and BUILD THAT DAMN OFFENSIVE LINE, at least TWO DEEP.

Great people here and a lot of knowledge and Love for our team Buc. Can't ask for a better group anywhere. Nice post and well said.

Once again I Thank You for the kind words.