From Athens-29 Days and counting

After reading many of the posts on other sites concerning UGA, points me in the direction of wondering about the "next" season. As long as there is college football, "next" season will always bring about thoughts.

Seems a lot of folks like to say that many who support UGA come across the same way year after year. Meaning . . . . going to be "all that". Lot of truth in those statements. Little bit like, not how you drive, it is how you arrive.

Over the years we have had a tremendous amount of talent on campus, always giving us high hopes on the season ahead. My way of thinking, it should be that way. Sometimes some of us go overboard, speaking specifically about myself. Have held out hope for several years of the Richt tenure, thinking we were focused and ready to compete with those that seem to be "all that" year after year.

At my age and the years that I have involved myself with the Red and Black, not sure I have been this "jacked". Changes that I have seen in the last two or three years have been "different" than years past. I don't seem to have that feeling of hoping we are going to play SEC football. Have no doubts this group in Athens will come after you . . . . for four quarters. Something to be said for being in shape.

This particular year, Buc is a "homer" for sure. Should not say this, but will. I am focused on South Carolina. Yes, I know, one game at a time. Time to put an end to the Gamecocks domination. Also believe that we have the players that will stack up nicely with SS and his group. Cocks will see speed and attitude like never before from us. Between the Hedges, like that a lot. Send SS back across the state line licking his wounds.

Media is all about Clowney. I understand that. Anyone that thinks that this group on the Red and Black side is short on talent . . . . experience (maybe) is in for a rude awakening. Don't see the depth on the South Carolina group that I see in Athens. When this group puts their hands in the air in the fourth quarter with four fingers up . . . . I will be totally convinced. Did not see that last year in Columbia. Simply, we gave up. Reminded me of a Tennessee game some years past.

Lot of talk about the Clemson quarterback. Know this, he does not have the receiving corps that we have. More to playing quarterback than talent alone. Whether AM is as physically talented as Tajh, I don't give it a second thought. Is Tajh as game ready (reading defenses) as AM? Think not. Those that think that AM won't haul butt this season, hang around, he will. AM is back for a reason, and those that spent the summer with him in Athens, makes this old fart a happy "homer" camper.

Whether folks like AM as our quarterback or not, one thing he has done since his arrival in Athens . . . . Played for the "colors" . . . . not himself. I said that.

Buc, I've said this more than once, and I've taken some heat for it (probably deservedly so), but none of us play football anymore. That means we can take as many games as we want at a time. Seriously - if you and I look past Climpsn, that doesn't mean the Dawgs do. I am also looking forward to playing South Carolina. We have a monkey to get off our backs, and it's not Florida. I want to beat Florida, but OH BOY - I want to beat Spurrious even worse.

Last year against South Carolina, we were simply not ready to play. Period.

I hope we blow out Climpsn and do it early, so we can focus on the more important business at hand: the 'Cocks.

Clowney IS all that and a bag of chips - I will not argue with Wartdawg on that point ever again. However, if you look back at that game last year - unfortunately - one man didn't beat us - 22 did. Right down the line. All 22 of their starters whipped all 22 of ours. I sure hope that doesn't happen again.

Oh and one more thing - I've been a homer for somewhere around 46 years - I know you've been one longer. Ain't nobody going to get me to apologize for that. I expect great things from the Dawgs, year in and year out.

But this year, especially. Too much talent.

COACH 'em UP!

thriller, looking back at last season, you are spot on with the comment . . . . Last year against South Carolina, we were simply not ready to play. Period.

If I look at that game and what I think the positive outcome was, has to be the attitude that seems to have found its way with the athletes lining up this season. We had a couple of missteps earlier this year, and with crossed fingers, hope that is finished.

We need every football player that we have to be ready. Reason I say that is because of the schedule. No doubt this season has some very good football teams with enormous talent lining up against us. Injuries are a part of the game. Just being realistic.

Quite frankly, not overlooking Auburn. They signed several special athletes from the State of Georgia. Like many are posting about our defense having to grow up, same can be said for Auburn. They have talent, just have to learn the ways of the SEC. They have home field advantage, and they will be reminded of last years game on their field.

Living in Florida, can tell you that Muschamp and company have one particular date highlighted. Folks down this way feel the same way about us kicking them as we feel about South Carolina kicking us. We beat Florida this season, things will be ugly in Gainesville. Should South Carolina beat us again, things will not be the same in our world.

Understandable that our coaches have hit the "get ready button" now. Appreciate the players remaining in Athens over the summer getting ready. They know what is facing us.

With you on Coach'em Up!

"Last year against South Carolina, we were simply not ready to play. Period."


Yep... spot on. Clowney aside, we still would have been whipped that day. We just weren't there.

We got hit in the mouth and didn't know what to do next.


Not 'gonna happen this year folks. NOT 'GONNA HAPPEN.

Coach 'em up.... if we show up, we win this year.

Many of you remember the back and forth between Auburn and Georgia for Watts Dantzler. When WD chose UGA, there were a lot of happy folks on this board. Somehow, WD with all of his size never really got into the mode of playing SEC football. Could be competition had something to do with that.

Glad to see the coaches saying that WD has finally turned the light on. Does not have the speed or footwork to play either tackle. Have always thought he would play guard. Who knows . . . . maybe some right tackle. ??

Looking at the photograph of WD, looks like his neck does not quite fill out the shirt he is wearing. Down to 307 on a 6'7" frame, this could be good. Know that I along with some others on this board have chirped about offensive linemen, the need. Appears to me that Will Friend has gotten the attention of many or most that "want" to play.

When discussing Johnny Manziel and football I have a couple of thoughts. When I say a “couple of thoughts” you know it will be long.

If all of this crap about what he has done, is doing, and will do, think those of us on this board have been through that with IC, nothing new. Not on the same scale, can’t say that. IC had the talent to be “all that”, did not have the heart or maybe the gray matter to go further than he did. Not quite sure where his “further” is now, but this young puppy had every opportunity to make something of his life.

There comes a time when those in responsible positions have to move “forward”. Brings me back to comments that are now being made on this board. Those “responsible” have moved “forward” and have grown leaps and bounds. Not allowing players that “think” and “want” to run the show to do just that. Coming out of high school and junior colleges with an attitude that only suits themselves, believe that is a thing of the past. When I mention responsible folks, referring to our leaders, we know who they are.

I have some emails asking me why I bring Nick Saban into my scribblings on this board. Nine out of ten are usually answered like this . . . . He gets results. Some take it further. Things like Saban and Alabama hide their transgressions. Usually if the conversation is long enough, it goes like this . . . . If you and I along with others live in a glass house or home, don’t throw rocks, think all of us have warts.

The positive side of what I have watched happen in Athens is this . . . . The coaching staff along with the administrators have come to the realization that changes had to be made. I (Buc) have watched Mark Richt and those under him change . . . . Not in a small way. The coaches have grown up, realized that the Master runs the ship. That in my opinion is Greg McGarity. Agree or disagree, check the bottom line.

Biggest mistake that FSU made . . . . Let Mark Richt leave. Biggest mistake that UF made . . . . Let Greg McGarity leave. Whether you agree or disagree with this post, you are reading this post and you love Georgia Football.

Not about the players at this point. The Johnny Footballs will go the way of the IC’s. Baseball and PED’s, time to end the game of pretending. Did not see a single Atlanta Braves name on the list. Can be done without a shot in the butt.

Would love to see Manziel line up against Alabama this year. When I say that, takes me to this . . . . We had a football player that signed a jersey and the NCAA (Emmert) kept him on the bench for four games. Richt’s choosing, holding AJ out of SEC competition. Also had “science” on “our” side with Kolton Houston, only took three years for the “Million Dollar Man” to relent. Emmert is trying his best to keep his job. Who on this board would not like to make the money Emmert makes? Football players would like a "slice", Emmert however cannot allow that. Things . . . . they are changing. Slive took some serious shots at the NCAA.

Glad that TAM came to the SEC, too bad for Texas and the Big 12. Mack Brown is a short timer in Austin, and if Sumlin does not make the SAME MISTAKES that Mark Richt made earlier with players like IC, he will be “all that” and his future will have no end as far as being “all that”. I like Sumlin . . . . A lot. Sumlin and TAM have a very bright future in the SEC . . . . Without someone selling autographs. Good football teams and universities belong in the SEC.

Last words. Soon the college football world will be no different than the NFL. I said that. ESPN wanted the SEC badly, anyone know why . . . . More to college football than Saturday afternoons. Like it or not, it is just around the corner. Never doubt what Mickey and Minnie have planned.