2014 Football Thoughts

Have spent somewhere around a week reading what others in the Bulldog Nation think and have to say about UGA football in 2014. Really comes down to the particular blog or person(s) on certain blogs have to say. Not different than Dawgs.com.

Seems much of the talk about improvements are pointed at the defense. Some think that miracles will happen with the coaching changes, others take the slow approach. From where I sit, looking at the 2014 Schedule, guess I find myself in the “middle”. We should be better on the defense for this reason (as I see it) it will be simplified. That is not to say that these young pups can’t or won’t be able to “understand” a different system. Don’t mean that for a minute. Believe that there was a lot going on in 20/12/13. Not going to enter into that portion of the things that have been discussed here and elsewhere for a couple of years.

Comes a time when “chatter” does not carry any hope of resolution. Anyone that reads here, and there are many, understand that the hiring of Pruitt/Rocker and company is almost like “Custer’s Last Stand”. Take from that what you will.

Posted a thread about wins and losses in the 2014 Season. Not my prediction, but I can tell you that many have asked me questions privately (email) about the “Nugget” post. This board was way out front prior to many others on that piece of work.

This 2014 Season is loaded with football teams that are not walkovers. Again, reading many comments in cyber space, makes me wonder how I ever made it through my earlier years.

This 2014 Team is again loaded with talent. Not that the talent is in the right positions, but there is a lot of talent.

Here is hoping that this is the step that was needed to move Georgia football forward. One thing that sticks in my mind is this . . . . Four teams play for the trophy. Are we there yet? Are we willing to “recognize” improvement or lack of same? I do believe that Pruitt/Rocker arriving in Athens takes us back to understanding that defense is what has to be one of the main agendas in SEC Football.

Remember what Erk said . . . . Won’t go into detail . . . . They don’t score, we don’t lose.

Go Dawgs, Coach’em Up.

One thing for sure that our new coaches have brought with them is a new attitude. Now will that equate to wins time will tell. At least we do have hope I couldn't say that in January.

DAWGtm, have spent many years watching and writing about UGA Football. This is the first year in many years that I believe we have made a positive move on the defensive side of the ball.

I am a dyed in the wool Erk backer. There is a reason for that. Once upon a time many folks made the "trek" to Athens to watch Erk during workouts/warm ups prior to kickoff on Saturday afternoons. He had Dawg supporters cheering before the opening kickoff. Wish sometimes that many on this board and others had been around for that. In my mind, Erk Russell and Larry Munson are cut from the same cloth.

While that probably won't happen again in my lifetime, it does not remove me from "remembering" what it was like. Erk and Larry loved "us" along with "UGA players". Almost like our "first love" as teenagers. Much of that "love" has been lost. Would love to see us come together again . . . . both sides of the ball.

Tracy Rocker excites me. He will not stand "idly" by.

Go Dawgs, Coach'em Up . . . .

DAWGtm wrote: One thing for sure that our new coaches have brought with them is a new attitude. Now will that equate to wins time will tell. At least we do have hope I couldn't say that in January.

I have great respect for you DAWGtm. You understand.

Reading many posts, you are stable on this board. I read many posts from folks that I "know" have an "agenda".

From myself to you, nothing but respect as I said above.

There comes a time when "some" need to understand that "agreeing" only goes so far.

You (DAWGtm) remind me of averagedawg. I said that.

I stand by what I said in the foot in mouth thread.

Our defense this year will be what we were told to expect last year, except the "improvement" part will actually
occur.

We all at times seem to forget that 98% of the time the difference between average to good, and then good to great
comes down to just a few breaks. Tell me that's not true. As bad as we were last year, some BS breaks were still
what made the difference between us being what we were (average) and "good".

I also believe that this staff and this team will be the type that those breaks might go our way. Breaks are often
"made" by sound coaching leading to sound fundamentals leading to players being in the right spot and doing the
right things.

Talent wise..altogether, I see this as a 10 win team. As good as our coaches may be, this team again faces a lot of
youth on that side. I like Mason, but you can't help but think at the very best he is a tick below what we had back there last year just on experience, not to mention talent.

So I see a more fundamentally sound team that has the talent to notch 10 regular season wins, but ya know.... breaks are funny things. You decide if you think we will get them or not this year.

WD, totally agree with you.

While I am very positive on the changes in Athens, I think year 2015 and beyond is when it will materialize into the potential we all are looking for.

Again, like last year, the D secondary could be our achilles heal this year. Mason will be good enough for our O to be top 3 in the SEC but my most concern is the secondary and OL.
I don't feel 2014 team is ready for top 4......yet (pray I'm wrong)