The Monday Dawg - First Edition

There is a lot to agree with in NC_Dawg's post above.

Said in another thread that "maybe" I would stay away from too much talk about Smith.

All or many of us on this board have thoughts one way or the other about the Roquan Smith . . . . will call it an "issue" at this point.

From where I sit, Smith is clearly in the background in the recruiting process. His high school coach has stepped up, front and center. Appears to me that it is no longer a Smith "decision making process". High school coach is going further than "protecting" his young football star. High school coach is all about himself as I see it. Willing to discuss my point of view. High school coach has made some serious "I, me, my errors" for all in the media to crawl all over. AJC right now all over the "click parade".

Anyone think that Smith made the decision on the LOI development that is now front and center? Went to bed one night, awakened and came to the thought of making a decision later. Trying to read everything surrounding Smith's last decision, believe it to be heavily influenced by his high school coach. Some folks never get that 15 minutes of fame, when they do, it is all in the pool.

Simply put, it would be very hard for anyone to convince me that our defensive coaches do not understand the behaviors of 17 year olds. One of the highlights in my opinion of hiring the "Alabama Gang" was to adjust to modern day football. Coaches that "understand" the way young high school football players think. Did this newly hired group of defensive coaches leave that learned lesson in Alabama and Florida?

What bothers me is this . . . . nothing good will come out of this BS that Smith's high school coach is "displaying" through media outlets. Yes the media loves this, and they will continue to ride it until Smith's head coach "decides for himself" what is best for Roquan Smith.

My right to my opinions aired above.

Going back and reviewing this Roquan fiasco, Buc you are right as always.

Here is what the kid risks. If he decides not to sign the LOI, it's possible schools will have already had spring ball and found some 1 or 2 star kid who is really a 4 star kid (and student - that antiquated concept) and person, and will have already given that last scholarship to him. Our 85 are already filled - sorry kid.

Or, more likely, some OTHER kid, probably a "3 star" (whatever that means), will LOSE his scholarship to Roquan before school starts.

In the end, someone, somewhere, may be overvaluing Roquan and undervaluing a loyal kid who just wants to play while he's in school. It's that "3 star" (whatever that means) that I'm cheering for at this point.

Good for Roquan, if it works out for you. If not, too bad. I'm pretty satisfied that UGA is just fine with or without RS. I'm more excited about the OL recruits this year anyway.

thriller best I remember Todd Gurley was a 3 star.

Say again, most of these talking and print heads have never come closer to the game of football than the Friday Night Grandstands. What they understand is playing on the emotions of those that portray themselves as understanding the game. Their requirement is to promote interest in their respective sites, if it requires a "soap opera mentality" . . . . use it.

In my small mind, this has become nothing more than a "soap opera".

thriller you make a great point. Who is getting screwed in this "soap opera"? Todd Gurley types that have been pigeon holed through a reckless misunderstanding of the game.

One thing that I try to focus on when watching film . . . . the competition that some of these over rated players line up against on Friday nights.

Leonard Floyd was wearing a 4 star rating coming from high school. NFL first round choice if he shines this season. Have heard bits and pieces about Floyd recently. He has put his faith in what this Pruitt led defense can do for him in 2015. There are others on that side of the ball like Keyon Brown that carried only 4 stars coming from high school. Hide in the bushes and watch these two along with others under the "leadership" of Pruitt/Rocker and Company.

Gurley was a 4 star back

Thriller/Buc,

Excellent points that I do not disagree with! My point was meant to shed light on the "process" before, during and after NSD and how it has been packaged. The "winners" here are those looking to glorify their "By Line" stirring up concepts and concerns that shouldn't matter. The entire process is centered on some capricious date and grounded only in promoting of college football! Truth be told, schollies are offered and LOI's signed throughout the year, absent the pomp and circumstance of NSD!

IMVHO, the only drama here, has be created by the process. Yes, I believe RS is listening to many people, including his coach. However, there were and are very valid reasons for his decisions. As I said earlier, this type of decision happens in other collegiate sports, usually dealing with high profile recruits. It's all about choice, risk and reward. The institutions recruiting RS control the scholly and decide whether to ride it out or pull it. RS controls the decision and risks the loss of one or more interested institutions, early playing time and a higher degree of scrutiny from whichever institution he finally chooses. I think this may be a bellwether event signaling a change in the process.

BTW....I absolutely LOATHE the "star" rating system! It's accuracy is about as spot on as a wing-nut armed with an M16A4.

GO DAWGS!!!!!!!

Believe the fourth star was awarded after our signing of Marshall.

Was there ever a young man that should have been a 10 star coming out of high school football?