From Athens - Friday Thoughts

Having spent a large portion of the day (2/18/2017) thumbing my way through most of the SEC football teams . . . . everything from 2017 recruits to the many hirings that have occurred since the end of the 2016 Season.

One of the things that I see on the front line of many of the universities is . . . . everyone is now all over recruiting offensive linemen. Dawgs.com and a handful of its members have been on this particular subject for "years".

Alabama focused in on the offensive line as soon as Saban arrived.

Kirby Smart's return to Athens was welcomed by many. Kirby primarily being a defensive "type" coach did get to see just how effective that offensive line play was and is under Saban. His players lined up for many years against some of the top offensive linemen in D1 football, and there were "wars" between the offensive line and the defensive line.

One of, if not the best hire Smart has made in my opinion is Sam Pittman. This group of running backs in Athens at some point this season should see holes that they have never seen "consistently" since their arrival. Sam Pittman did all he could do in 2016, had a short span to make his position players the best they could be. Never once did I hear a discouraging word from Sam Pittman about his offensive line. I expect to see nothing change with Sam Pittman once he has his players kicking butt along the offensive front. Sam Pittman is a coach to use an old expression . . . . "speaks quietly and carries a big stick". My impression until proven otherwise.

Visiting offensive linemen recruits that have been on campus with those already entrenched in Athens, not a doubt in my mind opened the eyes of Nick Chubb, Sony Michel and others, and the others are going to reap the benefits of what Sam Pittman has done in a short time.

Coach Jim Chaney could have the time of his life in the coaching profession, if he has a talent for calling offensive plays. Most of us that carry a "chip" on our shoulder(s) have chirped for years about the play calling. Richt/Bobo are gone. No room for Coach Jim Chaney to wiggle with talent like he has to work with. Another thing, Chaney has Dell McGee and I believe McGee was another great hire by Smart. McGee reopened the Columbus, Georgia area for UGA Football. Richt and his group had lost Columbus. FACT. Gave Auburn the keys to the talent in Columbus, Georgia, another FACT.

When I look at the overall TALENT that now resides in Athens, do not believe that we have to focus on one talent, as has been the past history in Athens forever. Really do not listen to folks saying we don't have receiver talent, that is total BS. I hear that "stuff" but that is exactly what it is . . . . "stuff". We have quarterbacks that have to work with the receivers, and I believe that will happen and has already started. There will be a "little pushing and shoving" going on at the quarterback position. That in my way of thinking is a very good thing. Brings back memories of AM.

Coach'em Up . . . .

EDIT: And this . . . .

n.rivals.com/news/top-10-ol-recruiting-classes-for-2017

Number Nine . . . . #9 on the offensive line class is . . . . Miami. Yes that team now has Mark Richt as head coach. Richt's offensive line coach was released by Richt way back in time. Remember the name? Stacy Searels. Great offensive line coach that bit the bullet as did many under Richt. What has changed? Has been said more than once since Mark Richt relocated . . . . he benefited from watching hires come in on his staff over several years and now he is casting his teams from a "different mold".

Mark Richt . . . . Offensive Lines . . . . what a joke. Another case of Jeremy Pruitt telling the folks in Athens that certain things needed to be done to move Georgia Football forward. Mark Richt in Miami is not the same Mark Richt that coached in Athens for years and years. His words . . . . got off my butt and will coach college football again, the right way.

Richt . . . . FSU is not going away. Lane Kiffin will be in your "wheel house" a lot. Charley Strong is not foreign to Florida Football Talent. gator coach will get his share of Florida Football Talent. Show time in the Sunshine State.

georgia.247sports.com/Bolt/Dawgs-land-ta...ive-lineman-51365157

Little doubt that Rashad Chaney was a good get. Like that Rashad is from an Atlanta High School.

Seems some of these early commits are quick to point out that they are going to recruit for the Red and Black. Sure, things can change and often do, but I like it when a recruit, after committing mentions names of high school players he is going to pursue. The 2017 young men did a lot of work for "our" football team, did not let up.

So much talent in high schools all over the country being covered by college and high school coaches, definitely reminds me of the NFL years prior developing the players they wanted for the NFL.

Can remember once upon a time when there might be a half dozen colleges that were recognized as teams that had a shot at the National Championship. Face it folks, those of us in the South grew up, did not have all of the favorable media advantages that those north of the Mason/Dixon had. That has "surely" changed.

At this point in time, cannot get the Big Whatever to recruit only the upper half of the USA.

Still a great believer in College Football having a "Final Eight (8), bet this, say again . . . . NFL does not want to see that happen. College football is already "threatening" the "NFL Purse Strings". At some point in the "very near future" colleges are going to pressure the NFL to put some of their money back into the college "system". College football is almost to the point that they can demand the high and mighty NFL to "come off of their loose change".

Think I am looking too far out . . . . Hide in the bushes and watch. It is happening as you read this post.

Go Dawgs, coach'em up . . . .

Agree the. NFL is staring down the barrel looking at college football


As you correctly noted Buc....fan disappointment is at an all time high with NFL..... times they are

A changing....truth...

Still a great believer in College Football having a "Final Eight (8), bet this, say again . . . . NFL does not want to see that happen. College football is already "threatening" the "NFL Purse Strings". At some point in the "very near future" colleges are going to pressure the NFL to put some of their money back into the college "system". College football is almost to the point that they can demand the high and mighty NFL to "come off of their loose change".

Posted that paragraph from post above.

The percentage(s) of these "young" players making a living in the NFL is like walking into a casino in Vegas and believing you will walk out after an hour or several hours or so, maybe even days, not knowing if whether there is daylight or a full moon outside.

This is what "I" am told in conversations with folks that know a lot about college football, not just UGA. Kirby Smart is all about winning, he is also all about doing everything he can possibly do to encourage these young men to get the full benefit of an education. From what I am told . . . . he pushes "education" further in his "sit downs" than "any" football coach has "ever" done representing our university.

M&M made a deal with the SEC. Not with the individual football players. Deal made was all about the SEC and M&M making a boat load of money. That happened the first year of the contract. How many on this board and others that read here have looked at the "number changes" from first year until now? Talking about "Green Backs".

Moving away from the above . . . . there are some folks that have been around UGA Football for many years . . . . most of us are aware of what we have watched in the Classic City and really wanted "change".

Correct me if I am wrong . . . . look back through the posts on Dawgs.com since the arrival of Kirby Smart. It was said/posted on this board that there were going to be "some changes" that would "surprise". Could go into a long back and forth on that statement. No need, sometimes points need to be made that a "surprising guess" turned out to be factual.
Truth is . . . . change was needed. There can only be one commander on an Aircraft Carrier when the final call is made. That is how "I" feel about Kirby Smart. If he runs aground, as did the last head coach . . . .

Greg McGarity, not a leader, UGA Football program is in the hands of Kirby Smart. Nick Saban proved that could be accomplished. Can Kirby do that, this old fart has not a clue. Indoor Practice Facility, Smart had nothing to do with. Can Kirby use the Indoor Practice Facility to his and our advantage . . . . we will find out soon.

Go Dawgs . . . .

Change of subject here, but I called this one years ago and have echoed the sentiment several times.

Remember when Robert Nkemdiche ended up at Ole Miss... along with an unbelievable recruiting class?

Yeah... well the hammer is about to fall on Ole Miss. Millions in SEC money forfeited.. they are self-imposing a 2017 post-season ban.

Callled that ****. The dreaded "lack of institutional control" finding. When many were still in love with ole' coach Hugh Freeze, some of us knew how dirty he was and wanted nothing to do with him.

Anyway... hope it was worth it there Ole Miss; can't say you don't deserve it. Anyone with eyes knew ypu don't just start recruiting classes like you did there for a couple of years... saw the smoke and knew there was fire.