Can You Break Your Own Heart?
The Georgia Bulldog’s loss at the hands of the Florida Gators was especially difficult. There have been many years in the past 21 that the Gators beat us. This was NOT one of those games. We beat ourselves…again.
Sure Urban Meyer had some wrinkles and/or tweaks, but those did not win this game. Aaron Murray unfortunately picked the wrong time to struggle. There were early opportunities in this game that we did not take advantage of. I am very proud that Aaron did come back and make some plays late in the game to get us in to overtime.
But we should have never been in overtime.
This Georgia team is not great. They could still be a good team, but they have to learn to not beat themselves. I was very out-spoken on-line yesterday and used some strong language in the face of fan’s gloom and doom attitudes when we were down 21-7. Florida was not beating us then, nor did they ultimately truly beat us in OT.
We beat ourselves.
The three game winning streak was not nearly as dominant as it may have seemed. The Vanderbilt game was a very solid game overall, but the Tennessee and Kentucky games were won because of our playing with more intensity and being in position to take advantage of the other team’s miscues. Those same gift wrapped opportunities went unopened yesterday and it made all the difference.
I’m sure many people, including Coach Richt will say, give Florida credit, because that’s the classy thing to do. So let’s do that. I give Corch Meyers credit for the fast paced offensive game plan. It thwarted the early pressure that the Dawgs were putting on Brantley. It also forced Todd Grantham to make some substitutions he normally might not make, including an entire series with number two’s in the front seven I believe. I give Corch credit for a third “QB” in the mix with Brantley and Burton. I give Corch credit for a lot of things, but his true genius lies in his willingness to sacrifice for his team.
Urban Meyer sacrificed his integrity for the good of the team.
His decision to reinstate Chris Rainey after what was universally considered a heinous crime(click), was a new low, even for Corch. It actually gave us an unobstructed view into the depths of his soul. Not that it’s that deep. Chris Rainey’s impact on this game was immeasurable, but let’s measure it anyway. 84 yards on 16 carries…5.3 avg…1 TD. 2 receptions…9 yards…6 KO returns…148 yards…24.7 avg. That pretty dang good, but Rainey’s real impact was that Georgia’s defense could not focus on Trey Burton who truly ran wild gaining 110 yards and scoring two TD’s .
Let’s call it the “AJ effect”.
Having that one additional option has an exponential impact across the board. When I looked at the TV screen and I saw Trey Burton in the shotgun, with Demps to his left and Rainey to his right? I thought, “Holy crap”.
Even so, we were in a position to win by forcing an overtime, a first in this series. Many people questioned Coach Mike Bobo’s play-calling all game. I admit, I had flashbacks to the infamous Georgia Tech philosophy with Calvin Johnson, but I’m not sure if it was a Bobo thing or a Murray thing. The third option was suggested by a friend last night. We’ll call him “Coach Pain in the Arse”. His thought was that Murray was under so much duress(my word, not his), that he didn’t have time to find all his options, including AJ Green. I countered with AJ needs to be your first option most of the time.
We’re not going to have AJ much longer, we better get all the juice out of him we can.
I actually believe CMB gave us chances throughout the day. Many early opportunities went for naught because of Aaron’s struggles, but make no mistake, the plays were there. All in all, I was proud that this year, unlike so many in the past, we fought our asses off. We fought the adversity and we fought the Gators, toe to toe.
It just so happened that their “toe” got the last chance.
Beware the Gator Kicking Game
In case you didn’t know, the Georgia Bulldogs have perhaps the best over-all special teams in all of college football. The Ray Guy winner in Drew Butler, a Lou Groza finalist in Blair Walsh and perhaps the best kick-off returner in Georgia history in Brandon Boykin. That’s all well and good but that’s just part of the equation this weekend. A lot of people have wondered about whether Florida might tweak their offense or defense in their bye week. The easiest thing to do is put in some wrinkles in special teams. But why would they do that?
The Florida Gators kickers have been struggling. Caleb Sturgis, the PK who had missed several games because of a back injury was going to try and come back for the Georgia game. He aggravated the injury Wednesday and punter Chas Henry will continue to placekick. Henry started out okay versus Alabama, but has struggled since.
The news you may not have heard is that the freshman kicker that had been kicking off, Brad Phillips pulled a hamstring last week. That means Chas Henry might kick off as well. I have not worked with him in four years but I will be shocked if he is a super strong kick-off man at this point. Florida may employ the pooch kick at times to keep Boykin at bay. The fact that Chas may do all the kicking changes his weekday preparation, his pre-game warm-up and in game preparation.
Here’s the other thing.
Chas Henry was a high school quarterback at East Paulding HS and has shown the ability to both run and throw for first downs on fake punts. I would not be surprised if UF did not try to pull out the stops on special teams tomorrow. A part of “Urban Renewal” was Corch relinquishing the special teams. Having the off week is plenty of time for him to assume control once again.
The one thing that they have not done with Chas is a fake field goal. Beware!
So, in review, beware the short KO….fake punts and/or FG’s…and punt blocks as well.
SEC Flagged for Illegal Man On Field
The Florida Gators beat the Georgia Bulldogs in tackle football Saturday. I had hoped for a better showing, but I’m not the least bit shocked we lost. What I am shocked about is the fact that apparently it’s okay to attempt to injure your opponent in today’s SEC with impunity. I expected Urban Meyer to react with minimal objections, but Mike Slive’s office should be ashamed….again.
As you may know, Brandon Spikes, LB for Florida was caught on video holding Georgia running back Washaun Ealey down and purposely attempt to gouge him in the eyes. The punishment? Sit down for the first half against Vanderbilt, and don’t do it again, okay? I saw some Gator blogs today that stated if…IF Spikes did this intentionally, it was bad. Except the prick that does EDSBS…who thought it was great. Screw him.
The Southeastern Conference is now a wild west show, where anything goes. I know you are familiar with the officiating, but this is a safety issue. If nothing else, player safety should be job one in Birmingham, but it’s not. Don’t worry, I can still say what I want. Let them try and reprimand or suspend me!
Now, players can do whatever they want up to and including purposely injure another player without any real repercussions.
The main lesson here? Don’t get caught next time. Great job Mr. Slive!
Black Dawg Down
Alpha Company, Alpha Company…we have men down! Too many casualties to count! You may not recognize our guys because they are not in UGA issue. For some reason, they are in black helmets and black pants. Something about juice?
Folks, it’s far worse than any of us imagined. If you need “juice” to get ready for Florida, you are a loser and have already lost . We have misplaced whatever degree of substance we ever had. It’s all about the fluff, and fluff don’t get it.
I almost titled this post, “So you think you can dance”?
Don’t think for a second that the Urban Crier did not use the 2007 celebration as continued motivation. They must have been insulted more by our dancing than we were by their time outs last year.
And why was this necessary? Just play football…
I know many of you relished in the original black-out game against Auburn and the accompanying soulja boi dance during the time outs..hell…even Verne and Gary joined the party. I liked the jerseys(past tense), but not the dancing. That was rubbing their nose in it. Well those chickens are all coming home to roost. Do you not think Auburn will be playing those replays in a few weeks? Please.
What used to be a meat and potatoes program has regressed in to a cake and icing program and I’m sick at my stomach. Georgia doesn’t need new jerseys, the red ones are fine. Georgia doesn’t need new pants, the silver britches are fine. Georgia doesn’t need new helmets, the red ones are fine. By the way, one of the most recognized and best looking helmets in all of college football. Thank you very much.
What Georgia does need is players that are motivated from within. That is something you can build on and have a sustained effort with. Motivation imposed from outside is superficial and temporary. Apparently Mark Richt doesn’t think they are sufficiently motivated, without the fluff. Why else would he do it?
Additional “juice” for the Florida game…my ass.
Georgia-Florida, Then and Now
It’s that time of year again. The air is crisp, the leaves are changing and Jacksonville, Florida is the center of the football universe. The fact that the “WLOCP” falls on Halloween this year means the crazy meter might reach an all-time high, but that would take a lot. It is the one game where the amateurs are encouraged to stay home and let the professionals do their thing.
I was fortunate to play in four Georgia/Florida games. The good guys went 3-1 and ended the era with one of the most famous games in the series; the 1980 game. It does not matter if you wear red and black or jorts, you remember this game. It’s the game where Georgia QB Buck Belue hit WR Lindsey Scott with a short pass and Lindsey raced 93 yards to totally deflate a previously euphoric Gator sideline. It was 3rd and 11 after all, with 1:03 left in the game. There was no way Georgia could win. But miracles do happen and believe me, this was a miracle.
Georgia may need another miracle this week if they are to beat a superior Gator team. Florida is 8-0 and ranked number 1 in the nation by the BCS poll. But let me ask you this. Do you know what dogs do to polls(poles)? That’s correct. That’s what Old Coach Erk Russell used to tell us every preseason. It was great motivation for us to exceed expectations.
Many of you have only heard about the recent history of this series where Florida has dominated 16-3 in the last 19 contests. It’s as if college football was invented in 1990. Well, it was not, and even with the impressive run that the Gators have enjoyed, the Dawgs still lead the series.
Good Guys- 47 Bad Guys – 38 Ties – 2
What’s that you say? That’s impossible Mr. Robinson?
Oh no, I’m not lying. We used to spank that armor plated fanny on a regular basis. Do the math. That would mean at one point it was 44-22-2. Ouch! Georgia’s series with the Gators ranked right up there with the Vanderbilts, South Carolinas and Kentuckys of the world. Yep, it was that good.
But then Florida hired freakin’ Steve Spurrier aka “The Ole Ball Coach”. Man, I knew as soon as it was announced that he was going to be trouble. He took Duke to an ACC Championship. Nuff said. Back in the day everyone acknowledged that Florida had talent, it just never had the teams you thought they could have. The rest, as they say, is history and with the advent of Urban Meyer and Tim Tebow, Florida has truly reached their full potential.
Two eras, B.S.S., before Steve Spurrier and A.S.S. after Steve Spurrier….as different as they could possibly be. Georgia dominated the first three quarters of the series and Florida has dominated the last quarter. If Georgia wants to stem the tide, they must do everything better.
Recruit better…Coach better…Play better…It’s just that simple.
Go Dawgs!
Walker vs. Tebow
Tim Tebow just tied Herschel Walker’s SEC Career record for rushing touchdowns. There is a very good chance he will break the record this Saturday against the Dawgs. I am frustrated because this is one of those times when the numbers just don’t add up. Having seen Herschel up close and personal in 1980 and obviously watching him as a spectator after that, all I can say is this.
I know Herschel Walker.
Herschel Walker was a teammate of mine.
And you Mr. Tebow, are no Herschel Walker!
Now don’t get me wrong, I am not a Tim Tebow hater. I respect him as a player and as a young man. He can’t stop the ever expanding circle of man crushes and PDA’s shown towards him every single day on ESPN. Now, he is one of the best to ever play college football. But there can only be one best, and that is Herschel Walker. Until someone surpasses his rushing total in the same number of carries or games played, the rest will have to sit down and vie for number two.
Now, I’m not going to enumerate the statistics of Tim Tebow. If you have not heard them a thousand times, you must be new to our fair planet. Welcome. I hope you come in peace. I have always had a problem with all the hoopla surrounding the rushing touchdowns piled up by Tim Tebow. I bet his average TD run is no more than 4-5 yards. That is hardly spectacular, particularly when it’s basically all Florida tries to do in that situation. Over and over until it works.
Tim Tebow’s skill set is truly unique.
But uniqueness does not automatically equal greatness.
Urban Meyer coming to Florida provided the exact scenario that Tim Tebow needed. It was the perfect storm. It allowed him to thrive. If he had chosen Alabama instead he might have been successful to some extent, but nothing close to his production at Florida. No Percy Harvin, no Louis Murphy, no Brandon Jacobs, no Chris Rainey, no Jeff Demps. These guys have provided the home-runs and other extra base hits. Tim is the pinch hitter that come in when it’s close. Now he does deliver…but then so does Pizza Hut.
The Football Planets Are Aligned
After watching a Saturday devoid of Georgia Football, I swear the planets are aligned for an upset this week. Too bad our ship has been in the shop. It’s like those times when every week you take your car in to get it fixed and every week it’s something else. Do the Lemon Laws apply to football teams?
The Vanderbilt game was a little better, but we still had a hard time getting things started. All in all, it was a better game. A.J Green not only made a catch. He made a catch and a great run. That was cool. The offense ran the ball better at times. The defense played better. Last Saturday was a step in the right direction, but will it be enough?
I’ve always believed players and teams win because of what they do in January…March…and June compared to their opponents. The best of the best get better every day. As a player, if you wait until the week of the Florida game to get ready for Florida, you’re done. Especially these days, with the Gators having dominated the series for nearly two decades.
All the off-season hype pointed to Florida being the best team in America, but I don’t believe it. Florida is beatable. There are many teams that could beat Florida. Alabama will beat Florida if they meet in Atlanta in December. Bama can carry out the formula like no other team in the SEC. Pressure Tim Tebow.
The problem is you have to pressure him with multiple sources, leaving yourself vulnerable in the secondary. Mississippi State seemed able to cover Florida’s wide receivers and it flushed Tebow out of the pocket and ultimately he made mistakes he normally does not. Two pick-six interceptions in one game? Awesome.
Since DE Justin Houston has returned, Georgia’s ability to apply pressure has dramatically improved. Baccari Rambo has added a play-making ability in the secondary that was sorely lacking.
The problem for Mississippi State was no offense. Sound familiar? In the second half, Coach Dan Mullen panicked, tried to create something with a fake punt. It did not work and it was all over. Georgia’s bye week has hopefully allowed them to implement a game plan sufficient to create the upset.
Maybe “the mechanic” had enough time to get everything fixed this time.
Jacksonville, Home Sweet Home!
Well, it seems the “powers that be” have chosen to keep the Georgia -Florida Game in Jacksonville for now. Damon Evans made the announcement today that UGA will play UF in Jax for at least 6 more years. President Michael Adams said he was in full support of Evans’ decision. Okay, we’ll go with that.
Earlier this year, the WLOCP became a divisive issue for Georgia fans. Strong opinions supporting a home and home or even an occasional Atlanta game in the Georgia Dome seemed to gather some momentum. I think this issue was pretty clearly divided between Old School Dawgs and the Bark Nouveau.
I understand the young fans have pretty much never seen Georgia beat Florida. Does the fact that we were once something like 44-20 versus Florida not tell you something? All but a very few games were played in Jacksonville. We are STILL 47-38-2 in the now lop-sided “rivalry”.
Having been 3-1 against the lowly lizards myself, I don’t think, I know that geography has nothing to do with it. He who shall remain class-less brought Florida up from the abyss and after a slight “bump in the road” with Ron Zook, the Gators program has obviously been light years ahead of not just the SEC, but the entire college football world. Maybe not this year. Based on the games so far.
I believe Alabama wins this year’s SEC Championship.
Coach Mark Richt has brought the Georgia program to it’s highest level to date. There are now other hills to climb. Time will tell if he can do it with his present staff.
The SEC just keeps getting better and better.
Georgia Flights Not So Fancy
It was 1977 and it had been an awful season. After winning the SEC Championship in 1976, no one thought Coach Vince Dooley’s first and only losing season was at hand. As a freshman kicker I felt helpless much of the time and didn’t perform up to my own expectations. One of the away trips that typified the season from hell was the Florida game. I just read that the Dawgs will be taking direct flights back to Athens on away trips this year. That reminded me of the night we almost didn’t make it home.
It was November 5, 1977. This Florida Game was the only loss(22-17) to the Gators in my four years. It was the Wes Chandler Show, as he almost single handedly beat Georgia that day. It was a long day, but a longer night was in store. When we got to the airport to go back to Athens we boarded the plane temporarily only to deplane because of a red light that would not go off on the instrument panel. We waited about an hour and a half and finally the light went off. They thought some moisture had shorted it out or something. So we tried again.
About 15-20 minutes after leaving Jacksonville, there was kind of a shudder and the plane leaned left. The players on the right side of the plane started freaking out a bit. You see this was a Piedmont Turbo Prop similar to the one above, and we had just lost our right engine. Fortunately you can fly them with one engine, but not nearly fast enough when a hundred guys have all pooped their pants. Obviously we made it back to Jacksonville where we waited for another plane to come from Athens.
On the subsequent flight to Athens we learned that the weather was bad in Athens and we might have to divert the flight to Atlanta. And we did. At this point chartered buses had to come from Athens to pick us up at the Atlanta Airport. Then we rode the bus back to Athens, arriving in the wee hours, some 8 hours after the game was over.
If that had been my first plane trip,
I might have never gotten on a plane ever again.
Tell me what you really think!