2011 Not a Good Year for Dawgs
No, it has not been a good year for Georgia, it has been a great year. On the brink of collapse and possible firing, Mark Richt has resurrected the Dawgs and put them on firm footing for the future. But let’s be real. As far as we’ve come in one year, we still have areas to continue to improve in before we can be counted as “back”.
As much as I hope for the best for Saturday’s game, my head tells me we are in for some trouble. The sheer numbers of LSU’s depth and talent across the board will be very difficult to overcome. But, I have always believed in “the heart” as an intangible that many times can trump talent. I’ve seen it, and I played on teams that overcame all obstacles and WON!
Here’s the reason for my post this day. As recently as the week after the Florida game, I met Georgia people calling for Mark Richt’s head. At that time it was because of the suspensions and the possible implementation of a true “empty backfield” formation(thanks Kerri)! I will bet there are certain Dawg fans that are secretly miserable right now because they wanted Mark Richt to be fired this year. They can just pucker up because he ain’t going anywhere.
These same “fans” will be up in arms if the Dawgs happen to not be ready for the likes of a NUMBER ONE, UNDEFEATED LSU. All it will prove to me is that we’ve come a long, long way, but have a ways to go to reach our ultimate goal, a National Championship. That’s not a bad thing to me, because certain members of the “Dream Team” need to transition(grow up) and do the little things to reach their full potential. Right now, a few are relying solely on their God-given abilities and have not developed the work ethic required to compete on a weekly basis in the SEC.
Here’s a crazy thought. A win on Saturday might delay that process. A loss and a reality check might be just the prescription for our “Dream Team” to win it all before they leave Athens.
Throwback Thursday, I GarawnTee!
The Georgia Bulldogs of 1978 were dubbed “The Wonderdogs” because of our regular flirtation with defeat, but a resilience to comeback almost every time. SOUND FAMILIAR? That was also true the night we played in Death Valley against the LSWho Bayou Bengals.
When we got off the bus on Friday night for our walk through, a dorm adjacent to the stadium was obscured by trees and darkness. Out of that darkness came the ominous words…TIGER BAIT….TIGER BAIT…VERY LOW AND SLOW…TIIIGER BAIT! It was kinda freaky because you couldn’t tell where it was coming from. Walking into Tiger Stadium was really something because as you walked in from the visitors side, the home stands went up and up and up. Very imposing.
During pre game the LSU mascot Mike the Tiger was pulled around the edges of the field. I SWEAR they poked him and made him ROAR! The microphone in the cage piped the sound throughout the stadium. The damn cheerleaders did that once right behind me during pre-game and let’s just say, I’m glad we were wearing the red pants that year.
LSU bolted ahead 14-0 on a Georgia fumble on it’s own 30 yard line and an 82 yard bomb from Steve Ensminger to Carlos Carson. SOUND FAMILIAR? Willie McClendon scored with 4:43 to go in the half to get Georgia on the board. Then lightning struck.
LSU kicked off to us to begin the second half and Lindsey Scott, a freshman went 99 yards for the score. That was a Georgia record until Brandon Boykin went 100 yards against South Carolina just two weeks ago. Lindsey’s return sparked what had been a sluggish effort but then Willie McClendon scored again after a Hokie Gajan fumble. Isn’t that a great name! Hokie Gajan. That TD plus a HUGE field goal(29 yards) gave us the victory 24-17, giving LSU their first loss of 1978.
Hmm, SOUND FAMILIAR?
Georgia Fans, Why Corn Dogs?
I have to tell the DawgNation that until recently, I had never heard that LSU fans smell like corn-dogs. Really? If that’s true, I’ll take three with mustard. I love a good corn-dog. Alton Brown did an episode of GOOD EATS on how to make a home-made corn-dog…It just as easily could have been called porn-dogs, it was so good.
Why couldn’t the Cajun Crew be called Chitterlings, “Chittlins”? Do you know how bad those smell when being cooked? Do you know why? Ewww. What about cooked cabbage? I’ve alway heard the old, “he or she smelled like hot dog water”. Again. Is she single?
As a single guy back in the day, don’t ever think smelling like one of my favorite foods was a bad thing. In fact, I once went out with an order of Nachos, a Lasagna, and a Cuban sandwich with Black Beans and Rice.
Anyhoo, I hope the C##nA## Bayou Bengals go home smelling like losers. My prayer is that somehow Georgia puts together that elusive complete game and take a step closer to reaching their full potential.
Go Dawgs!
Tell me what you really think!