Saturday, August 22, 2009

Sporting News Interview with Mark Richt

Saw this on another blog, and I wanted to make sure I had a link to it here.

Mark Richt talks about OSU, Georgia's offensive and defensive lines, Richard Samuel and Carlton Thomas, and developing leaders on the team.

Richt

Mike Mercer Reinstated

I didn't think it would happen. Too much for USF to lose. However, Stan Heath has made the decision to allow Mike Mercer to play for the USF team for this coming year.

Mercer graduated from USF, fulfilled the requirements of the legal system, and gets one last shot to change his legacy.

I hope he plays basketball. Just plays. He probably won't be great, since he has had two serious knee injuries. But if he can work out, go to meetings, travel with the team, do his best on the court and stay out of trouble off of it, maybe this time, he'll get it right.

Mercer

Mark Pope Talks About Role on Fox Staff

He goes into why he left medical school to become a guy who "does the grunt work" on a basketball coaching staff.

Article details what it means to be in operations on a college basketball team.

Special Op's.

Missed Opportunity for Shockley?

Didn't watch the Falcons game last night, but maybe I wouldn't have liked it much if I did.

Yes, I wanted the Falcons to win, and they beat the Rams. But more than that, I wanted D.J. Shockley to play well. It is only a pre-season game, so the team win-loss record during this time is only so relevant. However, individual performance in this part of the schedule is critical. You must play well if you want to keep your roster spot.

We're two games into the pre-season, and Shockley has not looked good. The receivers have not always helped him, true, but it's more than that. I think it's mechanics.

Something looks off-- just not right-- about Shock's arm position or his release point when he throws the football. In my opinion, the ball ends up sailing a bit, and he is not able to hit the receiver accurately on the short routes. Not as big an issue on the deep patterns.

Can he recover? Can he stay with the team as a back-up? Maybe. But if he does not play well soon, this might be Shockley's last stand.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Donte Williams to Dawgs?

In the words of ESPN analyst, Lee Corso, "not so fast, my friend."

Williams isn't quite ready to commit, despite the title from the Red and Black article. Williams won't commit, he says, until November.

The good news, however, is it could happen. He's a 6' 9" power forward from Lithonia, has played with Howard Thompkins, and recently visited Athens. He likes what he has seen so far, and he seems interested in playing at a school close to home.

He's only ranked a 2-star by Scout, and a 3-star by Rivals, but he has been playing better on the AAU circuit, and Fox gave him an offer. I'm predicting that he'll commit to UGA. We'll see in a couple of months.

Williams

Wapo on UGA

The Washington Post has UGA tabbed at the #14 spot of its "Top 25."

They think that UGA's opener against OSU is the key game for the year. They're probably right. If Georgia shows that it can run with power, that the offensive and defensive lines are stout, we should be in decent shape. Get blown out by Oklahoma State and it will be a long year.

#14

Q&A with Thomas Davis

Great piece from the Sporting News. Davis thinks that UGA could be the sleeper in the SEC, with guys like Joe Cox, Richard Samuel and Caleb King getting a chance to show what they can do.

Davis also discusses his transition from safety to linebacker, his relationship with Rennie Curran, and other topics.

Davis

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Chap Daddy Dollas

Shaun Chapas is a hoot. I read the hilarious 3-minute interview from the Red and Black, and I wanted to link it, just in case you missed it.

If he doesn't make it to the pro's as a fullback, perhaps he should be a commentator.

Chap

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Leonard Pope locked in battle

Pope is listed as the #1 tight end on the depth chart, but his position is anything but secure. The Cardinals have 5 tight ends on the roster, and any one of them could end up starting.

Pope has ability and is a big target for QB's Warner and Leinart, but he has been injured a good bit, and he might not have the opportunity to show that he is fully recovered.

Pope

Starting to Heat Up

Georgia's defense feels that they have something to prove. Rennie Curran does not like the fact that Georgia gave up so many points last year.

Curran Speaks

Defensive tackle is going to be the key. If Owens, Atkins and Weston maintain the middle of the line, then teams will be forced to run the ball wide, where Curran will be waiting.

Jermaine Phillips Adjusts

Good article from the AJC. Touches on Jermaine Phillips, his background in football, and his work to adapt to a new position on the field.

Phillips

Benator to Give it His Best Shot

at the University of Tennessee-Chatanooga.

Okay. Bad pun. At any rate, Brian Benator, formerly affiliated with both the UGA basketball team (student manager) and the UGA football team (student intern), has accepted a job with the UTC Mocs. Benator is the new director of basketball operations.

Official Release

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Athletes Make Honor Roll

Great job by Georgia's student athletes. It is extremely difficult to focus on school when just about all of your free time is taken up with weight-lifting, team meetings, sprints and other physical activity.

Congratulations to all.

Honor Roll from Official Site.

Classic End in Pro Football Last Night

The Giants won 24 to 17 on a last-second interception and touchdown return.

I didn't watch the whole game. Caught just the last few minutes, but it's good to have football on t.v. again.

Carolina was without former UGA safety Thomas Davis. Davis plays weakside linebacker for the Panthers, and he has been hobbled by a knee injury.

Davis started to make the kinds of plays last year that had been expected of him. He ran a 4.2 forty yard dash during camp, so he is faster than he has ever been. If he can get back on the field early enough this season, he may have a breakout year.

Welcome back, football.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Sundiata Gaines Plays in Championship at Rucker Park

Gaines has been the steady hand in leading his team to the championship of the pro am league in New York. Hitting free throws, scoring from deep, playing good defense and dishing to open players.

More info on the game later.

Gaines

Jarvis Hayes Foundation

Good to see Jarvis giving back to the community. His foundation supports the homeless, helps provide care for those with cancer and diabetes, and gives academic and athletic training to youth.

Good website, too.

Foundation