Sunday, September 30, 2012

DAWGBEASTS and the VOLS




Michael Bennett – Bennett continued his stellar all-around play for the DAWGS.  Bennett finished with 5 catches, 70 yards and two scores.  The best thing about Bennett is the way he plays the game.  @MBennett_82 plays with great passion, gives complete and total effort, is as tough as they come and plays for his teammates.  Bennett loves the game and we love him for it.

Alec Ogletree – Ogletree stormed back into the DAWGS line-up on Saturday with a career-high 14 tackles and 3 pass break ups.  The monster that is @B_easy_uga9 was unleashed on the Vols on Saturday and his presence could not be ignored. 

Damian Swann – Swann is becoming a fixture in the Georgia secondary and you don’t have to look hard to see why.  @D_Swann collected his first career interception on a brilliant play on the ball and rolled up six total tackles, including a tackle for loss. 

Sanders Commings – Sometimes it’s not that you’re making big plays, it’s when you’re making them.  Moving back to corner for the first time this season, Commings played physical on the edge finishing with 5 tackles and came up huge late in the game hauling in two interceptions.  @SandersCommings will continue to settle back in at corner going forward and the DAWGS defense will strengthen because of it.

Keith Marshall – Explosive.  That’s the word that comes to mind when I recollect Marshall’s performance against the Vols.  @Truthh4 got loose on Saturday carrying the ball 10 times for a career-high 164 yards and two scores (75 and 72 yards).  Like a lightning fast overhand right, Marshall does his damage before defenses even see it coming.

Todd Gurley – If Marshall was explosive, Gurley was just unrelenting.  The devastating uppercut that is the other hand in Georgia’s outstanding one-two punch at tailback, Gurley wowed again with a career-high 23 carries for 130 yards and three scores, including a 51 yard touchdown run.  By the end of the game, Tennessee defenders didn’t want any more of @TGII3, going low to avoid full contact on nearly every tackle. 

Glory, Glory.

Monday, September 24, 2012

#DAWGNATION! WE NEED YOUR HELP.

Just like the title says, we need your help!  We would like to do a new weekly feature focusing on one of the many reasons it's "Great to be a Georgia Bulldawg!".....tailgating and the sights and sounds associated with the pageantry of a Georgia game day.

So, what's your part in this?  When you head out to Athens for a game, take tons of pictures....your tailgate, your group of #DGDs, your pets, the fun you're having before, during and after the game....then tweet them to us @ADAMNBEASTBLOG.  It's just that simple.  By tweeting your pics to us, you will be giving your permission for us to use them on the blog.  We will choose our favorites and post them on the blog and share your good times and Georgia memories with the #DAWGNation.

We see you out there having all that fun in your red and black...young, old and everyone in between...and we want to help you display your #DAWG pride!  Who knows?  Maybe we can make you famous! ;o)

Hopefully the response will be overwhelming and we hope to have some hard decisions to make, so #GATA and let's make this happen.  We cannot do it without you, Nation.  #GoDAWGS!!!

Glory, Glory!

P.S. ~ If twitter is not your thing, you can post your pictures on the wall at the A DAMN BEAST!!! Facebook page or send them to us via email at genxdawg@gmail.com.  Just be sure to tag them with the #DAWGNation hash tag to make sure we know you would like us to consider them for the blog.  Thanks, Nation!



Sunday, September 23, 2012

DAWGBEASTS and the COMMODORES




AARON MURRAY – Murray embodied the tip of the razor sharp edge that the DAWGS played with on Saturday night.  @aaronmurray11 ripped off 12 straight completions to start the game and finished hitting 18 of 24 throws for 250 yards and 2 TD.

OFFENSIVE LINE – Chris Burnette (@chrisburnette68), Dallas Lee (@dallaslee_64), David Andrews (@dandrews61), Kenarious Gates (@kengates72), John Theus (@jtheus71), Mark Beard (@dawg_pound79) and Austin Long (@austinlong74) were outstanding against Vanderbilt.  Behind these men, Georgia’s offense rolled up 567 total yards, including 302 rushing yards to give the DAWGS back-to-back games with 300+ rushing yards.  Georgia has now scored 40 points in each of the first four games for the first time in school history.  The DAWGS O linemen looked fast and athletic Saturday, blowing open holes and leading Georgia’s backs into the second level of the Vanderbilt defense all night long.  It was beautiful to watch.

JARVIS JONES – Jones returned to the DAWGS starting line-up and picked up where he left off collecting 7 tackles, 3 TFL and a sack.  Ho hum.  Just another dominant performance from @SacManJones_29.  Like I tweeted last night during the game, you know you’re a complete football player when the first play in your highlight melt shows you blowing up pulling guards and destroying plays without touching the ball carrier. 

MARLON BROWN – For the second time in four games, it was Brown’s number that popped up in the statistical lottery that has been the Georgia offense this season as @MB_uno5 came through with 5 catches, 114 yards, and a TD.  Marlon worked without the ball too, blocking down field throughout the game and having a big impact in the run game and on the DAWGS yards after catch numbers, including a key block on Keith Marshall’s (@Truthh4) 52 yard touchdown burst.  Brown also made a HUGE catch on 3rd & 9 to keep the drive alive on Georgia’s back-breaking, 96 yard touchdown march in the 3rd quarter that made it 27-0.

TODD GURLEY – The DAWGS freshman man-child Gurley just keeps on impressing the DAWG Nation, this week pounding his way to 130 yards and 2 TD on 16 carries.  @TG3II took advantage of the running lanes created by his offensive line, but I unofficially had Gurley with 12 broken tackles in the game after watching the game tape.  Gurley’s performance not only in this game, but through the first four games reminds us more than a little of South Carolina’s Marcus Lattimore’s freshman season.  We realize that is very high praise Nation, but we feel it is absolutely warranted. 

Glory, Glory.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

DAWGBEASTS and the OWLS



GEORGIA'S OFFENSE - The DAWGS O rolled up an a school-record 713 total yards, including two freshmen backs that both went over 100 yards rushing in the same game for the first time since 2004, career performances by the quarterback and two receivers and a different wide receiver breaking the 100 yard barrier for the third consecutive game.  Clearly a lot of players and coaches did a lot of good things or a night like this does not happen.  You can't easily produce numbers like this if you line up against air and this level of execution when the lights are on needs to be acknowledged and recognized for what it is, impressive.


AARON MURRAY - Murray may have played the most complete game of his career Saturday against Florida Atlantic completing 14 of 19 passes for a career-high 342 yards, 2 TDs and an interception.  Murray also tacked on 2 rushing TDs.  Putting up big numbers and running the offense brilliantly is great, but @aaronmurray11 is on my list this week really because of stat and one play.  Georgia's junior starter averaged a whopping 24 yards per completion on Saturday, meaning the DAWGS were pushing the ball vertically and when you can hit those balls over the top that creates a tremendous amount of stress on a defense. Shout out to the O-line here because none of those big plays happen if your quarterback does not have the time.  Which brings me to my next point.  Late second quarter with the DAWGS up seven, Murray pump faked and hit Michael Bennett with a 67 yard touchdown strike on a perfectly thrown ball.  As he waited for Bennett to break open, a defender bore down on Murray but he held the ball to within a split second of being blasted before releasing a perfect throw that would provide the knockout blow to the opponent, breathing room for the coaches and a snapshot memory for everyone that saw it.  The play was beautiful on several levels, but nothing compares to Murray's example of how to play big time quarterback in a pro-style offense and efforts like that deserve to be on a list like this.


TODD GURLEY - One half of Georgia's talented freshman duo continues to impress, toting the rock 10 times for 111 yards including an impressive 38 yard TD run.  @TG3II hits the hole with purpose, power and, although he's a big man, appears to glide around defenders with his speed. 


KEITH MARSHALL - The DAWGS "other" freshman ball carrier rolled to 10 carries, 104 yards, and punched in his first career TD against the Owls.  Finally @Truthh4 found some space to operate in and flashed the brilliance that makes him special.  We cannot wait to see more from Marshall in the very near future.


MICHAEL BENNETT - Bennett followed up last week's effort in Missouri in which he had a career high 8 receptions with 4 catches, another career-best 110 yards and a thunderbolt of a TD.  @MBennett_82 became the third different Georgia wide receiver to go over 100 yards in three games this season. 


ARTHUR LYNCH - Ah, just like old times. We saw the resurgence of the tight end in the DAWGS offense on Saturday night as evidenced by the career-high 3 catches, 73 yards and the first career touchdown for @alynch1788.  Lynch's score was highlighted by a fantastic FIFTEEN YARD stiff-arm and diving effort that is will get you on my list without fail.  Through three games, one thing that is becoming evident is Georgia has no lack of weapons on offense and the emergence of the tight end in the offense will only create more sleepless nights for the DAWGS opponents going forward.


SHAWN WILLIAMS - He wasn't the notable absentee or the guy with the pick six on Saturday, but Williams was the guy that racked up 12 total tackles against the Owls.  Williams was all over the field, especially early on, and is the intimidator of the DAWGS secondary.  Williams plays right up to the line, right through the echo of the whistle, and the DAWG Nation loves him for it.  Leadership, hands and the hammer.  We are glad to see Williams on our list this week.

Glory, Glory.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

THE PACKING LIST REVIEW: MISSOURI





MIZ - ZOU.  We came, we saw and we showed you what SEC football is all about.  Rabid fan bases that travel, 360 pound defensive linemen that can walk down your star quarterback in the backfield and that you must play four full quarters of top shelf football if you want to survive.  Missouri and its people were good hosts, and we wish you luck the rest of the season, but this shorthanded Georgia squad was clearly the better team on Saturday night.  WOOF!  The DAWGS are now 2-0 overall for the first time since 2008 and more importantly, 1-0 in conference play.  WOOF!  Georgia will be at home for the next three weeks and there will be plenty to talk about regarding those games, but first let’s put a wrap on the DAWGS grown man beat down of the Tigers.


FIRST ITEM:  *AARON MURRAY’S EXPERIENCE*


As I pointed out, folks had been beating up on Murray about not performing well enough in Georgia’s biggest games.  Well, @aaronmurray11 got the job done with college football fans around the country looking on and raised his level of play when the DAWGS needed it most.  In the second half, Georgia’s coaches turned to Murray and the passing game and Georgia’s signal caller delivered going 10 of 13 for 124 yards and 2 TDs in the 3rd quarter.  Here’s where I thought Murray would be measured against Missouri…..

“Saturday night in Missouri Murray will lead his team, depleted by suspensions, into an early season divisional game, being played in a very hostile environment, against a talented football team that feels they have everything to prove.  This is the game the DAWGS need Murray to be the type of leader that only a three year starter at quarterback can be, to prove that he can guide his team to a win when the nation is watching.”

No crucial late game turnovers.  No clock mismanagement.  Murray was solid as a rock for Georgia and was in total control throughout.  Murray seems to have learned his tough lessons and the DAWGS are certainly better for it.


SECOND ITEM:  *11 RED HATS*


Coach Mark Richt told us the DAWGS D would be better against Missouri and they were, in no small part due to the performance of everybody’s All-America Jarvis Jones.  @SacManJones_29 did not get the job done on his own though.  This is what we felt we needed to see heading into the game…..

“I want to see 11 red hats running to the football, gang tackling and GATA the way a great defense should.”

Georgia’s defensive eleven played with purpose on Saturday, ran to the football for four quarters and put the DAWGS in position to win.  Depleted or not, this unit made no excuses, showed up, showed out and left no doubt that Georgia was leaving Missouri with a victory.


THIRD ITEM:  *HOOK UP THE HORSE TRAILER*


I’ve got to give it to the coaching staff.  They certainly tried to follow through on this one and pound on the Tigers with the running game.  Georgia ran the ball consistently in the first half and mixed the run in throughout the game, but that’s not what broke the game open for the DAWGS.  Credit Missouri here, they played our run game pretty well.  Coach Mike Bobo turned to his experienced quarterback and deep wide receiving corps to pull away from the Tigers, but maintaining a good run/pass mix with steady production on the ground certainly helped that to happen.


FOURTH ITEM:  *MERRITT HALL’S HAMMER*


The way the game played out on Saturday we didn’t see as much from @MerrittHall34 as we will in future games, but Georgia’s power running game was there when it was needed late in the game to punch the ball into the end zone.  Hall and Quayvon Hicks answered the call and paved the way to pay dirt as the DAWGS iced the game.


FIFTH ITEM:  *BIG BOY PANTS*


Missouri learned that as the saying goes, life in the Southeastern Conference simply “Is what it is.”  It is physical, powerful and unrelenting.  Missouri may have thought they knew, but they didn’t know.  Like I said the other day…..

 “I can buy a surfboard, but that don’t make me a surfer.”

Now they know.  “SEC!  SEC!  SEC!” is one chant that does not ring hollow.  I called it Big Boy Football and then the DAWGS went out and played Grown Man Football for the college football world to see, and the Tigers saw it up close and in full color. 

                                                   Courtesy: AP

Georgia showed many of the traits that are required if a good football team is going to become great a great football team.  The “Show Me” state surely got an eye full Saturday night and the rest of the college football world seemed to take notice as well, but this must serve only as a starting point for a Georgia team that has set some lofty goals. 

It certainly is good to be home and the good news is we get to stay a while.  Georgia will be “between the hedges” for the next three weeks and they must handle their business if this season is going to live up to the expectations that we all hope it can, so get out to Sanford Stadium and support our DAWGS.  And don’t worry, Nation.  When the season rolls into October and Georgia hits the road again, we’ll be here to do our part.  Who knows, if the DAWGS stay undefeated, we may even see about getting the trucks washed up nice and shiny for the trip to the other Columbia.

Glory, Glory.

DAWGBEASTS and the MISSOURI TIGERS




JARVIS JONES – Is there any other place to start this list?  Georgia’s All-America linebacker showed the nation why on the biggest stage a regular season can offer turning in a monster performance resulting in nine total tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss, an interception, two forced fumbles and five QB pressures.  Even though Jones wouldn’t hear of it, this next part sounds like one of Stephen Colbert’s show segments, “Who’s honoring me now?”  In recognition of his efforts, @SacManJones_29 has collected the following national awards:

  • Walter Camp National Defensive player of the week
  • SEC defensive Player of the Week
  • Chuck Bednarik Player of the Week
  • Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week

Oh and by the way, in case you missed it, Jones did all of this with a groin injury.  BEAST.


AARON MURRAY - I said last week that if the DAWGS were going to be successful against Missouri that Murray’s performance would be key (more on that later) and he certainly was.  Once Georgia’s coaches put the game on his shoulders, @aaronmurray11 delivered going 22 of 35 for 242 yards and 3 TDs (10 of 13, 124 yards, 2 TDs in the 3rd qtr).  Murray was money when it mattered most.


MARLON BROWN – Once the DAWGS turned to Murray and the passing game, Murray looked for his walking mismatch in Brown.  Georgia’s talented wide out hauled in a career high 8 passes and racked up 106 yards and 2 TDs.  An effort like this could prove to be just the thing that gives @MB_uno5 confidence needed to have a breakout season for the DAWGS.


RICHARD SAMUEL – With DAWGS up 24-20, @Dos_Dos_1911 shed his blocker and made a HUGE tackle on Missouri punter Trey Barrow to shut down the Tigers fake punt attempt.  From there the game was all Georgia.  We said in the moment, and Coach Richt echoed the thought immediately after the game, that Samuel’s play was the biggest of the night.  That sort of effort will land you on this list every time.


AMARLO HERRERA – Lost in the shine of Jarvis Jones’ outstanding efforts in the DAWGS conference opener was the performance turned in by @5DeuceHerrera.  Georgia’s sophomore linebacker rolled to 10 total tackles, including a tackle for loss.  Five-two was flying around the field on Saturday and led the way for a DAWGS defense that consistently got red hats to the football.

Glory, Glory.


Thursday, September 6, 2012

THE PACKING LIST: MISSOURI






Check the oil, kick the tires and fire up the engines, Nation.  It’s time to take the 2012 DAWG show on the road.  First stop:  Missouri, The Show Me State.  Home to the arch in St. Louis, better known as the “Gateway to the West”.  For Georgia, this trip to Missouri cracks open the conference slate and starts the long road the every member of the DAWG Nation hopes will be the gateway that will lead Georgia back to Atlanta and a shot at the Southeastern Conference Championship.  As I pointed out the other day, this one’s big for the DAWGS in terms of both their season as well as their national perception.  We know traveling can get a little hectic and it can be tough to always remember everything, so we humbly offer up this week’s packing list.    


*AARON MURRAY’S EXPERIENCE*

Aaron Murray is in his third year as the starting quarterback for the University of Georgia and by most every account, Murray has been stellar.  The one knock on Murray so far is that he has not been able to win the big game and that when he makes a mistake or turns the ball over (in those big games), those mistakes have come at the most inopportune times and the results have tended to be catastrophic.  The flip side of this is that the man under center for Georgia has been tested by the fires of competing in the nation’s toughest conference and I believe he is better for it.  He has learned those hard lessons.  This is the game @aaronmurray11 has to prove me right.  Saturday night in Missouri Murray will lead his team, depleted by suspensions, into an early season divisional game, being played in a very hostile environment, against a talented football team that feels they have everything to prove.  This is the game the DAWGS need Murray to be the type of leader that only a three year starter at quarterback can be, to prove that he can guide his team to a win when the nation is watching.  There are other experienced players on this Georgia roster and their leadership will be incredibly important, but Murray’s past experiences in the crucible that is the SEC and how he applies the lessons learned along the way will go a long way in determining whether the DAWG Nation will wake up happy on Sunday morning.

*11 RED HATS*

Coach Mark Richt said earlier this week that every player that travels to Missouri will play.  Each of those players making the trip will be wearing a helmet, a red one with a white face mask, a white stripe and a large oval G on the side of it.  Now I love those helmets, every one of them, but I’m most interested in the 11 that will line up on the defensive side of the ball.  Coach Richt also guaranteed those of us in the DAWG Nation this week that his defense will be better in Columbia against the Tigers, and they will have to be.  Coach Todd Grantham’s hit squad is coming in shorthanded due to suspensions and they will be facing a different kind of spread offense than they have seen before.  There is nothing they can do about either of those facts.  With that said, it is paramount that whoever is behind the mask in the DAWGS defensive eleven get the job done.  Part of that is in how you play the game and I have no doubt that Coach Grantham believes in his defensive rallying to the football and in gang tackling, and that is why I want to see 11 red hats running to the football, gang tackling and GATA the way a great defense should. 

*HOOK UP THE HORSE TRAILER*

Georgia went from looking like a team with real questions about the state of their running game after the dismissal of Isaiah Crowell to a squad that has a stable full of backs that can get the job done.  Being a country boy, I’m very familiar with the old notion that if you’ve got a good horse, you ride ‘em.  Well, the DAWGS have got four of ‘em and I strongly suggest they use ‘em.  Georgia has a clear size advantage along the offensive line of scrimmage, so why not saddle up your horses and ride ‘em until Missouri shows us it’s a bad idea.

*MERRITT HALL’S HAMMER*

Merritt Hall is continuing the great tradition during the Mark Richt era of a player walking-on to play fullback for the DAWGS and earning a football scholarship.  I love this dude.  He craves contact and takes great pride in just plowing the road, punishing defenders just because he can.  Like I mentioned above, I think Georgia should make the Tigers prove that they can stop our running game.  A huge part of that running game is the fullback, Hall.  I can’t wait to see #43 leading one of the DAWGS backs into the hole and blasting linebackers or unfortunate safeties out of the way over and over again and over again.  Here’s hoping Hall delivers one hammer blow after another to help keep the Georgia offense on track and rolling down the field.

*BIG BOY PANTS*

“SEC!  SEC!  SEC!”  That’s the chant the rest of the nation has grown to hate over the past few years and I can totally understand why.  We SEC fans are never afraid to show our conference pride, and if our team isn’t playing in the game, we’ve been known to eschew traditional rivalries and cheer for our league strictly for the bragging rights.  It really is US versus THEM.  Well now one of THEM has become one of US, even if only in title.  Missouri is officially a member of the Southeastern Conference, but they have yet to play a game in the league.  Nation, I can buy a surfboard, but that don’t make me a surfer.  I say we give them an introduction worthy of entrance into the baddest conference in the land….physical, powerful and unrelenting.  Old man football!?  I say Big Boy Football!  Admittedly, this is more of a fan driven point that would be extremely satisfying to witness, but I am also arguing that if the DAWGS are going to achieve their ultimate goals this season, this is the type game they are going to have to be able to play to get the job done.


So there you have it, Nation.  We’ve been farther west in recent years, but those trips didn’t mean nearly as much.  This one’s big time for a lot of reasons and the atmosphere will be worthy of the event.  We can’t wait to see what happens.  We’ve double-checked the list and we feel good about it.  Missouri is the “Show Me” state, earning this moniker because it is said you have to prove your point before they will believe it.  If you’re making the trip, represent the DAWGS with pride and show ‘em how it’s done in the SEC.  Oh yeah, search out some good eats while you’re out there.  I hear the barbeque is pretty good.  Safe travels, Nation.

Glory, Glory.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

DAWGBEASTS and the BULLS




Todd Gurley:  8 carries, 100 yards, 2 TD; 100 yard KO return for TD

The DAWGS freshman tailback burst onto the college football scene Saturday.  Speed, power, vision and attitude…Gurley showed all the necessary skills to be back on the BEAST list several times over the next few years.  Welcome to the party, @TG3II.

Tavarres King:  6 catches, 117 yards, TD

Georgia’s first option in the passing game played like it on Saturday.  The DAWGS left some big plays on the field against Buffalo, but @TKUnoDos did haul in a big one with a 63 yard touchdown catch in the second quarter.

Michael Bennett:  5 catches, 76 yards, TD   

Bennett played his tail off against the Bulls and he is on this list mostly for his efforts when he did not have the ball in his hands.  @MBennett_82 delivered block after block throughout the game and when the ball did come his way, he got the job done. 

Aaron Murray: 15 of 26, 258 yards, 3 TD  

The DAWGS third year starter at quarterback finished with nice numbers after finding his stride in the second half.  @aaronmurray11 threw several nice balls on the day and his receivers did work with the ball in the air as Georgia rolled up 485 yards of total offense.  More importantly, Murray took care of the football on Saturday and did not turn the ball over.

Jarvis Jones: 8 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss

Georgia’s returning All-America linebacker picked up right where he finished last season. If Saturday’s performance is any indication, @SacManJones_29 will continue to terrorize opposing QBs in 2012 and find his way back to the BEAST list.

Glory, Glory.