HOT READS 8.16.12

Coach Richt was swallowing his words during his meeting with the media after Wednesday’s scrimmage and that was probably wise, but I seriously doubt he did the same with the team.  Seven turnovers.  Seven?  Doesn’t matter the color of the bonnets lined up across from you, a turnover’s a turnover and nothing will get you beat quicker.  Turnover ratio is absolutely the most important statistic in football and the Lead DAWG knows this better than anyone.  I don’t think this display hot potato will be indicative of how proven players like Aaron Murray (@aaronmurray11) (INT, fumble) will perform this season, but you play like you practice and CMR will drive that point home in the coming days.

“I thought we looked 'good,' like a pretty good team. But you know, pretty good is about 8-4, but I don't even know if that's pretty good, maybe 9-3, but you know we'd like to do better than 8-4, 9-3, but that's about how we played today. It wasn't awful, but it wasn't great, either.  Was there a great effort every play, No? Was there great effort lot of time? Yeah. Was every guy busting his tail every play? No. I don't know. I didn't see a team that was ready to be great. I saw a team that just wanted to be pretty good. I wasn't that thrilled about it."

Nation, if the DAWGS stumble their way to 8-4 I think we all know that Coach Richt will not be the only one that’s “not too thrilled about it.”

Georgia’s young backs continue to impress.  For the second straight week, the DAWGS freshman backs are making noise.  Keith Marshall (@Truthh4) and Todd Gurley (@TG1UNO) are forcing the issue and will be on the field when the season starts.  This ‘flashbang’ (Marshall’s the flash; Gurley’s the bang) pairing look to be serious about doing big things in Athens this fall.

Wide receiver Chris Conley had four catches for 114 yards and a touchdown of 70 yards.  Two words come to mind when I think about @CCon_TreUno: body control.  Long and lean with soft hands….Murray has yet another nice option on the outside in Conley. 

Also, John Theus (@jtheus71) is banging away and appears close to locking down a starting spot on the o-line.  Totally called it.  It’s a good thing too.  Given Georgia’s losses among the hog mollies heading into this season, Theus’ commitment was heartily welcomed and the DAWGS need him to step up and handle business right if that unit has any shot at coming together before the season.

Glory, Glory.

HOT READS 8.6.12

Georgia looks massive along the front lines. Apparently if you’re not six foot twelve and three hundred and a pile of biscuits you need not apply.

Maybe it’s just me, but I get the feeling Coach Grantham can’t wait to turn his defense loose this season, and he certainly seems happy with the young pups.  I loved his comments on recruiting.  GATA, coach!  Get the guys you want and that want to be at Georgia, coach ‘em up and cut ‘em loose.

I am really excited about Ken Malcome 2.0 (@BooMalcome24).  Every time I’ve seen this kid tote the rock in game action, I’ve been impressed.  I’m excited to see the freshman (TG1UNO and @Truthh4) and Richard Samuel (@Dos_Dos_1911) made his legend against the Gators last year (I HATE FLORIDA), but Boo feels like a hang your hat kinda back to me.  He reminds me of Danny Ware.  Malcome’s got some explosion, angled vision and when he gets a chance it looks like he’s trying to punish tacklers.  I know that sounds like recklessly high praise at the point, but I’ve just got a feeling.

Courtesy: UGASports.com

The ‘Swag-o-meter’ potential for the DAWGS defensive backs is off the charts.  A quick look at the roster to check the measureables, crazy athleticism and the early reports from camp have me raising an eye brow at the possibilities for this group.  Seriously.  With speed and agility like this group has, it looks like something I created in Dynasty mode on NCAA football.  Locking down WRs, dropping the hammer and fighting over pick-sixes on every other possession.  Buuuuut, that’s not reality.  Still, that don’t change the fact that if this group gets the scheme on lock and lets their physical skills take over they can write their own ticket.  Swagger only suits you if you’re good enough to back it up.  If the DBs raise their play to that level, it would go a long way towards the DAWGS cashing that sucker in for a SEC Eastern division title. 

Glory, Glory.

HOT READS: SCRIMMAGE #2

So what’s new and what did we learn from the DAWGS second scrimmage of fall camp? Reports are that the defense dominated again and the offense continues to be plagued by inconsistency and injuries to the O-line.

Okay, but what does it mean?

It means it’s the second scrimmage of fall camp. Everyone’s still learning and the team is working out the wrinkles on both sides of the ball.

Now, with that said, here comes the cold water. As nice as it is to hear that the defense seems to be picking up the new 34 scheme, it is almost as disheartening to hear that the offense is struggling. But, I don’t think this should come as any surprise to the DAWG Nation. As easy as it is for all of us to get swept up in the excitement and promise of all the weapons on an offense that returns 10 of 11 starters, that one new starter is a pretty big one. As talented as he may be, Aaron Murray is still just a RFr. and he WILL struggle from time to time as he finds his way. Of course, Murray does not solely bear responsibility for the offense not hitting on all cylinders so far. Once again the offensive line is dealing with injuries, most notably the one to the quarterback of the offensive line, Ben Jones, which will require minor surgery. Now Jones is expected to be back in time for the season opener, but on a line that has been heralded as being as deep, as experienced and as talented as the 2010 version of the DAWGS O-line has been, it has to give us a moment of pause when we hear that injuries are being cited as a cause of the struggles on offense. Injuries are always a problem for any team and there effects are very real, but I would hope that all of that depth would pay off for the DAWGS at some point. Next man up, boys!


How about some good news? It is great to hear that Logan Gray seems to be making great strides in his efforts to transition to the wide receiver position and there are a few names that consistently seem to draw praise on the defensive side of the ball, Darryl Gamble, Akeem Hebron and Justin Houston just to name a few.

So, that’s it, our Hot Reads on the DAWGS second scrimmage of fall camp. We all need to remember to just take a deep breath and remember that the players and coaching staff are working tirelessly to get the kinks worked out before we kick this thing off for real on September 4th “between the hedges” and we should keep this key point in mind at all times...the DAWGS escaped without major injury. If Georgia can remain free from serious injury for the next three weeks, I believe everything else will work itself out and the DAWGS will be just fine.

Glory, Glory.