Bummer

Well, last night did not go according to plan and to be honest, I really watched little of the game. I wanted to see Crowell play some, and I did see a few of his carries-nothing to write home about. I missed Dickson's annoucement as well as Bray's, as I was getting my kids ready for and in bed. Bray had been rumored to be an AU lean, and he does live in LaGrange-it is amazing to me how close LaGrange is to Auburn University.

Dickson was a bit of a surprise because all indications were he would pick UGA. I looked back at Dickson along the way and Bama had the lead early for him. When he picked up an offer from UGA, his qoute was "I feel really good about the offers I have so far and those are three great ones as well, especially since I grew up a Georgia fan."

Now, here is the kicker. The kid grew up a UGA fan and who was the first school to offer him, BAMA. I am really struggling to understand how these kids who admit they grew up fans of UGA will go play ball out of state. Regardless of the coaching situtaion, regardless of the season just completed, if you love your home state school, as HW said you should have state pride and stay home to play. Something is missing here and you have to put some blame at the feet of two men. First, Rodney Garner and then second of course Mark Richt. Rodney has been in Athens for 12 years I believe, Richt immediately sought to keep him in place when he was hired as HC. Over the past several years, Garner has flirted with jobs whether it be the New Orleans Saints, LSU, Tenn, or Auburn, every time he flirts, Mark Richt chases after him with cash in hand. I would let the guy have one flirtation and after that, say see ya. Besides, we have the former FSU recruiting coordinator on our staff right now-let him have a try at it. It seems Garner is losing more control over our top talents, the fiasco at Carver High last year being another example. I am not sure you do it in the middle of recruiting season but if I were Richt, and I think Buck Belue has mentioned this also, after recruiting is over I would say, Rodney I would love for you to stick around and coach our DL but I am relieving you of your recruiting coordinator duties.

Whatever happens, we have simply got to start keeping our home state talent in Athens. Same goes for our hoops program. If we can do that, we will have solid teams year in and year out. Now, just because Dickson is now gone, that doesn't mean this class is going to crash and burn. We still need John Jenkins, Isiah Crowell, Ray Drew, Swann and Rome amoung others. The good news, Bama is at 22 pledges now, I can't see how they have room to take all the dream team members so hopefully we can indeed snag some. Only time will tell but certainly disappointing last night.