At least this time, the game was close but still, a loss is a loss. GT beat us in baseball for the second time this season, this time 5-3 in midtown. Now, let me say I do respect the fact GT is a very good baseball team-always have been, always will be. What bothers me the most is our inconsistent play over the years because in my mind, UGA should be every bit as solid a program in baseball as is GT. They have not had the overall success-not won a title, not been to as many College World Series, but they have the much more consistent team and produce more pro players than we do. Makes me SICK. Anyway, last night was a better showing against our rivals. This weekend is a big series against the Gators, if we can win 2 of 3, you have to like our chances of making the SEC tourney. I know after this weekend we still have 5 SEC series, this weekend marks the halfway point of the season. Still, if you sit at 10-5 after your first 5 series, you have to like your chances to get 8-9 more wins in your last 5 series, considering we will have already played 3 of the top SEC teams-LSU, SCarolina and UF. Let's hope the solid play in conference continues and we can finally beat the Gators at something. You can bet UF will have some fans at the baseball game and I would also bet that some will stop by Sanford to watch Gday. That leads me to the second part of this blog, Gday rosters.
Ben Jones and Christian Robinson selected the Red roster, Brandon Boykin and Aaron Murray the black roster. Well, let's just say the black roster looks better on paper also is the team I likely will be following more closely-reason being, more players of interest. I will copy paste the rosters below.
RED team
Secondary: Sanders Commings (listed at safey), along with safety Mark Deas, cornerbacks Jordan Love and Derek Owens.
- Outside linebackers: Cornelius Washington and Jarvis Jones. The inside linebackers, besides Robinson, are all walk-ons.
- Defensive line: Derrick Lott, Mike Thornton and Abry Jones.
- The offensive skill spots: Receivers Israel Troupe, Tavarres King and Michael Bennett. Quarterbacks Hutson Mason and Greg Bingham. Tailbacks Caleb King and Carlton Thomas. Fullback Zander Ogletree and tight ends Aron White and Arthur Lynch.
- Offensive line: LT Cordy Glenn, LG Kenarious Gates, Ben Jones, RG Ben Reynolds, RT A.J. Harmon.
- And the specialists: Drew Butler (punter) and Brandon Bogotay (kicker).
The coaches: Tony Ball, Will Friend, John Lilly, Todd Grantham, and Kirk Olivadotti.
BLACK team
- Secondary: Branden Smith, Boykin, Jakar Hamilton, Shawn Williams,
- Linebackers: Alec Ogletree, Richard Samuel, Mike Gilliard, Brandon Burrows and Reuben Faloughi.
- Defensive line: Kwame Geathers, DeAngelo Tyson, Garrison Smith.
- Receivers: Marlon Brown, Rantavious Wooten, Chris Conley, Orson Charles at tight end.
- Christian LeMay backs up Murray at quarterback.
- Tailbacks: Washaun Ealey, Ken Malcome and walk-on star Brandon Harton. Fullback: Bruce Figgins.
- Offensive line: Justin Anderson, Dallas Lee, Chris Burnette, Brent Benedict, Kolton Houston.
- Specialists: Blair Walsh (kicker), Adam Erickson (punter.)
The coaches: Mike Bobo, Bryan McClendon, Rodney Garner, Scott Lakatos.
From the RED's, I want to see Jarvis Jones. I also want to see Michael Bennett and see how Caleb does behind the majority of the starting OL. Of course also, Hutson Mason will have some good targets-Troupe, King, Bennett and White-also Lynch had a good Gday last year.
From the BLACK team, you have Murray, also I want to see Marlon Brown step up. Wooten is another WR with a lot of potential and of course Orson Charles. Also they have Ealey (doubtful) and Ken Malcome who I also really want to see. Black team also has the QB in waiting, Christian LeMay, and the other early enrollee that has a chance to step up at WR in Conley. Several OL I also am curious about, Benedict, Burnette and Houston. Black team also has two LB's I want to see, Samuel and Ogletree.
I think the interest is going to really be higher this year because of the draft system, it gets old seeing #1 offense against #1 D and #2 offense against #2 D or stuff like that. This will be very interesting to watch, especially where there is a lot of competition for a position-like OL, DL, LB, WR-this gives the players a real shot to step up and make plays. Early weather forecasts call for a 40% chance of showers on Sat, with a high of 70. IF the showers stay away, should be a BEAUTIFUL day for Gday this year. I can't make it but I plan to watch on TV.
One last note, after I wished the best to Thompkins and Leslie, saying that I didn't feel strongly Travis would return, sure enough he announces yesterday he is not returning. I wish both these guys the best. Do I think they are making the right decisions, yes and no. Yes in the fact that it is hard to argue with a kid having a chance to make a ton of money at the age of 21, playing the game they love. I mean, if I could be a 1st or 2nd round pick in the NBA draft OR come back to school for another year-going to school, practice, etc and not getting a dime, I think I chose the NBA option. You can always go back to school and get your degree. I have always thought, 1st round kids SHOULD enter the draft. But, in hoops as I mentioned yesterday, there is more available than just NBA. If the lockout happens, or if they don't make the NBA, Trey and Travis have the option of going overseas to play and get paid a TON more money than they would taking a normal job out of college-or heck even a job like mine, someone who has been out of college almost as many years as these kids have been alive. Could they have returned and improved their stock in the draft-NO DOUBT, but maybe they come back and don't do as well as anticipated or have some injuries that end up hurting their chances. Selfishly I want the kids to come back to school because I love my alma mater and them coming back helps my school. But, I see the other side as well and knowing what I know about a college degree now, I say go for the bucks now and come back for the degree later.
Obviously losing our best two players makes thinking about next year a bit scary. We will have two quality guards in Robinson and Ware, and should have an exciting scorer in Caldwell-Pope, but simply put, Donte' Williams and Marcus Thornton are going to HAVE to improve quite a bit to help us out down low. We will need someone that can score the ball down low to help with our inside out game and rebounding will also be a key ingredient those guys will need to add. Course, I also can only hope that maybe Nolte will get a few more minutes to play as well. He is NOT a star by any means but his hustle is contagious and we need a guy like him around. I was disappointed to read his younger brother will not be coming to UGA but have to hope Coach Fox has some bigger pieces for the 2012 recruiting class. Speaking of recruiting, a lot of rumors floating around that we have offered multiple big guys for 2011, after already having signed 2 bigs early and landing another tweener recently. This leads many to believe one of the early signees will not make it academically. Whatever the outcome, we will need some big bodies to come in next fall ready to help out on the defensive end for sure, rebounding and it would be great if at least on big can score a few points on the inside because as mentioned before, Thornton and Williams didn't give me a ton of hope for a lot of offensive production based on season 1. I do think both will get a lot better in season 2 but neither has the big body to play down low like Trey or Jeremy did last year. Also, Kevin Ware the once UT signee has been granted his release and is said to be down to Louisville, UCF and UGA with L'ville his clear leader at this point. It would be nice to add a top quality guard to the class for this year, but considering I have read we are in good shape for wing/guards for class of 2012, maybe losing Ware the second time will not be that big a deal. Still love to have him if that can work out.
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