I read the other day, and a huge knock on wood here, there have been no UGA football players arrested since October of 2010!! Now, on the surface it might seem to be no big deal but based on our past few years off the field (and that translates to on the field per Coach Richt), this should be looked at as a huge positive for our program. Perhaps just maybe Coach Richt has gained control of these kids OR maybe even more importantly, the players themselves are policing each other much better than in the past. I have read articles about a mentoring program that UGA has started, where former players or just folks in the local Athens community will take a football player and be his mentor. I say whatever it takes, get these kids the support they need to become productive citizens. They are placed on a pedestal while in Athens but they need to realize that unless they are fortunate to become a pro athlete, they are going to have to get an average Joe job which means sweating out monthly bills, not being able to buy and do everything you want, basically become a regular ADULT. While they do have a lot placed on them while in Athens, having to put so much time into their sport, they are also provided with a place to live, free food, free tutoring-it is not a bad gig. I hear about how these guys need to be paid and again, I say they DO?? If they come from families with lower incomes, more than likely they qualify for some sort of grant-like the Pell grant. If they come from families that are not in bad shape, I feel sure Mom and Dad can fork out a little extra cash to take their girlfriend to a movie and dinner every so often. I just think paying players opens up a HUGE can of worms that could destroy college athletics as we know it. I am all for putting an amount in a bank account, each year with the program a certain amount is deposited and then when the kid finishes school-and I mean graduates because I believe that these kids should be setting the goal of graduating, they would receive a lump sum. This amount could help them say buy a new house or car, basically get them off to a positive start in their life away from school. I think with the amount of money they bring in for the school, especially the football and basketball kids deserve this positive reward for a job well done. Of course the school/atheletic department makes PLENTY enough money to provid this for all athletes, maybe more could go to football, second most to basketball but all student athletes would qualify for the one time lump sum. Ok enough on that.
The Braves play the Rangers on Saturday, and both Zach Cone and Jonathan Taylor plan to attend the game. To read more, check this out.
http://dogbytesonline.com/taylor-cone-to-attend-rangers-braves-46448/
Again I say, incredibly classy move my the Texas organization to draft JT. I hope they find a way for him to be involved in the organization in some form or fashion. That would be a great/positive end to what has been a terrible accident.
Finally a few football related articles from the AJC, one I heard about listening to sports talk this morning. I could spend hours talking about the STUPID rules of the NCAA, this would be another classic example. Seems Mark Richt is about as talented working his cell phone as I am working mine, which means NOT talented. Seems he sent a text to a potential recruit's Dad instead of a staff member.
http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/2011/06/16/pocket-dialing-inadvertent-texts-result-in-ncaa-violations-for-uga/?cxntfid=blogs_uga_sports_blog
Finally, the Bill King blog in the AJC sums up the preseason magazine scene which some mags are predicting SECe champs for UGA. From 6-7 to SECe champs would be quite a jump but as I have blogged before, I think if we can win those first two games, obviously game 2 has HUGE SECe implications, there is no doubt we can win the east. I still think LSU is the team to beat in the west, I think Bama has peaked and will still be good but this year likely will finish with much the same record as last year. But, if you make the SEC title game, you at least have a shot to win it. Check back to our last one in 2005, everyone thought LSU would beat us but didn't quite turn out that way. Still, the east to me is really up for grabs between us, UF and SCarolina. I could easy any of those three winning the title. Honestly, I would prefer us to not be ranked to start the season. I don't think we deserve it right now, let the players/coaches earn the ranking based on their play on the field. Sure, ranking them 24 or 20 or whatever is probably not a stretch with the tradition our program holds, but I personally think this group needs to be unranked because they have not proved worthy of a ranking the past couple years quite honestly. Let them use that as yet another motivational factor.
http://blogs.ajc.com/junkyard-blawg/2011/06/17/dawgs-continue-unlikely-rise-in-preseason-picks/?cxntfid=blogs_junkyard_blawg
Happy Father's Day to all you Dad's out there, a special Happy Dad day to my Dad. A true inspiration to me in so many ways, I just hope I can be the Dad to my kids he has always been to my brother and I. I can say that being a Dad now, it has given me a greater appreciation for both my parents and all the sacrifices you make for your children. Yes, it is a tough job to be a parent, probably the toughest job you will ever have on this earth. But, you know what, it is a job that once you take it on you simply can't imagine your life without it. I am very proud of my two kids and love them more than words can say but there are some days where I just want to get away and take a break from them. That being said, I can honestly say they are the two biggest and best accomplishments in my lifetime. I hope you all have a great weekend and Go Dogs!
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