So, our lovely social media source is breaking some news today, I am relying on the UGA boards to be accurate to take with a grain of salt. Per those sources, we are having a practice at the Dome-that could be today or tomorrow I would guess but heck, if that is possible and happening, GREAT. Also, rumor has it, starting corner Branden Smith is in a walking boot with a bad ankle sprain. NOT what we need to hear out of a kid that has been dominating during the fall camp. Course one way to look at it, Boise is known to throw the ball BUT, they are breaking in new WR's. I would much prefer he miss the Boise game and come back for SCarolina. Time will tell what happens but just as we had thought we avoided the serious injury, here we go.
Here is an article written on Dawgpost by Dean Legge. Check it out as it is a really good read.
http://georgia.scout.com/2/1088796.html
What is interesting to think about, Richt has done as well or better to me than any coach in UGA history but at the same time, he has raised expectations to the point where he now finds himself on the hot seat. Another interesting take from this article is again, the comments about Damon Evans. I know Dean covers UGA sports very closely, he has made two references to how Evans and Richt did not see eye to eye, how Evans was more concerned about running the non profit as a profit, how he had Richt doing stuff a coach shouldn't be doing etc. I think there is no doubt Richt did NOT like the scheduling plan Evans had put in place, making LONG road trips in the middle of SEC scheduling-it was brutal. These are college kids that have to not only play a demanding and physical sport but also go to school and PASS their classes. Making road trips to Arizona, Oklahoma and Colorado might seem cool on the surface but that is not smart when playing in the SEC. Also of note was a particular recruiting class, class of 2005. I would argue that ONE class should not hurt you as much as Dean suggests but clearly, recruiting is important on a yearly basis and I think our coaches appear to be more determined than ever to get off their rear and get on these in state kids especially. I think Greg McGarity is going to turn out to be the best hire ever made for UGA. Early this week, I read about him calling a meeting with UGA police and Clarke county police as well. Just to see what was going on, what the Athletic department could do better. Bottom line, he was reaching out to law enforcement, wanting to get their input-that makes a statement to those guys and it also shows that he is all about correcting problems of the past. Looking at things he can do himself to make a difference. In the end, that is his job as essentially the president of the athletic programs at UGA.
So now we sit a little over a week from kickoff. While I can't say I feel confident UGA beats Boise, what I will say is that I believe we are going to get 100% complete effort out of our kids-they are going fight like crazy and I truly believe all parties on the same page right now. Honestly, you look at the issues facing this team last year, and compare it to this year, you have to be encouraged-because the two biggest issues we faced last year in my opinion, new QB and D, are in year two. Neither side was horrible last year, especially the QB. You have to figure there will be improvement there-and where we do seem to be weak, in either depth or experience, we have talent and it will be up to the coaches to come up with the plan to help these guys be successful on the field. Make no mistake, IF Coach Richt feels the heat, guess who else feels the heat-the assistant coaches. Boise is a good program with good coaching, they are a good opponent and can certainly beat us. That being said, the more I read about this game and think about, I really do think we have a great shot to beat them. Of course we need our best players to be able to play, have to hope BSmith can come back and play-he is a difference maker. But, if he can't play, we do have depth at his position to help get us through it.
Have a great weekend, I will be back next week.
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