Hey AJC, Thanks For Sharing That Useless Georgia Tech Info...

I can read an article by Chip Towers, Tim Tucker,  or Bill King of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, most times, and feel fairly confident that their Bulldog reporting won' be mean-spirited or ill-intended.

However, for every great post by one of those well-respected gentleman, there is a not-so-great one offered up by Mark Bradley or Jeff Schultz of that same publication—both, at times, seem to have a jones for sticking it to Mark Richt and the football program.

That said, I try to stay away from both Schultz and Bradley (most of the time) and attempt to maintain some level of objectivity when reading the works of others who write for their site. After all, the AJC is still the first source of news for those of us who live in the State of Georgia—like it or not.

However, when I stumble across items like this one, offered by Doug Roberson (Georgia Tech Beat Writer), I have to wonder why on earth I even bother:

Georgia Tech is not being investigated by the NCAA.

With many other schools in the ACC and SEC, including Georgia, receivingrecent taps on the shoulder from college sports’ governing body, Tech was all clear Wednesday night.

On Wednesday, Georgia became the latest school to be notified that the NCAA wants to take a look around. The Bulldogs join North Carolina, Alabama, South Carolina and Florida for alleged improper relationships between players and agents.

What you just read above is the entire text of Roberson's article. Fittingly, it was followed by a link to Tim Tucker's article regarding the NCAA's 'inquiry' at Georgia.

Now, here's my problem, why was it necessary to write an article on Georgia Tech that, essentially, looked like a backhanded stab at Georgia?

Admittedly, Georgia Tech's conference colleague, the University of North Carolina, appears to be at the very apex of "agentgate", but did Roberson mention that—no. As a matter of fact, he tossed North Carolina in there as if they were no more guilty than Alabama, Florida, or South Carolina.

I guess I'm just too sensitive where the Georgia Bulldogs are concerned but, let me make this clear, I am not a credentialed journalist and I do not get paid for the content I provide in this blog. I consider myself blessed and lucky for every read I garner, but, make no mistake I am an avid supporter of both Mark Richt and the Georgia Bulldogs—period.

So when I do see a paid journalist doing things like this, it makes me shake my head.

Again, as Bernie has often said, just more AllJackCrap—indeed. 

Did The Georgia Bulldogs Commit a Secondary Violation During 'Dawg Night'?

According to MrSEC.com, the Georgia Bulldogs could be in line to receive a secondary violation from the NCAA after this photo appeared in the Atlanta-Journal Constitution over the weekend. The photo was snapped not long after Zach DeBell committed to the Bulldogs on Friday Night.

The NCAA prohibits publicized contact with a recruit.

It's not likely that the potential violation will net much more than a warning letter from the NCAA, but you have to wonder what coach Searles' was thinking when he allowed the photo to be snapped in the first place—no doubt it was an honest mistake. 

In other recruiting news, Georgia continues to make gains with some of the biggest prospects—both in and out of the state.

Isaiah Crowell, one of the top-rated prospects in the state according to Rivals.com was in Athens over the weekend for 'Dawg Night' and couldn't stress enough just how much the presence of Jarvis Jones (the recent USC transfer) has helped in his overall impression of the Georgia Bulldogs.

In an interview with Dawg Post's Chad Simmons ($$$), Crowell states that Jones:

"...told me all about Georgia while I was there and he told me it was a good fit for him and that he thinks it would be a good fit for me too. He wants me to make my own decision and he is going to keep it real with me, so he answered all of my questions, he kept it real with me, and him being at Georgia does make a difference."

Crowell and Jones both attended Carver High School together and Crowell has always looked up to Jones as both a friend and a mentor. The Bulldogs have recently re-established their relationship with Carver and their head coach, Dell McGee—giving them access to two of their biggest prospects (Gabe Wright and Isaiah Crowell). 

Speaking of Gabe Wright, the stellar defensive player who was thought to be leaning heavily towards the Auburn Tigers is now back to feeling good about the Bulldogs. He's got a lot of people in his ear—all of whom are pulling for Georgia to keep Gabe safe at home. How much that will ultimately play a role in his decision is any one's guess, but it's good to know that Georgia is on the (W)right track. 


Other prospects who are still feeling the love (and giving it back) from the Bulldogs are:


Jay Rome (TE): The state's top prospect remains very interested in the Bulldogs—thanks in large part to their history of churning out big time NFL pro prospects at his position. 

Brandon Shell (OL): Despite the recent commitment of Zach DeBell, Brandon Shell remains interested in Georgia. The No. 2 rated offensive lineman in the state of South Carolina listed Georgia in his top two—along with South Carolina. Shell is not expected to take any more official visits and a decision is thought to be coming soon. 











 

A Quick Update on Georgia DB Jordan Love

According to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, the misdemeanor obstruction charges lodged against Georgia defensive back, Jordan Love, will be upheld.

Judge Charles Auslander determined that Love "did obstruct Officer [Kevin] Thompson, a law enforcement officer, in the lawful discharge of his official duties by refusing several requests to provide his date of birth and a correct spelling of his middle name". 

Love's attorney, William Stiles, states that he feels he has a strong defense and he and the Love family are prepared to take the matter to court—a hearing has been set for September 14th.

No word yet on how this most recent development will effect Love's standing with the football team.

Nash Nance is Still Talking About Georgia....And The AJC is Still Listening!

Today, the Atlanta-Journal Constitution (AJC) saw fit to run a "story" on current University of Tennessee enrollee, Nash Nance.

In the article, Nance alledges that Da'Rick Rogers change of heart had something to do with some 'bad dealings' with the UGA coaching staff. He even states that he had no idea that Rogers was going to sign with the Vols until signing day.

First of all, I'm over the Da'Rick Rogers saga. I was over it the day after signing day because he wasn't a Georgia Bulldog. I still wish him well at the University of Tennessee and I do hope to see Georgia get the best of that match-up this season when the two teams meet 'Between The Hedges'.

That said, I was a little confused as to why 1) The Atlanta-Journal Constitution was interested in anything Nash Nance has to say about Georgia—nearly six months after the fact, and 2) Why this story is, curiously, cropping up after the signing of Georgia's tenth commitment.

The AJC has not endeared itself to Georgia Bulldog fans because of stories like this; they seem filled with nothing more than bogus fiction—masquerading as fact—and that seems to serve no other purpose than to "stir the pot".

In my opinion, the Nance-Rogers saga is over and it has been over for those in the Bulldog Nation for a very long time. Perhaps the AJC should write about something other than the rants of a kid who, more and more, it sounds like is just a bit upset that he didn't get an offer from Georgia—despite his relationship and connection to Rogers.

Plus, not for nothing, but is he really implying that the Georgia coaching staff was any shadier than that of Lane Kiffin? I'm just saying...because, well, ya know....if anything sounds shady, that does.

Mark Bradley Is Making People Angry Again—Why, Mark, Why?

Mark Bradley, one of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution's most trusted writers, has once again laid forth another brilliant article. As usual, it's not flattering of the Georgia Bulldogs and I don't know that I can agree with 50 percent of what he has to say regarding them or any of the other teams he dares to mention. 

Here are some of it's moset head-scratching assertions and, of course, my vain attempt to rip them to shreds:

Georgia will go 9-3 but will finish third in the SEC East. Todd Grantham represents an upgrade. Given time, Aaron Murray will represent an upgrade. Thing is, the Bulldogs’ second game is in Columbia, and that seems a bridge too far. (More precisely, a bridge too soon.) The guess is that Georgia will be rolling come November, but that Sept. 11 loss — and one the next week against Arkansas in Athens — will keep the Bulldogs from a true breakthrough.

Losses to both Arkansas and South Carolina? Under coach Richt, Georgia is 12-2 against Arkansas and South Carolina combined. Explain how they will lose to a South Carolina team that 1) has no idea who it will play at quarterback and 2) hasn't had a viable running game since....well, since...I can't even remember. I can agree that the game will be close, that's the way this game has been played since coach Richt's arrival in  2001 but, Columbia or not, I cannot see the Gamecocks just outright beating Georgia.

As for Arkansas, last time I checked, Ryan Mallett was gimpy and the matchup against Georgia will be his first true test of the season (no disrespect to Tennessee Tech and Louisiana-Monroe, but, seriously?). He was 0-4 on the road against the SEC last season—is he going to be monumentally better than that in 2010? And what will the defense be like? There are some holes to fill in their secondary and there is no guarantee that the new offensive coordinator will be as good under Garrick McGee as it was under the, now departed, Paul Petrino.

My guess is this, if Georgia loses to either Arkansas or South Carolina, it won't be a huge surprise but, no way in heck they lose to both—that I don't see.

Even more, if they go 9-3 and South Carolina goes 9-3, what game is the tie-breaker? If Georgia beats Florida, wouldn't Georgia win the East? After all, according to Mark's article:

Florida will go 11-1 because of a remarkably kind schedule. The Gators play four road games: Two against teams (Tennessee and Florida State) with new coaches and one against Vanderbilt. The Gators will lose in Tuscaloosa on Oct. 2, but they’ll see Alabama again.

There is a lot of love for Florida, as usual, despite the loss of 1) Tim Tebow, 2) Charlie Strong, 3) six offensive starters, and 4) six defensive starters (including both defensive ends).  Florida may return one of the stronger offensive lines in the country, but, what difference will that make if they can't stop anybody? Even more, John Brantley may be the man that everyone says he is, but he hasn't been tested on the road or in the SEC, so, how about a little more realism?

Florida has scheduled it's buffet of cupcakes, as per normal, but the SEC is still a tough place to play and without Tebow, no one is all that scared of Florida anymore.

Tim Tebow will win the Heisman Trophy. Whoops. Force of habit. Case Keenum — Houston QB — will win the Heisman Trophy.

Case Keenum is an outstanding quarterback but his team plays a cupcake schedule in a non-BCS conference. I don't care what he does this season, he won't win the Heisman.

The ACC Coastal will be the nation’s toughest division. There’s not a great team therein, but there are four good ones. Miami will be the disappointment. North Carolina will be the surprise. Virginia Tech will win the division. And Georgia Tech …

It will be the toughest division yet it doesn't have "a great team therein..."? That just seems foolish to say. Aside from that, the most balanced team in that division is Virginia Tech. Miami needs to find a running game, North Carolina needs a passing game, and Georgia Tech just lost their 2nd best offensive weapon to the NFL. I don't see the ACC Coastal being the toughest division, that distinction could belong to the Pac-10 this season.

Georgia will beat Georgia Tech. A.J. Green will catch the winning touchdown pass from Murray with 41 seconds remaining. The score will be 27-24. Paul Johnson will suppress the urge to punch somebody in the face.

Georgia will, essentially, have the same offensive personnel and will be playing this game at Sanford. If its close enough that Georgia will need game-winning heroics from A.J., then I'm setting my "SEC homer" card on fire. Georgia will have a week to prepare for this game and I more than expect the 3-4 to be in full swing by this time. I don't see it being close at all—Tech won't get to 24 points. Yes, I said it.

Well, I could pick on Mark some more, but, it's not necessary. Go read the article and have at it yourself.

Back later today with a little more.