College Football: Louisville Making A Strong Statement For 2011

Make no mistake, Charlie Strong is looking to return the Cardinals to their championship winning ways sooner—not later. He's already made a lot of noise this season by leading his team back to bowl eligibility (just one year shy of them finishing 4-8) and fielding a defense that was, arguably, one of the best in the nation.

Now the eyes of most college football fans turns towards recruiting where, today, Strong was able to pull off another coup by hooking former Miami Hurricane commitment, Teddy Bridgewater.

Bridgewater is rated the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the nation by Rivals and was one of the more sought-after prospects in the country this year. He will bring his teammate, and close friend, Eli Rogers along with him for the ride—both are a major 'get'.

Charlie Strong has long been lauded as a phenomenal recruiter and it is clear that he still has his nails dug deep in South Florida as he continues to secure top talent out of the sunshine state's rich pool of high school talent.

Bridgewater is an exciting player to watch, but it is clear that he still relies more on his instincts than his intelligence when it comes to making plays. He's an above-average passer with excellent mobility that can make as many plays on the run as he can standing tall in the pocket.

His potential is endless and he could be the game-changer the Cardinals need on offense.

As for Eli Rogers, he brings great technique to the field. He's phenomenal at running clean routes and making plays with the ball in his hands. He's a bit light, physically, but if he can tack on about 10-15 pounds to his 5'10" frame, he could be devastating to the passing game due to his ability to play bigger than his size would suggest.

Both players are going to make an immediate impact on a Louisville team that is steadily becoming a fierce challenger in the Big East and Charlie Strong continues to impress.

Big Ten Upset: Minnesota Takes Down Iowa 27-24 in Minneapolis

Apparently, Iowa read the book on the Minnesota Gophers and took this game for granted.

There were few who thought it was possible that Minnesota could win against Iowa's strong defense, veteran quarterback play, and talented running game but, true to the mantra: "on any given Saturday", the Gophers gave a collective finger to all the doubters.

The 3-9 Gophers played with as much heart and determination as they have all season and overcame a late 4-point deficit to win the game 27-24 against the Iowa Hawkeyes—likely stealing away any shot the Hawkeyes had at a high-quality bowl bid.

What happened? Well, the easy answer was in the intro: Iowa was sleeping on the Gophers because of their record, and their seeming lack of anything resembling a consistent offense or defense this season. However, today, it became obvious that Minnesota wasn't willing to lay down and accept another loss—their pride was at stake, and they weren't willing to relinquish it for the 10th time this season.

Their defense stymied the run, holding Marcus Coker to just under 100-yards on the day, while Ricky Stanzi continued to disappoint with his uninspired quarterback play and inability to sustain a game-winning drive for his team. A late fumble by Coker simply added to the comedy of errors and put a sad cap on a season of heartbreak for the black and yellow faithful.

Kudos to Minnesota for FINALLY being on the winning end of a big game at home, but Iowa fans have to feel sick wondering what might have been—if only.

Auburn Fans Respond: Nick Fairley Was Just Doing His Job (VIDEO)

Ya know, this would be funnier if it weren't so dead wrong. Of course, have to admit, the dialogue does give a slight chuckle in some places—particularly the "All Auburn fans should be killed" retort by the "Georgia" fan.

For the most part, though, it just amazes me how differently two sides can see a ball game.



Here's to killing Auburn, on the football field, next year in Athens!

Related articles

• Nick Fairley Won't Face Suspension For Hit On Aaron Murray (sbnation.com)

Georgia Bulldogs Football: 10 Things You Need To Know About Colorado

The vitriol and debate over the safety of coach Mark Richt's job will continue, but it's time to move on to talking about the game that's up next on the schedule—Colorado.

As promised, this weekly snap shot into each of the Georgia Bulldogs' opponents will remain a staple of this blog until the season is over which, for some, it already seems to be.

Either way, the Lady has not yet decided to give up on a season that, with four games in the books, isn't even half done yet. There is still plenty to be proved and salvaged for coach Richt and his beleaguered staff and the journey towards redemption begins in Boulder.

The last time these two teams met, it was a barn-burner, that took some last minute heroics for Georgia to seal the win. Here's hoping that this week the outcome is the same, but the score a little less close. The Buffaloes will enter the game confident and rested, whereas Georgia will play it's fourth game in a row—could that become a factor?

A.J. Green will finally make his season debut in Boulder and his presence will, hopefully, provide the spark Georgia is looking for to get things moving in the right direction. In the meantime, here's a little bit about the team they will be facing this weekend.

1. They have a very good run defense.

Currently, the Buffaloes are allowing a paltry 2.91 yards per rushing attempt (h/t cfbstats.com). They were blown out by the California Golden Bears in week two, but still managed to hold the Bears talented running back, Shane Vereen (currently ranked No. 22 in the nation in total rushing yards) to a modest 3.69 yards per carry (he averages 5.61 ypg)—his lowest output, of the season, to date.

2.  Their offensive line is a work in progress, but it shouldn't be disregarded as ineffective.

After the 52-7 thrashing at California, Tyler Hansen made a promise to play better the rest of the way and his offensive line has been more than ready step up their game in response.

Against Cal, the offensive line was ineffective and, nearly, non-existant as Hansen was sacked six times in the loss. However, by the following week against Hawaii, they seemed more focused and better prepared to do what they needed to protect their young quarterback.

There is plenty of size, strength, and leadership in this unit and, given the issues Georgia has faced in getting to the quarterback this season, this could end up being a very important battle to watch come Saturday.

3. Tyler Hansen isn't going to be shy about running on third downs.

Hansen has already made it clear that where third-and-short (1-3 yards) is concerned, he is not going to be hesitant to run for the first down—if need be. He is willing to do "whatever it takes" to sustain the drive.

Last week, the mobility of Chris Relf presented a slight problem for the Bulldogs so they need to be leary of Hansen's ability to move the chains with his feet.

4. They are coming off a bye week. 

The last game the Buffaloes played was against the Hawaii Warriors—a 31-13 win. They have been prepping for this game for two weeks, working on "Georgia stuff" to prepare for the physical nature that SEC play brings to the table.

Coach Dan Hawkins, who has faced Georgia before (as the head coach of Boise State in 2005), is unsure if the bye week was a good idea or not, saying, "There's pros and cons. We finished on a good note (Saturday). Maybe you just like to keep playing."

It would serve Georgia well to take advantage of any rust that the lay-off may have caused. 

5. They've established a nice 1-2 punch with Rodney Stewart and Brian Lockridge. 

The running game really took off against Hawaii, and the Buffaloes now have two capable backs who are more than willing to run the ball. Rodney Stewart is always dangerous (when healthy) and Brian Lockridge is one of the fastest players on Colorado's roster.

6. Beware of B.J. Beatty. 

The senior linebacker has been a monster this season, already recording 2.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss through the Buffs first three games. He is one of the stronger pieces of a very talented front seven— Forrest West is another. 

At 6'1", 260 lbs,  West is slowly emerging at the defensive end position and may finally be coming into his own now that he's 100 percent recovered from MCL surgery. 

Both will be around the ball, a lot, and bear watching. 

7. There is talent in the secondary. 

As a unit, the secondary has not impressed much this season. They rank near the bottom—statistically—of most every passing category (passing defense, passing efficiency, interceptions, etc.), however that does not mean there aren't players who are capable of making plays if given the opportunity. Both Jimmy Smith and Jalil Brown are veteran leaders back there and they can defend the pass as well as any corners in the nation. 

8. Dan Hawkins is a man with something to prove this season. 

This could be the last hurrah for Hawkins at Colorado. He knows it and so does his team. Every win is a statement that he is not going to be ready to hand in his resignation anytime soon, and a win over Georgia would definitely go a long way towards extending the good will.

9. The Buffaloes are 2-9 versus the SEC—all-time.

Georgia last faced Colorado in 2006, and the Buffaloes gave the Bulldogs all they could handle. If it weren't for some last minute heroics by former Georgia quarterback, Joe Cox, that game would easily have gone the Buff's way. The personnel has changed but the location might be a big advantage.

The Bulldogs have had some issues with conditioning this season and have looked tired in the fourth quarter, giving up the big plays, and allowing teams to score. If the high-altitude of Folsom Stadium becomes a factor late in the game, and the Bulldogs haven't capitalized on their scoring opportunities, things could get tight.

10. They turn the ball over a good bit. 

 

So far this season, the Buffaloes have four interceptions and four fumbles and they are ranked No. 100 in the nation in turnover margin (-1).

Les Miles Has Offered, Former Georgia QB, Zach Mettenberger A Scholarship

Zach Mettenberger could be on his way back to the SEC in 2011. The former quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs has an offer on the table from LSU.

Mettenberger, if you recall, was dismissed from the Georgia Bulldogs football team last spring after pleading guilty to sexual battery. He was on the radar of a few schools immediately following the dismissal (Cincinnati and Louisville to name a few), but eventually landed at Butler Community College in Kansas—so far, he's done well  (three games, 40/63, 728 yards, and 10 td's).

Les Miles is in need of a quarterback in Baton Rouge as Jordan Jefferson will soon be out of eligibility—thankfully and, his replacement, Zach Lee, will likely enter with just as many questions once his time comes. Mettenberger, if he pans out, would be an immediate upgrade over either of the two.

That said, the move by Miles will be met with disdain by some of the Georgia Bulldog faithful who won't like the idea of seeing their former top prospect playing ball within the conference.  Mettenberger wasn't going to start over Murray this season, even if he had never gotten into trouble, but there was no mistaking his potential or his talents.

So, if he goes into Baton Rouge and becomes a star, some fans could be forced to swallow a bitter pill because their coach did the right thing—and make no mistake, it was the right thing to do at that time. 

It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the long term—particularly if the two schools happen to meet and Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger are the respective quarterbacks at the helm.

For the record, I don't like the idea much. It's a sketchy move by Miles, in my opinion, but if it worked for Houston Nutt at Ole Miss, then why not for Les Miles at LSU—it's all about winning, right?

Mettenberger is rated a four-star prospect by Rivals.com , and is being compared to the likes of Christian LeMay and Max Wittek—both of whom are thought to harbor pro potential. He is also one of the Top 20 junior college prospects in the country so, needless to say, he's been able to slightly overcome the stain of his actions in Valdosta.

Junior College players sign their letters of intent from December 15th to January 15th, if not mistaken. Mettenberger is slated to make an official visit to LSU on November 19th. 

Georgia Bulldogs Football: 10 Things You Need To Know About The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns

The Georgia Bulldogs will face off against the Ragin' Cajuns in less than 72-hours—do you know all you need to know about their Sun Belt opponent?

By now, you might know everything you wish to know but, just for good measure, here's ten more little nuggets about this program out of the Bayou:

1. They run a multiple 4-3 defense.

In the spring of 2004, the Cajuns switched their defensive scheme from a multiple eight-man front (a scheme that is aggressive up-front but can typically give up a lot of big plays in the secondary) to a multiple 4-3. This scheme allows the front-seven to play aggressively, while keeping the play of the secondary more conservative—hopefully guarding against the big play.

2. They return 16 starters (7 offensive and 9 defensive).

The Cajuns are set on offense. They bring back the bulk of their players, but will have to replace three starters on the offensive line. However, QB Chris Masson is not worried about the lines experience, saying, "In our scheme, line play is just about communicating and our guys do a great job of that".  That said, last season's unit was one of the best in the nation at protecting their quarterback (allowing only 13 sacks on the year).

3. They haven't won more than six games in a season since 1993.

Louisiana has been bowl eligible four times in the last five seasons, but haven't been able to secure a bowl bid. They are aiming for seven-wins this season—hoping that will be enough to seal the deal.  They will need to do so, including an upset of one of their four non-conference opponents. They did it to Kansas State in 2009, can they do it this year too?

Their three other other out-of-conference opponents in 2010 are Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, and Ohio.

4. "Don't Call Us Lafayette —We Are Not Lafayette College in Easton, Pa!"

According to the Louisiana Football Prospectus, the Cajuns don't take too kindly to being referred to as "Lafayette". They wish to be identified athletically as Louisiana, Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns, Ragin' Cajuns, or just the Cajuns.

5. Their motto on defense is "TNT".

Louisiana likes tackles and turnovers (TNT) from their defense—what team doesn't, right? However, the linebacker unit has made it their mission to make the most of that motto. Last season the defense made a respectable improvement from the year prior—allowing seven less points per contest. Still, they gave up more than 30.0 ppg as a whole, so there is still room for improvement.

6. Georgia is paying the Cajuns $875,000 to play them at Sanford.

The Bulldogs and Ole Miss are the two SEC teams that the Cajuns will play in 2010—Ole Miss will pay $700,000. Said UL athletic director, David Walker, "It's good for our kids to be in those stadiums that have so much tradition and a large fanbase...playing SEC teams is a challenge for them, but it's also fun."

This is the first meeting between the two programs—ever.

7.  The Cajuns aren't a very good kick return team.

Last season, UL ranked almost dead last in kick returns (118th in the nation) posting a paltry 18.0 yards per return and zero touchdowns. While they do boast one of the more experienced kicking units in the country, they do not have a lot of overall team speed and have yet to tab a big time return man on special teams.

8.  They have trouble scoring.

Louisiana scored an average of 22.2 points per game (ppg) in 2009—that was with an experienced offensive line. They have higher hopes for this season with more talent emerging at running back but there is still a great deal of uncertainty as to how effective it will be.

9. They were one of the least penalized teams in the nation in 2009. 

Last season, the Cajuns committed 66 penalties for 590-yards. They were ranked No. 1 in the conference—39th in the nation. Despite the aggressive style of the multiple 4-3 that they run, they still play a very disciplined brand of football on the field. They are not a careless bunch. By stark contrast, Georgia committed 105 penalties for 878-yards—good enough for 113th in the country—hopefully that trend ends this season.

10. TE Ladarius Green is a weapon that needs to be respected by the secondary. 

Green is listed as a TE, but he has sub-4.5 speed and, at 6'6", 230 lbs, he poses a problem for any DB trying to keep up with him in man-to-man coverage. Last season, he routinely made life difficult for LSU's Chad Jones (6'2", 221 lb safety), and might be a primary target for Masson in this opening match-up. He's definitely s pro-level prospect and you can expect to see the Georgia secondary giving him plenty attention.

Georgia vs Lousiana Offensive Analysis: What Can The Cajuns Do Against Georgia's 3-4?

Last week, we took a look at both the Cajun's quarterback, Chris Masson, and the multiple 4-3 defense that the team runs. This week, we will continue breaking down the Cajun's unit by looking at their offensive and special team's units.

While it is fair to say that this is a lot of analysis for a team that the Georgia Bulldogs should handily beat, it's always nice to know the opponent a little better—right?

So, lets get to it.

The Cajuns run a multiple 4-3 offensive scheme. It's a scheme that has, in year's past, lent itself more towards the run than the pass—depending on a strong offensive line and explosive running back talent to move the chains.

However, in theory, it's a scheme that is much more effective if it is executed in a balanced manner—keeping opposing defenses honest and off-kilter.

Last season, the tide seemed to change for the Cajuns as they finally found a strong-armed, nimble-footed, quarterback in Chris Masson. His versatility as a runner and a passer, seemed to be tailor-made for the multiple 4-3, but the Cajuns were unable to find any consistency in their running game—the one area they were so strong in the three seasons prior.

This season, the hope is that the newly signed, Robert Walker (or someone else) will become the guy who can both run and catch out of the backfield. If Louisiana can find that guy, whoever he might be,  then their talented corps of wide receivers, which includes Marlin Moore and Richie Falgout, along with standout TE, Ladarius Green, can finally find some room to roam free in the secondary.

Last season, Masson improved the Cajun's passing game by nearly 40.0 passing yards per game, but the lack of a significant rushing attack (going from more than 263.0 yards per game in 2008 to just under 137.0 yards a game in 2009) made the team more one-dimensional than they would have liked and led to less scoring opportunities for them as teams were able to control the line of scrimmage and consistently jam their receivers.

Despite the return of the bulk of the Cajun's offensive talent for 2010, there is still very little indication that they have truly found a player who will be capable of carrying the rushing load this season. Robert Walker is an option, but he is a true freshman and, therefore, untested.

What does this mean for the newly installed 3-4 at Georgia?

For one, if the Cajuns are still a bit conservative on the line of scrimmage, then Georgia's front-seven should have very little trouble containing the run and controlling the tempo of the game. By doing so, they put pressure on the passing game and, hopefully, can force Masson into a throwing error or two—leading to big play opportunities in the secondary.

On the other hand, if Louisiana has indeed found the formula for running the multiple 4-3 (utilizing both an effective rushing and passing attack), it will be a much harder offense to defend against—despite the attacking style of the 3-4—because then the Cajuns can offer as many looks on offense as Georgia can on defense.

The element of surprise comes into play and that could lead Georgia into making costly errors in coverage and in line play. Brad McGuire could be a name worth remembering.

He was used by the Cajuns last season in some of their wildcat formations and, though he was beat out for the QB job by Masson at the start of 2009, he still has some value as a passer—particularly on short routes.

One thing is certain, Louisiana knows how to score if they can get into the redzone. In 35 tries last season, they scored 31 times (27 of which were via touchdown)—they move the ball well inside the 20. So, it would be nice to see Georgia keep them out of the redzone.  

It will be interesting to see how committed to the run the Cajuns are in the early going, if it's successful, they will build from there. If not, it could be a very long day for Rickey Bustle's team.

Georgia vs Louisiana Defensive Analysis: What Scheme Do The Cajuns Run?

Yesterday, we looked at the quarterback match-up between Aaron Murray and Chris Masson. If you missed it, you can find it here. Today we will take a snapshot of the Cajuns' defensive scheme and how it operates.
 
The Cajuns run a multiple 4-3 defense. It's a very physical, in-your-face, scheme that depends greatly on the intelligence and athletic ability of its linebackers. It was installed in the spring of 2004 and is currently being coached by the Cajuns defensive coordinator, Kevin Fouquier.

In this scheme, there is a big emphasis on the linebackers ability to react first and read second. If that sounds funny, it's not, anticipation is an important element to executing this scheme effectively. It's important to be quick afoot and have the ability to adjust to each play as it progresses, rather than reacting after the snap.

That said, it can be a good way to force turnovers because, if your players can adapt quickly to the snap of the ball, then they have a genuine opportunity to blow plays up, force fumbles, and foster interceptions.

The reason for this is because the plays are moving so quickly and, seemingly, with such chaos,  until the quarterback can be forced into panic mode. If he's not prepared for it, he will often forget to advance to the second or third progression in an offensive play. Often, this will lead to an ill-advised pass to a well-covered receiver.

Furthermore, from a running backs standpoint, it can be frustrating to see the lanes seal up so quickly.
So, unless a running back is able to make his cuts and create new lanes of his own, when one closes up, he could be met by a big wall of defenders—sometimes forcing a fumble in the process.

On the other hand, there are disadvantages to running this scheme as well.

For one, it allows a lot of ground yards if the linebackers cannot recover quickly from a poor read. Add to that, if the front four fails to do a good job sealing off lanes and closing gaps, it's possible to see a decent runner rattle off four-to-six yards before they are apprehended.

Furthermore, the secondary plays very conservatively in the scheme the Cajuns run, so there is little man-to-man coverage. They are constantly guarding against the big play but are vulnerable to plays underneath that can lead to easy scores or big chunks of yardage by speedy receivers.

The Cajuns have a stellar group of linebackers, a seasoned secondary, and a decent front four. They know the system and finally started making small strides in executing it last season, but there is still work to do. The key for Georgia will be to use the strength of their offensive line to keep the running lanes open.

If quarterback, Aaron Murray, can control the tempo, keep the linebackers guessing, and make smart adjustments, Georgia should be able to perform successfully against the Cajuns.

Georgia Bulldogs: Ten Things To Watch For in Week One

We are quickly approaching the first game of the season for the Georgia Bulldogs and many are anxiously awaiting kickoff. Georgia will face the University of Louisiana-Lafayette's Ragin' Cajuns in week one—a cupcake by the standards of most any Division I school.


That said, Bulldog fans won't take any match-up lightly, especially when it's one that will feature a Georgia team that has a new-look front seven, a new-look quarterback, and a new-look secondary. Even still, it's tough to imagine Georgia losing to the Cajuns—then again, the same was said about Michigan when they played Appalachian State—just saying.


So, what do I hope to see when the Bulldogs take the field on September 4th at 12:21 pm (EST) on ESPN3.com?...


1. How does the offensive line look?

This is the season that Georgia is going to depend on their offensive line to protect Aaron Murray and jumpstart the running game—which will be leaned on heavily to start.

However, if the 2009 version of this stellar 2010 unit shows up to play in game one—remember, the one that seemed to have trouble getting the needed push up front in short-yardage situations—be afraid...be very afraid.

2. Speaking of Murray...does he look comfortable?

The one thing that seemed to give Georgia fans some concern was the shell-shocked nature of Aaron Murray's play at G-Day. He equated it to jitters and being overwhelmed by the expectations of the fans, but if he thought playing in front of 40,000 fans who are all pulling for you was daunting, wait until he sees the 90,000 strong who have spent all summer hearing about what a tremendous young talent he will be for Georgia.

Expectations couldn't be higher for Murray than they are right now—is he ready to step into the spotlight and make it happen? Or will he fold under the glare of the national spotlight?


3. Who will emerge as the legitimate No. 2 wide receiver that can compliment A.J. Green?

If ever there were an opportunity for Marlon Brown to stake his claim to greatness, it's going to be in week one. He hasn't done much this off-season and, after an injury setback late in the spring, all anyone has heard about is Rantavious Wooten, Tavarres King, and Logan Gray.

However, Brown is the guy you hope to see come into his own this year (his size alone makes him an intriguing target) because you want to see A.J. have an opportunity to really bust loose this season—he can do a lot more damage if opposing defenses have to focus on more than just him.

4. How effective will the pass rush be?

I expect to see a lot more pressure on the quarterback this season. There were far too many games in 2009 where QB's were allowed to sit in the pocket or roll out to their left/right, and fire at will. That needs to stop.

Georgia cannot allow average quarterbacks to look like Heisman candidates this year.


5. Is the 3-4 jelling?

This is a biggie.

I expect to see some growing pains as players transition from running scrimmages and drills to actually implementing the concepts into a game. Even with that, there is still a level of competency that one will be hoping to see from this unit, against a lesser opponent, in that first game.

This game should be a tune-up, not a speed bump, of what we can expect to see this season. 



6. Hutson Mason?

Let's not kid ourselves here, Mason is the No. 2 QB at Georgia this season—barring a complete catastrophe. So, it stands to reason that if we are going to see what he has to offer, then this is the game to see it—right?

If things go as most fans hope, the game will be over by halftime and the second-unit (both offensive and defensive) will start getting its reps somewhere around the tail end of the third-quarter.

Mason is someone that we would like to see getting some time early—just in case—so that we can gain a better understanding of just how concerned we should really be–if at all.


7. Which newcomers are going to be special this season?

We all know about T.J. Stripling and Alec Ogletree. However, we'd like to see what Zander Ogletree can do on special teams—can he be special? Better still, how good is Logan Gray going to play at wide receiver?  All signs point to a good season for him there, if he can stay healthy—has he been in the wrong position all along?


Furthermore, what of Mike Thornton?  Garrison Smith? Derek Owens?...this is the game to see if they are could be something special at Georgia.

8. Fundamentals!


Last season, unfortunately, it wasn't uncommon to see poor tackling, bad angles taken on balls, big time lapses in coverage, and costly turnovers on offense. This offseason the coaching staff has taken a much tougher approach to stamping out that sort of play and, hopefully, it translates to a much more disciplined looking team on the field.

9. How well will the secondary play?

As mentioned briefly in the previous section, the secondary was a sore  spot last year—so many miscues and mistakes. They will definitely be something to look at in week one.

How well have the philosophies and teachings of new defensive backs coach, Scott Lakatos, sunk into his players?

Boykin, Cuff, Williams,Owens, Hamilton and Smith will all be called upon to make a difference this season, but the overall product will need to be the same—more consistency, less catastrophe.


10. Will this team be special in 2010?


Believe it or not, a true follower of any particular program can tell you after the first game is in the books, whether or not this is going to be a team that will win all season. The way they do so might not be scientific—typically it's a "gut feeling" or they "just know"—but it doesn't have to be; a well-coached team isn't hard to recognize.

If the Georgia Bulldogs are going to challenge in 2010, they will show their grit early and it will reflect on the scoreboard. This Cajuns team may be good but they are not better than Georgia and that message should ring loud and clear in the final score, in other words...it shouldn't be close.

Georgia Bulldog 2011 Commit, Christian LeMay, Won't Play in 2010

The final word is in and the decision is final, Christian LeMay, the highly-touted QB recruit out of North Carolina, will not play his senior season of high school football for the Butler Bulldogs.

LeMay, suspended back in June for committing a violation of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School's (CMS) code of conduct rule, appealed the decision of the disciplinary board on July 26th—hoping for some leniency on what LeMay's father described as a "youthful infraction" which did not involve violence or weapons.

LeMay was given a 40-day suspension (total) for the act, and was told that he could return to Butler after his suspension was served. However, by doing so, LeMay would have all but forfeited his senior season as the starting quarterback for his high school football team.

The senior LeMay introduced the possibility of his son finishing out his career at a private school, but was hopeful that the situation would not come to that end.

However, after their appeal was denied, the family felt the best route for Christian to take would be to complete his studies in a "private setting" and enroll at the University of Georgia in December—as initially planned.

He will continue to work independently with a trainer and QB coache until that time so that he can remain in football shape.


His commitment to Georgia remains solid, as evidenced by the statement below, and also gives the impression that the  touches Georgia Bulldogs are still high on him as well.

No word yet on how this might affect his overall recruiting ranking, or if there is any reason to believe that this will affect his standing with the UGA admissions committee—currently the latter is not thought to be a concern, but one never knows in situations like these.

The full statement, given by LeMay's father, read as follows:

We first want to thank all of those who have supported our family during this time. The e-mails, letters, text and words of encouragement have been life fueling from supporters of Christian both locally and nationwide. We specifically want to thank (incoming Georgia recruits) Christian Conley and Ray Drew for standing with our son and contacting him daily, Panthers wide receiver Kenny Moore and QB training coach Steve Calhoun for working him out over the summer. Also, Sporting News and all the other recruiting networks that maintained Christian’s National Ranking on their boards.

As a result of Christian’s youthful infraction (that does not involve drugs, weapons or any form of violence), Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools imposed a severe punishment on our son ... which we appealed to their highest form of due process.

On July 26th the CMS board maintained the merciless ruling of a 40-day reassignment to an alternative school “to possibly be reviewed in 30 days”. (This was) in addition to a four-day suspension already served. The ruling also states that after completing the reassignment days, he could “possibly” return to Butler, meaning it is “possible” that he could not return to Butler.

Adhering to such a severe ruling would not only prevent Christian from playing until November due to the 10-day conditioning rule (if he returned to Butler HS), but it would also hinder him academically as the alternative school does not provide the required classes needed for him to finish in the fall of 2010 and move on to the University of Georgia in January.

Given the unwillingness of CMS to apply a more reasonable consequence for such a youthful infraction, as disheartening as it is, we must make the decision to move on and focus Christian’s attention to preparing for enrollment at the University of Georgia in January. Although, rumors suggest that Christian would likely transfer to one of the excellent programs such as (Duncan) Byrnes (S.C.), (Rock Hill) South Pointe, Greensboro Dudley and even Victory Christian Center, Christian could not imagine playing his senior season at any place other than with his brother Uriah and his teammates at Butler High School.

Therefore, having come to resolve that following the CMS consequence would not accomplish “student achievement” for Christian, we as a family have concluded that he will forgo his senior football season and focus on his preparation to attend the University of Georgia.

We are quite honored that other colleges continue to show strong interest in Christian attending their school. However, we have continued healthy communications with (Georgia) coaches and the commitment remains the same on both ends.

Christian will now prepare himself for the next season of his life as he takes this time to become stronger, spiritually, academically and physically. With the help of fitness trainer Andy Hendel of Cross fit Charlotte and QB coach Steve Calhoun of Armed and Dangerous, Christian will certainly be prepared to arrive in Georgia this spring ready to compete. We are fully confident that his best days are still yet to come. GO BULLDOGS!!!

The LeMay Family

So, what say you? Are you concerned that LeMay won't have any on-field action this season?

Terry Bradshaw on Jimmy Clausen: "I Don't Like Him...Never Have"

Terry Bradshaw must be hanging out with Fran Tarkenton this offseason because he's already calling out quarterbacks for not being worth squat.

While appearing at an RV dealership in Middlebury, IN (ummm....don't ask), Terry Bradshaw was asked to give his opinion on former Notre Dame quarterback, Jimmy Clausen. Bradshaw, not known for biting, holding, or dismissing his tongue replied:

"I didn't like him in college and I don't like him now...I don't like his delivery. He's slow. I don't know how many big games he's won (at Notre Dame). As far as I can count, not many... a lot of guys can throw the ball and pile up stats, but are you a difference maker?"

 Wow, Terry, tell the people how you really feel.

I'm not much of a Clausen fan either, I mean, the kid didn't exactly endear himself to many by pulling up to the College Football Hall of Fame  to announce he would be attending Notre Dame—seriously, who does that? Even better, who does that in a stretch hummer?

Not cool.

Still, though, give the guy a chance to play before you pronounce him unfit to be a pro player, Terry. After all, you obviously aren't the only one in the NFL who didn't think much of him. His inability to adjust to the pass-rush, his total lack of leadership ability, and his questionable footwork in the pocket because were likely strong factors in him lasting until the middle of the second-round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

Many were projecting Clausen as a sure-fire Top 10 pick—possibly even a Top 5 guy. Somewhere in the ESPN studios, Mel Kiper is still trying to find what's left of his face after Clausen fell so far—ah, memories.

Clausen may be the total loser you say he is, Mr. Bradshaw, but until he actually proves it, lets just go ahead and give him the benefit of the doubt—shall we?

T.O. Blames The Media For His Unemployment—Chile' Please!

Terrell Owens would be funny if he weren't such a joke.

In a recent radio interview on 104.5 FM The Zone in Nashville, Owens states that his unemployment is due in large part to the negative reporting that his previous behavior received from the press—particularly ESPN,

That's just so T.O., ain't it? Let's pass the buck on to the next man because, clearly, he's free of any wrongdoing in this scenario. Give me a break, Mr. Owens, you are a 36-year old receiver with a history of being a distraction to your team and an achilles heel to its quarterback.

Honestly, it shouldn't surprise people that he's pulling out the victim card again, he's done it before—early on in his career. He blamed the media for painting him as being "classless" after he celebrated a touchdown in Dallas by standing on their symbol—located at the 50-yard mark of the field.

Owens later explained that the gesture was not meant as a slap to the Dallas fans or their organization, but rather just his way of expressing glory to God—he was praying not taunting (uh huh, yeah, and I  can fly and do magic tricks like Tinkerbell)—give me a break.

He's done nothing but seek attention his entire career—I blame that other "Catch" for his introduction into sports infamy. If he wasn't insinuating that his quarterback was gay (as with Garcia in San Francisco), then he was doing bare-chested sit-ups on his front lawn (as in Philadelphia).

His antics are well-known and well-documented by media and fans alike and his lengthy stay on the unemployment line is just him finally reaping what he's sown.

The truth is, no team needs a questionably-handed receiver with an attitude—T.O. is a diva and everyone knows it.

My advice to Mr. Owens, deal with it, you made this bed—now get comfy.

Georgia QB Prospect LeMay Gets Max Suspension—Will Appeal

According to the Charlotte Observer, Butler High School quarterback—and current Georgia Bulldog prospect—Christian LeMay was given the max level suspension for an offense he committed at the end of the 2009-10 school year. Although the offense has not been specified, his father Stacy LeMay has assured the public that it was merely a "youthful infraction" and did not include "drugs, weapons, or any form of violence".

The next step  in the process, naturally, will be an appeal of the suspension. LeMay's father feels that they have a good chance of seeing a "...favorable outcome" due to his son's prior track record as a non-disciplinary problem.

That said, if his appeal is denied, the young man would forego enrollment in the alternative school—which his father states is for "kids who have habitual behavioral problems"—in favor of finishing out his playing career at a private school in the area.

As of now, there is no reason to believe that LeMay will be denied entry into the University of Georgia and his father feels hopeful that his son will be ready to enroll in Athens in Spring 2011—as originally planned.

For now, the appeals process will be set into motion and likely will not be ruled on until the end of August—at which point, the next step will be determined.

The Butler High School Bulldogs are rated the No. 2 team in the nation by at least one poll and would like to defend their state championship this season. LeMay is the leader of this team and, said his coach, "We'll win a lot of games if Riley (LeMay's backup) has to start for us, but there's just no substitute for Christian's experience. It would be good for us if he were able to help us defend our state championship."

As Bernie Dawg points out, the pressure on the disciplinary committee could prove to be too much in this instance, especially given the relatively squeaky-clean image offered by LeMay up to this point. 

Georgia Bulldog CB Jordan Love Arrested

Jordan Love, a redshirt freshman, was arrested last night after failing to cooperate with law enforcement and charged with misdemeanor obstruction of justice. 

According to a report by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Tim Tucker, UGA Police responded to a call about three individuals shooting fireworks near an on-campus dorm. Upon arrival, they questioned the perpetrators and Love, who was allegedly among the accused, "was arrested for obstruction for not giving his name and date of birth."

He was released this morning on a $5,000 bond from the Clarke County Jail.

Love was listed as a third-string cornerback on the depth chart at the end of spring and was hopeful to make an impact in 2010. Given the relative lack of depth at the corner spot, it was a realistic possibility—his potential was trumpeted here in February—but his status will remain in doubt until we hear from Mark Richt.

Coach Richt has already shown that he is not willing to take chances on players who get into trouble with the law. Montez Robinson, Zach Mettenberger, and walk-on punter, Trent Dittmer have all been dismissed from the team during this off-season.

Will Love suffer the same fate? 

Just when it seemed that the actual football team was starting to shake the negative glare off their collective helmets, this happens. Coach Richt has to be shaking his head—I know I am.

(UPDATED 1:21pm): According to MSNBC, Love may not face any charges at all, UGA police chief, Jimmy Williamson is stating that there may have been a communication breakdown in the interaction that Love had with law enforcement. Love, apparently, either would not or could not divulge his middle name. The officer on the scene interpreted his inability to offer that information as evasiveness.

However, according to Williamson: 


"there are personal reasons why, and I don't want to divulge the circumstances, but talking to those people (Love's parents) -- the point they made seems very reasonable. The officer didn't know those facts at the time. We will make that known to the court and let the court decide based on what is known now."

Perhaps everything will work out for the best after all—that would be nice. 

Christian LeMay Suspension Decision Could Take Another 7-10 Days

According to a report by Dallas Jackson of Rivals, the decision on Christian LeMay's suspension could take another week or more. The 2011 Georgia quarterback commit violated a rule in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools code of conduct guide and faces up to a 30-day suspension—the nature of the violation has not been revealed.

A disciplinary hearing was held on June 14th and afterwards, LeMay's father released the following written statement to the media:

“We would first like to thank so many of you who have shown your love, support and rendered prayers for our family at this time. The overwhelming outpouring of community affection has been tremendous. Christian is the oldest of our four children and as parents we could not have asked nor designed a more special young man then himself. He has for 17 years lead by example and done remarkably well with the responsibility. We truly believe that children are a joy and one of the most precious gifts we could ever receive from God.

“Yet sometimes, despite all the teachings and training there comes a time in every individuals life in which they are faced with choices. In a perfect world our children would always make right choices. However, reality says sometimes they may make a decision that is unwise and youthful in nature. Recently Christian, in a momentary lapse in good judgment,  yielded to an out-of-character decision that even he is not proud of. Like many of us, we are sure, he will look back on this time with regret as well as having gained a valuable learned experience.

“For seventeen years Christian has been a model child, exemplary student and a wonderful asset to his community. He has been giving, encouraging others, loving and honoring to all who know him. We are standing with our Son to provide love and support and to insure his successful progression from this point. We would also like to thank CMS for their student care and academic concern towards this matter. We trust that Christian will emerge stronger from this experience and regain the faith of all his supporters. We thank all of you for your continued prayers and are believing for the best.”

Sincerely

The LeMay Family

At the conclusion of the hearing, it was thought that a decision on the future of LeMay's senior season at Butler High School would be known within ten days of the hearing. However, the disciplinary board can take as many as 14-days or more to determine their punishment.

If LeMay is suspended for the full 30-days, he will not be allowed to make his return to in-season play until after the regular season is over. He would, essentially, be given the opportunity to make a playoff run with the Bulldogs—nothing more.

How this effects his standing with the University of Georgia is subject to rampant speculation and, really, no one knows if it will make a difference.  That said, it is something to keep an eye on as the days progress because—if the details of this violation ever are released—the admissions committee at Georgia could see fit to do a little review of its own and that is never a good thing.

As of now, this is simply a high school issue—nothing more—and there is little reason for me or anyone else to believe that LeMay will be anything less than a Bulldog come 2011.

Former Oregon Duck, Jeremiah Masoli, Proves You Can't Fix 'Stupid'

I have only one question for Jeremiah Masoli: "How stupid are you?"....No, I'm completely serious.
For those of you who have not heard the news, Jeremiah Masoli, the formerly suspended quarterback of the Oregon Ducks is now the dismissed, former starter of the Oregon Ducks after being arrested yet again.

To recap, back in March of 2010, Masoli and a former teammate were charged with second-degree burglary after they stole, among other things, a couple of Apples and a guitar. 

Okay, I'm being a bit glib with the Apple reference; they stole a couple of MacBooks and a guitar.

Anyway, after being forgiven for his trespasses by head coach, Chip Kelly, Masoli was extended a second-chance. He was going to be allowed to redeem himself by staying pristine, clean, and out of trouble.

Kelly even allowed him back to take some snaps with the team during spring practices. It was interpreted by some as a show of maturity by Masoli. There he was, providing not only advice to those who were vying to take his place but a window to 2011 as well. The message was clear: he was gone for 2010 but would definitely be looking to reclaim his spot in 2011.

There was some talk of a possible transfer, but it was clear that his best course of action was to stay at Oregon, take his one-year suspension, and then try return in 2011.

That was the plan.

Well, Masoli must have cement for sense because on Monday night, he was arrested again. What’s funny is the offense might have been dismissed as a minor traffic violation—he might have even had the chance to talk his way out of it altogether—if not for the marijuana and the suspended license.

What was he thinking?

Well, obviously he wasnt, but...really, it just brings me back to my original question: "How stupid do you have to be?"

I try hard not to ever bash on a player but this isn't a 17-year old high school student or an 18-year old freshman. This is a guy who stood to make a pretty penny at the next level if he could follow up on a great sophomore season. A season in which he threw for more than 2,000 yards while rushing for more than 600—scoring 28 total touchdowns—leading his team to both the Rose Bowl and a Pac-10 Championship.

Now, he’s just another cautionary tale of what happens when stupid is as stupid does.

He may still get his shot at playing football again, possibly even in 2010, now that he has no allegiances for 2011.

The FCS (Division II Football Championship Subdivision) has been kind to other athletes who couldn't seem to stay out of trouble—see Willie Williams and Ryan Perriloux—and if Masoli ends up going that route—good luck to him.

As for the Ducks, the era of Nate Costa can now, officially, begin as there is simply no longer a need to look over your shoulder at Oregon anymore—the thrill is definitely gone.

The Georgia Bulldogs Receive 11th Commitment: QB Nick Marshall

Georgia netted another early commitment on Tuesday night when Wilcox County quarterback, Nick Marshall, stated his intention to sign with the Bulldogs in 2011.

The Georgia native has been on the Bulldogs radar for quite some time—his initial offer came in December 2009—and he has been told that he will be allowed to play basketball for coach Fox as well.

He will play defensive back (DB), not quarterback (QB), for Georgia.

According to Dean Legge of DawgPost.com, coach Richt contacted Marshall's high school coach a couple weeks ago and re-offered the prep star as a DB. After giving the offer some thought, Marshall decided to accept the change and give his commitment to Georgia.

It was well-known that the commitment of Christian LeMay—considered to be one of the nation's top quarterback's for 2011—lessened the urgency for Georgia to sign another QB in this class. So, it wasthe popular opinion of many—fans and experts—that Marshall could decide to sign elsewhere.

However, after giving it some thought, he likely understood the advantages of playing defense instead of offense—particularly given his desire to continue playing basketball. After all, the demands placed on a Division I quarterback are many, and it would have been difficult to be as effective at one without, somewhat, eschewing the other.

SEC QB's don't really have an offseason—they are expected to be as involved during the year as they are after it is over.

If Marshall was harboring any hoop dreams, then it would not have behooved him to have them while playing quarterback.

He won't be coming into the position blindly—he played both corner and safety in high school—and his 6'2", 185 lbs frame, coupled with his above-average speed, will make him an intriguing prospect at the position for Scott Lakatos next spring.

Either way, the Georgia Bulldogs "Dream Team" continues to make all the right move.

Tuesday Afternoon Tea: Just a Few Links For Your Drink

Now that Clemson's starting quarterback might decide to bolt for an MLB paycheck—people are suddenly interested in what Tajh Boyd will do in his stead. Here's a good guess, in a year or so, people may forget who Kyle Parker was in the first place because, honestly, most of Clemson is already saying "bye, bye" to his services. Boyd is going to be very good for Clemson.

It's funny to me that Notre Dame is still being given this much credit. Here's the thing, people, Notre Dame can get paid big dollars without extending a branch to any other conference—why would they want to save the hides of any one?

Yawn...The Gators are still making the rest of SEC sports play second-fiddle; it'll be nice when that streak ends. 

If the Pac-10 does actually expand, somebody send the State of Texas a memo to remind them that: Baylor Sux...just a suggestion.


Bill King sheds a little light on Georgia's recent run of "bad publicity".

Clemson won't be the only ACC team looking for another quarterback this coming season. N.C. State may be saying "so long" to Russell Wilson as he, potentially, also will join the Colorado Rockies roster.

And, staying with MLB for a touch longer, the Texas Rangers nabbed Georgia Diamond Dawg pitcher, Justin Grimm, in the fifth-round.

Paul Finebaum has turned his venomous attention towards the Cock's and Hogs of South Carolina and Arkansas, respectively.

The Lady's Friday Morning Breakfast Links—Get Em' While They're Hot!

Chris Low of ESPN, says that Aaron Murray, not A.J. Green, is Georgia's most irreplaceable player. I have to say, he makes a good point. Georgia lost A.J. for two games last season but was no worse for the wear. If Murray goes down this season, it could spell trouble for Georgia.

As expected, Braxton Miller has shunned all of his other offers in favor of playing for his home state. Miller, a quarterback prospect out of Ohio will spend his playing days as a Buckeye. 

The latest rumor mill has the Pac-10 going to a Pac-16 by including six additional teams—all from the Big 12. Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State are among the schools that would, alledgedly be asked to join.

David Hale of Bulldogs Blog wonders if size will really be a factor for QB Murray. Most are saying that his diminutive stature will prove to be his undoing but, honestly, there have been QB's with less height than Murray—Drew Brees, D.J. Shockley, Pat White, Charlie Ward, and Chase Daniel—all managed to lead their teams to victory.

The results of the NCAA's investigation into shady dealings with USC's football and basketball program STILL have not been released—jeez, what's the holdup guys—Congress doesn't take this long.

Thanks to Nick Saban, indirectly of course, the Georgia State Panthers have secured the services of Star Jackson. Even more, Bill Curry may have a couple of offensive lineman to help protect his blindside—he'll have the Georgia Tech program to thank for that good fortune.

UCLA coaching legend, John Wooden, may not walk among us much longer. Pete Carroll has reportedly said the coaching great is nearing his final moments.

The Huffington Post discusses the mind-blowing gap in the media coverage of male-dominated versus female-dominated sporting events. 

ESPN has released it's television lineup for the upcoming college football season.

Georgia Bulldog TE Bruce Figgins' Return Should Bolster Offense

When Bruce Figgins was suspended at the start of 2009, many felt that the tight end position took a hit. Despite the potential at the time, of both Aron White and Orson Charles, it was the size and blocking ability of Bruce Figgins that many hoped to see on the field in 2009--especially given the inexperience of Joe Cox at quarterback.

After the first few games of the season however, it became clear that both Charles and White were doing a solid job as starters and, their production on the field was significant enough, that Figgins felt comfortable opting for a medical redshirt.

This allowed him to continue rehabbing his shoulder and preparing for a fully healthy season in 2010.

His six-game suspension in August 2009 likely factored into the decision as well. He was due to return for the seventh game of the year, but there was no guarantee that he would have been ready, conditioning wise, to play at the level fans were accustomed to seeing.

2010 brings a fresh start and Figgins is ready to get back to buisness on the football field.  Even so, that doesn't mean it will be an easy task for him to steal reps from the firmly established rotation of Orson Charles and Aron White.

After all, their performances firmly established them as receiving threats in the offense and Charles, in particular, could prove a comfortable target for new quarterback Aaron Murray--the two are good friends and played together at Plant High School--as he gets comfortable with his starting role.

On the other hand, it couldn’t hurt to bolster the offensive lines expected strength with an extra body that knows how to pick up a blitz and open up running lanes for the tailbacks.

Last season, the Dawgs offensive line struggled against the pass rush and was inconsistent blocking in short yardage situations. Figgins’ size and aggressive nature at the point of attack could help alleviate some of those issues in 2010 by adding another big body on the line of scrimmage.

Figgins has always shown a proclivity for being an outstanding blocker and he can hold his own against some of the tougher defensive ends in the SEC.

This year it is expected that the Dawgs will lean on the run game heavily in the early going and a healthy, strong, and rejuvenated Figgins lining up alongside an experienced crew, would be beneficial in both protecting Aaron Murray and opening running lanes for the tailbacks.

Furthermore, his healthy influence on Arthur Lynch cannot be discounted. He and Lynch are similar in both size and style of play, and Lynch has shown that he can be a formidable blocker in the future.
Figgins’ ability to catch passes should also not be dismissed. He may not be called upon to fill that role very often, but that does not mean he is not capable of doing so. He has good hands to go with his strong frame and that makes him an excellent redzone target.

Georgia has a lot of talent at the tight end spot, but the return of Figgins is significant because of his above-average blocking ability. Georgia will need him to remain healthy and focused (both on and off the field) this season. If he can do so, both the passing and running game should be helped by his presence on the field.