Barstool Is Right On Both Counts

I don't think that I've posted, or even commented, on anything related to Georgia football this season.

For one thing, it's been a busy fall for me. But mostly it's because the season has been so bad that I didn't want to make any knee-jerk reactions. When a team starts off 1-4, loses to the worst Florida team in six years, and pretty much squanders having the best receiver in the country and the SEC's best edge rusher, knee-jerk reactions are about all you can make.

Now seems like the perfect time to look at what happened this fall because there are a full 12 games to draw from, and because the Tech game seemed to sum up the season pretty well. These are some things I've been thinking about, many of which were probably discussed this weekend. Really, I'm just thinking out loud here.

So like I said, the Tech performance was exactly what you should have come to expect by now.

The running game was nonexistent early on, but that was okay because A.J. Green might be the best skill player in the country and words cannot describe how good Aaron Murray is. Yet Georgia did what it always seems to do, going away from what's working at times presumably for the sake of “balance.” I'm not one to rip specific play calls since I don't know what goes into a given situation, but this more of a philosophical thing. Then again, the offense has scored points. As long as the offense from the South Carolina game doesn't show up next year with Green in the NFL, I've got no major issues with Mike Bobo.

The offensive line is a different story. It struggled all year and did so again in short yardage against Tech. The defensive line was abused as well. I think the defensive issues can be addressed through recruiting because of the relative lack of size, but it doesn't look great in the short term. I can't even make an educated guess on the offensive line. Maybe Stick has been right to rip Dave Van Halanger all these years. I just don't get it.

This definitely was addressed before the game Saturday: the defense still could be fine given enough time. Defensive backs continue to look lost in coverage after 12 games, so that's either residue from the decline under Willie Martinez or maybe Todd Grantham hasn't perfectly translated his defense from the NFL to the college level. I think it's smart to reserve judgment until everyone gets a full offseason together. There was improvement in some areas, believe it or not.

Basically, no one is going to lose their jobs, and that's the way it should be. But I don't see how next year isn't make-or-break for everyone. It's not smart to put a number on anything, but Georgia obviously was not a very good team this year despite the few bright spots. I'd just hate to see what happens this time next year if we're saying the same things about the 2011 team. Anyone who has ever talked football with me knows I hate conjecture like this, but there are enough red flags that even I've got to say it.

Song of the Day: Justin Townes Earle -- Ain't Waitin'

Can't Stay Away

I'm back after a month with the computer in the shop. You probably didn't even notice.

Summer is a slow time for me, so without a computer at home I think I watched more TV in the last five weeks or so than I did the last two years combined. I'd like Shane and the Weazle to know that I watched It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia a few times, and it's actually even funnier than you made it sound. I saw the various incarnations of Law and Order for the first time, too, so that should be enough to get Donnie off my back for liking something that Shane enjoys.

I've also had a chance to spend some time with the new Phil Steele preview, and I feel the same way Jeff Dantzler did before 2007 or 2008 (can't remember which): “There's no reason to think Georgia can't win 'em all.”

Love this. Thanks for the heads up, Barstool.

Well, that's all I've got.

Song of the Day: Scott Lucas and the Married Men - Positively 4th Street

Cheer Up, Brothers

Lost in all the bitching and moaning about the Georgia football team recently is the fact that the basketball team has already gotten started, with a pretty uneventful win over USC-Upstate (I'm sure they've all been to The Beacon.).

Even I'd kind of forgotten about them until a few minutes ago, when I saw Shavlik Randolph throw one down against North Carolina on ESPN Classic. Duke is currently ranked No. 1, but has no idea that a few months later Redick will miss the big shot in the Final Four as I watch from the TGI Friday's at the Riverfront Marriott. Also, remember when Duke used to have post players?

But that's neither here nor there.



Anyway, the Bulldogs start play in the Preseason NIT tonight against Loyola-Chicago, where if they win, Purdue will be waiting to completely embarrass them. And I, for one, will be listening at 9 p.m. when the Honorable Jeff Dantlzer dazzles us with his color commentary.

I'm not expecting much from Georgia this year and, thankfully, it doesn't seem like anyone else is, either. I was pretty worried that people who don't pay all that much attention believed that they had turned some kind of corner and that Felton had to either get an at-large bid or hope SCAD changes its mind about dropping basketball and gives him a job.

Even if Billy Humphrey hadn't one-upped our boy Stick with his third arrest, this team was going to be ridiculously young. And I know that's an excuse, but it's also the reality of the situation. It'd be one thing if all of the young guys were supremely talented, but they're not. And even if Trey Thompkins is, it looks like he's going to be slowed for a while.

This is a weird spot for the program, because despite a 4-12 SEC record last season, this is a legitimate rebuilding year. But at least the league appears to be pretty down again, especially in the West, so maybe they'll surprise us.

I think, realistically, you've got to hope for a couple decent non-conference wins (either someone in the NIT, Illinois, Missouri, VT or Tech), weather a pretty rough start to the SEC and hope you can salvage enough wins late to make the real NIT. Unless a March hurricane hits Tampa during the conference tourney, I guess.

But I don't know. Maybe Dustin Ware is really Chris Paul. Or Travis Leslie turns out to be Vince Carter. Or Drazen Zlovaric is, like, Rashard Lewis or something.

But either way, barring a complete disaster, I don't see any reason to call for any heads this year. We can leave that to the football team (How weird is that to say?).

What do you think? I am I the only one who really cares?