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Thursday, November 11, 2010

Ye Olde Mailbag

It's been an interesting week, and it's not over yet. Georgia is headed into the eye of the college football storm on Saturday, and we get a front seat.

While we await the craziness, let's dip into the mailbag and try to provide a bit of insight. Or something resembling insight.

Was it Cam Newton on the grassy knoll?
- Mike McGraw (via Twitter)


I don’t wanna start any rumors, but did they ever solve who launched that missile in California?

What are the odds the NCAA sends a paratrooper into Jordan-Hare Stadium to issue an injection to keep Cam Newton from playing?
- Lucas Puente (via Twitter)


Would they really need to do it via paratrooper? And wouldn’t that be a little ostentatious? I’d think they could just sneak somebody in the locker room.

Seriously, I’d still expect Newton to play on Saturday … but you never know.

As for the actual game this weekend, what do you hear from Grantham regarding the actual strategy of containing Newton? Are bigger bodies in the middle the answer? Gap discipline?
- Kenneth


Not sure if bigger bodies is an option, since Kwame Geathers has spent much of the week on an exercise bike. Gap discipline is something they need to do every week – and have done that with inconsistent success.

Grantham was asked earlier this week about what you do to stop Newton, and here was his answer:

“First of all, you’ve gotta make sure that you play the blocks, because their blocks are pretty good. Their offensive line is pretty physical. Their receivers do a good job of blocking. Their backs block. There’s an option element to it, so you’ve gotta make sure you’ve got that taken care of.

“So basically you’ve gotta play assignment football. You’ve gotta play physical. And when you do tackle him, he’s a big guy, he can make guys miss, so you’ve gotta pursue. That’s important. You’ve gotta make sure when you get on him you wrap him up and hang on there.”

Am I wrong in thinking that to beat Auburn we must force Newton to throw? I haven't seen Auburn play much but it seems he's much more likely to beat u on the ground.
- Wes Hutchison


I agree. I guess we’ll find out Saturday if that’s correct or just thinking too simplistic. But the obvious fact is Newton is much more dangerous in the open space when he has the option to run or throw.

The question is whether Georgia will be able to condense that pocket – it’s not just getting Justin Houston and company to provide a rush from the outside, but for DeAngelo Tyson and Akeem Dent to stuff the middle, preventing Newton from going up the middle. Because of his size, all Newton needs is a little room, and he can push his way to a couple extra yards.

1) I know there’s been a lot of grumbling the last couple of years regarding the S&C program, but has anyone done an actual analysis/comparison to other schools? How many people work in the S&C as opposed to Bama, Florida? What kinds of programs are emphasized at those schools vs. UGA? Who’s best at measuring football strength, from an NFL scout’s perspective?

2) Seems like next year the OL will be breaking in some new faces on the depth chart. Who out of the redshirts is most prepared (Benedict, Long, etc.), who has a ways to go and what are your thoughts on the “rising” possible starters (Harmon, Lee, Burnett)

- Graham Garrett


1) As far as size of the staff, Georgia has four people assigned to that role, which is as many, if not more, than other programs. South Carolina, for instance, just has two or three people. When this season winds down, I promise I’ll look into this further. It’s the offseason where the weight work really becomes vital. And to be honest, having just started in August, when practice began, my exposure to the strength and conditioning program has been limited.

2) All of those guys have been getting their licks in practice, except Chris Burnette, who has been hurt. Given that, Georgia will be happy that Ben Jones has another year of eligibility. I know they do like all those guys – with A.J. Harmon and Dallas Lee getting singled out early in the season. And don’t forget Kenarious Gates, who has actually started and been a factor. The line may not face much of a drop-off next season, especially if Trinton Sturdivant has another offseason to get his knee back to full strength.

On to another multi-question submission:

1) We will be losing a lot of contributors this year to graduation (Clint Boling, Brandon Wood, Demarcus Dobbs, Josh Davis, Darryl Gamble, Akeem Dent). Who is in line to replace them for next year?

2) Which (currently redshirting or non-contributing this year) players are at ILB versus OLB? For instance, Brandon Burrows, Richard Samuel, Jarvis Jones, Dexter Morant, etc...

3) Who is going to play fullback next year when Chapas and Munzenmeier are gone?

4) Parker Welch, really? As Newton?
- Matt Sanders


1) See above on Boling and Josh Davis. At defensive end, Abry Jones and Derrick Lott are the veterans, and there’s a chance T.J. Stripling and Dexter Morant could be moved down to end. At outside linebacker, don’t forget Justin Houston, who is probably NFL-bound. But Jarvis Jones will be eligible, Stripling could factor in if he’s not at DE, and Cornelius Washington is back. On the inside, Marcus Dowtin and Christian Robinson are back, along with some guys you mention in your next question.

2) Samuel is an inside guy, not big enough for the outside in a 3-4. Burrows and Morant are outside guys, while Jarvis Jones will probably get to play wherever they think he can do the most damage.

3) Zander Ogletree is getting a lot of work there, so it’s probably no accident he wasn’t redshirted. After that, they’ve got a slew of walk-ons they feel won’t hurt them.

4) Parker Lewis wasn’t available.

Where should I go to lunch today?
- Thinking Bulldog (via Twitter)


Really, can you ever go wrong with Weaver D’s? I usually prefer Subway, but let’s just say the one nearest to me has, er, inconsistent quality of service. And what’s with the total lack of swiss cheese in Athens?

Just wondering if there had been any response to the article after the FL game where our D was basically accused of being out of shape and gassed. Any possible change in Strength and Conditioning after the season?
- Jayton


Some people have made a good point, that Georgia actually outscored Florida by two touchdowns in the second half, so that would indicate the conditioning wasn’t that bad. Like I said last week, do you take the comments on one Florida player as an entire indictment of the strength and conditioning?

I don’t want it to look like I’m defending the S&C program at all costs. I’m not. I just have to be honest in that it’s hard to evaluate, without having been around during the offseason, whether being out-physicaled at times is a result of the program, or talent.

Again, I also don't mean to be evasive, on this and occasionally other matters. I hope that people learn as we go here that if I don't have an answer, I'm not going to pretend I do.

That sort of relates to some of the questions I got during the A.J. Green investigation a few months ago. Since the actions of the media are coming up again as it relates to the Newton story, I hope you all see that I will always err on the side of caution, and what I definitely know to be true. And my emphasis will be on bringing you information and insight, whether it's good or bad for the program.

OK, off the soapbox, back to monitoring Twitter for the latest on Newton.

25 comments:

Nick said...

Great stuff, Seth. With the amount of horrible reporting we see on major networks and the large newspapers, its nice to have a place to get honest information on the team and conference we care about. It's actually funny/disturbing how some sports shows have gone down to using the Entertainment Tonight format of sensational headlines and keeping up to date with the latest twitter feed. Keep up the good work, its appreciated.
Also, get into Boardwalk Empire- Buscemi's tour de force. And make sure to watch Archer when it comes back in a couple months.

Anonymous said...

Let me address the conditioning comments from the Florida player... they are a non-issue. I am sure most players are going to be huffing and puffing after playing against a no-huddle type offense for a while... if they're really giving 100% during each play. That is to be expected. Also like Seth said - we outscored them in the second half. Finally Florida had the benefit of being rested for that game while Georgia hasn't had a week off since the season started (unless of course you consider the way we played against MSU and CO as taking a week off)... I don't know of any team that can play this many weeks in a row and not start to wear down to some degree.

With all that being said I'm also not defending the S&C program but that Florida player's comments are irrelevant...

Anonymous said...

Seth, no mention of Benedict the OL from last year who was one of our top recruits?Is he progressing from his injury?

Anonymous said...

Another thought on the S & C from the Florida player. I think Meyer used that as a motivational tool - hyping his guys up as they focused on the no huddle for the two weeks they had to prepare for the game.

Forpheri said...

Keba is the thing I miss most about Athens food. I liked it more when it was downtown though.

Anonymous said...

I've never heard of Keba. Where was/is it?

David said...

We have lots of swiss cheese in Athens. it's in the defensive secondary

Hey Oh!

Anonymous said...

Keba is on the east side of Athens near the Publix shopping center. Everyone should eat there at least TWICE (you need 2 visits and 2 different items to fully appreciate the food there).

WillyBeamon said...

Auburn is not going to take Newton out on there own so if the NCAA rules him ineligable later what does that mean for this sat game? I know auburn will forfeit the win but will we get it if we lose? Or will it be like the game never happened? Our sacks and tackles on him will still count right?

He will play this week I'm just trying to figure out what will happen when he is ruled ineligible. Which I believe will happen sooner or later.

For crying out loud look what happened to aj for selling a jersey! Most of us wouldn't of known that was even against the rules but this everyone knows.

Also could it help miss st in the west if they turn Newton in and tell everything? I haven't looked at there losses but they have two. If you take away auburn then does miss st have a shot?

Willb said...

I was just reading this article that said Lattimore is easily the freshman of the year in the SEC. No question. Easiest pick of them all.

How the hell is that???? A sc team that very well could have just as many wins as us at the end of the season with a RB that is not really blowing everyone away. He's really good but he hasn't been spectacular.

I think it's a no brainer that you go with Murray here. He's having one of, if not the best freshman season at QB in SEC history. Also it's not like SC is that much better than us. I think Murray has easily been the more impressive newcomer this year. With no disrespect to Lattimore of course.

Here's the article http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=rivals-1151202

Anonymous said...

Will I think Lattimore is hurt.

I agree Murray should get considerable consideration.

DieHardDawg said...

Keba was originally Achim's Kebap, and was by the UGA track - when it opened I lived in the apartments across from it and went there three times a week. Easily some of the best food in Athens. Got to know the owner well while his customer traffic was still light...he's from Germany (used to play first chair French horn in the German Brass), visited Athens with his wife one day...they fell in love with the town (who could blame them) and he decided to introduce his favorite sandwich.

Still love me some Weaver D's and Wilson's though...


http://kebagrill.com/

DawgCPA said...

To all you CMR "haters"
From SEC Football: Saturday Down South's Facebook page... These are FACTS people. Not from a "fan" or "homer", but from the SEC. And you say Mark Richt is NOT a great coach??? REALLY???? Come on! Only the MNC is missing. Face reality! Go DAWGS!!!!

The following are some fun stats that are a tell-tale for the SEC:
Overall Record Since 2000
LSU – 107-32 .770
Florida – 106-32 .768
Georgia – 104-36 .743
Auburn – 106-39 .731
Tennessee – 86-51 .628
Arkansas – 78-56 .582
South Carolina – 74-57 .565
Alabama – 65-51 .560
Ole Miss – 67-63 .515
Kentucky – 50-70 .417
Mississippi St. – 49-78 .386
Vanderbilt – 36-90 .286

Overall Bowl Record Since 2000
Georgia – 9-2
LSU – 7-3
Auburn – 6-3
Florida – 5-5
Ole Miss – 4-1
Kentucky – 3-1
South Carolina – 3-3
Alabama – 3-4
Tennessee – 3-6
Mississippi St. – 2-0
Arkansas – 2-5
Vanderbilt – 1-0

SEC Championships
LSU – 3
Florida – 3
Georgia – 2
Auburn – 1
Alabama – 1

BCS Championships
LSU – 2
Florida – 2
Alabama – 1

BCS Bowl Game Record
LSU – 4-0
Florida – 4-1
Georgia – 2-1
Alabama – 1-2
Auburn – 1-0
Tennessee – 0-1

Garageflowers said...

Very nice the way you worked in Parker Lewis.

Anonymous said...

8 of those wins belong to Donnan douche!

6-6 (maybe) UGA in 2010 (after 8-5 2009)...Richt must go!

Anonymous said...

Great coach? Really?

8-5 followed by 6-6??

How many MNC's?

Go home D/bag!

Anonymous said...

i heard cam newton was the reason the economy is bad, i heard cam newton is the one who started the war in iraq, i cam newton went with obama to india

Exismo said...

Then it became Uncle Otto's downtown across from Bourbon Street. I think the pizza place is there now. The feta is an amazing sauce to put on your sandwich, but I recommend the Zesty BBQ. I've gotta stop because i am getting hungry.

DawgCPA said...

Anon 10:22 PM...
Great Coach. REALLY! Focus on more than two years. And I already pointed out the lack of of a MNC.
"Go home D/bag"?
Really? Why don't you grow up?
If not that, then grow a pair, identify yourself and bring it...
What a typical jerk.

Gov Milledge said...

There was an article I saw awhile back on Keba/Achim's/Uncle Otto's... Not sure if it was ABH, AJC or R&B

The guy worked through several different names due to marketability as well as trademark issues.

Keba is the concept now after he paired up with the Locos Group to franchise the concept. Hopefully it'll take off!

Joeski said...

Now, I haven't been back in a couple of years, but personally, for my money, the Five Points Deli was the best use of Meat and Cheese on a sandwich (especially their chicken salad).

Aside from that, I have to agree with Nick: watch 'Archer' on FX when the second season starts (and make sure you catch up...); H. Jon Benjamin is hysterical in that show.

Todd said...

There's a great family-owned place in downtown Athens that serves home-cooked favorites like collard greens, mac and cheese, cornbread, country fried steak, chicken, you name it. I think it's called Soul Food, but I'm not 100% sure. It's been a while since I've been back to Athens. The food was incredible, and the service was second to none. If you go, be prepared to take a nap when you're done.

David not Hale said...

For Lunch, go the the jamaican place on Lumpkin where steverino's and Son's used to be. This place moved from a tiny hole in the wall on milledge. Sooo Good! Try the jerk salmon with spicy cabbage and red beans n' rice. God I miss Athens! Go Dawgs!

bulldog joe said...

Unless they've put 60+ pounds on Morant this past year, no way he moves to DE.

He came in a 225 - a reasonable addition of 20-30 pounds makes him perfect for the OLB position.

CSA said...

I can't say enough good things about Keba. It's incredible. Just mentioning it now makes me want to drive to Athens and pick a few up. SO GOOD!